We know November is all about food’s favorite holiday. But we have to keep in mind that there are 29 other days we need to feed ourselves this month, too. So, in between planning your Thanksgiving menu and using up those glorious leftovers, let us help you with some inspiration for easy meals to carry you through the busyness (and waning daylight hours).
Since we have whole roundups dedicated to Thanksgiving, we’ll focus this list on other (maybe even forgotten?) November recipes we can’t wait to serve up.
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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
Allrecipes / Kim Shupe
Love pumpkin (or love to hate it)? This time of year—and this recipe—is yours for the baking. Whip up this hearty loaf, made with pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, orange zest, cream cheese, and more, for an easy treat that evokes fall with every bite. As editor Courtney Kassel says, “Who am I kidding—I’m happy pumpkin spice season is here.”
Banana Bread Latte
Allrecipes / Diana Chistruga
Make another fall (or anytime) favorite this month with this twist on traditional banana bread that comes in a mug. Homemade banana syrup and banana cream foam level up your everyday latte. We can’t get enough.
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Wake up your taste buds with this dip everyone will be talking about. It has a beautiful blend of tart and spice, with some creamy goodness mixed in. It’ll be a welcome addition to any appetizer spread this season, whether for game day or Turkey Day.
Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
TheDailyGourmet
Maple flavors abound right now, and this salad is a unique and nutritious way to capture the essence in a sweet and savory way. Toss with greens, two kinds of apples, pecans, bacon, and Havarti cheese, and you’ll have a salad everyone will be on board with.
Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Our slow cookers are working overtime right now, and for good reason. They make weeknight meals so much easier (and tastier!). This cozy version of a classic favorite “feeds the whole family and then some,” according to Amanda Stanfield. And makes for the “perfect comfort food.” Just don’t forget the dollop of ricotta to finish it off.
Easy Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Chef Mo
Need some green thrown into the mix? Our favorite way to eat veggies is to smash them! Brussels sprouts really shine with this method, and adding cheese means even the pickiest eaters will be won over. We like to pair them with a little maple mustard sauce for dipping (like the one found here).
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
France C
Community member nch gave us this stuffed spaghetti squash gem with tomatoes, peppers, and feta cheese—a “perfect for a light and tasty vegetarian dinner” this time of year. Bonus: “The crispy bread crumbs on top are delicious and add some crunch.”
Pulled Pork Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Our new favorite way to use boxed cornbread mix is on top of casseroles. And this recipe does just that. Combine pulled pork, corn, black beans, cheese, and barbecue sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish, spoon cornbread mixture over top, and you’ll have a new go-to your family will request again and again.
Turkish Turkey Chili Pasta
John Mitzewich
According to the recipe page, “This Turkish turkey chili pasta is Chef John’s spin on the viral Turkish pasta, which is in itself meant to be a deconstructed version of a Turkish dumpling called manti. This is so much easier and amazingly, every bit as enjoyable.” Sounds like a must-try for cozy season, along with our usual chili recipes.
Chef John’s Coq au Vin
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Since there will be plenty of turkey to come, switch things up with a chicken dinner that’ll satisfy the whole household. Seared chicken thighs get nestled into a delectable bacon, mushroom, and red wine sauce for a delicious one-pot meal. Senior Editor Corey Williams has this on her list this month: “It feels very autumnal to me.”
Baked Dijon Salmon
Need dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes? We’ve got the recipe for you, and it doesn’t skimp on flavor. Butter, mustard, and honey come together to coat the fish that then gets topped with a breadcrumb coating and baked to perfection. Serve with rice and one of the sides listed here, and you’re set.
Honey Apple Pork Chops
Jason Donnelly
Senior Editorial Director Diana Moutsopoulos offers us this easy dinner solution to make all season long, and we’re so grateful she did. “Honey-apple pork chops are simmered to tender perfection in this simple recipe that you can tell everyone had you working in the kitchen all day long!” Patricia Kaowthumrong has already given it her stamp of approval.
Million Dollar Potato Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Now for something that works on the dinner table, or the holiday table, this creamy, cheesy, potato extravaganza is hard to beat. One Allrecipes user exclaims, “This recipe was AMAZING—RUN to the store to get the ingredients and give it a try.” Don’t mind if we do!
Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali
Allrecipes Allstar Pat Bernitt sells us on this simple side, “These honey balsamic roasted carrots have a caramelized sweet and savory topping. It’s a simple, delicious, and easy recipe.”
Garlic Dinner Rolls
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Making homemade rolls is easier than you might think. It makes for a great weekend project (especially in preparation for your Thanksgiving menu). Recipe creator Catherine Jessee and the test kitchen team give simple-to-follow instructions for garlicky-good dinner rolls that are “wonderfully fluffy and buttery with a golden brown top and light fluffy interior.”
Test Kitchen Tip
To make up to 1 month ahead: Prepare the rolls through Step 6 and freeze. Before baking, let the rolls thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then rise at room temperature (about 1 hour or more, depending). Glaze with egg wash and bake. Alternately, bake the rolls through Step 9 and freeze (freeze remaining garlic-butter mixture in a separate container). To serve, place frozen rolls on ungreased baking sheets and bake in a 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until warmed. Brush with garlic butter mixture before serving.
Lunch Lady Pretzel Bars
Allrecipes / Kim Shupe
We’re all swooning over this newcomer recipe from LaDonna Langwell, who notes, “These no-bake lunch lady pretzel bars, reminiscent of the school cafeteria, are no-bake peanut butter bars with a smooth chocolate and peanut butter ganache layer over the top. Easy to make, they need only an hour to chill before cutting.” No-bake? Say less.
Cranberry Orange Bread
Oana Ennis/Allrecipes
Now is also the time we’re all making cranberry bread on repeat. It makes the best snacking treat when the seasonal favorite is popping up at the grocery store. The smell of this baking will bring hungry mouths to the kitchen. Senior Content Manager Frances Crouter puts it best, “I’m all about cranberry in November!”
Cardamom and Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Williams is getting a jump start on cookie season, exclaiming, “I LOVE these cookies and November feels like the right time to make them again.” We couldn’t agree more. Creator Kim gives us the scoop: “Add some zing to your chocolate chip cookies with a bit of espresso and cardamom flavor! These are somewhat thin and chewy cookies, which makes them perfect for dunking into your morning cup of coffee.”
Thanksgiving Leftover Dinner Bombs
Photographer: Jason Donnelly / Food Styling: Sammy Mila / Prop Styling: Gabe Greco
We can’t end the month without leftovers. But this recipe takes the idea to a whole new level. Stuff biscuits with a balanced combination of turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, and you’ll never look back.
Apple Cider Spritz
Photographer: Carson Downing / Food Styling: Annie Probst / Prop Styling: Lexi Juhl
The perfect end to an autumn day, this cocktail is festive and refreshing all at once. Simply add prosecco and club soda to a glass and top off with the magical apple cider syrup, which can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick, and cheers to fall.
Dining and Cooking