Your November Meal Plan

Day 1: Turkey Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

Finding healthy recipes the family will eat is a challenge. This elegant squash is one we love, and it works with pork or chicken sausage, too. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia

Goes Great With: Roasted Red Pepper Green Beans

Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce

My family loves the sweet and spicy combination and declared this recipe an instant favorite just for that reason. The meatballs start sweet but finish with a little heat! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire

Goes Great With: Beet and Sweet Potato Fries

Day 3: Stout and Honey Beef Roast

Here's a heartwarming meal that's ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce different and oh, so good. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Goes Great With: Taste-of-Fall Salad

Steak Fajitas

Zesty salsa and tender strips of steak make these traditional fajitas extra special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah

Goes Great With: Southwestern Rice

Turkey Cordon Bleu Casserole

Impress your holiday visitors with this fancier twist on the traditional casserole. —Kristine Blauert, Wabasha, Minnesota

Goes Great With: Elegant Green Beans

Day 6: Chicken Mushroom Stew

The flavors blend beautifully in this pot of chicken, vegetables and herbs as it simmers slowly. —Kenny Van Rheenen, Mendota, Illinois

Goes Great With: Butternut Squash Apple Bake

Day 7: Slow-Cooked Stuffed Peppers

My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska

Goes Great With: Baked Parmesan Broccoli

Day 8: Chicken & Vegetable Curry Couscous

For my busy family, a semi-homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve this dish with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba

Goes Great With: Minted Beet Salad

Goes Great With: Special Herb Dressing

Porcini Mac & Cheese

This recipe was inspired by a mushroom mac and cheese I had at a local restaurant. I incorporated the fall flavor of a pumpkin ale, and it turned out better than the original. —Laura Davis, Chincoteague, Virginia

Goes Great With: No-Fuss Rolls

Walking Tacos

These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington

Goes Great With: Three-Bean Baked Beans

Spicy Shredded Chicken

I love Mexican food, but not the high calorie count that often comes with it. This easy dish is healthy, delicious and a definite crowd pleaser! I like to serve the chicken with warm tortillas, rice, beans and salsa. For an equally awesome dish, you can substitute beef or pork for the chicken. —Heather Walker, Scottsdale, Arizona

Goes Great With: Texas Tabbouleh

Day 14: Parmesan Pork Medallions

Here's one of the best pork medallion recipes I've found. With my own special tweaks, I have served this tender pork countless times for family and friends. It takes very little prep time and adapts easily to serve any number. —Angela Ciocca, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania

Goes Great With: Potluck Pan Rolls

Day 15: Cranberry Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas

Whether canned or homemade, cranberry sauce delivers a healthy dose of vitamins to this dish. A little bit sweet and a little bit smoky, these enchiladas are a delightful way to use leftover chicken or turkey. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Goes Great With: Smoky Quinoa with Mushrooms

Day 16: Chunky Chipotle Pork Chili

My leftover pulled pork chili recipe is a busy cook's dream. Make it ahead and reheat later—it's even better the second day. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Goes Great With: Cranberry and Roasted Beet Salad

Slow-Cooker Sausage Lasagna

On especially cold winter days, my family loves this with mild Italian sausage. I agree about the cold days, but I prefer a spicy sausage blend, which gives it a bit of a zing. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska

Goes Great With: Company Green Salad

All-Day Brisket with Potatoes

I think the slow cooker was invented with brisket in mind. This sweet and savory version is perfection itself because it melts in your mouth. It's very important to buy "first-cut" or "flat-cut" brisket, which has far less fat than other cuts. —Lana Gryga, Glen Flora, Wisconsin

Goes Great With: Braised & Creamy Vidalia Onions

Day 19: Sausage & Swiss Chard Pasta

I whipped up lunch with fresh produce from the farmers market, and the result was amazing. The pasta absorbs the cooking liquid quickly, so serve immediately to guarantee the best texture. —Kate Stiltner, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Goes Great With: Lemon Red Potatoes

Turkey a la King with Rice

I like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It's a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. —Pat Lemke, Brandon, Wisconsin

Goes Great With: Feta Romaine Salad

Apple-Roasted Pork with Cherry Balsamic Glaze

I added roasted apples, cherries and onions to turn ordinary pork into an impressive dish. There is a short time span between caramelized onions and burned ones, so pay close attention once they start cooking. —Josh Downey, McHenry, Illinois

Goes Great With: Warm Roasted Beet Salad

Day 22: Thanksgiving Stuffed Turkey

Goes Great With: Nanny’s Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Day 23: Turkey Sandwich with Raspberry-Mustard Spread

My hearty sandwich has different yet complementary flavors and textures. It's filled with flavor and nutrients, without all the unhealthy fats, sodium and added sugar that many other sandwiches have. And it’s absolutely delicious! —Sarah Savage, Buena Vista, Virginia

Goes Great With: Bacon Collard Greens

Thanksgiving Lover's Pizza

Got Thanksgiving Day leftovers? Forget ho-hum turkey sandwiches and try this unique take on pizza instead. Get creative with different variations: use whole berry or jelly cranberry sauce; add dollops of mashed potatoes on top; drizzle with turkey gravy; sprinkle with stuffing or dressing; or try unique pizza crust varieties. —Carla Parker, Anderson, South Carolina

Goes Great With: Crunchy Apple Mixed Greens Salad

Day 25: Winter Vegetable Shepherd's Pie

Everyone eats for comfort during the holidays, but comfort foods aren't necessarily healthy. To make a classic comfort food dish healthier, I came up with this lovely take: butternut squash shepherd's pie with ground turkey. It's perfect for putting out on your holiday buffet table. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Goes Great With: Smoky Cauliflower Bites

Hungarian Goulash

Talk about your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom made it for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. It’s simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida

Goes Great With: Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls

Day 27: Moroccan Chicken Tagine Pockets

I enjoy shredded chicken dishes, pita sandwiches and Moroccan seasonings. The addition of the carrot salad laced pomegranate seeds and with dates lends an extra punch and crunch. Mini flour tortillas can be substituted for pitas. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Goes Great With: Steamed Kale

Lemon & Thyme Roasted Chicken

I love lemon and thyme together so I decided to roast a chicken with that combo. The seasoning is simple, and the meat comes out moist and tender. —Pam Nelson, Beaverton, Oregon

Goes Great With: Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole

Veggie Pizza with Herbed Tomato Crust

I love this recipe because the crust is so flavorful—tomato juice replaces most of the oil. It's one of my kids' favorite meals! —Karen Shipp, San Antonio, Texas

Goes Great With: Sweet Potato & Chickpea Salad

Day 30: Quick Cilantro Chicken

If you’re a fan of cilantro, you’ll definitely like this chicken dish. The cilantro adds herbal flavor, melding with the tangy lemon juice and caramelized onions. —Mary Pipkin, Melba, Idaho

Goes Great With: Corn Okra Creole