No need to plan out your dinners for the next month—we've done the hard work for you! We've got 30 recipes for 30 days (including Thanksgiving!) right here.

Your November Meal Plan

Day 1: Skillet Lasagna
Main Ingredients: Lasagna noodles, ground beef, diced tomatoes, spaghetti sauce
Level: Beginner
This quick and easy 30 minute lasagna is made in a single skillet. With cottage cheese instead of ricotta, this dish is creamier than a traditional lasagna.
This is hands-down one of the best skillet lasagna recipes our testing panel has ever tasted. And with classic flavors and cheesy layers, it’s definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Day 2: Hamburger Potato Casserole
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, ground beef, corn
Level: Beginner
A fun riff on cottage pie, this hearty hamburger potato casserole has a crispy potato crust. It’s topped with ground beef, corn and a creamy combination of creamy celery soup, milk and cheddar.
For variety, you can use another kind of cream soup (cream of mushroom, for instance). But try this meat and potato casserole this way first. —Recipe contributor Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa
Day 3: Stout and Honey Beef Roast
Main Ingredients: Beef chuck roast, stout beer, honey
Level: Beginner
Tired of your usual roasts? This sweet and savory sauce offers an autumnal twist on a classic meal.
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
Day 4: Chicken a la King
Main Ingredients: Biscuits, chicken, mushrooms
Level: Beginner
This delightful dinner is a bowl of comfort with chicken, biscuits and gravy. By using store-bought frozen biscuits and precooked chicken, you cut out most of the work without losing any of the flavor.
I’ve been making this thick and creamy Chicken a la King recipe for over 30 years. It’s a wonderful way to create a quick lunch or dinner with leftover chicken. —Recipe contributor Ruth Lee, Troy, Ontario
Day 5: Creamy Chicken Pasta
Main Ingredients: Penne, heavy whipping cream, chicken, mushrooms
Level: Beginner
This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta is a ready in just 30 minutes. It’s an adaptable recipe, so you can add different veggies and spices.
Rich, creamy and laced with wine, this homemade sauce is one my family loves. Use it over pasta and chicken for a dinner you’ll be proud to serve. I also add capers to lend a salty, lemony flavor to pasta. —Recipe contributor Elaine Moser, Spokane, Washington
Day 6: Chicken Mushroom Stew
Main Ingredients: Chicken breast, mushrooms, tomato paste, onion
Level: Beginner
This chicken and mushroom stew is packed with produce. Aside from mushrooms, it uses tomatoes, onion, zucchini and green pepper.
The flavors blend beautifully in this pot of chicken, vegetables and herbs as it simmers slowly. —Recipe contributor Kenny Van Rheenen, Mendota, Illinois
Day 7: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Main Ingredients: Ground beef, Ranch Style beans, diced tomatoes
Level: Intermediate
This recipe features two layers, starting with a seasoned ground beef-and-bean mixture reminiscent of chili con carne. The savory filling is blanketed with cornbread batter to create a fluffy topping.
My rich and hearty chili is made with flavorful beef and ranch-style beans. It’s then layered with creamy cheese and cornbread for a comforting potluck meal. —Recipe contributor Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts
Day 8: Easy Chicken Pesto Stuffed Peppers
Main Ingredients: Yellow or orange peppers, rotisserie chicken, pesto
Level: Beginner
There are many ways to make stuffed peppers, but the orange bell peppers really match the fall season. By using prepared pesto and rotisserie chicken, you can cut down on time and have a hearty meal on the table in under 30 minutes.
On busy weeknights, I neither want to spend more than 30 minutes preparing dinner nor do I want to wash a towering pile of dishes. This recipe delivers on both counts without having to sacrifice on flavor! —Recipe contributor Olivia Cruz, Greenville, South Carolina
Day 9: Turkey Enchiladas
Main Ingredients: Cooked turkey, rice, flour tortillas, green enchilada sauce
Level: Intermediate
These turkey enchiladas are stuffed with a filling that comes together in one pan. Then, they’re smothered in green enchilada sauce and cheese and baked in the oven. It’s the perfect recipe for leftover turkey (if you’re practicing before the big feast).
My family likes these enchiladas so much that they request a turkey dinner several times a year just so I’ll make this dish with the leftovers. I usually double it because I feed three growing boys—two teenagers and my husband! —Recipe contributor Beverly Matthews, Pasco, Washington
Day 10: Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Mushroom Sauce
Main Ingredients: Frenched racks of lamb, rosemary, mushrooms, panko bread crumbs
Level: Intermediate
This elegant dinner is easier to make than you might think. The decadent mushroom sauce can be used for other proteins, but it works best with a gamier meat like lamb.
With this easy, surefire recipe, you don’t have to be afraid to prepare a rack of lamb for a holiday dinner. Rice pilaf and roasted asparagus are a lovely way to round out the meal. —Recipe contributor Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida
Day 11: Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone
Main Ingredients: Tortellini, Italian sausage, mascarpone cheese
Level: Beginner
With only 6 ingredients, this pasta is dressed up without too much effort. Mascarpone cheese is similar to ricotta cheese, but with a slightly sweeter and buttery taste. It complements the smoky sausage well.
When I crave Italian comfort food on a busy night and don’t have a lot of time to cook, this dish is a lifesaver. It’s fast and yummy and starts with a premade jarred sauce. You can have it on the table in less time than a takeout order. —Recipe contributor Gerry Vance, Millbrae, California
Day 12: Steak Fajitas
Main Ingredients: Flank steak, whole wheat tortillas, tomatoes
Level: Beginner
Fresh ingredients and a colorful appearance make this meal a standout. Make the meal spicier by adding more jalapeños.
Zesty salsa and tender strips of steak make these traditional fajitas extra special. —Recipe contributor Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Day 13: Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken
Main Ingredients: Elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, chicken, bacon strips
Level: Beginner
This is a meal made to carry on to the next day. This mouthwatering chicken ranch mac and cheese recipe combines classic macaroni and a three-cheese blend of Swiss, cheddar and Parmesan.
Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. —Recipe contributor Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Day 14: Parmesan Pork Medallions
Main Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs
Level: Beginner
This pantry-ready meal requires very little prep. You can dress it up or tone it down depending on the side dishes you choose to serve with it.
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. —Recipe contributor Angela Ciocca, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
Day 15: Garlic Herbed Beef Tenderloin
Main Ingredients: Beef tenderloin roast, garlic, basil, rosemary
Level: Beginner
This lightly seasoned beef tenderloin feeds a crowd. Yielding 12 servings, it’s a great option for a holiday dinner or potluck entree.
You don’t need much seasoning to add flavor to this tender beef roast. The mild blend of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Recipe contributor Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Day 16: Chunky Chipotle Pork Chili
Main Ingredients: Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, red beans, pork
Level: Beginner
This chunky pork chili gets some extra kick from chipotle pepper in adobo sauce and chili powder. You can add jalapeños on top as well.
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. —Recipe contributor Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Day 17: Baked Salmon
Main Ingredients: Salmon, butter, white wine, lemon juice
Level: Beginner
Not sure where to start with your salmon? This simple fish is best prepared with a butter and herb blend.
I often make this very moist and flavorful baked salmon for company because I can have it ready in less than half an hour. This salmon with lemon is well complemented by rice or a green vegetable and a tossed salad. —Recipe contributor Emily Chaney, Penobscot, Maine
Day 18: Sheet-Pan Pork Supper
Main Ingredients: Green beans, red potatoes, pork tenderloins
Level: Beginner
Teriyaki pork is the star of this one-pan dinner. The simple glaze coats the potatoes and veggies as well.
I created this pork tenderloin sheet-pan dinner to suit our family’s needs. It’s so quick and easy to clean up since you use one pan for everything! Use any variety of small potatoes—fingerlings or other colored potatoes are a fun and delicious option. —Recipe contributor Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
Day 19: Sausage & Swiss Chard Pasta
Main Ingredients: Orecchiette pasta, Italian sausage, Swiss chard
Level: Beginner
Swiss chard is most similar to spinach, but is sweeter and earthier. This makes it a great addition to a dish featuring a smoky meat like sausage.
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. —Recipe contributor Kate Stiltner, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Slow-Cooker Brisket
Day 21: Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti
Main Ingredients: Ricotta cheese, pasta sauce, ziti, mozzarella cheese
Level: Beginner
Baked ziti is usually a dish that requires a lot of care when preparing. This simple slow cooker version allows you to let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting, without losing any of the cheesy and comforting flavor.
I don’t know one family that doesn’t have some crazy, hectic evening. This recipe is a quick and easy fix for a busy weeknight dinner. —Recipe contributor Christy Addison, Clarksville, Ohio
Day 22: Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Main Ingredients: Spaghetti squash, ground beef, mozzarella cheese
Level: Beginner
This dish is hearty and nutritious thanks to a medley of veggies, ground beef and spaghetti squash. It’s even freezer friendly!
Spaghetti squash, like zucchini, can take over a garden. This is an excellent way to put that abundance to good use. I got the original spaghetti squash casserole recipe at a cooking class, and I’ve made it many times since. It’s unique and tasty. —Recipe contributor Mina Dick, Boissevain, Manitoba
Day 23: Braciole
Main Ingredients: Flank steak, bread crumbs, tomato sauce
Level: Intermediate
Braciole is an Italian-style beef roulade, which means thin or flattened steak rolled around a savory filling. The term braciole is typically used for a steak that’s cooked whole and sliced into individual portions.
In our family, braciole was served as a special treat for holidays. It was Grandma’s specialty and the preparation was time consuming. When the meat and sauce were fully cooked Grandma called us into the kitchen to watch her lift the roll from the sauce to the cutting board to slice it. The pinwheels of meat, laid side by side on the platter, topped with delicious sauce, made a colorful picture. —Recipe contributor Cookie Curci, San Jose, California
Day 24: Slow-Cooker Cranberry Chicken
Main Ingredients: Broiler/fryer chicken, cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce
Level: Beginner
To get in the mood for Thanksgiving, or use your leftovers, this cranberry chicken is a great place to start. The combination of cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce is sweet, savory and smoky.
I’ve been married for 42 years and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. I love to collect cookbooks and try new recipes. This dish is delicious, easy and good when served with rice and a vegetable side dish. Everyone in the family loves it! —Recipe contributor Edith Holliday, Flushing, Michigan
Day 25: Winter Vegetable Shepherd's Pie
Main Ingredients: Butternut squash, potatoes, carrots, peas, ground turkey
Level: Intermediate
This shepherd’s pie is topped with a combination of butternut squash, potatoes and carrots. But while the topping is sweeter, the filling is a mild and savory mix of ground turkey, mushrooms and peas.
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. —Recipe contributor Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Day 26: Hungarian Goulash
Main Ingredients: Beef stew meat, onions, carrots, green peppers
Level: Beginner
Hungarian goulash is a soup-like dish made of beef and vegetables in a paprika-spiced broth. This recipe uses flour to make the goulash thick and stew-like.
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! —Recipe contributor Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida
Cilantro-Lime Chicken
Day 28: One-Pot Thanksgiving Dinner
Main Ingredients: Stuffing mix, turkey, green beans
Level: Beginner
Prepping Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be an all-day affair. This quick all-in-one meal is ready in under an hour and features Thanksgiving favorites like stuffing, turkey and green beans.
This meal-in-one tastes like a big holiday dinner without the work. It’s a great way to use up leftover turkey, but Lynne says she often uses thick slices of deli turkey instead. —Recipe contributor Lynne Hahn, Temecula, California
Day 29: Thanksgiving Stuffed Shells
Main Ingredients: Jumbo pasta shells, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes
Level: Intermediate
Put your leftovers to work! This clever pasta is a great way to use your leftover stuffing, turkey and sweet potatoes from the night before.
Leftover turkey, dressing and sweet potatoes make terrific stuffing for jumbo pasta shells. We add cheese and use turkey gravy as the sauce for this crowd-pleaser. —Recipe contributor Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
Day 30: Stuffing Crust Turkey Potpie
Main Ingredients: Cornbread stuffing, turkey, broccoli florets
Level: Intermediate
Another clever way to use your Thanksgiving leftovers is by making this stuffing crusted potpie. With turkey and gravy, it has all the traditional flavors of Thanksgiving with some surprises like Swiss cheese and broccoli.
Here’s a wonderful, stick-to-the-ribs dish that slices well since the filling is thicker than that of traditional potpies. Pre-baking the crust makes it crunchy. —Recipe contributor Tamara Furda, Naperville, Illinois