30 Days of Recipes: A Quick-and-Easy Meal Planner for November
With the holiday season upon us, many of us would do well to conserve our time and energy, and nowhere is that more appropriate than in the kitchen. When it comes to party planning, you can definitely find some good lazy-girl holiday dinner options, and you can also save time with quick and easy breakfasts… But what about all the dinners in between? This November, we’ve got you covered. These 30 recipes will take you from November 1 through the 30th, and the entire month is tailor-made for your ease. Many of the ingredients in these recipes overlap so you can get the most bang for your buck at the grocery store, and there are also plenty of meat-free and Paleo-friendly options in the bunch. Print this list out and attach it to your fridge, and you’ll have all of November figured out in advance.
1. The Easiest Fish Tacos: Kick off November with one of the easiest recipes EVER. This recipe calls for store-bought fish sticks and a few toppings — save the rest of your ingredients for the recipe you’ll make tomorrow. (via Lauren’s Latest)
November 2
2. Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas: Any taco toppings you may have left over can easily go on these yummy fajitas. Let’s be real — Mexican food’s spectacular ingredients can pretty much just be thrown together and put on a tortilla, and they’ll still taste amazing. This is why we love tacos, folks. (via The Suburban Soapbox)
November 3
3. Slow Cooker Firecracker Chicken Pasta: This simple slow cooker pasta recipe lets you pop some chicken in your Crock Pot in the a.m. so that you’ll come home to a house smelling of chicken, tomatoes and spices. Throw your pasta in during the last 45 minutes and voila! (via Slow Cooker Gourmet)
November 4
4. Baked Firecracker Chicken: The ingredients you used for the Firecracker Chicken Pasta recipe can now go toward this lower-carb meal. This baked chicken recipe is super easy to throw in the oven on a busy Friday evening while you’re kicking off your weekend. An easy-to-make veggie such as steamed broccoli or sautéed asparagus can be served on the side. (via Little Spice Jar)
November 5
5. Balsamic Steak Skewers: That steak purchase you used toward those delish fajitas can now be used up with these healthy skewers. They’re just rich and flavorful enough to feel a little bit indulgent, but they’re actually totally healthy. Put them over a healthy salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing for a gluten-free, low-carb meal. (via Julie’s Eats and Treats)
November 6
6. Meatball and Tortellini Soup: Sunday Funday! Indulge in a comforting, warm bowl of this flavorful and decadent soup. By the time November 6 rolls around, there’s sure to be a bit of a chill in the air. Warm up with a bowl of this delicious stuff. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)
November 7
7. 15 Minute Vegetable Lo Mein: It’s Meatless Monday, so it’s the perfect time to treat yourself to this veg-friendly, meat-free vegetable pasta. It takes only 15 minutes to make, and you can really add any vegetables that you find appealing. Peas and carrots, for example, are CLASSIC additions. (via Kitschen Kat)
November 8
8. Baked Honey Soy Chicken: You know that soy sauce you bought for your veggie lo mein? Now you can use it in this low-carb, super healthy chicken recipe. Just substitute tamari for traditional soy sauce if you’re looking for a gluten-free option. (via Chew Out Loud)
November 9
9. Slow Cooker Beef Stew: Happy Hump Day! To tide you through, we recommend this classic slow cooker beef stew recipe. You’ll walk in the door at the end of the day to a warm bowl of stew. Nothing could possibly be better. (via Chef in Training)
November 10
10. 15 Minute Mushroom Spaghetti Aglio Olio: This quick and easy recipe is SUPER simple to make, and it’s also light and healthy. Bonus: It’s completely vegetarian, helping you lighten up your mid-week. Serve it with a side salad to add some fresh greens. (via My Food Story)
November 11
11. Bourbon Salmon: Salmon is one of the healthiest protein sources out there, as it’s packed with Omega-3s, as well as protein. This easy and flavorful recipe calls for bourbon, but don’t feel pressured to use the finest liquor out there. The most affordable bourbon you have will do just fine. (via Basil and Bubbly)
November 12
12. One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna: Hamburger Helper is delicious and super-easy to make, but this recipe is an easy copycat if you’d rather not cook from a box. And BONUS! It’s super healthy and fresh too. (via Jo Cooks)
November 13
13. Easy Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken: If you’re looking to lighten things up after that DELICIOUS Hamburger Helper-style lasagna, this clean lemon chicken recipe should do the trick. Bonus health points for the lemon, which aids in liver cleansing and makes your skin glow. (via Creme de la Crumb)
November 14
14. 5 Ingredient Coconut Curry: For this week’s Meatless Monday, whip up this warming curry recipe. It’s hearty and flavorful and perfect when served over a bed of rice. Pro tip: If you have any leftover veggies in your fridge from last week, this is a great time to use them up. (via Pinch of Yum)
November 15
15. Garlic Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken and Potatoes: With Turkey Day coming up next week, you’re probably looking to use up some of the leftovers you have in the fridge… And this recipe is PERFECT for doing just that. Those lemons you used in the Baked Lemon Chicken recipe? Use ’em here. Those potatoes you bought for your beef stew? Yep, those too. (via Cafe Delites)
November 16
16. 15-Minute Coconut Curry Noodle Soup: All those curry supplies you bought for Monday’s dish can now be used for this delicious noodle soup. Parsley makes for a wonderful addition too, and is also thought to aid in detoxification and cleansing (which we could all use some of during the holiday season, amiright?). (via The Woks of Life)
November 17
17. Pan Seared Ribeye With Herb Butter: This ridiculously simple but incredibly flavorful dish is hearty and also super clean. Pair it with some garlic mashed potatoes for the perfect late fall dinner. And don’t worry — we’ve got more use for your rosemary sprigs coming up. (via Joyful Healthy Eats)
November 18
18. Tomato and Mascarpone One Pot Pasta: TGIF! Nothing says it’s time to celebrate quite like a bowl of hearty, carby, yummy, delicious pasta. This one-pot recipe lets you make your sauce and your pasta in just one dish, which saves you time on cleanup and also happens to mean that the recipe itself is quite simple. (via Ciao Veggie)
November 19
19. Baked Garlic Butter Chicken: Told ya we’d have a use for your leftover rosemary sprigs. This garlic butter chicken recipe is quick and easy to make, and would be lovely paired with sautéed veggies or garlic mashed potatoes. Pro tip: Save yourself some time and energy by using pre-minced garlic. (via Diethood)
November 20
20. Beef and Ramen Vegetable Soup: Thanksgiving day is right around the corner now, and this five-ingredient soup is about as easy as it gets. You just combine some hamburger with ramen soup mix, throw in some veggies, add a little V8 juice and then load in the ramen noodles. It’s literally that simple. (via Plain Chicken)
November 21
21. 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta: Today’s recipe is not only meatless, it’s completely vegan. Avocados have a delicious and creamy texture that makes them a perfect substitute for creamy pasta sauces. Pro tip: Make sure to use *ripe* avocados in this recipe, or you’ll end up with a chunky, rather than creamy, pasta sauce. (via Chef Savvy)
November 22
22. Cheesy Turkey Stuffed Peppers: To tease your taste buds for turkey, nom on this healthy stuffed pepper recipe on the first day of Thanksgiving week. We recommend using brown rice or quinoa as your grain to keep these peppers *extra* healthy. You wouldn’t be remiss to top these with some leftover avocado either. (via A Cookie Named Desire)
November 23
23. Easy Thai Shrimp Soup: On the evening before the big holiday, keep things simple, affordable and light. This shrimp soup recipe will use up the rest of your curry paste from last week, and makes use of affordable and easy-to-make frozen shrimp. (via Damn Delicious)
November 24
24. Garlic Gouda and Parmesan Cauliflower Au Gratin: Happy Thanksgiving! Since we figure you’re probably having a big bird for dinner today, we thought we’d share this delicious and easy-to-make side dish. It incorporates yummy gouda cheese and will be perfect for serving alongside your turkey. (via With Salt and Wit)
November 25
25. Thanksgiving Pizza: If you’re like us, you’ll be hunkering down in front of your TV and binge watching Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life on the 25th. Make like a Gilmore girl and nom on some pizza while you watch. This pizza incorporates all your Turkey Day leftovers for a MAJOR win-win. (via The Gunny Sack)
November 26
26. Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole: Use up all the rest of your leftovers with this hearty post-Thanksgiving casserole recipe. All you need to make this delicious concoction are your leftovers, some shredded cheese and a little mayo. (via Life Tastes Good)
November 27
27. Portobello, Gouda and Kale Pesto Grilled Cheese: Remember that gouda you bought last week? Now’s the perfect time to use it up with these super delicious panini. We bet that after last week, you’re in the mood for something light and vegetarian anyway. (via Heather Christo)
November 28
28. Linguine With Arugula, Garlic and Parmesan: If this was your first month adhering to a Meatless Mondays rule, we hope we’ve proved by now just how delicious vegetarian food can be. Case in point: This light and flavorful linguine dish. (via Gimme Some Oven)
November 29
29. Turkey Panini With Apple, Cheddar and Arugula: We’re in the home stretch now. Use up your leftover arugula and any remaining turkey with these simple, healthy and super delicious turkey sammies. (via Cookin’ Canuck)
November 30
30. Maple Butternut Squash and Chicken Pasta: Go out with a BANG this month with this butternut squash and chicken pasta. It boasts all the flavors of fall and is also warm and comforting — the perfect way to finish off the culinary journey you embarked on this November. (via Fork Knife Swoon)
Follow us on Pinterest for more holiday recipes, cooking ideas and time-saving kitchen hacks!
