20 Things to Cook This Month That Have Nothing to Do With Thanksgiving

closeup of Asian Orange Chicken garnished with chopped scallions, served on a bed of rice on a white and blue plate
Photo:

SunnyDaysNora

If you're like us, you spend almost all of November sifting through recipes in anticipation of Thanksgiving. But focusing on one day at the expense of the rest of the month is no way to live our lives. The time has come to give the other 29 days some thought. Here are 20 recipes that will not remind you Thanksgiving in the slightest. Because you're already over turkey and candied sweet potatoes, aren't you?

01 of 21

Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

close up view of Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe in a purple bowl

France C

Broccoli rabe is in season, so pair it with penne, hot Italian sausage, crushed pepper flakes, and Parmesan for dinner with a kick.

02 of 21

"Pantry Raid" Chicken Enchilada Casserole

closeup of a serving of cornbread-topped chicken enchilada casserole with cheese and black beans on a plate

Occasional Cooker

Keep black beans, taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and cornbread on hand to whip up this casserole all month. Look for certified gluten-free cornbread if you're accommodating food allergies, as recipe creator mama411 does.

03 of 21

Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

red beans and andouille sausage over rice on a white plate, garnished with a whole red chile with a pan of cornbread in the background

Mart

"I grew up in Louisiana and love red beans and rice; these are just like I remember. Serve with Tabasco sauce for a little kick," recipe creator MIAMI BEACH writes.

04 of 21

Chef John's Cassoulet

Chef John's Cassoulet in a red cocotte
catherine.drew

This traditional French dish takes some time (including soaking dried great Northern beans overnight), but the end result would be worth the effort on a cold November night.

05 of 21

Asian Orange Chicken

closeup of Asian Orange Chicken garnished with chopped scallions, served on a bed of rice on a white and blue plate

SunnyDaysNora

Use in-season oranges to make this sweet, zesty dish that our home cooks serve over rice or stir-fried veggies.

06 of 21

World's Best Lasagna

serving of World's Best Lasagna on a white plate with a fork
TheWickedNoodle

"If you want to try a real Italian lasagna, this is the one. The sauce is the key and would be great on anything. I added more garlic, but that was it. My family and friends thought this was an old secret family recipe. It is now, and they will never know." — ITALCOOK

07 of 21

Chef John's No-Knead Pumpkin Bread

closeup of a crusty-looking loaf of Chef John's No-Knead Pumpkin Bread with a slice cut off to show the airy crumb inside

bmorecooksmore

"Another Chef John Winning recipe. Easy to make but you do have to schedule your time to make [it]. I normally do not have much luck making bread but this turned out perfect." — Sherry

08 of 21

Barbecued Beef

A plate with a barbecue beef sandwich served with coleslaw and a buttered ear of corn

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

You don't have to light up a pit to cook this slow cooker dish, making it a surefire solution to fall barbeque cravings.

09 of 21

Clam Chowder Shell Pasta

a white pasta bowl of Chef John's Clam Chowder Shell Pasta garnished with crumbled bacon and chopped parsley

Chef John

"Pastas done with sauces inspired by famous soups? We might have stumbled upon a new category of recipe with this one!" writes Chef John. A creamy, clam chowder-inspired sauce with potatoes and bacon pairs perfectly with shell pasta in this easy dinner recipe.

10 of 21

Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl

closeup of a serving of Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl over rice

Buckwheat Queen

"Your busy weeknight needs this dish. Even your lazy Saturdays will be happy with it. My family devoured this. It's so simple to make and it is super delicious and full of flavor," Buckwheat Queen writes. "The first time I made it, I served it over rice. Second time with rice noodles. The next time I make it I'll take the advice of the other reviewer and serve as tacos with cabbage."

11 of 21

Arroz Con Pollo

top-down view of Arroz con Pollo made with skin-on chicken thighs, green olives, peas, and red peppers in an orange enameled Dutch oven

Allrecipes Magazine

Oregano, bay leaf, garlic, black olives, raisins, and chopped pimento peppers come together in this flavorful dish.

12 of 21

The Best Vegetarian Chili in the World

The Best Vegetarian Chili in the World in a white bowl topped with cheese
the Michael Hanna

Celery, bell peppers, corn, vegetarian burger crumbles, and three kinds of beans bulk up this spicy, aromatic chili.

13 of 21

My Favorite Pot Roast

My Favorite Pot Roast in a white dish
MARKWILDER55

A one-pan pot roast serves as a solid weeknight meal thanks to potatoes, carrots, and onions.

14 of 21

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

a serving of Chef John's Spicy Thai Basil Chicken topped with a fried egg and garnished with a basil sprig

PNOrangeCounty

"Excellent meal! Easy to make, and the recipe allows you to add your own veggies. We used cauliflower rice instead of white rice, and it worked perfectly," Andrew Weisert says.

15 of 21

Easy Broccoli Quiche

Easy Broccoli Quiche in a pie dish
chibi chef

If you're shopping for an unbaked pie crust before Thanksgiving, go ahead and add an extra to the cart for this simple quiche.

16 of 21

One Pan Orecchiette Pasta

One Pan Orecchiette Pasta
Linda T

Warm orecchiette pasta with Italian sausages would taste extra comforting on a cold night.

17 of 21

Brodetto (Fish Stew) Ancona-Style

fish stew with garlic bread in a white bowl
Peter Paul de Bie

A warm bowl of this tomato-based Brodetto (Fish Stew) Ancona-Style would be an excellent dish to serve on special occasions that aren't Thanksgiving.

18 of 21

Cabbage Roll Casserole

a serving spoon of Cabbage Roll Casserole set on a white plate with a baking dish in the background

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

This casserole boasts all the flavor of cabbage rolls without the extra time and effort. You can prep it in just 10 minutes.

19 of 21

Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Sugaplum Wilson

We won't pretend this hack is Cajun Mawmaw-approved, but using rotisserie chicken makes this recipe easier to prep.

20 of 21

Chef John's No-Knead Ciabatta

ciabatta on a baking rack
Chef John

With a crisp crust and soft inside, this ciabatta loaf would be perfect for sopping up gravies and pasta sauces.

Was this page helpful?