Meal Plan 48: November 19- 25

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the United States! This week we celebrate our biggest food holiday of all! I've chosen easy meals to keep extra work to a minimum leading up to the big day.

There's no menu for Thanksgiving Day but I have give you suggestions for foods you might want to consider adding.

Title image collage of main dish images.

Jump to:

📅 Food Holidays
🫑 What's in Season?
💭 Things to know
🍹This week's cocktail
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 22
November 23
November 24
November 25: Happy Thanksgiving!
📚 Related recipes
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📅 Food Holidays

We celebrate a couple of fun food holidays this week. They're silly little holidays but it gives us an opportunity to make some memories and have some fun!

November 22 is National Cranberry Day and I can't think of a better wayto celebrate than these cranberry orange cookies!
November 25 is National Eat with a Friend Day AND it's Thanksgiving so enjoy!

🫑 What's in Season?

Beets
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Potato
Pumpkin
Leek
Lettuce
Spinach
Winter squash

💭 Things to know

As we get closer to the holidays don't forget to pick up extra baking supplies here and there so you'll have plenty on hand and not have to buy everything at once. You can also double up the dinner rolls and freeze half.

Thinking ahead and planning now will save time and stress later!

Here are some tips for this week -

King Ranch Chicken and Bacon Chicken Pasta Casserole both freeze well. Make double and freeze one for those busy holiday weeks!
Every one of the recipes in this week's meal plan can be made ahead! Pick and choose for Thanksgiving and feel comfortable about preparing ahead of time.
Make extra cornbread for your dressing!
Move the days around as you need to. Don't forget there are more meal plans here.

🍹This week's cocktail

Cranberry Whiskey Sour

If you love the classic cocktail you've got to try my cranberry whiskey sour!

November 19

Overhead view of pozole in a white bowl.

Chicken Pozole

Chicken Pozole is easy to make in the slow cooker. If you thought chicken soup was comfort food you have to try this Mexican version!

Cloverleaf Rolls

Cloverleaf rolls are a butter delicious classic! Make extra and freeze for the holidays.

Pumpkin Cake

This simple 3 ingredient pumpkin cake is delicious and goes together in about 2 minutes! It's the perfect last minute dessert.

November 20

A fork lifting a scoop of the casserole. Square image for feature image.

King Ranch Chicken

You can assemble King Ranch Chicken casserole ahead of time and bake it up to 3 days later.

Stack of cut cornbread squares ready to be served.

Buttermilk Cornbread

Classic southern cornbread is so good with just about any meal. If you'll be making cornbread dressing make extra cornbread for that.

Classic Oatmeal Cookies

This is the original 1955 version of the classic Quaker oatmeal cookies. So chewy and delicious.

November 21

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Easy honey garlic pork chops go together fast and cook to perfection in the slow cooker.

Mashed Potatoes

.The creamiest mashed potatoes ever! You can make them ahead for Thanksgiving and warm them up the day of!

Holy Cow Cake

Chocolate cake soaked in hot fudge and caramel then topped with Butterfingers and whipped cream. It will definitely make you say Holy Cow.

November 22

Beef spooned over noodles on a vintage plate.

Beef and Noodles

Beef and noodles is a comfort food classic that still hits the spot on a chilly day! Best of all - it's made in the slow cooker!

Creamed Spinach

One of my favorite side dishes! Keto creamed spinach is so good no one will know it's low carb!

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

SO creamy! This peanut butter cup cheesecake is perfect for the peanut butter lover. Want to make it for Thanksgiving? You can make it up to 4 days ahead as long as your refrigerator is clean and doesn't have any strong odors.