Betty’s November Menu: Beyond the Holiday Feast

The first week of November is all about settling in for comfort foods. The cooler temperatures make it so much more appealing to fire up the oven and fill your whole home with warmth and aroma of classic fall flavors.

We’ve got simple meals like One-Pot Beef Stroganoff that’ll cut down on dishes and make the most of your counter space. Or try some stepped-up stand-bys like Steakhouse Burger Sloppy Joes for a gourmet twist on the unforgettable flavor of sloppy joes.

One thing to note: a few of the first week’s recipes involve cooking spinach, which can be tricky. Follow Betty’s guide to Cooking with Spinach for the best tips and tricks.

Looking for more inspiration at dinner time? Try Betty’s collection of Budget-Friendly Mexican Dinners.

The second week of Betty’s November Menu brings grains to center stage. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to read up on the Timetable for Cooking Rice and Other Grains, so you can be sure you’re cooking everything to perfection. Well-cooked base grains can make the meal.

Once you're ready, there’s a lot to look forward to this week. Kick things off with a One-Pot French Onion Soup Rice Skillet. Serve all the savory goodness of a French onion soup in a wholesome one-pot recipe that’s ready in just 30 minutes. And we’ll be keeping things hearty with Slow-Cooker Beef and Barley Soup, loaded with flavor and packed with protein.

In the mood for more meals? Why not take grain-forward meals to the next level and fix any of these 14 Filling Meatless Meal Ideas?

Chicken may just be the most versatile of all the protein options. With so many ways to cook chicken, it’s always a good time to brush up on The Basics of Cooking with Chicken. Then, once you’ve got a handle on the fundamentals, come back here and get ready to get creative.

We’ll start with an Easy Chicken Pho. This complex Vietnamese noodle soup is a rich combination of disparate flavors that’s also infinitely customizable. It’s designed to be simple enough to make any night of the week, yet interesting enough that you can find just the right variations that work for you.

Later in the week, we’ll bust out the slow cooker and let the slow-and-low heat bring out the best in Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken. Your chicken will cook in a rich and flavorful broth that will also fill your home with a mouth-watering aroma.

You already know that Betty has your back for the big Thanksgiving feast. But if you’re putting together a more intimate Small Thanksgiving Dinner for 2, you better believe that Betty can make that happen too. Of course this week, it’s a celebration of the all-time classic Thanksgiving ingredient: turkey.

If you are having a big Thanksgiving feast—or going to one—be sure to take a look at Betty’s Top Ten Tips for Using Your Thanksgiving Leftovers to make the most of your money.

If you’ve been cooking with Betty for long, you already know your way around bringing leftovers back to life. But even if you’re a novice chef, you can do some amazing things with Thanksgiving leftovers with just a few simple steps. Turn turkey leftovers into a crispy, savory Leftover Turkey Pot Pie. You can even rejuvenate the sides in this week’s Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Apples Sheet-Pan Dinner. It’s a simple way to enjoy the tastes of the season one more time.

For more ways to save while you savor, take a look at How to Cook with Less Expensive Meat.

So there you have it: Betty’s November Menu. Now you’re ready to take on the holidays and every day in between. And remember, if you ever need some inspiration, or just reassurance, you can always find even more ideas right here at bettycrocker.com. And don’t forget to follow @BettyCrocker on social for year-round inspiration and recipes.