Simply Recipes 2019 Meal Plan: November Week 4

Take it easy leading up to Thanksgiving with this week's meal plan. Peppery garlic prawns and cheese and mushroom quesadillas come together quickly, then use up those leftovers with turkey chili for the win!

By
Aaron Hutcherson
Aaron Hutcherson
Aaron Hutcherson
Aaron has over 10 years recipe development experience for his blog The Hungry Hutch. He has written for NYTimes, Washington Post, Simply Recipes, and others.
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Updated July 09, 2021
Aaron Hutcherson
Three photos: Steak salad, chili and quesadillas

Happy Thanksgiving week! Being someone who loves to cook (and eat), Thanksgiving is definitely one of my favorite holidays. At some point over the past few years I sort of took over doing the majority of the cooking for the big day, so with my main focus on turkey, gravy, and stuffing, I don't want to spend too much time worrying about what to eat the rest of the week.

To start the week, there's sautéed shrimp that cooks up in no time, quesadillas, and an easy steak salad. And for after the holiday, there are recipes to use up some of that leftover ham or turkey in a hearty chili and a simple-yet-satisfying sandwich.

All of these recipes are designed to take minimal effort, but I threw in a few other suggestions in case minimalism just isn't in your DNA.

And if the stress of the holidays starts to get to you, make yourself a classic vodka martini and take a few moments to relax.

  • Peppery Garlic Prawns

    Elise Bauer

    Prawns and shrimp are interchangeable in many recipes including this one. Marinate the seafood the day before, and cook it in a matter of minutes for dinner on Monday night. These would taste great tossed with noodles or served alongside long beans and rice.

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  • Crispy Cheese and Mushroom Quesadillas

    Vegetarian Quesadilla Recipe -close up of cheese and mushroom quesadillas stacked on top of each other with a jar of red salsa in the background.
    Sally Vargas

    Quesadillas are always a great option for when you need a quick meal. Not a fan of mushrooms? Swap in whatever veggie you like. Serve with homemade guacamole if you have the time.

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  • Easy Steak Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

    Steak salad made with thinly-sliced pan-seared flank steak on a bed of arugula and lettuce with avocado, pomegranate seeds, and other add-ins
    Elise Bauer

    Outside of quickly searing the steak, there's no other cooking involved. If you bought too much bread for Thanksgiving stuffing, make croutons to add a bit of crunch to this salad.

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  • Deviled Ham with Pickled Jalapeños

    Deviled Ham Sandwich with Pickled Jalapenos
    Elise Bauer

    One of my favorite parts of making ham is using the leftovers for sandwiches. Well, this isn't just any ham sandwich — I love the addition of pickled jalapeños for a little bit of a kick. Enjoy with a simple salad or a handful of potato chips.

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    Continue to 5 of 5 below.

  • Turkey Chili (with Leftover Turkey)

    Turkey Chili ready to serve
    Elise Bauer

    Soups and stews are always great options for using leftovers, and this turkey chili is no exception. You can even throw in diced sweet potatoes or squash you might have hanging around in your fridge to use up more from your holiday meal.

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