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What to cook in November: Low-key meals for relaxed dinner parties

Invite your pals over for a chill night in with dishes that are easy to prep and serve.

Invite your pals over for a chill night in with dishes that are easy to prep and serve

CBC Life ·
3 side-by-side images of food: beef kofta with potatoes in a white pot; veg pizza on a baking sheet; chicken drumsticks with olives and pearl couscous in a white pot.
(Photo: Amina Al-Saigh, David Bagosy)

November can feel like a bit of an "in-between" month — we're past peak fall vibes but not quite into holiday mayhem yet. But that's where November shines: it's the perfect time to have friends over for relaxed dinners. And by that we mean delicious meals that won't keep you stuck in the kitchen all night. Skip the multi-course feasts and complicated bakes for standout recipes that'll keep things easy while you're entertaining.

We usually encourage mixing and matching from our monthly recipe recommendations, but now is a great time to pick just one. Of course, we wouldn't stop you from adding a quick dip, side salad or dessert if it feels right! We've even included a spiced apple cider sangria that's easy to whip up. 

Below, you'll find a list of dishes with manageable ingredient lists and minimal prep times, so you'll have more time with your friends. These suggestions are achievable any night of the week yet also special enough for a casual weekend gathering. Imagine getting a call to come over for homemade roasted tomato soup with a stack of grilled cheese crostini from Matty Matheson's new cookbook. 

This month, make it a priority to squeeze in a few casual get-togethers at home before everyone's social calendars fill up. Linger over the table instead of the stove and invite some light into your home as the days grow shorter. 

Harissa Cottage Cheese Dip with Aleppo Pepper Hot Honey

A round wooden platter with grapes, mini cucumbers, crackers, grape tomatoes and a white bowl filled with a creamy dip.
(Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

Fried Plantain Chips and Guacamole 

Closeup on a hand using a fried plantain to scoop guacamole from a grey bowl.
(Photography by Owais Rafique Marketing Inc.)

Broiled and Burnt Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Crostini Thing 

portrait of a man wearing a T-shirt and a red hat; a bowl of tomato soup with a stack of grilled cheese toasts in the middle of the bowl
(Sid Tangerine/Quentin Bacon)

Creamy Orzo with Roasted Portobello Mushrooms and Sherry-Maple Caramelized Onions

Overhead shot of a grey surface with a beige bowl with roasted mushrooms in it, a black bowl with creamy orzo, and a dark brown bowl with half onions that have been sautéed.
(Photography by Kevin Clark)

Red Lentils with Crispy Garlic and Greens

Overhead shot of hands adding a spoonful of dal with greens to a plate with rice on it.
(Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

Kofta and Potato Stew

A serving of a tomato-based stew with potatoes and ground beef, next to a bowl of rice.
(Amina Al-Saigh)

Delicata Squash and Mushroom Tart

A rectangular tart with slices of delicata squash on it sitting on a dark grey surface. A slice of the tart is sitting on a small wooden plate.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Butternut Squash Pizza

Overhead shot of a pizza with butternut squash sauce and topped with pancetta, bell peppers and microgreens.
(Photo credit: Adrian Harris and Jeremy Inglett)

Party Pizza with Fennel, Sundried Tomatoes and Olives 

overhead shot of a pizza made on a baking sheet, sitting on a grey wooden surface. the pizza has black olives, fennel, and sundried tomatoes on it.
(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Split Pea and Spaghetti Soup 

Overhead shot of a white bowl of yellow soup on a terrazzo countertop. A small bowl of dill, a spoon and napkin and a blue Dutch oven surround the bowl.
(Photography by Carmen Cheung)

One-Pot Chickpea Curry

Overhead shot of 2 plates of Chickpea Curry with Spinach. One person's hands are dishing some of the curry onto a plate from a pot. A second person's hands are holding naan and a spoonful of curry over the second plate.
(Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

Spaghetti Ubriachi

Closeup on a bowl of red spaghetti noodles with silver tongs in it. It's sitting on a wooden table outdoors.
(Photography by Dominique Lafond)

Za'atar Orange Chicken and Potatoes

Overhead shot of a white pot with cooked chicken drumsticks and potatoes. A drinking glass and a bowl with the chicken sit next to the pot.
(Photography by Amina Al-Saigh)

Salmon Brandade

A white plate with a casserole with smoked salmon topped with mashed potatoes.
(Photography by Ellen Silverman)

Classic Chicken Parmesan 

Chicken Parmesan made on a sheet pan
(Photography by Allison Day)

Weeknight Chicken Khao Soi

overhead shot of a blue and white bowl filled with a chicken drumstick, noodles and a curry broth. a plate with lime wedges, sliced shallots and a small bowl of chili oil sit next to it.
(Photography by Janis Nicolay)

Seaweed Brown Butter Pasta

Closeup of pasta topped with shredded white cheese and furikake. It's on a beige plate.
(Photography by Hetty Lui McKinnon)

One-Pan Chicken with Pearl Couscous and Moroccan Spices 

Overhead of a pan of chicken drumsticks on pearl couscous.
(Photography by Amina Al-Saigh)

Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Pancetta 

A baking sheet with roasted Brussels sprouts and pancetta on it. A wooden cutting board with grainy mustard, a block of parmesan cheese and pancetta sit next to the baking sheet.
(Photography by Florence Grunfelder; food styling by Sabrina Falone)

Chicken Pot Pie 

2 images side by side. Left: Chef Dwight Smith in a kitchen, facing the camera and holding a plate of chicken pot pie. He's holding a forkful of it toward the camera. Right: closeup on a plate of the chicken pot pie on a wooden table.
(Photography by Dwight Smith)

Salmon with Creamy Orzo, Spinach and Mushrooms 

Overhead shot of a pan with creamy orzo and mushrooms with three salmon fillets on top.
(Photography by Amina Al-Saigh)

Instant Tan Tan Shin Ramyun 

Overhead shot of a bowl of ramen with an egg and bok choy. It's in a shallow yellow bowl next to a bright blue serving tray. The table it's on is covered with a red and white checked cloth.
(Photography by Heami Lee)

Guava Bars 

Overhead closeup of a platter of baked guava bars topped with sugar.
(Photography by Johnny Miller)

Brown Butter Spelt Brownies

Closeup overhead shot of a batch of brownies cut into squares.
(Credit: Renée Kohlman)

Apple Harvest Cake 

Overhead shot of an apple cake on a wooden cutting board. 3 small plates with slices of cakes are held by 3 sets of hands.
(Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

Spiced Apple Cider Sangria

Overhead shot of 3 glasses of an orange cocktail with slices of apple and orange in them, all sitting on a pink background.
(Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)

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