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Simple Dinner Ideas to Make After Thanksgiving

Madison Wetherill

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These simple dinner ideas and easy weeknight meals will help you reset after the holiday rush. Here are 9 easy, kid-friendly dinner recipes to make that your family will love!

Close up of a white plate with sloppy joes and sweet potato fries.

After a long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, getting back into a weeknight routine can feel overwhelming. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be difficult! Having simple dinner ideas ready to go can help make your week run a bit smoother.

Easy and Simple Dinner Ideas

After the holiday rush, try to meal prep some dinners to save time later in the week.

Look for easy weeknight meals that use simple ingredients, and have quick cook times. They’re the kind of simple dinner recipes that will help you ease back into a normal routine.

Think skillet meals like sloppy Joes, comforting casseroles, and sheet pan dinners. There are also plenty of cozy soups and stews that come together fast and are kid-friendly.

Close up of a bowl of poor man's stew with a spoon.
Easy Hamburger Stew

9 Easy Weeknight Meals to Make After Thanksgiving

Simple, budget-friendly dishes are especially helpful during the transition back to everyday life after the holiday rush.

If you have a lot of Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, use it to make recipes that call for cooked chicken. It’s an easy swap that will save you some money.

A plate with smothered pork chops topped with sautéed onions and sauce, served with green beans. A fork and knife are placed beside the plate.
Smothered Pork Chops
Tender smothered pork chops are a great post-holiday meal! This simple skillet dinner is cozy and comforting.
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A plate with two square waffles topped with a fried egg and a generous spoonful of cranberry compote.
Leftover Stuffing Waffles
Turn your holiday leftovers into fun and tasty stuffing waffles. We like to top ours with cranberry compote and poached eggs.
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A bowl of creamy soup with chunks of ham, potatoes, carrots, and celery, garnished with chopped parsley and freshly ground black pepper. A spoon rests in the bowl.
Classic Ham and Potato Soup
This ham and potato soup is a cozy and simple dinner idea as-is, but after Thanksgiving, we often make it with leftover turkey!
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A ladle lifting a serving of beef stew with carrots, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes from a pot.
Hamburger Stew
When holiday guests spend the night, make this budget-friendly hamburger stew for a simple dinner. It feeds a hungry crowd!
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Romaine lettuce leaves filled with ground meat, cauliflower rice, chopped nuts, herbs, and green onions arranged on a plate.
Thai Lettuce Wraps
This light and simple dinner of Thai lettuce wraps will be welcome after a night of feasting on a delicious but heavy Thanksgiving meal!
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A simple dinner of ground meat with diced red bell peppers and tomato sauce in a skillet, being stirred with a wooden spoon.
Healthy Sloppy Joes
This is another simple comfort food dinner that both kids and adults love. Serve it in leftover dinner rolls or over potatoes!
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Shredded cooked chicken in a bowl, topped with a drizzle of orange-colored sauce.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
When you're too tired to cook after Thanksgiving, use your Instant Pot to make a simple dinner of buffalo chicken. You'll love this dump and start recipe!
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Plate with cooked, seasoned chicken pieces garnished with herbs, alongside a fork. A striped cloth and small bowls with herbs and seasoning are placed nearby on a light surface.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic butter chicken bites are another simple dinner idea that's super versatile. The meal comes together in minutes and it tastes fantastic!
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No matter how busy your holidays are, these simple dinner ideas will help you get out of the kitchen quickly so you can relax and recharge.

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A collage of plates with cooked chicken, green beans, vegetable soup, and a dish with vegetables, with text: "simple dinner ideas to make after thanksgiving.
A woman in a black dress smiles while holding a bowl of food with vegetables and ground meat in a kitchen.
Hey friend, I’m Madison!

I’m the mama behind Cook at Home Mom. Through simple, family-friendly recipes and practical meal prep tips, I show busy moms how to make healthy eating enjoyable and sustainable, even with packed schedules. So glad you are here!

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