When you’re preparing for a holiday, it doesn’t leave much time to do anything else. But before you give up on having delicious dinners this, check out these 3 very quick and easy meals, along with a breakfast/snack combo that might even get you ahead on your Thanksgiving prep!

The week before a holiday is always a BUSY one! And it’s weeks like the one right before Thanksgiving when we might be tempted to pull through the drive thru or throw a frozen entree in the oven for dinner.
But whoa! Before you do that, take a look at these THREE quick and easy meal ideas that are perfect for those hectic days right before a holiday.
This Week’s Secret to Success
I know you’re planning and making lists and grocery shopping and all the things. That’s why this week, you need to:
- Rely on your crock pot to cook up delicious shredded BBQ chicken for sandwiches while you’re busy doing other things.
- Make a one-dish meal like Hearty Chili Mac that will have you in and out of the kitchen in 30 minutes.
- Add beans to the chili mac recipe as suggested in the post and eliminate the need to make a side dish.
- Cut down on side dishes this week all together (You’ll have plenty of Thanksgiving sides next week). Serve chips with your BBQ Chicken Sandwiches and your tortilla soup!
- Let Creole Sausage Balls double as breakfast and as your snack. Make two batches, freeze them and be ahead on your Thanksgiving prep!
Menu 1- Tortilla Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup is easy to make. It’s bright colors and lively flavors are like a little fiesta in a bowl! It’s pure Tex-Mex comfort food. And the best part? You can be in and out of the ktichen in 30 minutes or less if you use shredded rotisserie chicken and serve tortilla chips as your side dish.
Menu 2- Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
This easy crock pot Shredded BBQ Chicken recipe will have you eating the best tender, melt in your mouth shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches all the time! With a simple homemade Tennessee style BBQ sauce made rich with molasses and strong coffee, this versatile family recipe is sure to become a quick favorite. Use a bagged cole slaw mix and slice up some apples to make the slaw. Serve it with potato chips to finish the meal without fuss.
Menu 3- Hearty Chili Mac
A one pot, 30 minute recipe max is perfect for a week like old school Chili Mac casserole. Skim through the post for suggestions on which beans to add to eliminate the need for a side dish. Make some rolls are you're ready to eat!
Making Breakfast & Snacking Easy
Easy Creole Sausage Balls kick up the classic goodness of everybody’s favorite, must-have holiday appetizer and breakfast snack. Make sure you prepare enough to freeze so that you have some for next week too!

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