Our Most Popular Recipes in November

British sausage rolls — The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

November is usually thought of as just one big runway to Thanksgiving, but there are still 29 days in November that are not Thanksgiving. Further, November could be viewed as a warm-up for the drawn-out end-of-year party that is December. So some of us are already bookmarking all the things we want to cook far in advance of the festivities.

This November, I was delighted to see some dessert heavy-hitters among the most popular recipes. These include the vertically-inclined French croquembouche and the classic British steamed pudding. But you also searched for easy, comforting sides like buttery cabbage and simple steamed green beans.

I think the lesson here is that this might just be the most fun time of year for those of us who like to cook. It's truly a delight for me, a food editor but first and foremost a dedicated home cook, to get a little glimpse into what you, our readers, are cooking up for your friends and family.

01 of 10

Southern Spoon Bread

The Spruce

Spoon bread is a perfect example of the magic that can happen when a few simple ingredients come together. Made with just cornmeal, milk, eggs, and a couple pantry staples, this custardy side dish is naturally gluten free. While lots of people make this classic dish for Thanksgiving, it's a good one to have in your back pocket all year round.

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02 of 10

Citrus Salad

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

After the beige glory of Thanksgiving, we're all looking for a little color to add to our plates, and this vibrant citrus salad with radicchio, pistachios, and a bracing citrus vinaigrette has color in spades. This is the salad to make as a companion to a heavy meal like lasagna or a long-simmered braise. The flavors are fresh and beautifully balanced, just the kind of pick-me-up you need on darker colder days.

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03 of 10

Hot Buttered Rum

The Spruce

Happy hot buttered rum season to all who celebrate! This recipe stands out because it allows you to make just one or two servings when the craving strikes, rather than enough for a party (although we have instructions for that, too). Made with classic warming spices, vanilla, and a shot of rum, this easy and soothing holiday drink is one of the best winter warmers I know.

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04 of 10

British Sausage Rolls

The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

If you find anything to do with pastry intimidating, this is the recipe for you. Made with store-bought puff pastry, the filling for these easy British sausage rolls comes together with just three ingredients: sautéed onion, sausage, and eggs. The type of sausage you use is up to you, but no matter what you'll come away with a platter of gorgeous, golden sausage rolls just begging to be dipped in spicy, British-style mustard.

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05 of 10

Classic French Croquembouche

The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

I'm frankly impressed that so many of you were tackling (or maybe just thinking about tackling) the towering croquembouche in November. This recipe is really a masterclass in classic French pastry technique: there's light-as-air choux pastry, silky pastry cream, and toasty, rich caramel syrup. While it might seem intimidating, it's also the kind of dessert that will win you the admiration of friends and family.

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06 of 10

Butter-Braised Cabbage

The Spruce

This recipe is proof that all cabbage needs is a little fat (in this case, butter) and time for its hearty, crunchy character to turn soft and sweet. Savoy cabbage makes an especially beautiful dish, but plain old green cabbage or even red cabbage benefits from this simple treatment.

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07 of 10

British Christmas Pudding

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

You all were right to get your Christmas pudding prep well underway in late November: this dessert benefits from resting for up to four weeks after it is first made. Its flavors mellow and mingle to create a beautifully fragrant and tender pudding. But you still have time! Even a week of resting will yield a gorgeous result.

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08 of 10

Perfect Steamed Green Beans

The Spruce / Julia Estrada

Knowing how to steam green beans to perfect tenderness is a cooking skill you'll never regret learning. It's the side dish that goes with a thousand different meals, and even picky eaters have been known to appreciate a tender haricot. Best of all, they're easy to dress up with butter-toasted sliced almonds, herbs, or even just a squeeze of citrus.

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Continue to 9 of 10 below
09 of 10

Chocolate Delight

The Spruce / Christine Ma

If croquembouche and Christmas pudding aren't your speed, consider this simple, crowd-pleasing dessert for your next holiday party or potluck. Layers of graham cracker crust, whipped cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream meld together to create a light-textured, rich-tasting treat that's as easy to make as it is easy on the eyes.

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10 of 10

Homemade Egg Noodles

The Spruce

While they don't get credit for it, egg noodles are the quiet MVP of the season. That's because they go with everything from rich, meaty braises like beef bourguignon to soothing winter soups like chicken noodle. They're even (maybe especially?) great on their own, dressed with brown butter and toasted walnuts as a starchy side dish that mingles well with anything saucy.

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