19 Veterans Day Dinners Worth Cooking for the Veterans in Your Life

A thank-you doesn’t have to be fancy. For a veteran in your life, it can be a seat at the table and a plate of something warm, made with a little time and care.

These 19 dinners are the comforting kind: meatloaf, pot roast, chicken and dumplings, chili, and casseroles that feed a full table. Many of them cook low and slow or in one pan, so you can spend the day with your guests instead of at the stove.

Sometimes, the best way to show appreciation is to save them a seat and serve something good. Pick one, set the table, and say thank you the way a good meal does.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Here’s how I’d make someone feel welcome the second they walk in: let this stroganoff simmer all afternoon with mushrooms and onion soup mix. Spoon it over warm egg noodles, and the house already smells like a thank-you.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

Biscuits replace the crust here, so nothing ends up soggy. A thick, creamy filling sits underneath, and every scoop comes with something flaky on top. It’s pure comfort for the veteran in your life.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Short on time? I’d still make this for a thank-you dinner. Beef patties in mushroom gravy are ready in under 30 minutes, and the keto-friendly build means everyone at the table can eat.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Set the crockpot in the morning, and pulled pork is ready by dinner. A smoky brown sugar rub flavors the pork shoulder, and it shreds easily for sandwiches or sliders. Pile it high and let guests build their own.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Weekends are when I want dinner to cook itself. These pork chops go in the crockpot and come out soft under a creamy mushroom and onion gravy. Set the table and let the slow cooker handle the rest.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Easy Chilli Con Carne

Chili is my idea of an easy dinner for a Veterans Day gathering. This chilli con carne has a little heat and comes together fast. Put out some toppings and let everyone fix their own bowl.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chilli Con Carne

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Check the pantry first, because most of this casserole is probably already in there. Crushed potato chips on top add the crunch, and the creamy sauce baking in the oven smells like the dinners you grew up with.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Special occasions deserve something that sounds fancy, and I’d serve this Southern casserole of creamy grits and shrimp. It bakes in one dish, so the cook gets to sit down too.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken

Cracker Barrel fans, you can bring that Sunday plate home. The crust turns out crisp and well seasoned, and the chicken stays juicy underneath. Set a full platter in the middle of the table and let everyone reach in.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken

Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

I first spotted these stuffed peppers on Israeli MasterChef, and I’ve loved them ever since. Each pepper holds ground turkey, rice, cilantro, and baharat, with tomato sauce in the mix. They’re gluten-free and make a hearty dinner for a chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Cabbage Rolls Casserole

Cabbage rolls without the rolling are my shortcut for a big thank-you dinner. It bakes in one dish, simple enough for a weeknight and hearty enough to feed a full table of people you want to thank.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Rolls Casserole

Beef Enchilada Casserole

Stack tortillas with spiced beef, beans, and lots of cheese, then bake until it bubbles. One dish feeds a crowd, and nobody has to roll a single enchilada.
Get the Recipe: Beef Enchilada Casserole

One Pot Beef And Barley Soup

Soup is how I say “stay a while,” especially to someone I want to thank. Barley and beef turn tender in a savory broth with plenty of vegetables. It tastes just as good made a day ahead.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Beef And Barley Soup

Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey makes this meatloaf a little lighter, and tangy barbecue sauce keeps it from tasting plain. Sautéed vegetables go right into the loaf for extra flavor. Slice it thick and serve it with mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Meatloaf

American Goulash

One pot of this goulash feeds a full family table. Elbow macaroni softens right in the tomatoes and meat juices, so every bite comes out saucy. I’d make it when relatives are coming, and I want dinner to stay simple.
Get the Recipe: American Goulash

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet

Everything cooks in one skillet, which is how I like dinner when I’d rather visit than wash dishes. Chicken, vegetables, and soft drop dumplings share a creamy sauce. Cozy, filling, and only one pan to clean.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet

Classic Heinz 57 Meatloaf

Meatloaf that skips the spice cabinet is my kind of dinner, and this one gets its flavor from steak sauce. Blended vegetables go into the beef, so the slices stay juicy. It’s the familiar, homey dinner I’d cook for a veteran I want to feel at home.
Get the Recipe: Classic Heinz 57 Meatloaf

Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)

Food cooked over a fire has a way of pulling everyone closer to the grill, and that’s how pinchos have always felt to me. After many summers of testing, I landed on chicken thighs and an adobo marinade so the skewers stay juicy. A light brush of BBQ sauce at the end gives them a glossy shine.
Get the Recipe: Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)

Slow Cooker French Onion Pot Roast

A slow cooker does the work on this pot roast, so the cook gets to sit down with the veteran they’re feeding. Chuck roast and sweet onions cook in a red wine sauce until the beef pulls apart with a fork. The sauce tastes like French onion soup, and it thickens by itself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Pot Roast