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If you are trying to get dinner on the table without losing your mind, you are in the right place. Every Thursday, I drop a fresh weekly meal plan with five weeknight dinners, a dessert, and tips to help you prep ahead and make each meal your own. Looking to get ahead or need more ideas? Browse all my weekly meal plans or come say hi on my about page.
These are recipes I actually cook and trust, and I have been putting these plans together every single week for years. New here or a regular, the goal is always the same. Good food, less stress, more time for everything else.
To see EACH RECIPE post, CLICK ON the PHOTO BELOW
This Week’s Tips for Success
Monday: Oven Baked Ribs
Meal Prep Tip: Remove the membrane and season the ribs with the rub the night before, then cover and refrigerate. On Monday, just pop them in the oven.
Customization: Use your favorite BBQ sauce for the finish, or add a pinch of cayenne to the rub if you like a little heat.
Tuesday: Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Meal Prep Tip: Mix the buffalo chicken and cream cheese filling the night before and store it covered in the fridge. At dinnertime, just fill the tortillas and bake. These do not freeze well once assembled, so keep this one to a fresh cook.
Customization: Swap in pepper jack for extra heat, or use flour tortillas instead of corn if that is what you have on hand.
Wednesday: Egg Roll Soup
Meal Prep Tip: Chop the cabbage, onion, and garlic a day ahead so the soup comes together fast. Keep the wonton strips in a separate bag and add them right before serving so they stay crispy.
Customization: Swap the ground pork for turkey, chicken, or even shrimp, or stir in chili paste if you like it spicy.
Thursday: Slow Cooker Pepper Jelly Meatballs
Meal Prep Tip: Mix the sauce and add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker insert the night before, then cover and refrigerate. In the morning, just set it out for a few minutes, then put it in the base and turn it on.
Customization: Go with a milder pepper jelly for the kids (or omit it), or use a hotter jelly if your family likes a real kick. I have so many combos you can try for this one.
Friday: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Meal Prep Tip: Add the chicken, dressing, parmesan, and cream cheese to the slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate, then start it in the morning. Cook the pasta fresh right before serving so it does not get mushy.
Customization: Swap penne for rotini or ziti, or stir in a handful of spinach at the end for extra color.
Peach Upside Down Cake: Peach Upside Down Cake
Meal Prep Tip: Slice the peaches the day before and store them in the fridge so assembly is quick when you are ready to bake.
Customization: Swap in pineapple or plums for the peaches, or dust the top with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Each meal plan includes five dinner recipes the whole family will love, with a nice variety to keep things interesting. Add a side dish or salad, and you have a complete meal!
If you are looking for extra sweets to curb that craving, head over to try some of our tasty desserts!
Save, Customize & Print This Meal Plan
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Looking for blank meal planners? You can find them in our subscriber’s library. Don’t miss our past meal plans! Our recipe index offers lots more inspiration for adding to your menu!
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Enjoy Every Bite and Happy Cooking!
