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August has a funny way of sneaking up on you. The lazy summer schedule starts tightening up, school shopping lists appear out of nowhere, and suddenly everyone is busier than they were in June. This is exactly the kind of week where a little planning goes a long way.
This lineup leans on your slow cooker and a few simple shortcuts, so you can still enjoy these last few weeks of summer without spending all evening in the kitchen. A little prep now means more time on the porch later.
To see EACH RECIPE post, CLICK ON the PHOTO BELOW
These are recipes I actually cook and trust, and I have been putting this plan 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.
Looking to get ahead or need more ideas? Browse all my weekly meal plans or come say hi on my about page.
This Week’s Tips for Success
Monday: Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
Meal Prep Tip: Toss everything in the crock pot Sunday night. Monday morning, pull it out of the fridge while you are getting ready for the day, or at least 30 minutes before. Then turn it on.
Customization: Swap in golden pepperoncini for a milder flavor, or add a splash of the pepperoncini juice for extra tang.
Tuesday: Homemade Taco Seasoning (Taco Night)
Meal Prep Tip: Mix up a double batch of the seasoning ahead of time and store it in a jar so taco night is ready to go with no measuring.
Customization: Use it on ground beef, chicken, or even black beans for a meatless version.
Wednesday: Franks and Beans (Cowboy Style)
Meal Prep Tip: Brown and slice the hot dogs and ground beef the night before, so it all comes together in one pot in under 30 minutes (this can also be done in a slow cooker or in the oven).
Customization: Add a little extra brown sugar and mustard if you like your beans on the sweeter, tangier side.
Thursday: Swiss Chicken Casserole
Meal Prep Tip: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it so all you have to do is sprinkle on the stuffing toppings and bake it after work.
Customization: No wine on hand? Chicken broth works fine in the sauce; you will just lose a little depth of flavor.
Friday: Ultimate Pot Roast
Meal Prep Tip: Chop your carrots, potatoes, and onions ahead of time so Friday is just a matter of searing the roast and letting it cook low and slow.
Customization: Shred any leftovers for sandwiches or over mashed potatoes the next day.
Dessert: Banana Icebox Cake
Meal Prep Tip: This one needs time to chill, so make it the night before you plan to serve it.
Customization: Add a sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers or a drizzle of caramel on top before serving.
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
Click the save button on the recipe card above to save this meal plan directly to your recipe collection. Then access it along with all your saved recipes and meal plans here.
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Customize if needed
Save it, then remove and swap out any recipes that don’t work for you.
Order groceries or print your list
If you’ve made any changes, generate a new shopping list and then order groceries or head to the store.
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Enjoy Every Bite and Happy Cooking!
