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The mid-September routine is in full swing—school nights, practice schedules, and the usual daily juggle. And when life gets full, dinner can quickly turn into just another thing on the to-do list. But it doesn’t have to feel that way.

This week’s meal plan is all about real-life comfort food: easy, family-approved meals that come together without a lot of fuss. We’ve got creamy potato soup, cozy stuffed shells, one-skillet dinners, and a shepherd’s pie that’s always a win. Plus, a batch of banana nut muffins to carry you through breakfasts and lunchboxes.

I’ve included some helpful prep-ahead tips and simple recipe swaps so you can make the plan work for your schedule and pantry. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or just trying to stay ahead of the dinner hour, this plan is here to help take some stress off your plate.

Let’s dig into the week!

Soulfully Made weekly meal plan for September 15, 2025 image.

This Week’s Tips for Success

Meal Prep Tips:

  • Easy Baked Stuffed Shells – Stuff the shells the day before and refrigerate. Just pour the sauce over and bake when you’re ready to eat.
  • Chicken Fajita Bowls – Chop veggies and toss the chicken in the seasoning ahead so it’s ready to go when you need it. Even better? Use rotisserie chicken if you really need to save time.
    Creamy Potato Soup – Peel and dice potatoes in advance and keep them in cold water in the fridge to save time at dinner.
    Skillet Lemon Chicken and Potatoes – Parboil the potatoes during your weekly prep so this one-skillet meal comes together even faster.
    Shepherd’s Pie – This dish reheats beautifully. Make it the night before or even freeze it for later in the week.
    Banana Nut Muffins – Bake a batch on Sunday for easy grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks. They freeze well too!

Recipe Customizations:

  • Stuffed Shells – Swap ricotta for cottage cheese if that’s what you have, or add spinach for a veggie boost.
  • Chicken Fajita Bowls – Use steak or shrimp instead of chicken, or turn them into wraps if your crew prefers that.
  • Potato Soup – Add crumbled bacon or shredded cheddar for extra richness, or stir in frozen corn for more texture.
  • Lemon Chicken and Potatoes – Try baby potatoes or sweet potatoes, and add green beans or asparagus to make it a full meal.
  • Shepherd’s Pie – Swap ground beef for turkey, or use leftover mashed potatoes if you’ve got some to use up.
  • Banana Nut Muffins – Don’t like nuts? Leave them out or mix in chocolate chips instead!

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!

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Enjoy Every Bite and Happy Cooking!

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