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Welcome back! Thanks for checking out this week's meal plan. For those of you who are new, the next few paragraphs are about my plans and some friendly reminders. You may want to check those out along with my tips for Pinterest meal planning and list-making on Google Keep. For those who have already read these reminders, scroll down for week nine's fabulous recipes and grocery list!
You'll notice that many of my plans will include recipes that have similar ingredients or, better yet, make creative use of leftovers to help minimize your grocery list and the amount of time you need to spend in the kitchen on those busy weeknights.
You'll also notice that I only have dinners planned for Monday through Friday. I'm a realist. I know that we're all busy and the chances of you actually getting to a home-cooked meal every weeknight are low. So feel free to rearrange plans and postpone as needed to fit your busy life. Go pick up take-out when you need to save your sanity and save one of these for the weekend. Managed to actually make each of these throughout the week? Great job! When you're at a loss for what to make over the weekend, go treat yourself to a dinner out - you earned it!
Final note. I don't know how big your family is. You're going to want to look through the recipes and adjust amounts as needed - make sure you adjust your grocery list accordingly. Keep in mind that for plans that call for leftovers, you'll want to make sure to make more than enough of the original recipe to create leftovers. Essentially, any time I'm doing something in a crock pot, I'm making at least twice what I need so I have leftovers.
With fabulous and simple recipes from House of Yumm, Berly's Kitchen, Garden in the Kitchen and Melanie Winters, this week's meal plan is all about freeing up time to do the things you really love!
Meal Planning on Pinterest
I typically plan out the menu for my week on Pinterest. I have a board called "This Week's Menu" and I update it over the weekend or sometime before I plan on doing my grocery shopping. By pinning all of the recipes in one place for the week, it's just a few clicks to get the ingredients added to my grocery list (I use Google Keep), and a quick click each day to find my dinner recipe.
Menu for the Week
Monday: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
This recipe from House of Yumm will set you up for delicious protein to use throughout the week!
One pan, 30 minutes. This sheet pan meal from House of Yumm is the perfect way to start your week. Photo from Serene at House of Yumm - written permission received.
We love sheet pan meals. Quick, easy and minimal clean-up! If you really want to make clean-up a breeze, line sheet pan with foil and just toss foil when done and put the pan away. Make more than you need as this roasted chicken and veggie mixture is going to make the perfect salad later in the week!
Tuesday: One Pan Parmesan Pork & Roasted Vegetables
Another easy sheet pan meal from our recipe section.
Another sheet pan meal makes having a delicious weeknight meal totally doable with minimal effort.
Sometimes when we buy vegetables it's easy to use half and then let the rest go bad. That's why when I meal plan I try to pick just a couple vegetables to use throughout the week and make it a priority to use them all up. Use half of your bunch of asparagus and brussel sprouts for this dish and save half to accompany the Salmon later this week.
Wednesday: Roasted Chicken & Veggie Salad
Get through hump day with a simple throw together salad.
Leftover roasted chicken and veggies are perfect for use in a mid-week salad. Just throw on your favorite dressing and you're ready to eat!
All that leftover chicken and roasted vegetables from Monday's meal are about to make the perfect mid-week salad. Reheat the chicken and veggies in the microwave then toss with freshly chopped roma tomatoes and chopped romaine/mixed salad greens. Top with your favorite salad dressing (my go to is Archer Farm's Basil Parmesan) and freshly shaved parmesan or a grated cheese of your choosing!
Thursday: Prosciutto Maple Salmon
Here's a flavor combination you're not going to want to miss from Garden in the Kitchen!
A trio of flavors that's going to leave you wanting more is what's in store for Thursday of this week's meal plan! Prosciutto Maple Salmon - Photo from Silvia at Garden in the Kitchen - written permission for use received.
Prosciutto, maple and salmon - a flavor match made in heaven. Use the rest of the asparagus and brussel sprouts to round out this meal. When you put the salmon in the oven for the final 10 minutes of baking add the vegetables as well! Add asparagus and brussel sprouts (halved if small, quartered if large) to the pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper!
Friday: Penne Alla Vodka
Friday night calls for a date night and that means pasta! This simple penne alla vodka from Berly's Kitchen is just the ticket.
This simple Penne Alla Vodka from Berly's Kitchen is the perfect way to wrap up your work week. Photo from Kimberly at Berly's Kitchen - written permission received for use.
Penne Alla Vodka always sounded intimidating but this recipe from Berly's Kitchen is totally doable! Simple, quick and delicious - that's how we want to finish up our week! Serve with a side salad made with some leftover salad greens and your favorite dressing!
Grocery List
Note: This may seem like an incredibly long list of ingredients, but the majority of items you should already have in your freezer, refrigerator or pantry. If you don't, go stock up so you don't need to add them to your grocery list every week. Once you get these items stocked up, the only things you should need to add to your grocery list are those listed in the "Additional Items" section.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
- Asparagus
- Brussel Sprouts
- Red, Yellow and Green Bell Peppers
- Romaine Lettuce/Mixed Salad Greens
- Roma Tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Salmon Fillets
- Uncured Prosciutto
- Heavy Cream
- Flour Tortillas (or Corn to keep the week GF)
STAPLES (ITEMS YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR FRIDGE/PANTRY ALL THE TIME)
- Olive Oil
- Maple Syrup
- Dijon Mustard
- Salad Dressing of Choice (I use Archer Farm's Basil Parmesan)
- Lemon Juice
- Lime
- Gluten Free Penne Noodles
- Butter
- Garlic
- Onions
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Garlic Powder
- Chili Powder
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Tomato Sauce
- Parmesan
- Boneless Pork Chops (I buy in bulk and freeze individually)
- Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts (buy in bulk & freeze individually)
- Vodka