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Save yourself some time, money and stress by using this FREE Meal Plan that is full of amazing recipes. Each plan includes 5 dinner ideas, 2 side dishes, 1 dessert and a shopping list making meal planning easier than ever!!
WEEKLY MEAL PLAN #61
Each week, I share with you a FREE meal plan that consists of 5 dinner ideas (Monday-Thursday plus one Weekend meal), 2 side dishes, and 1 dessert!
Included is a grocery list with EVERY ingredient you need for all the items on the meal plan.
This is meant to help simplify menu planning, shopping, and cooking so you can more easily enjoy meals with your family throughout the week!
TIP OF THE WEEK
A great way to utilize those juicy peaches is with our Homemade Peach Salsa!
It will pair amazingly with this week’s Taco Bowls, but also is delicious simply served with chips.
Quick note: you can alter the spice by either keeping or discarding the seeds from the jalapenos. More seeds = more spice.
A few other fruit-inspired salsas we love are our Mango Salsa and our Pineapple Salsa. Give them a try too!
BENEFITS OF MEAL PLANNING
There’s nothing worse than the dread every time a family members asks, “What’s for dinner??” And your answer is “I have no clue.” Having a meal plan for the week eliminates that completely, which is the number one benefit in my book!
Besides having a game plan in place, there are several other benefits of meal planning, including:
- Cost: When you have a plan set in place, and a specific list of groceries, you eliminate cost wasted on impulse items or produce that never gets used.
- Decrease Waste: No wasted money, and no wasted food! Having a set grocery list will help to avoid both of those issues.
- Variety: Our meal plans specifically include a lot of variety, with Mexican, Italian, Breakfast for Dinner, and so much more! You can expose your family’s palates to all kinds of meals.
- No Indecision: Did you know there’s such thing as “indecision fatigue”? The idea is that when you can’t make a decision on something (like what to make for dinner) it actually makes you mentally fatigued. When dinners are already planned out, though, you avoid indecision completely!
- Health: When you plan for/anticipate making well-rounded meals, you’re much more likely to actually make them rather than defaulting to convenient boxed meals, or unhealthy fast food!
As you can see, there are so many benefits to meal planning!
And if you want to create your own menu, be sure to check out all our recipes and visit our recipe pages, including: Main Dish, Side Dishes, Desserts, Appetizers and Breakfast!
Monday
Taco Bowl
Quick & simple Taco Bowl is filled with fresh ingredients and topped with a creamy cilantro dressing. It’s a perfect taco twist.
For a vegetarian version, try our Burrito Bowl or, if you prefer chicken, check out our Chicken Burrito Bowl. Both are just as delicious and easy to prepare!
Tuesday
Chicken Alfredo
Cheesy chicken Alfredo pasta is a go-to dinner meal in our house. Creamy sauce mixed in with fettuccine pasta and sautéed chicken. A one-pot meal that the whole family will enjoy!
This creamy pasta dish pairs perfectly with a side salad with Creamy Pesto Dressing which is on the menu this week. Or, choose your favorite dressing from our collection of homemade Salad Dressing Recipes.
wednesday
Favorite Eggs and Potatoes
Delicious Eggs & Potatoes are made in the skillet and finished in the oven. This flavorful recipe is perfect any morning or special day.
Try serving with an Orange Juice Smoothie or Easy Fruit Salad. Both go great with this filling dish!
Thursday
Veggie Panini
Even without meat, this veggie panini is a delicious hot sandwich filled with cheese, tomato, avocado, spinach and more.
To pack in even more veggies, serve this stuffed panini with our yummy Kale Salad, caesar salad, or a pasta salad.
Weekend
Teriyaki Pork Chops
Simply sweet and savory Teriyaki Pork Chops make the perfect dinner recipe and are ready in only 20 minutes!!
For a complete meal, serve over lemon rice or cauliflower rice and with Grilled Asparagus or Luau Salad on the side.
Sides of the week
Our Top Two Choices
Fresh Peach Salsa is delicious with chips, on top of fish or pork, or spooned over tacos! You’ll love the sweet and savory flavors in this simple recipe!
For a fun summer variation of our Tacos Bowls on the menu this week, try topping them with this fresh peach salsa. We also love snacking on this fruity salsa with homemade tortilla chips. You can’t go wrong with this salsa!
Salad with Creamy Pesto Dressing is delicious on any salad! Plus, it only requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make.
Enjoy this salad with our Chicken Alfredo this week. Leftover dressing can be stored in your fridge for up to a week. For a real treat, top your salad with Homemade Croutons.
Dessert of the WEek
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple upside down cake is a classic dessert that is so soft and moist, filled with the perfect amount of pineapple flavor!
For more FRUIT-INSPIRED CAKES, try:
Download the Meal Plan!
Click the link below to download this week’s FREE Meal Plan!
And remember – if you want to create your own menu, be sure to check out all our recipes and visit our recipe pages, including: Main Dish, Side Dishes, Desserts, Appetizers and Breakfast!
Click HEre to Download the pdf!
