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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 #23
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
It is no secret that we are BIG cookie fans around here. And the holidays are such a fun time to make them! Our soft Ginger Snaps are on the menu plan this week, but they are just the beginning of all the incredible Christmas cookie recipes we have on our site. A few other favorites are our…
- Classic Christmas Cookies
- Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Peppermint Meltaways
Check out ALL of our holiday cookie recipes, including pro cookie tricks + packaging tips HERE. Happy holiday baking!
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
Steak Tacos
These steak tacos are marinated to perfection and bursting with fresh flavor! Tacos are quick and easy for a perfect weeknight dinner in under 30 minutes.
There’s nothing better than a street-style taco with fresh avocado, cilantro, and homemade Pico de Gallo. You can also whip up some Homemade Salsa or Guacamole if you want to go the extra mile!
Tuesday
Lasagna Soup
Everything you love about lasagna (noodles, meat, and cheese), minus all the things you don’t (layering, and tons of time)! This lasagna soup is easy, filling, and beyond delicious!!
We love this soup version of classic lasagna. Just like the original, this soup can be served with a slice of Garlic Bread, or a Caesar Salad on the side.
Wednesday
German Pancakes
These light, fluffy, eggy German Pancakes have become a family favorite breakfast recipe! They’re EASY to make, requiring only 5 simple ingredients that are kitchen staples.
Serve with powdered sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, or even homemade buttermilk syrup for a delicious breakfast (or dinner)!
Thursday
Crock pot Teriyaki Chicken
Make this super easy crock pot teriyaki chicken in your slow cooker, and serve over warm white rice for a delicious teriyaki bowl!
You can serve it with White Rice (we like to cook it in the slow cooker when feeding a crowd), or the Cauliflower Rice on the meal plan for the week as a low carb option.
Weekend
Swedish meatballs
Swedish meatballs made from both pork and beef, cooked to perfection, and smothered in a creamy gravy. Served on top of mashed potatoes or with cooked vegetables, it’s the perfect dish for holiday entertaining.
This dish can be served over Mashed Potatoes, Rice, or even the Cauliflower Rice on the plan. And they pair beautifully with the Oven Roasted Vegetables this week!
Sides of the week
Our top Two Choices
This tasty low-carb side dish will knock your socks off with how yummy it is! Cauliflower Rice will be your new go-to healthy side dish!
We love this classic version, but you can also make a Cauliflower Fried Rice to serve with any Asian dishes.
Simple, flavorful, and healthy Oven Roasted Vegetables that take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!
These vegetables are perfect for serving on the side with our Swedish Meatballs for your weekend meal!
Dessert of the week
Soft Ginger Snaps
Homemade Gingersnaps are a family favorite during the holidays, and these ones are especially soft. A few secret ingredients make these ginger snap cookies perfectly chewy and sweet!
For more of our favorite seasonal cookies, check out:
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!
