This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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 #38
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
You’re going to love this week’s dessert! We call it “Lemon Lasagna“, but you may have heard it called “Lemon Lush” or “Lemon Delight”. It has a Lemon Oreo base, then a cream cheese layer, lemon pudding layer, and lastly a layer of cool whip topping.
If you can’t find Lemon Oreos, you can use Golden Oreos. Some other yummy variations of this dessert are our White Chocolate Lasagna and our Pumpkin Lasagna!
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
Baked chicken Chimichangas
Everyone loves chimichangas! This Baked Chicken Chimichanga recipe is stuffed with rice, chicken, cheese and more. Such a simple dinner recipe that is so delicious and perfect to add to the monthly menu.
We also have a recipe for Bean Chimichangas that the kids tend to prefer since they’re more simple than this version. 😉 Make sure you serve either of them with Homemade Salsa and Guacamole!
Tuesday
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
This copycat version of Cheesecake Factory’s Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta recipe is filled with chunks of chicken, garlic, whipping cream, spinach and sweet sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a great way to change up the classic fettuccine recipe!
The Yeast Rolls on the meal plan this week would go great with this pasta, or you can whip up some simple Cheesy Garlic Bread. Make sure to add the ingredients for it to your grocery list!
wednesday
Breakfast Hand Pies
Simple and delicious crescent dough Breakfast Hand Pies are perfect for breakfast! They are easy to make and completely customizable.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make your own crescent dough for these hand pies. Regardless of what dough we use, we always make the Bacon in the Oven.
Thursday
Hamburger Soup
Hearty and delicious Hamburger Soup is filled with corn, carrots, potatoes, cheese and more! Best of all, it’s made in the slow cooker with minimal effort.
If you have any leftover Yeast Rolls from pasta night, they would be perfect for dipping in this soup!
Weekend
Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake
If you’re looking for another way to enjoy chicken, look no further! With quick, easy prep and big flavor, this Mayo and Parmesan Chicken Bake is the answer to all your questions!
The Brussel Sprouts with Bacon (a side of the week) are meant to be paired with this tasty chicken dish. You can also serve your chicken with a salad or bread.
Sides of the week
Our Top Two Choices
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon have a delicious flavor that will make you come back for second and third helpings! Adding bacon is the perfect addition to this side dish recipe that is simple and loved by all.
If you’d prefer them without bacon, we also love our classic Roasted Brussel Sprouts and our Parmesan Brussel Sprouts.
Easy Yeast Rolls can be made in under an hour with just 4 ingredients! With how quick and simple they are, they will become your new go-to dinner rolls.
These rolls are so versatile, they can go with the Sun Dried Tomato Pasta, or the Hamburger Soup this week!
Dessert of the WEek
Lemon Lasagna
This luscious lemon lasagna consists of 4 tasty layers, including a Lemon Oreo crust, cream cheese layer, lemon pudding layer and topped with whipped cream! So creamy and refreshing—you can’t get enough!
For more lemon desserts, 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!
