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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 #58
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
Chimichangas can be pan fried, air fried or baked to create that crispy shell. Details for each option are included in the recipe. Don’t forget to serve with a side of rice and beans!
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
CHIMICHANGAS
This crispy chicken Chimichanga is similar to a burrito, but fried to golden perfection. It’s flavorful, filling, and bound to be a favorite entree!
Make sure to check out the tip of the week for alternate cooking methods, as well as our favorite sides to eat with these. If you want a more “kid-friendly” version, try our Bean and Cheese Chimichangas!
Tuesday
EASY SPAGHETTI
One of the easiest and most delicious versions of the classic dinner recipe everyone loves! This easy spaghetti is full of hamburger meat, tasty seasonings, and tomato sauce. The whole family will approve of this spaghetti recipe – even the kids!!
We have No Knead Bread on the plan this week to pair with this family favorite pasta dish. We also love to serve it with Cheesy Garlic Bread if we’re in a hurry.
wednesday
CHEESY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
This easy savory cheesy breakfast casserole is perfect for any morning or special holiday occasion. It is perfect for making ahead!
If you want to add a little protein, you can make a side of bacon or Breakfast Sausage. And to round it out, serve a light and refreshing breakfast smoothie.
Thursday
CHICKEN PESTO PANINI
Crispy Chicken Pesto Panini is an Italian flavored sandwich filled with bacon, tomato and gooey mozzarella. It is grilled to perfection!
If you want a vegetarian option, try our Veggie Panini! It’s just as filling and delicious.
Weekend
CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN
This Cilantro Lime Chicken is full of flavor and an easy weeknight meal. Fresh lime juice, cilantro, and loads of fresh garlic make a flavorful marinade!
Some of our favorite ways to use up leftovers of this chicken is in fajitas, tacos, or over a green salad.
Sides of the week
Our Top Two Choices
Ambrosia Salad will take you straight back to your childhood. The best creamy fruit salad with mini marshmallows mixed in!
This sweet salad is meant to be paired with the Cilantro Lime Chicken this weekend. If you have leftovers, it’s sweet enough to eat on its own as a dessert.
No Knead Bread has only four ingredients, and could not be simpler to make! It’s the perfect bread recipe for beginning bread makers, and so delicious that even experienced bread makers will love it.
We will be eating this no knead bread with our Easy Spaghetti this week. We love to slather it with our homemade Cinnamon Butter, or regular butter with jam!
Dessert of the WEek
CREAM PUFF CAKE
The BEST Cream Puff Cake ever!! A cake version of the popular cream puff, it has a puffy crust, pudding and whipped cream layers and often drizzled in chocolate.
For more pudding style desserts, 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!