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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 #63
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
Possibly our best loved recipe is our Spanish Rice! This week’s side is a crock pot version of the wildly popular original recipe.
Pro-tip: Make sure to use the rice that the recipe calls for – white long grain. Different types of rice may not cook according to the recipe directions.
This rice also freezes really well. So make a big batch and save the extras for another meal another day!
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
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Make dinnertime a breeze with these delicious and simple Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas. They’re delicious and easy to prepare!
And be sure to try Crockpot Spanish Rice, one of our featured sides of the week, and Easy Refried Beans to serve on the side. You’ll thank us later.
Tuesday
Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is one of the easiest pasta dishes you can make! It uses only 6 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make!
For more quick and delicious pastas, check out our collection of Easy Pasta Recipes that includes mouth-watering dishes like Pasta Carbonara, Cheesy Garlic Tortellini Pasta and Lemon Asparagus Pasta.
wednesday
Scrambled Eggs & Apple Muffins
Easy and delicious scrambled eggs never go out of style! This recipe is fluffy, flavorful and absolutely perfect every time. Pair with delicious Apple Muffins that are full of warm apple bits and topped with a scrumptious crumble. This is a family favorite bakery style muffin!
To complete this meal, serve with some bacon or Breakfast Sausage and a green smoothie or fruit smoothie on the side. Everyone will be glad breakfast came twice today!
Thursday
Porcupine Meatballs
Rich and flavorsome porcupines meatballs made with ground beef, rice, and onion. Simmered in tomato sauce until cooked perfectly!
While these are a family favorite, we love so many other meatball recipes including Easy Swedish Meatballs, Grape Jelly Meatballs, Asian Meatballs and Crockpot Meatballs.
Weekend
Buttery Baked Chicken
Creamy Buttery Baked Chicken is simple and full of flavor. It is another great dinner idea for any occasion!!
One of our Sides of the Week, Waldorf Salad (with or without the meat), would pair wonderfully with this dish and is a great way to add in some fruits and veggies.
Sides of the week
Our Top Two Choices
Waldorf Salad is filled with texture and flavor. Tossed in a homemade poppyseed dressing, it’s perfect for any lunch, dinner or appetizer.
We love how this salad has fruit mixed in! Some of our other favorite salads that include fruit are Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, Broccoli Strawberry Salad and Kale Salad.
Crockpot Spanish Rice is full of delicious Mexican spices. This savory side tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant!
If you’d rather not use the crockpot, you can use our original Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe. Either version is the perfect side for any of our Mexican Dinner Ideas.
Dessert of the WEek
Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats are an elevated classic filled with nutty butter and topped with sea salt for taste perfection!
For more RICE KRISPIE GOODNESS, try:
- Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
- Chocolate Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
- Rice Krispie Balls
- Crack Rice Krispies
- Scotcheroos
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!
