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Welcome back! Thanks for checking out this week's meal plan. For those of you who are new, the next few paragraphs are about my plans and some friendly reminders. You may want to check those out along with my tips for Pinterest meal planning and list-making on Google Keep. For those who have already read these reminders, scroll down for week two's fabulous recipes and grocery list!
You'll notice that many of my plans will include recipes that have similar ingredients or, better yet, make creative use of leftovers to help minimize your grocery list and the amount of time you need to spend in the kitchen on those busy weeknights.
You'll also notice that I only have dinners planned for Monday through Friday. I'm a realist. I know that we're all busy and the chances of you actually getting to a home-cooked meal every weeknight are low. So feel free to rearrange plans and postpone as needed to fit your busy life. Go pick up take-out when you need to save your sanity and save one of these for the weekend. Managed to actually make each of these throughout the week? Great job! When you're at a loss for what to make over the weekend, go treat yourself to a dinner out - you earned it!
Final note. I don't know how big your family is. You're going to want to look through the recipes and adjust amounts as needed - make sure you adjust your grocery list accordingly. Keep in mind that for plans that call for leftovers, you'll want to make sure to make more than enough of the original recipe to create leftovers. Essentially, any time I'm doing something in a crock pot, I'm making at least twice what I need so I have leftovers.
Week-long meal plans that are practical and delicious! Bonus? The grocery list is done for you - split into staples you should have in your freezer/fridge/pantry and additional items to purchase by the week. Pin to have all of the recipes at your fingertips for later!
Meal Planning on Pinterest
I typically plan out the menu for my week on Pinterest. I have a board called "This Week's Menu" and I update it over the weekend or sometime before I plan on doing my grocery shopping. By pinning all of the recipes in one place for the week, it's just a few clicks to get the ingredients added to my grocery list (I use Google Keep), and a quick click each day to find my dinner recipe.
Menu for the Week
Monday: Simple Asparagus Penne
This is one of our go-to recipes for meatless Monday! Get this and other great recipes in our "Recipes" tab.
Do your meatless Mondays right with this simple asparagus penne! Ready in about the time it takes to cook the pasta, this veggie-filled meal is sure to become a weekly staple.
Seriously, it doesn't get any easier than this. A flavor filled, veggie-packed, ready in minutes meal is the perfect way to start off your week. Bonus? Leftovers make great lunches throughout the week.
Tuesday: Citrus Chicken Fajitas
Find this recipe and more from one of our favorites, Three Olives Branch.
Citrus Chicken Fajitas from Three Olives Branch are the perfect addition to your Taco Tuesday Routine! Photograph by Kim at Three Olives Branch.
It's time to up your Taco Tuesday game and these citrus chicken fajitas are just the way to do it. Now, I'll admit it - marinating chicken for 2-4 hours is just not realistic for most weeknights. You've got a couple options though. Prep the chicken over the weekend and grill it off storing it in the fridge to be reheated as needed throughout the week OR marinate it as long as you can the night of and go for it - it'll still be good! Whichever you choose, make at least double the chicken so you have leftovers for tomorrow and Thursday!
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This recipe and so many outstanding others can be found at, Iowa Girl Eats.
We've said it before and we'll say it again...there's not much better than a stuffed sweet potato. This one from Iowa Girl Eats is always a winner... Photograph by Kristin at Iowa Girl Eats.
Remember how I told you to make extra chicken for Tuesday's meal? If you did that, you just made tonight's meal super easy! Just shred if able or cube it up nice and small and use in this recipe. You're welcome.
Thursday: Tropical Avocado Salad
Gaby's recipes are always a hit - find this one and more at What's Gaby Cooking.
Get your midweek health boost in with this Tropical Avocado Salad from What's Gaby Cooking! Photograph by Gaby at What's Gaby Cooking.
Any recipe that essentially just calls for mixing all the ingredients together and chowing down is a perfect weeknight recipe in our books! This seriously fresh salad is perfect for getting some much needed health as your energy is slipping late into the week. Add some of that left-over citrus chicken for some added protein or keep it meat-free!
Friday: Yellowfin Tuna Steaks over Lemon-Garlic Quinoa
Get this fresh favorite from our "Recipes" tab.
Colorful and veggie filled quinoa makes the perfect bed for Yellowfin Tuna steaks.
How about a Fish Friday? A handful of ingredients are all it takes to put together a fresh and healthy meal.
Grocery List
Note: This may seem like an incredibly long list of ingredients, but the majority of items you should already have in your freezer, refrigerator or pantry. If you don't, go stock up so you don't need to add them to your grocery list every week. Once you get these items stocked up, the only things you should need to add to your grocery list are those listed in the "Additional Items" section. Serve with a side salad.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
- red onions
- asparagus
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- heavy cream
- chive and onion cream cheese
- Oranges/orange juice
- Jalapenos
- tortillas
- smoked Cheddar Cheese
- pico de gallo
- cilantro
- avocados
- sweet potatoes
- arugula
- mango
- cucumbers
- pomegranate seeds
- Yellowfin Tuna Steaks (frozen work just fine - thaw before using)
- bell peppers
STAPLES (ITEMS YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR FRIDGE/PANTRY ALL THE TIME)
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- cumin
- garlic powder
- penne pasta (I use Barilla Gluten Free)
- Boneless Chicken Breasts (buy in bulk, freeze what you don't need that week)
- Limes/Lime Juice
- Lemons/Lemon Juice
- Shredded Cheese - colby jack or taco blend
- sour cream
- white rice
- BBQ sauce
- pepperonchinis
- champagne vinegar
- butter
- yellow onion
- garlic
- chicken broth
- quinoa