Weekly Meal Plan #72 – coolforests

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Dinner doesn’t have to feel like another thing you’re failing at. This weekly meal plan is all about hearty, comforting meals that make your evenings calmer and nights easier. Think cozy, filling dinners the whole family will love!

Collage of hero images from the recipes included in the weekly meal plan.

Hearty Meals For Cold Days

Winter has a way of pulling everyone back home. If you want your family to stay in, gather around the table, and actually linger, these hearty, family-friendly dinners are for you. Want more ideas? Check out all my other weekly meal plans here.

Monday: One-Pan Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
Tuesday: Fall off the Bone Slow Cooker Short Ribs
Wednesday: Baked General Tso’s Chicken
Thursday: Pork Enchiladas
Friday: Crispy Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

printable meal plan and shopping list

Feeds 4–6 + Includes a Grocery List

This free weekly meal plan takes the guesswork out of dinner with five delicious, family-friendly recipes and a cute shopping list to make your week easier.

Broccoli Cheddar Orzo

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Creamy broccoli cheddar orzo made in one pot with tender veggies, melty cheese, and cozy flavors in every bite.

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Fall off the Bone Slow Cooker Short Ribs

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4.72 from 7 votes

Fall off the Bone Slow Cooker Short Ribs is a perfect hearty, satisfying, and savory dinner. Full of flavor and fork tender succulent beef, it's a meal worth coming home to.

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General Tso’s Chicken (Baked)

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5 from 3 votes

Sweet, spicy, and sticky, this baked General Tso’s chicken delivers all the takeout flavor without the fryer.

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Pork Enchiladas

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5 from 3 votes

These delicious enchiladas are filled with juicy pork carnitas and smothered in melted cheese. Topped off with homemade red enchilada sauce, this is a dinner that the whole family will go crazy over.

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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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4.59 from 17 votes

Busy week? These air fryer chicken tenders come together fast, with a crispy outside, juicy inside, and kid-approved every time.

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Why I Stick With Weekly Meal Planning

Meal planning keeps me sane. When life gets busy, having dinner figured out is one less thing to stress about. Here are a few more reasons why I stick with it!

Save money: Groceries aren’t cheap. If you’re planning ahead, that means fewer impulse buys and less food waste.
Save time: No more 5 PM fridge stares or that “what’s for dinner?” panic.
Eat better: If I have a meal plan in place, I’m way less likely to grab takeout out of desperation.

Each weekly meal plan also includes a free printable grocery list that’s already measured and organized. So instead of stressing, you can just print it, grab what you need, and then enjoy how much easier and put-together your life will feel!

print meal plan and shopping list here

Printable shopping list for the weekly meal plan.

What to Serve with This Week’s Meals

Side Dishes

Super Easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

5 hours 15 minutes

Easy

Garlic Edamame

10 minutes

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

Guacamole

15 minutes

Easy

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

1 hour 40 minutes

Storing Leftovers for Meal Planning

I only plan dinners Monday through Friday. Weekends are our time to relax, be spontaneous, or treat ourselves to something fun. If you’ve got leftovers from the week, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy a no-cook night when you need it most.