Make next week easier with a healthy weekly meal plan full of simple, family-friendly recipes, practical meal prep tips, and a grocery list that takes one more thing off your plate.
Here’s what’s on the menu this week!
I’m keeping things easy with meals that work for busy weeknights, make good leftovers, and don’t require a million ingredients. This week also balances celebrating those last few weeks of warm weather with those real cozy fall cravings.
What We’re Eating This Week
Here is a peek at our Healthy Meal Plan, plus some shortcuts and swaps I’d use to make the week even easier. Remember, we also share high-protein and low-carb options if those work better for you.
1. Southwest Chicken Bowls
I LOVE these bowls piled high with pickled red onions, and I could honestly drink the quick homemade cilantro sauce (don’t miss it in the comments!).
Also, if you have selective eaters at home, make these a “build-your-own-bowl” moment, or fold the chicken into tortillas, add any topping they love, and serve tacos or quesadillas with rice and corn on the side.
Make it easier: Use microwave/frozen rice and store-bought pico de gallo instead of chopping the tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Grab some store-bought cilantro or chipotle ranch to drizzle on top. I’d also always make extra chicken for an easy protein in the fridge because I would much rather eat cold chicken than a protein bar.
GET THE RECIPE →
2. One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
For years, I didn’t think I should eat pasta, BUT now Pasta Mondays is a non-negotiable in our house and in our meal plans. I can’t believe I spent so many years thinking pasta was off limits, but I’m so happy it’s back in my life.
This one-pot version is ready in 30 minutes, has 38g of protein, and is great if you are like me and hate doing dishes.
Hate mushrooms? This pasta can be made with any veggie your family loves – so don’t get turned off if mushrooms aren’t your thing. Truth be told, I cook the mushrooms in step #2, then set them aside to add back at the end since I am the only one in my family who eats mushrooms. For everyone else, I wilt some spinach in at the end.
Extra protein: Swap in chicken bone broth instead of standard broth for double the protein. Honestly, using bone broth for pasta is pretty trendy right now, but I only think it’s worth the extra money if you are actually consuming all the broth, like this recipe where the pasta soaks it all up.
GET THE RECIPE →
3. Steak Tacos
This is one of those simple recipes that showcase that sometimes simple really is better. Marinate your steak quickly in lime and spices (the lime tenderizes the meat while adding flavor!), then grill or broil it, fold it into warm tortillas, and top with your favorite toppings.
My favorites for these tacos are tons of extra lime juice, cilantro, diced onion, a dollop of guacamole, and a heavy-handed drizzle of green salsa. Seriously good.
Budget swap: If steak is pricey this week, use chicken thighs, ground beef, or fish instead. Keep all the same toppings and sides. I usually stock up on steak when it’s on sale and keep it in the freezer.
“I simply love this! Was trying to show off with my neighbor who happens to be from Mexico! And he was very happy with these tacos. Absolutely would recommend. 5 stars!”
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Want the Shopping List Too?
This might honestly be my favorite part of the meal plans. Once I decide what we’re eating, I really don’t want to open five different recipes and build the grocery list myself.
Your list is automatically generated based on the recipes and serving sizes you choose. Plus, you can add your own items. Take it to the store or send it to Instacart or Walmart for easy grocery delivery.
I already made it for you.
Your grocery list is built from the meals and servings you choose, so you don’t have to adjust recipes and add up ingredients from every recipe yourself.
✓ Swap a meal? Your list changes with you.
✓ Cooking for more or fewer people? Adjust your servings.
✓ Already have something? Check it off and keep shopping.
TRY THE MEAL PLANS FREE →
4. Breakfast Egg Casserole
I’m going to be honest—like most moms, my mornings are crazy. I’m up at 5:30, packing school lunches, getting the kids up and ready, packing my own stuff, driving them to school, heading to the gym, and then getting to the office. And since I can’t exactly skip making school lunches (even though some mornings I really wish I could!), the thing that always seems to fall off the to-do list is my own breakfast.
That’s why having something like this already in the fridge quite literally saves me from grabbing yet another protein bar.
It’s become a staple in our house—and bonus: I can warm it up, throw it in a thermos, and send it to school for lunch, too.
Make it ahead: Bake it over the weekend, slice it into portions, and reheat throughout the week. Or throw it in the freezer. It also doubles as a great breakfast sandwich filling.
GET THE RECIPE →
How I’m Making This Week Easier
I’m not spending my whole Sunday meal prepping because I will be at approximately 5 soccer games, one karate match, and a birthday party. BUT there are usually a few things I can do to make the rest of the week noticeably easier.
Sunday
Every Sunday, we include a slow cooker protein in the meal plan because it means I can throw dinner in the slow cooker in the morning and enjoy my day without stressing about dinner. Then we’ll reuse that recipe for a few easy lunches during the week because there just isn’t enough time for a lunch from scratch every day.
Get ahead
Marinate the chicken for the Southwest Bowls. Make the cilantro sauce. Slice the peppers and onions for Wednesday’s meal. Feeling extra ambitious? Make and freeze the pesto ground turkey for Thursday, your baked sweet potatoes side dish for Friday, and marinated steak for Saturday’s tacos.
Time Saving Shortcuts
Swap in microwave/frozen rice, store-bought pico de gallo and cilantro ranch for the Southwest Chicken Bowls, pre-cut peppers and onions for the Roasted Italian sausages, and pre-marinated steak tacos.
Save Money
Use a cheaper cut of pork for the slow cooker meal, like pork shoulder or a pork loin roast, and swap in snap peas for green beans or another more affordable veggie. Cabbage would be yummy. Use chicken thighs in the pasta dish and Southwest Chicken Bowls. Swap in chicken, tilapia, or another less expensive fish for the mahi mahi. Use ground beef for the tacos.
Want More Protein or Fewer Carbs?
The Healthy Plan is where most members start, but you can switch things up depending on what you need that week. One membership gives you access to all of our plans.
High Protein
40g+ Protein
Meals with at least 40 grams of protein and under 500 calories per meal.
Low Carb
Fewer Carbs
Our approach to low carb is different than most; we cut out major carbs like pasta, bread, rice, beans, or oatmeal but still include things like fruit, higher-carb veggies like squash, and lower carb legumes like lupini and soy beans.
No matter which plan you choose, you can still swap individual meals and adjust servings to make it work for your family.
Make next week easier
Meals planned. Grocery list done. One less thing to think about.
Your meals are planned, and your grocery list is built for you. Swap anything you don’t want, adjust the servings for your family, and you’re ready to shop. You can even add your own recipes.
✓ Weekly healthy meal plans
✓ Automatic grocery list
✓ Swap any meal you don’t want
✓ Adjust servings for your family
GET MY WEEKLY MEAL PLAN →