Sharing this weekly meal plan with easy dinner ideas, make-ahead tips, freezer-friendly suggestions, and simple ways to make supper less stressful all week long.
Saturday: Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches + Coleslaw + Sweet Potato Chips + Best Chocolate Cupcakes (Slow Cooker, Make Ahead, 30 Minutes)
Sunday: Skillet Ribeye Steaks + Air Fryer Baked Potatoes + Oven Roasted Asparagus + Strawberry Pretzel Salad (Make Ahead, Air Fryer, 30 Minutes)
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas + Blender Enchilada Sauce + House Salad + Salted Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies (Slow Cooker, Make Ahead, 30 Minutes)
Wednesday: Baked Salmon with Parmesan Herb Crust + Instant Pot Brown Rice + Cucumber and Tomato Salad (Make Ahead, Instant Pot, 30 Minutes)
Thursday: Greek Chicken Pasta Salad + Lemon Sugar Cookies (30 Minutes, Make Ahead)
Friday: Family Night Out
Meal Plan Tips:
Saturday:
Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are a simple and flavorful way to begin the week’s meal plan. They are especially helpful for a relaxed weekend supper, but they are also practical enough for a busy weeknight dinner. The shredded chicken can be prepared ahead of time using your preferred method, including the slow cooker, which makes the meal even easier to pull together. Once the chicken is ready, toss it with homemade BBQ sauce and serve it on buns for a satisfying family meal.
Homemade BBQ Sauce is a great recipe to keep ready in the refrigerator. It comes together quickly and adds rich flavor to the sandwiches without much extra work. The coleslaw, sweet potato chips, and chocolate cupcakes can all be made in advance, so Saturday’s supper can be mostly assembled when it is time to eat.
Sunday:
Skillet Ribeye Steaks make Sunday dinner feel special while still keeping the meal manageable. After seasoning the steaks according to the recipe, you can cover them and let them rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. If your schedule allows, season them the evening before and keep them chilled until you are ready to cook. This small make-ahead step helps streamline dinner prep the next day.
Before cooking, remove the steaks from the refrigerator and allow them to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you did not have time to refrigerate them after seasoning, still give them that short room-temperature rest before they go into the skillet. Serve the steaks with air fryer baked potatoes, oven roasted asparagus, and strawberry pretzel salad for a complete meal with a balance of hearty, fresh, and sweet flavors.
Monday:
Monday is planned as a leftovers night, which is one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste and simplify the start of the week. Reheat and enjoy the delicious meals from the weekend, or create simple plates with whatever is available. Leftovers are especially helpful after a busy Saturday and Sunday because they give everyone a satisfying supper with very little cooking required.
Tuesday:
Chicken Enchiladas make an easy and comforting dinner for Tuesday night. The chicken can cook ahead in the slow cooker, which keeps the hands-on prep time short when you are ready to assemble the enchiladas. The Blender Enchilada Sauce is quick to prepare and adds homemade flavor without a complicated process. Pair the enchiladas with a simple house salad for freshness, then finish the meal with Salted Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies. This is a great make-ahead dinner option for anyone who wants a dependable weeknight meal with plenty of flavor.
Wednesday:
Baked Salmon with Parmesan Herb Crust is a favorite dinner that feels fresh, easy, and special enough for guests. To make the recipe come together even faster, grate the Parmesan cheese and chop the parsley ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, then simply grab them when it is time to cook.
The salmon bakes quickly, making it a strong choice for a 30-minute meal. Instant Pot Brown Rice keeps the side dish simple, and the Cucumber and Tomato Salad can be made ahead for this dinner or enjoyed with other meals during the week. This combination is light, flavorful, and convenient for a midweek supper.
Thursday:
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is a flavorful make-ahead meal that works beautifully for an easy supper. It can be served warm when freshly prepared, but it is also delicious served cold after the ingredients have had time to blend together. The combination of chicken, pasta, vegetables, feta cheese, and Greek dressing makes it satisfying while still feeling bright and fresh.
This pasta salad is especially useful for cookouts, potlucks, casual summer dinners, and busy evenings when you want something ready to serve. Pair it with Lemon Sugar Cookies for a simple finish to the meal. Since both recipes can be made ahead, Thursday’s dinner can be nearly effortless.
Have a great week!
Robyn xo