This week’s meal plan has a little bit of everything, with dinners that feel fresh, comforting, and easy to look forward to. You’ll find a nice mix of flavors and cuisines throughout the week, from Tuscan salmon and Lebanese mujadara to mini meatloaves for a fun twist on a classic. And since a few ingredients are used in more than one meal, the shopping list stays practical too.
I also put together a precise, organized grocery list to make your week easier. It takes some of the stress out of shopping, helps cut down on waste, and makes it much easier to stay on track when everything you need is already in the kitchen.
A few helpful tips for the week:
- Each recipe serves 4 people, making this plan great for families or for leftovers the next day.
- Buy a bag or clam shell of spinach for the Tuscan salmon, then stir the rest into the lemon orzo so it all gets used up.
- Prep onions and garlic early in the week if you want dinners to come together faster.
- Fresh lemon and parmesan are doing a lot of work in this plan, so they’re worth having on hand.
- Feel free to swap the order of the meals depending on your week. The plan is meant to be helpful, not rigid.
Side Dish Ideas to go With Dinner
Boursin Mashed Potatoes
Best Coleslaw Recipe
Shirazi Salad
Roasted Broccoli with the Best Vinaigrette Dressing
Breakfast idea
Dutch Baby Pancake: For breakfast, this Dutch baby pancake is always a good idea. It comes out of the oven golden, puffy, and ready for toppings like powdered sugar, berries, or a squeeze of lemon. It feels a little special, but it is actually very simple to make.
Dessert Idea
Double Chocolate Banana Bread: This banana bread is rich, chocolatey, and such a good way to use up ripe bananas. It works as an easy dessert, an afternoon snack, or even a little treat with coffee.
Shopping List
This shopping list includes everything you need to make all five dinners, plus the breakfast and dessert included in this week’s plan. Click the button below to print it and take it to the store.
Produce
- 1 (5-ounce) bag/clamshell baby spinach
- 2 romaine lettuce hearts
- 5 medium yellow onions
- 1 medium head garlic (we need 6 cloves garlic)
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 medium lemons
- 3 medium bananas, ripe
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
Meat, Poultry and Fish
- 2 pounds lean ground chicken
- 1 pound ground beef (15/85)
- 4 salmon fillets, each about 6 oz
Condiments and Spices
Olive oil
Avocado oil
Dijon mustard
Kosher salt
Smoked paprika
Dried thyme
Dried oregano
Garlic powder
Ground black pepper
Ground nutmeg
Ground cumin
Baharat spice blend – optional
Bay leaves (2)
Ketchup
Worcestershire sauce
Balsamic vinegar
Pure vanilla extract
Baking soda
Granulated sugar
Light brown sugar
All purpose flour (1½ cups)
Panko breadcrumbs (½ cup)
Dried plain breadcrumbs (½ cup)
Italian-style breadcrumbs (⅓ cup)
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder (½ cup)
Dairy & Refrigerated Items
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 small bottle whole milk
- 1 small tub sour cream
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 small wedge fresh Parmesan cheese
- 7 large eggs
Grains and Pasta
- Small flour tortillas, 10 count
- 1 small bag long-grain white rice (1–2 lb bag)
- 1 box dried orzo (12–16 oz box)
- 1 small bag dried lentils (brown or green)
Canned, Jarred, and Boxed
- Better Than Bouillon Premium Roasted Chicken Base – to make chicken stock OR 16 oz carton low-sodium chicken stock
- 8 oz bottle Caesar dressing, or make homemade using my recipe
- 1 small jar sundried tomatoes packed in olive oil
- 1 small bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (10 oz or smaller)
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