Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 96). I’ve added some comforting favorites—both new and long-loved—to this week’s meal plan. I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for an easy, flavorful week of dinners.
Below is my weekly plan and a practical shopping list so you can prepare for the week. I plan dinners using The Skinnytaste Meal Planner, which helps me organize meals before heading to the supermarket, but you can use any planner that works for you. Meal planning saves time, reduces stress, and helps avoid last-minute takeout. My breakfasts tend to be quick and simple: eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast. We are a family of four; when a recipe yields extra servings they either become lunches or make a delicious leftover dinner the next day. If you follow meal plans often, rotating favorites and one new recipe a week keeps things interesting without adding complexity.
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan — Week 96
Monday: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies — A cozy, seasonal twist on mac and cheese paired with roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts for extra texture and flavor.
Tuesday: Enchilada Chicken Roll-Ups with salad and Mexican Cauliflower Rice — A lighter take on enchiladas using shredded chicken and a simple cauliflower “rice” seasoned with classic Mexican spices. Serve a crisp salad alongside for freshness.
Wednesday: Pork Chops with Dijon Herb Sauce served with cauliflower rice — Pan-seared pork chops finished with a tangy Dijon and fresh herb sauce, balanced by low-carb cauliflower rice.
Thursday: BBQ Chicken Chili — A smoky, hearty chili combining shredded chicken with roasted red peppers, beans, and a touch of barbecue sauce for depth. Top with shredded cheddar and cilantro if desired.
Friday: Lasagna Soup — All the comforting flavors of lasagna in a bowl: savory sausage, broken lasagna noodles, cheeses, and herbs in a flavorful broth. This is an especially cozy option for a chilly evening.
Saturday: Dinner Out — A night off from cooking to enjoy a meal out or a delivered favorite.
Sunday: Chicken Marsala Meatballs — Flavorful chicken meatballs in a mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. I’ll serve noodles for Madison and roasted spiralized butternut squash noodles for myself to keep variety at the table.
Planning Notes
To keep weeknight dinners manageable: choose one recipe that reheats well or makes extra portions for lunch, include one meatless or simple vegetable-forward meal if possible, and plan one evening out to reset. Prep tasks like chopping vegetables, grating cheeses, or making a quick sauce in advance can cut weekday cooking time dramatically. Many of these recipes pair well with cauliflower rice or a simple green salad, which are quick to assemble and help stretch meals.
Shopping List
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies
- Organic pie pumpkin or canned organic pumpkin puree
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Cauliflower florets
- Quartered Brussels sprouts
- Olive oil
- Gluten-free or wheat rotini pasta
- Butter
- Minced onion
- All-purpose or gluten-free flour
- Fat free milk
- Reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- Fresh grated Sharp Light Cheddar
- Fresh grated Gouda
- Fresh grated Parmesan
- Pinch of nutmeg
Enchilada Chicken Roll-Ups
- Cumin
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder
- Cooking spray
- Mild red enchilada sauce or homemade enchilada sauce
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Can of mild green chilis
- Reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Avocado
- Cilantro for garnish
- Salad greens
- Cauliflower rice
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
- Garlic cloves
- Chipotle chilis in adobo (for a smoky option)
- Tomato sauce
- Chipotle chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Reduced sodium chicken broth
Mexican Cauliflower “Rice”
- Cauliflower crumbles
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Plum tomatoes
- Jalapeño
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Chopped cilantro
Pork Chops with Dijon Herb Sauce
- Butter
- Pork chops
- Onion
- Chicken stock or broth
- Dijon mustard
- Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives)
- Cauliflower rice
BBQ Chicken Chili
- Olive oil
- Red onion
- Jalapeño pepper
- Garlic
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Red pepper flakes
- Cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, shredded
- Jarred roasted red peppers in water
- Canned cannellini beans
- Canned kidney beans
- Low sodium chicken stock
- Can diced tomatoes
- Barbecue sauce
- Reduced fat cheddar cheese, for topping
- Cilantro, for topping
Lasagna Soup
- Cooking spray
- Sweet Italian chicken sausage, casing removed
- Onion
- Garlic
- Low-sodium, fat-free chicken broth
- Quick marinara sauce
- Bay leaves
- Broken lasagna noodles, whole wheat or gluten-free
- Part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- Part-skim ricotta cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh basil, chiffonade
Quick Marinara Sauce
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Can of crushed tomatoes
- Bay leaf
- Oregano
- Fresh basil
Chicken Marsala Meatballs
- Sliced cremini mushrooms
- 93% lean ground chicken
- Whole wheat seasoned or gluten-free bread crumbs
- Grated Pecorino cheese
- Large egg
- Garlic
- Chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- All-purpose flour
- Unsalted butter
- Shallots
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Marsala wine
- Reduced sodium chicken broth
When you shop, group items by department—produce, dairy, pantry, and meat—to speed up your trip. Many of the ingredients listed can be used across recipes (for example, onions, garlic, and chicken broth), which helps reduce waste and saves money. Enjoy this week’s comforting and balanced meals, and feel free to swap sides or adjust protein portions to match your household’s appetite.