Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. I’m finishing the final photo shoot for The Skinnytaste Fast and Slow Cookbook here in Charleston, SC, and I’ll be heading back to New York tonight. After a few indulgent meals while traveling, I’m ready to return to a routine of home cooking and regular workouts. To stay organized for the week ahead, I always plan my dinners in advance and prepare a thorough shopping list.
Weekly Meal Planning Tips
Meal planning saves time, reduces stress, and helps maintain a balanced diet. I use a meal planner to map out dinners for the week, but any notebook or digital planner will do. For breakfasts I usually choose quick, nutritious options like eggs with fruit, smoothies, or avocado toast. When I cook for my family of four, larger recipes either provide lunches the next day or get packed for easy meals on the go. Planning also makes grocery shopping more efficient: you buy only what you need, which cuts food waste and keeps the week simple.
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 24)
Monday: Baked Ratatouille with Havarti and a house salad
Tuesday: One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Wednesday: Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers
Thursday: Chicken Francese served with a massaged kale salad
Friday: Naked Salmon Burgers with Sriracha mayo
Saturday: Dinner out
Sunday: Flexible leftovers or a light, easy dinner depending on the week
Below is a consolidated grocery shopping list organized by recipe. Use this to streamline your trip to the store and ensure you have everything on hand for the week’s dinners and accompaniments.
Shopping List
Baked Ratatouille with Havarti
- Eggplant
- Kosher salt
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cracked black pepper
- Crushed tomatoes
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Bay leaf
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh basil leaves
- Red bell pepper
- Yellow bell pepper
- Zucchini
- Yellow squash
- Havarti cheese
House Salad
- Red onion
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper
- Tomato
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Cucumber
- Hass avocado
- Romaine lettuce (chopped)
One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
- Olive oil
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- Kosher salt
- Ground cumin
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- White onion
- Red bell pepper
- Yellow bell pepper
- Garlic
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Diced tomatoes with green chiles (10 oz)
- Pasta
- Light sour cream
- Scallions
- Fresh cilantro
- Avocado
Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger
- Lean ground beef (93% lean, about 2 lbs)
- Grated carrot
- Scallions
- Fresh ginger (grated)
- Reduced-sodium soy sauce
- Sriracha
- Fresh pineapple
- Whole wheat buns (100-calorie or preferred variety)
- Lettuce leaves
- Cornstarch
- Pineapple juice
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
Chicken Francese, Lightened Up
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (approx. 32 oz total)
- Unbleached flour
- Egg whites
- Fresh lemons
- White wine
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Cooking spray
- Salt and fresh black pepper
- Fresh parsley
- Butter
Massaged Raw Kale Salad
- One bunch of kale
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Fresh lemon juice
- Freshly grated Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Naked Salmon Burger with Sriracha Mayo
- Light mayonnaise
- Sriracha
- Red bell pepper
- Yellow bell pepper
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Garlic
- Wild salmon fillet (about 1 lb)
- Egg
- Reduced-sodium soy sauce
- Fresh lemon juice
- Kosher salt
- Cooking spray
- Baby arugula
- Avocado
Meal planning doesn’t have to be rigid. Leave space in your week for dining out, leftovers, or swapping meals based on what’s fresh at the market. Preparing a shopping list like this one helps ensure quick weeknight cooking and smoother meal prep. If you like, adapt portion sizes for your household and swap in seasonal produce to keep costs down and flavors bright.
Wishing you a productive week of cooking and a simple, satisfying meal routine. If you prefer, print or save this list before you shop so you’ll be ready to prepare each recipe with minimal stress.