Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 100)

Week 100 already — what a milestone! This week coincides with Thanksgiving, and like many families we head to my mother’s house. Everyone contributes a dish, so I’m bringing several sides and I’m always excited for the inevitable leftovers. Meal planning helps me stay organized before the grocery run and makes weeknight dinners much less stressful.

For breakfasts I usually keep things simple: eggs with fruit, a quick smoothie, or avocado toast. We’re a family of four, so if a dinner recipe yields extra servings it typically becomes packed lunches or enjoyed as leftovers the next day. If you’d like to browse previous weekly dinner plans, see the meal plans archive here.

This Week’s Menu

Monday: Butternut Squash Risotto served with a simple green salad. Creamy and comforting without being heavy—perfect for a cozy autumn night.
Tuesday: Turkey Chili Taco Soup. Hearty, flavorful, and easy to make in a single pot—great for chilly evenings and ideal for leftovers.
Wednesday: Asian Peanut Noodles with Chicken – Lightened Up. A bright, saucy noodle dish loaded with veggies and protein; simple to scale for a family of four.
Thursday (Thanksgiving): We’re at Mom’s for turkey. I’ll be bringing several sides including Makeover Spinach Gratin, Maple Soy Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash with Bacon, and Mom’s Stuffing, Lightened Up.
Friday: Leftover Turkey Harvest Cobb Salad. A refreshing way to use Thanksgiving turkey with seasonal additions like roasted squash and pecans.
Saturday: Leftover Turkey and Sweet Potato Frittata. Quick to prepare and perfect for a relaxed weekend brunch or dinner.
Sunday: Turkey Pot Pie Soup. A comforting soup that captures classic pot pie flavors in an easy, spoonable form.

Planning a week like this keeps grocery trips focused and reduces food waste by intentionally working leftovers into the menu. If you plan to shop for the week at once, consider organizing purchases by store section to save time and avoid impulse buys. Below is a consolidated shopping list organized by recipe to make shopping and prep straightforward.

Shopping List

Butternut Squash Risotto

Low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
Butternut squash puree
Butter or olive oil
Garlic
Shallots
Arborio rice
Dry white wine
Fresh sage
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Fresh baby arugula, for garnish
Salad greens or ingredients for a side salad

Turkey Chili Taco Soup

Cooking spray
99% lean ground turkey
Onion
Bell pepper
Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
Canned or frozen corn
No-salt-added kidney beans
Tomato sauce
Fat-free refried beans
Low-sodium taco seasoning
Reduced-sodium chicken broth

Asian Peanut Noodles with Chicken — Lightened Up

Reduced-sodium chicken broth
Peanut butter (such as a natural or smooth variety)
Honey
Chicken breast
Sriracha or another chili sauce (adjust to taste)
Garlic
Fresh ginger
Soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
Sesame oil
Rice noodles
Green onion
Shredded carrots
Shredded broccoli slaw
Bean sprouts
Chopped peanuts
Limes
Cilantro for garnish (optional)

Makeover Spinach Gratin

Whipped butter
Onion
Flour (substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed)
Freshly grated nutmeg
2% milk
Frozen chopped spinach
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese

Maple Soy Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash with Bacon

Cooking spray
Butternut squash
Olive oil
Brussels sprouts
Center-cut strips of bacon
Pure maple syrup
Reduced-sodium soy sauce

Mom’s Stuffing, Lightened Up

Loaf whole wheat French bread
Center-cut bacon slices
Butter
Onion
Celery
Fresh sage leaves
Chopped parsley
Large egg
Fat-free chicken broth
Cooking spray

Leftover Turkey Harvest Cobb Salad

Center-cut bacon
Cooked turkey breast
Butternut squash
Olive oil spray
Spring mix lettuce
Crumbled feta
Pecan halves
Craisins
Dijon mustard
Olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Maple syrup
Red onion

Leftover Turkey and Sweet Potato Frittata

Large eggs
Egg whites
Grated Gruyère cheese (omit for Whole30)
Olive oil
Onion
Sweet potatoes
Fresh or dried thyme
Garlic powder
Paprika
Leftover turkey breast
Baby spinach

Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Flour
Turkey stock
Fat-free milk
Celery
Onion
Sliced cremini mushrooms
Chopped parsley
Frozen peas and carrots
Turkey Better Than Bouillon or similar concentrated turkey base
Potatoes
Cooked turkey breast

Tip: When shopping, check pantry staples like oils, spices, and broth before you go. Items such as broth, flour, and basic seasonings will appear across several recipes and can often be reused throughout the week. Enjoy the week of comforting, family-friendly dinners and the convenience of planned leftovers.