Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 48). I hope everyone has a happy Halloween—enjoy celebrating with your little ghosts and goblins! If you need quick party ideas, check the seasonal recipes under Halloween. A few fun, family-friendly options include French Bread Mummy Pizzas, Candy Corn Fruit Parfaits, and Mummy Cake Balls. On Monday we’ll be out trick-or-treating, so I’ll set the slow cooker to work and make a comforting pumpkin turkey chili—perfect for a chilly evening and easy to reheat for leftovers.
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 48)
Monday: Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili
This slow-cooker chili comes together with ground turkey, white beans and pumpkin puree for a creamy, autumnal twist. It’s ideal for hands-off cooking when you’re out celebrating Halloween.
Tuesday: Turkey Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats
Roasted spaghetti squash halves serve as a low-carb vessel for seasoned turkey taco filling. Top with fresh tomato, scallions and cilantro for brightness.
Wednesday: Leftover Chili
Leftovers make the middle of the week easy—reheat the chili and serve with chopped herbs, a squeeze of lime or a dollop of low-fat sour cream.
Thursday: Turkey Cutlets with Parmesan Crust with Oven Roasted Cauliflower
Quick-cooking turkey cutlets crisp up with a Parmesan breadcrumb crust. Pair with oven-roasted cauliflower tossed with garlic and a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano for a simple, satisfying plate.
Friday: Baked Chicken Parmesan with roasted garlic broccolini
A lighter version of chicken Parmesan baked instead of fried, topped with marinara and melted reduced-fat mozzarella. Serve alongside roasted garlic broccolini for a green, nutrient-packed side.
Saturday: Dinner Out
A night off from cooking—enjoy dining out with family or friends.
Sunday: Slow Cooker Bahn Mi Rice Bowls
Slow-cooked pork tenderloin with tangy pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro makes a great weeknight-to-weekend recipe. Serve over brown rice and top with cucumbers, shredded cabbage and sliced radishes for crunch.
SHOPPING LIST
CROCK POT TURKEY WHITE BEAN PUMPKIN CHILI
- cooking spray (or a light oil mist such as Misto)
- 2 lb 99% lean ground turkey
- olive oil
- 1 small onion
- garlic
- chili powder
- bay leaves
- cumin
- oregano
- 2 (15 oz) cans white northern or navy beans
- 15 oz can pumpkin puree (or homemade pumpkin puree)
- canned chopped green chiles
- low-sodium chicken broth
- chopped cilantro and chives for topping
- salt and pepper
- low-fat sour cream (optional)
TURKEY TACO SPAGHETTI SQUASH BOATS
- 3 small spaghetti squash
- olive oil spray
- 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
- garlic powder
- cumin
- kosher salt
- chili powder
- paprika
- oregano
- 1 onion
- 1 bell pepper
- tomato sauce
- part-skim shredded Mexican cheese blend (optional)
- tomato
- scallion
- fresh cilantro
- jalapeño
- fresh lime juice
TURKEY CUTLETS WITH PARMESAN CRUST
- 4 (4 oz) turkey breast cutlets
- egg whites
- seasoned breadcrumbs
- grated Parmesan cheese
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- butter
- olive oil
- lemon wedges
OVEN ROASTED CAULIFLOWER
- cauliflower florets
- garlic
- olive oil
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- lemon
- Parmigiano Reggiano
BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN
- 4 (about 8 oz each) chicken breasts
- seasoned breadcrumbs (whole wheat recommended)
- grated Parmesan cheese
- butter
- reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
- marinara or Filetto di Pomodoro
- cooking spray
SLOW COOKER BAHN MI RICE BOWLS
- 1 pound pork tenderloin
- kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- garlic
- jalapeño
- reduced-sodium soy sauce
- brown sugar
- distilled white vinegar
- sugar (for quick pickling)
- shredded carrots
- radishes
- cooked brown rice
- shredded red cabbage
- English cucumbers
- cilantro leaves
Weekly Tips and Notes
- Plan ahead by browning the turkey for the chili or taco filling the night before and refrigerating it until needed.
- Roast spaghetti squash and cauliflower on the same sheet pan when timing allows to save oven time and energy.
- Leftover chili and shredded pork from the slow cooker both store well in airtight containers for 3–4 days in the refrigerator and make great lunches.
- For a lower-sodium option, choose low-sodium broths and reduced-sodium soy sauce. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Substitute dairy-free or W30-compliant ingredients where noted by omitting cheese or using approved alternatives.