Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 87)
It’s bittersweet to see summer winding down, but I’m making the most of the last ripe tomatoes from my garden. This week’s Skinnytaste dinner plan centers on fresh flavors and easy weeknight preparation. Below you’ll find the day-by-day menu followed by a consolidated shopping list to streamline your grocery trip. Meal planning helps reduce waste, saves time during busy evenings, and makes it simple to use seasonal produce before it’s gone.
For breakfasts I usually keep things quick and simple: eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast. We are a family of four; when a recipe yields more than we need for dinner, I either portion it for lunches or enjoy it the next day as leftovers. If you adapt servings for a larger group, the shopping list will still serve as a helpful starting point.
This Week’s Menu
- Monday: Best Skinny Eggplant Rollatini with Spinach — baked eggplant layered with ricotta and spinach, served with a crisp salad.
- Tuesday: Blackened Fish Tacos with Cabbage Mango Slaw — lightly spiced fish tucked into warm corn tortillas with a tangy mango-cabbage slaw and lime.
- Wednesday: Pepper Steak — savory pepper steak served with brown rice for a hearty midweek meal.
- Thursday: Chicken and Shrimp Laap (Larb) — a fresh, herb-forward Thai-style laap with lettuce cups for serving.
- Friday: Naked Salmon Burgers with Sriracha Mayo — pan-seared salmon patties topped with a spicy sriracha mayonnaise, served with greens and avocado.
- Saturday: Dinner out.
- Sunday: Spaghetti with Sautéed Chicken and Grape Tomatoes — a simple pasta dinner highlighting sweet, garden-fresh tomatoes and seared chicken.
Shopping List
Below is a consolidated shopping list organized by recipe. If you already have staples like olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, check those off before you head to the store. The list is intended to make your grocery run efficient and to help you use seasonal tomatoes where noted.
Best Skinny Eggplant Rollatini with Spinach
- Italian eggplants
- Quick marinara sauce (see ingredients below)
- Large egg
- Part-skim ricotta cheese
- Grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Frozen or fresh spinach
- Garlic
- Shredded part-skim mozzarella
Quick Marinara Sauce (ingredients)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Can of crushed tomatoes
- Bay leaf
- Dried oregano
- Fresh basil
Blackened Fish Tacos with Cabbage Mango Slaw
- Red cabbage
- Mango
- Olive oil
- Cilantro
- Smoked paprika
- Dry mustard
- Ground cayenne pepper
- Ground cumin
- Dried oregano
- Skinless cod or halibut fillets
- Corn tortillas
- Limes
Pepper Steak
- Top round beef, trimmed
- Soy sauce or alternative for special diets
- Rice wine or a suitable substitute
- Cornstarch (or arrowroot)
- Vegetable oil
- Onion
- Bell peppers
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Brown rice
Chicken and Shrimp Laap (Larb)
- Coconut flour (if the recipe calls for it)
- Neutral oil for cooking
- Shallot
- Ground chicken thighs
- Large shrimp, peeled
- Asian fish sauce
- Fresh lime juice
- Cayenne pepper
- Scallions
- Cilantro
- Fresh mint leaves
- Butter lettuce or other lettuce cups
Naked Salmon Burgers with Sriracha Mayo
- Light mayonnaise
- Sriracha
- Red bell pepper
- Yellow bell pepper
- Panko or gluten-free panko
- Garlic
- Wild salmon fillet
- Large egg
- Reduced sodium soy sauce
- Fresh lemon juice
- Kosher salt
- Baby arugula
- Avocado
Spaghetti with Sautéed Chicken and Grape Tomatoes
- Skinless chicken breast halves
- Cooking spray or a touch of oil
- Dried oregano and dried basil
- Gluten-free or whole wheat spaghetti
- Grape or cherry tomatoes (perfect for using garden tomatoes)
- Garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil
Meal planning is flexible—swap days, double recipes for easy lunches, or use extra tomatoes in the marinara and pasta to highlight summer produce. With this plan and shopping list, weekday dinners will be less stressful and more delicious. Enjoy your week of cooking and the last tastes of summer!