I hope you enjoyed a relaxing holiday weekend. I was away in Tennessee last week and paused the meal plan, but now I’m back and sharing this week’s simple, family-friendly menu.
Shown below is The Skinnytaste Meal Planner, which I use to organize dinners for the week. You can use any planner that works for you. Meal planning is one of the easiest ways to save time and reduce stress before you head to the grocery store. My breakfasts are usually quick—eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast. We are a family of four, so when a recipe makes extra, those portions become packed lunches or leftovers for the next day. If you want to browse previous weekly dinner plans, click here.
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 77)
Below is the week’s dinner schedule with a quick note about each meal. These recipes are designed to be approachable, flavorful, and adaptable so you can fit them to your family’s preferences or dietary needs.
- Monday: Easiest Pasta and Broccoli Recipe — a quick, comforting pasta dish that comes together fast on a weeknight.
- Tuesday: Enchilada Chicken Roll-Ups with Mexican Cauliflower Rice — a flavorful combination that balances protein and vegetable-forward sides.
- Wednesday: Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger — juicy burgers with a sweet-savory glaze and fresh toppings.
- Thursday: Persian Turkey Kofta Kebabs served with a fresh salad — fragrant spices and herbs make these kebabs a weeknight favorite.
- Friday: Sweet ’n Spice Asian Glazed Grilled Drumsticks — sticky, spicy, and ideal for grilling or baking.
- Saturday: Dinner out — take a break from cooking and enjoy a meal with family or friends.
- Sunday: Turmeric Braised Chicken with Golden Beets and Leeks — a comforting, aromatic braise to wind down the week.
Shopping List
To make grocery shopping easier, here is a consolidated ingredient list grouped by recipe. Adjust quantities based on your household size and what you already have on hand.
Easiest Pasta and Broccoli
- uncooked pasta (or brown rice/quinoa pasta for gluten-free)
- fresh broccoli florets (no stems)
- garlic
- grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- olive oil
Enchilada Chicken Roll-Ups
- ground cumin
- dried oregano
- garlic powder
- chili powder
- cooking spray
- can of mild red enchilada sauce (or use a homemade sauce)
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- mild green chiles
- reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
- avocado
- cilantro for garnish
Homemade Enchilada Sauce (if making from scratch)
- garlic
- chipotle chiles in adobo (optional)
- tomato sauce
- chipotle chili powder
- ground cumin
- reduced-sodium chicken broth
Mexican Cauliflower “Rice”
- cauliflower crumbles or a head of cauliflower to pulse
- olive oil
- onion
- plum tomatoes
- jalapeño
- garlic
- tomato paste
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika
- cayenne pepper (to taste)
- fresh chopped cilantro
Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers
- 93% lean ground beef
- grated carrots
- scallions
- Sriracha
- fresh pineapple
- whole wheat buns (or preferred buns)
- lettuce leaves
- cornstarch
- low-sodium soy sauce
- pineapple juice
- brown sugar
- fresh grated ginger
- garlic
Persian Turkey Kofta Kebabs
- 93% lean ground turkey
- onion
- garlic
- fresh parsley
- bread crumbs
- allspice
- ground coriander
- paprika
- chili powder
- salad greens and vegetables for serving
Sweet ’n Spice Asian Glazed Grilled Drumsticks
- skinless chicken drumsticks, bone-in
- garlic salt
- ground ginger
- reduced-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free)
- apple cider vinegar
- Sriracha
- sweet red chili sauce
- raw honey
- chives for garnish (optional)
Turmeric Braised Chicken with Golden Beets and Leeks
- leeks
- bunch of golden beets (about 4) with greens, scrubbed
- garlic
- ground turmeric
- ground ginger
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
- olive oil
- skinless chicken drumsticks, bone-in
- skinless chicken thighs, bone-in
- white wine (or chicken broth as a substitute)
Meal planning tips: shop with a list, pick recipes that share ingredients to reduce waste, and cook larger portions for easy leftovers. Simple swaps—like using gluten-free pasta or Tamari—make these meals adaptable. Enjoy the week of dinners, and feel free to adjust spices and sides to suit your family’s tastes.