Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 54)
The final countdown of the season is almost here. This week features special giveaways as part of a 7 Days of Giving celebration, including copies of the Skinnytaste Fast and Slow Cookbook offered with each prize. Winners receive two copies — one to keep and one to share with a loved one. Follow the weekly announcements on social channels to learn more about daily prizes and how to enter.
Below is the weekly plan laid out on a meal planner to help organize dinners, simplify grocery shopping, and make weeknight cooking effortless. Meal planning saves time and reduces decision fatigue: assign leftovers for lunches, double a recipe to freeze, or adjust portion sizes for your household. For breakfasts, a quick and healthy routine often works best — try eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast. This plan is created for a family of four; if a recipe yields extra servings, pack them for lunches or enjoy them as next-day leftovers.
Weekly Menu
Monday: Crock Pot Minestrone Soup — a comforting, vegetable-forward soup with beans, pasta, and a rich broth.
Tuesday: Skinny Chicken Enchiladas with Mexican Cauliflower Rice — flavorful, lighter enchiladas paired with a low-carb cauliflower rice option.
Wednesday: Leftover Soup — a simple night to enjoy any remaining minestrone, which often tastes even better the next day.
Thursday: Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken & Olive Tangine served with couscous — aromatic spices, tender chicken thighs, and a balance of savory and sweet elements.
Friday: Dinner Out — a flexible night to dine out or enjoy takeout.
Saturday: Cheesy Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables — a hearty, vegetable-packed baked pasta featuring melty cheeses and roasted seasonal produce.
Sunday: Leftovers — finish the week by finishing any remaining dishes.
Meal Notes and Tips
Crock Pot Minestrone Soup: This soup is ideal for a slow-cooker day. It blends white beans, diced tomatoes, fresh vegetables, and a pasta such as ditalini added toward the end to maintain the right texture. Consider keeping a Parmesan rind in the pot for added depth of flavor and topping servings with freshly grated Parmesan and basil.
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas with Mexican Cauliflower Rice: The enchiladas use seasoned shredded chicken and a light enchilada sauce, then are topped with reduced-fat cheese. For the cauliflower rice, sauté riced cauliflower with onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spices such as cumin and paprika for an aromatic, lower-carb side that pairs well with the enchiladas.
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken & Olive Tangine: Slow-cooking chicken thighs with dried fruits, olives, and warm spices like cinnamon and cumin creates a rich and fragrant dish. Serve with a measured portion of couscous for a satisfying plate. Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon brighten the finished dish.
Cheesy Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables: Roast an assortment of vegetables — red bell pepper, zucchini, fennel, asparagus, and red onion — with garlic and a splash of balsamic vinegar before folding them into marinara, ricotta, and pasta. Top with shredded part-skim mozzarella and Pecorino Romano for a golden finish.
Shopping List
Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
- White beans (cannellini or navy beans)
- Reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Petite diced tomatoes
- Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
- Fresh rosemary sprig
- Bay leaves
- Fresh basil
- Fresh Italian parsley
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Zucchini
- Fresh or frozen spinach
- Small pasta such as ditalini (or gluten-free pasta)
- Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas
- Garlic
- Chipotle chiles in adobo (use to taste)
- Tomato sauce
- Chipotle chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Reduced-sodium chicken broth
- Kosher salt and fresh pepper
- Vegetable oil
- Chicken breast
- Onion
- Cilantro
- Dried oregano
- Low-carb or whole wheat flour tortillas
- Low-fat Mexican cheese blend
- Non-stick cooking spray (or a light oil)
- Scallions or additional cilantro for topping
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- Riced cauliflower
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Plum tomatoes
- Jalapeño
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped cilantro
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken & Olive Tangine
- Skinless chicken thighs
- Carrots
- Yellow onion
- Dried prunes
- Pitted green olives
- Garlic
- All-purpose flour or gluten-free AP flour
- Paprika
- Ground cumin
- Ground cinnamon
- Fresh ginger
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh cilantro
- Lemon
- Couscous (for serving)
Cheesy Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables
- Olive oil spray or a light oil for roasting
- Red bell pepper
- Zucchini
- Fennel bulb
- Asparagus
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Balsamic vinegar
- Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Penne pasta (regular or gluten-free)
- Part-skim ricotta
- Fresh parsley
- Pecorino Romano
- Shredded part-skim mozzarella
- Marinara sauce
Print or save this shopping list before you head to the store. For printing, use your browser’s print function to create a paper copy. Adjust quantities based on your household size and whether you plan to make extra for lunches or leftovers. Enjoy the week of simple, flavorful meals planned to streamline cooking and reduce mealtime stress.