Skinnytaste Dinner Plan — Week 26
Picadillo makes a return on this week’s rotation — it’s an easy family favorite that reheats well and lends itself to many quick meals. Leftovers can be turned into quesadillas, tacos, empanadas or used as a filling for sandwiches and bowls. Because it’s versatile, I often double the batch so we have ready-made options for lunches and hurried weeknights.
Shown here is The Skinnytaste Meal Planner, which I use to map dinners for the week. Meal planning helps simplify grocery shopping, reduce food waste and keeps evenings low-stress. My usual breakfasts are simple and quick — eggs with fruit, a smoothie or avocado toast. We’re a family of four, so when a recipe yields extra servings they typically become someone’s lunch the next day or are stored as leftovers for an easy second night.
Weekly Dinner Lineup
Below is the dinner schedule for Week 26. Each evening is balanced to keep prep time manageable and flavors varied across the week.
- Monday: Skinny Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese
- Tuesday: Crock Pot Picadillo
- Wednesday: Picadillo Quesadillas (using the crock pot Picadillo leftovers)
- Thursday: Bacon-Topped Petite Turkey Meatloaf served with Creamy Cauliflower Puree
- Friday: Pizza night — a relaxed evening for homemade or store-bought pizza, depending on time
- Saturday: Date night — plan a meal you enjoy and keep it special
- Sunday: Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs with Broccoli Orzo
Shopping List
This shopping list is organized by recipe to make the supermarket run efficient. Adjust quantities based on your household size and pantry staples you already have.
Skinny Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese
- Elbow macaroni
- Butter
- Onion
- Flour
- Skim milk
- Fat-free chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- Reduced-fat sharp cheddar
- Salt and fresh ground pepper
- Fresh broccoli florets
- Grated parmesan
- Seasoned bread crumbs
- Cooking spray
Crock Pot Picadillo
- 93% lean ground beef (or preferred lean ground protein)
- Onion
- Red bell pepper
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Tomato
- Tomato sauce (8 oz can)
- Alcaparrado or green olives
- Ground cumin
- Garlic powder
- Bay leaves
Picadillo Quesadillas
- Cilantro
- Tomato
- Scallion
- Lime
- Cooking spray
- Whole wheat flour tortillas
- Shredded reduced-fat cheddar jack
- Prepared Crock Pot Picadillo
Bacon-Topped Petite Turkey Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce
- Zucchini
- Onion
- Red pepper
- Seasoned breadcrumbs
- BBQ sauce (Kansas City–style suggested)
- Egg
- Smoked paprika
- Kosher salt
- 93% lean ground turkey
- Center-cut bacon (for topping)
Ingredients commonly used to make a Kansas City–style BBQ sauce:
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Honey
- Red wine vinegar
- Molasses
- Liquid smoke (natural hickory)
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Chili powder
Creamy Cauliflower Puree
- Medium head cauliflower
- Garlic
- Buttermilk (1% or your preferred milk)
- Salt and pepper
- Whipped butter
Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs
- Fresh basil leaves
- Garlic
- Parmigiano-Reggiano (grated)
- Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- Olive oil
- Skinless chicken breast
- Cherry tomatoes
Tips for the Week
Plan a single batch of Picadillo early in the week to power two dinners and make lunch prep faster. Store leftovers in airtight containers and cool to room temperature before refrigerating. For best texture, reheat in a skillet over medium heat or briefly in the oven; if using a microwave, stir halfway through to promote even heating.
If you need vegetarian swaps, consider replacing ground beef or turkey with crumbled plant-based protein, lentils or a mix of mushrooms and beans. For lighter dairy options in mac and cheese and cauliflower puree, use lower-fat milk and moderate the amount of cheese while relying on flavor from spices and seasonings.
Meal planning is most effective when paired with a concise shopping list and a quick prep session. Chop vegetables, measure spices and portion out ingredients when you bring groceries home. These small steps shave minutes off nightly prep and make weeknight cooking feel effortless.