featured 29142

Skinnytaste Week 22 Dinner Plan: Weekly Menu & Recipes

ST_Weekly_Meal_Template_week_22_C

Weekly Meal Plan — Week 22

I hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing weekend. I’m visiting family in Pennsylvania this week, so I put together this week’s meal plan without my usual meal-planning tool; I’ll update any notes when I get back home. Meal planning keeps the week organized, reduces stress at dinnertime, and helps avoid last-minute trips to the store.

This is week 22 of sharing our weekly dinner lineup. Breakfasts in our household are usually quick and simple — eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast — and lunches are often packed from leftovers. We are a family of four, so when a recipe yields extra servings we either save it for lunches or enjoy it as dinner the next day.

Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 22)

  • Monday: Baby Pasta Shells with Asparagus and Marinara — Meatless Monday with a simple spring vegetable pasta. Serve with a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano and freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Tuesday: Grilled Garlic Dijon Herb Salmon — A quick, flavorful salmon finished with a light herb and Dijon marinade. Pair with a crisp house salad and lemon wedges.
  • Wednesday: Thai Basil Chicken with Basmati Rice — A bright, savory stir-fry featuring garlic, chilies, and fresh basil. Serve over jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the sauce.
  • Thursday: Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri — Seasoned flank steak served alongside a zesty chimichurri sauce and a simple green salad.
  • Friday: French Bread Pizza Supreme — A fast, family-friendly pizza made on a whole wheat baguette and topped with vegetables and a modest amount of cheese.
  • Saturday: Date Night — A flexible evening for a special meal out or a relaxed home-cooked dinner chosen together.
  • Sunday: Best Eggplant Rollatini — Classic rollatini made lighter with part-skim ricotta and marinara, baked until bubbly and golden.

Below is the consolidated shopping list for the week, organized by recipe categories to make grocery shopping efficient. Quantities are suggested where they were included in the original plan; adjust amounts based on your household size and preferences. Fresh herbs and high-quality olive oil will elevate these simple dishes.

Shopping List for Week 22 Meal Plan

Pasta with Asparagus & Marinara

  • Baby pasta shells (substitute brown rice pasta for a gluten-free option)
  • 1 bunch thin asparagus
  • Homemade marinara (see marinara ingredients below)
  • Pecorino Romano
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Grilled Garlic Dijon Herb Salmon

  • Fresh garlic
  • Dried Herbs de Provence (or mixed dried herbs)
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Dijon mustard
  • Olive oil spray or a neutral cooking spray
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, 1″ thick if possible)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Lemon wedges for serving

House Salad

  • Red onion
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Tomato
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried oregano
  • Cucumber
  • Hass avocado
  • Chopped romaine lettuce

Thai Basil Chicken

  • 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Oyster sauce
  • Light soy sauce
  • Garlic
  • Serrano chili (or substitute a small fresh chili to taste)
  • Vegetable or canola oil
  • Fresh Thai basil or regular basil
  • Jasmine or basmati rice

Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri

  • 1 1/2 pounds flank steak
  • Garlic powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Dried oregano
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Kosher salt

Chimichurri Sauce

  • Fresh parsley
  • Cilantro (optional for added brightness)
  • Red onion
  • Garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)

French Bread Pizza Supreme

  • 10 oz whole wheat French bread baguette (or similar size)
  • 1 cup quick marinara
  • Red onion, thinly sliced
  • Green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • Mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • Turkey pepperoni (optional), thinly sliced
  • 1 cup (about 4 oz) part-skim shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup fresh shredded Parmesan

Skinny Eggplant Rollatini

  • 2 medium Italian eggplants
  • Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
  • Homemade marinara sauce (see below)
  • 1 large egg
  • Part-skim ricotta cheese
  • Grated Pecorino Romano
  • Frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
  • Fresh garlic
  • Shredded part-skim mozzarella

For the Homemade Marinara Sauce

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh garlic
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (a trusted brand you prefer)
  • Bay leaf
  • Dried oregano
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Tips for the week: prepare the marinara sauce in a single batch and use it across several dinners to save time. Trim and portion proteins ahead of time, and pre-chop vegetables so cooking during the week is faster. Leftovers can be repurposed into lunches or reinvented as new dishes — for example, extra grilled salmon can top a grain bowl, and leftover chimichurri is great on roasted vegetables.

If you follow this plan, you’ll have a balanced week of meals with a mix of seafood, poultry, beef, vegetarian options, and a special night to look forward to. Happy cooking and enjoy your week of simple, flavorful dinners!