Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 76)
This week’s Skinnytaste dinner plan includes a mix of light, family-friendly dinners, a few favorites carried over from last week, and classic recipes from the archives like Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats and Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs—both great choices for Memorial Day weekend. If you need more holiday inspiration, there are many seasonal ideas perfect for a long weekend.
About this meal plan
Meal planning is a simple way to stay organized before heading to the supermarket and to make weeknight cooking easier. I use a meal planner to map out dinners for the week, but you can use any planner or a sheet of paper. My breakfasts are usually quick—eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast. We’re a family of four, so when a recipe yields extra servings, we either pack leftovers for lunches or enjoy them the next day. If you’d like to browse previous weekly plans, check the meal plans archive for more ideas.
This week’s dinner schedule
- Monday: Asparagus and Green Lentils with Poached Egg
- Tuesday: Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Wednesday: Chicken Pesto Bake with zoodles
- Thursday: Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinach
- Friday: Waffled Crab Cakes with a green salad
- Saturday: BBQ—grill favorites or seasonal vegetables
- Sunday: Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs
Quick tips for the week
- Batch-cook lentils or grains at the beginning of the week to save time on busy nights.
- Prep vegetables in advance—slice zucchini for zoodles and wash salad greens to make assembling dinners faster.
- Use leftovers for lunches: extra chicken, kebab vegetables, or crab cakes pack well for next-day meals.
- Swap ingredients to fit preferences: use lean ground turkey or beef in taco boats, or choose a gluten-free crumb for the crab cakes.
- For Memorial Day gatherings, double the grilled kebab recipe and add a simple side salad or grilled corn for easy entertaining.
Shopping list
The list below groups ingredients by recipe for straightforward grocery shopping. Quantities depend on servings and family size, so adjust as needed.
Asparagus and Green Lentils with Poached Egg
- thin asparagus
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- chopped thyme
- white vinegar
- cooked lentils
- large eggs
Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- zucchinis
- mild salsa
- 93% lean ground turkey
- garlic powder
- cumin
- chili powder
- paprika
- oregano
- onion
- bell pepper
- can of tomato sauce
- reduced fat Mexican blend shredded cheese
- scallions or cilantro
Chicken Pesto Bake (and Skinny Basil Pesto)
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Skinny Basil Pesto ingredients
- tomatoes
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- grated parmesan cheese
- zucchini (for zoodles)
Skinny Basil Pesto (ingredients)
- basil
- garlic
- grated parmesan
- olive oil
Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinach
- golden balsamic vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
- shallots
- honey
- boneless skinless chicken breast
- garlic
- seasoned salt (for example, Montreal Steak Grill Mates)
- baby spinach
- strawberries
- soft goat cheese
Waffled Crab Cakes
- lump crab meat
- panko crumbs, plain or gluten-free*
- large egg
- egg white
- mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- chopped chives
- fresh parsley
- fresh lemon juice
- Old Bay Seasoning
- paprika
- Tabasco
- cooking spray or mist
- lemon wedges
- lettuce of choice for salad
Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs
- fresh basil leaves
- garlic
- grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- olive oil
- skinless chicken breast
- cherry tomatoes
- wooden skewers
Final notes
This plan balances lighter meals with satisfying flavors and leaves room for a relaxed BBQ on Saturday. Use the shopping list to streamline your trip to the grocery store and consider prepping a few ingredients in advance—washed greens, pre-cooked lentils, and prepared pesto will save time and make weeknight cooking effortless. Enjoy the week and happy cooking!