Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 80)
The official start of summer is finally here, and this week’s Skinnytaste dinner plan is built for warm-weather cooking, quick dinners, and fresh flavors. Meal planning has helped countless households stay organized, reduce food waste, and make weeknight dinners less stressful. Below you’ll find an easy-to-follow weekly dinner schedule, a few notes about how I plan meals for my family, and a complete shopping list organized by recipe to make grocery trips faster.
On the day-to-day, I use a meal planner (the one in the photo is my preferred print planner) to map out dinners, but any notebook or digital planner will work. My breakfasts tend to be quick and simple—eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast—so I focus my planning energy on dinners. We’re a family of four, so when a recipe yields more than we eat at dinner, the extra servings become packed lunches or next-day leftovers. Leftovers not only save time, they help stretch the grocery budget and reduce waste.
Below is the weekly plan for Week 80. Each recipe is chosen for seasonal produce and family-friendly flavors. If you need to swap ingredients for dietary reasons or preferences, look to simple substitutions: use dairy-free ricotta or yogurt alternatives, swap chicken for turkey, or choose gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed. When possible, buy fresh produce and plan to use the more delicate items earlier in the week.
Weekly Dinner Schedule
- Monday: Veggie Lasagna Zucchini Boats
- Tuesday: Union Cantina Lobster Tacos
- Wednesday: Skillet Harissa Turkey Meatloaf, served with cucumbers and tomatoes
- Thursday: Shawarma-Spiced Grilled Chicken with Garlic Yogurt
- Friday: Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
- Saturday: Dinner Out
- Sunday: Summer Vegetables with Sausage and Potatoes
Tips for the week: prepare a simple pico or chopped salsa for the lobster tacos in the morning so assembly is quick. For the meatloaf, shredding or grating the zucchini ahead of time reduces dinner prep. Marinate the shawarma chicken in the morning or the night before to let the flavors develop. For roasted vegetables, chop everything at once and toss with oil and herbs so the tray can go straight into the oven when you’re ready.
Shopping List
The shopping list below is organized by recipe to help you collect ingredients efficiently. Adjust quantities for your household size or to account for items you already have on hand.
VEGGIE LASAGNA ZUCCHINI BOATS
- olive oil
- baby spinach
- garlic
- onion
- red bell pepper
- part-skim ricotta
- grated Parmesan cheese
- large egg
- basil leaves
- crushed tomatoes
UNION CANTINA LOBSTER TACOS
- steamed and chilled lobster meat (from two 2 1/2 lb Maine lobsters, or pre-cooked lobster meat)
- corn tortillas
- pico de gallo (homemade or store-bought)
- avocado
- Old Bay seasoning
- cilantro or cilantro microgreens for garnish
- lime wedges
- poblano pepper
- light sour cream
- fresh lime juice
SKILLET HARISSA TURKEY MEATLOAF
- zucchini
- onion
- red pepper
- garlic
- whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs (or plain for dairy-free)
- Harissa paste
- large egg
- sweet paprika
- 93% lean ground turkey
- ketchup
- cucumbers
- tomatoes
SHAWARMA-SPICED GRILLED CHICKEN WITH GARLIC YOGURT
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh lemon juice
- garlic
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika
- turmeric
- curry powder
- cinnamon
- red pepper flakes
- 2% Greek yogurt
- chopped parsley for garnish
BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES
- boneless skinless chicken thighs
- cooking spray or oil
- asparagus
- red bell peppers
- red onions
- carrots
- sliced mushrooms
- balsamic vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic
- a pinch of sugar (optional)
- fresh rosemary
- dried oregano or thyme
- fresh sage
SUMMER VEGETABLES WITH SAUSAGE AND POTATOES
- baby red potatoes
- oil for roasting
- garlic powder
- Italian chicken sausage
- onion
- garlic
- orange bell pepper
- yellow bell pepper
- red bell pepper
- fresh rosemary or other fresh herb such as thyme
- zucchini
Whether you follow the plan exactly or use it as inspiration, this weekly lineup aims to balance vegetables, lean proteins, and bold flavors that work well for summer evenings. Preparing a few components ahead—like chopping vegetables, making a salsa, or marinating meat—can shorten weekday cooking time and make dinner feel relaxed and enjoyable. Enjoy the week and the fresh produce that comes with the season.