It’s time to start thinking about your meal plan for next week. From shortcut carnitas in 35 minutes to butter roasted tomato sauce (mmmm!), we’ve got five weeknight dinners that will get you through the week ahead. So grab a pen, make your shopping list, and stock up before the weekend’s over. And if it’s easier for you to do that from your inbox, be sure to sign up for our weekly meal plan emails.
Top: Instant Pot Carnitas at Nom Nom Paleo | Spaghetti with Butter Roasted Tomato Sauce at Bell’alimento | Basic Bulgogi at Bon Appetit (Photo by Linda Xiao)
Related: 6 brilliant tricks chefs use to fix common cooking mistakes.
I’m kicking Monday off with the Instant Pot because, if you couldn’t tell from my post on five ways to save money on groceries using the Instant Pot, I’m officially obsessed with mine. This recipe for Instant Pot Carnitas at Nom Nom Paleo is an example of #3, using the IP to cook up cheap cuts of meat in the most delicious way. Make a double batch and freeze it for salads, burritos, tacos, or just eating straight out of a bowl.
Paprika Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa | What’s Gaby Cooking
This recipe that we included in our round up of delectable grilled chicken recipes for spring and summer couldn’t be easier. Use our favorite trick for juicier, quicker cooking chicken breasts to make sure that the chicken cooks in a snap. And if you don’t have avocado on hand, make a quick salsa using whatever veggies you do have: peppers, cucumber, tomato, and green onion all work.
There are two reasons why I love this Pecan Crusted Salmon with Sautéed Greens and Potatoes from our friends at The Kitchn. The first is that it’s the perfect thing to make this very moment. Featuring the best of spring produce, this super simple meal will shine most if you grab the ingredients at the farmer’s market. The other reason is that this recipe has it all: a kid-friendly protein, a filling starch, and a veggie. No need to look anywhere else.
Related: 11 super fast pasta recipes you can make in minutes.
Basic Bulgogi | Photo by Linda Xiao for Bon Appetit
If you’re looking to slowly ease your family into more adventurous eating without going crazy cooking, look no further than this recipe for Basic Bulgogi at Bon Appetit. Don’t be scared by the longer ingredients list; it’s all easily found stuff for the marinade. Once you get the meat soaking — which you have to do at least 30 minutes ahead of time — all you’ll have to do is toss the beef into a skillet to cook for five minutes. Genius.
When you put together spaghetti, butter, and tomato sauce, my family and I are in. The sauce for this Spaghetti with Butter Roasted Tomato Sauce at Bell’alimento cooks in the oven, which is a pretty amazing technique, if you ask me, and one that keeps the countertops clean. Perfect for an easy Friday dinner that the kids will love.
