It’s time to start thinking about your meal plan for next week. From an upgraded Cheeseburger Mac to super quick Lo Mein, 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.
Related: 15 30-minute meals that are TRULY done in 30 minutes.
If you weren’t already sold on the greatness that is lo mein, allow Steph at i am food blog to convince you. You can prep her recipe for real Lo Mein in 10 minutes, then finish it off with 15 minutes of cooking. You can also use any noodles you have on hand and pretty much clean out your fridge. Now this is the way to start off the week.
We haven’t done #TacoTuesday in a while, and I think it’s time (don’t you?). This week, I’m planning on whipping up these Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Jicama Slaw at Kitchen Confidante. If you’ve never worked with jicama before, you’re in for a treat. The crisp, mild root veggie is super refreshing and a perfect counterpoint to smoky chipotle. (Also: if the kids like it, you can start packing it in school lunches.) One last tip: look for pre-shredded carrot at the supermarket to help make this go even faster.
This recipe requires you to plan ahead a bit — the shrimp should marinate for at least two ours. Groan, I know. But if you can find five minutes to whisk together spices and toss them with shrimp in the morning, the pay off is big. Not only do these Pan Seared Shrimp with Tropical Salsa at Real Food by Dad come out bursting with flavor, but they cook in literally two minutes, which is perfect for your busiest weeknights.
Related: How to freeze meals: Tips + freezer-friendly recipes so that there’s always dinner.
Have you ever used avocado to make a creamy pasta sauce? It’s one of my favorite things — especially in summer — and this Avocado Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes at Smells Like Home is a great example of why. Avocado pairs beautifully with basil and makes a decadently creamy sauce without an ounce of cream and tons of added nutrition. And with those burst summer tomatoes on top? Perfect. Quick pro-tip: You can roast tomatoes ahead of time and store them in the fridge, packed in their cooking oil, for up to five days.
Summer Fridays means cheeseburgers, right? I’ll do you one even better with this mouthwatering Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese at Brooklyn Supper. I mean, are you kidding? Try it this week, then put this recipe in rotation for Fridays throughout the back-to-school season. It’s perfect and I’ll place bets that the kids will love it.
