It’s time to start thinking about your meal plan for next week. From a creamy vegetarian white chili to crunchy black bean tacos, 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 you want to make things even easier, you can start food shopping right now! This month, we’re thrilled to welcome our sponsor PeaPod, online grocer extraordinaire.
Just click on over to the recipes, then open Peapod in a new tab in your browser. Fill your cart with everything you need for a week’s worth of meals and when you’re ready, order. Dinner will practically make itself. Well, you know, besides the cooking. But that part is made easier with this ready-made meal plan and convenient grocery deliver from Peapod. Phew.
Related: 5 more easy weekday recipes, from easy mango noodles to DIY Shake ‘n Bake.
I usually cook Tex-Mex for #MeatlessMonday because rice, beans, and cheese go a long way to make up for missing meat. But chili is another great way to go and this Creamy Vegetarian White Chili at Vegetarian Ventures (above & top) is calling my name. Hearty, flavorful, and bursting with protein from beans, this fantastic recipes will make kids — okay, and parents — happy with a side of chips and diced avocado on top. Also, this is easy to make vegan if you prefer.
Can you think of anything better than a meal that preps in one minute, cooks in 25 minutes, and is also kid-friendly? I can’t either, which is why this Baked Spinach Macaroni at Peapod’s recipe site, fromthepod.com, makes the cut for this week’s meal plan. Make a double batch of this one, because leftovers will make a mean school lunch later in the week and will also freeze well.
All it takes is four ingredients, five minutes to prep, and a slow cooker that does all the work to make these delicious Slow Cooker Carnitas from my own cookbook, Make It Easy: 120 Mix-and-Match Recipes to Cook From Scratch with Smart Store-Bought Shortcuts When You Need Them. Dinner doesn’t get easier or more versatile. Turn these into tacos, burrito bowls, or a simple platter with rice, beans, and sliced avocado.
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About our sponsor
As the country’s very first grocery delivery service, having delivered over 40 million orders so far (!!), it’s no wonder that Peapod has the whole online grocery shopping thing down.
In fact, you may also be surprised to learn that Peapod does not deliver groceries from your local Stop ‘n Shop. Rather, they have their own grocery warehouses with a massive selection just for you, including all the affordable staples you know and love. Plus, they offer a wide range of fresh produce, organic items, even ready-to-cook meal kits.
In other words, Peapod offers absolutely everything you need to keep your family well fed, all delivered straight to your door.
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Cheesy Bruschetta Chicken Cutlets | Simply Recipes
These Cheesy Bruschetta Chicken Cutlets at Simply Recipes made it onto Jane’s list of go-to chicken recipes for fall because of how quickly they cook (in 15 minutes!) and how much her family loves them (a lot!). So we’re giving it a try, too, because I’m pretty sure I’ll feel the same way. And lighter than Chicken Parm!
Crunchy Black Bean Tacos | Photo by Nick Evans for The Kitchn
This recipe for Crunchy Black Bean Tacos from Love Your Leftovers by Nick Evans featured at The Kitchn looks like a major kid winner. The quick cooking method turns out tacos that are somewhere between the hard shell variety and quesadillas. Which, now that I think about it, makes it sound like a major parent winner too. Don’t you just love when everyone is happy with dinner? Oh, and PRO TIP: Use leftover beans from carnitas night to make this dead easy.