This week, we have another round of weekly meal plan recommendations, from Instant Pot chili to a side dish good enough to be the star of your meal, These five dinners that will get you through the week ahead easily and deliciously.
So grab a pen, make your shopping list, and stock up on ingredients before the weekend’s over to make your weeknights that much easier.
And if it’s easier for you to do all that planning from your inbox, be sure to sign up for our weekly meal plan emails. You’ll love them, promise!
At top: Tex-Mex Sloppy Joe at Dinner then Dessert | one-pot chicken and rice dinner at One Pot Recipes
Related: Our Cool Mom Eats essential school lunch shopping list
I hunted specifically for this BBQ Chickpea Pizza recipe at Plantifully Based, because it’s become an obsession at our house. Turns out she shares how to make it — store-bought pizza dough, FTW! — in a Facebook post. It’s that easy. And, of course, your kids can add whatever toppings they like on their own pizzas, from pepperoni to pineapple.
My pro tip: let the crust cook just a little longer than you think it should, to be sure it’s really good and crispy.
It’s starting to feel like fall (just a little), which means we’re all-in on this Pumpkin Instant Pot Chili at The Wholesome Recipe Box. If the idea of pumpkin in your chili is a little weird to you, you can always leave it out and just have Instant Pot Chili, which is equally amazing. But trust me — try it with the pumpkin which gives it a savory-sweet twist that screams fall.
I think of this One-Pot Chicken and Rice dinner recipe at One Pot Recipes as Mexican Chicken-Fried Rice, meaning it’s about as kid-safe as you can get. And when the middle of the week comes, we’re all about those easy one-pot kid-friendly dinners.
Related:A one-pot taco pasta we can’t get enough of
Every once in awhile, I like to focus on a delicious side dish as the star of my dinner. And this recipe for Roasted Baby Potatoes with Pesto from The Organic Kitchen is an exquisite example. While these are roasting away — and filling your kitchen with that amazing smell — you can grill up some simple fish, chicken, pork chops, or a steak. Whatever you’re craving to go with these fabulous potatoes.
Related: How to make perfect pesto, and 4 mouthwatering, basic recipes to help you use it all up.
If you’re craving burgers but want a twist to change things up with the kids by Friday night, try this fun Tex-Mex Sloppy Joe recipe from Dinner then Dessert. It’s got a little kick from the Tex-Mex spices, but not too much for the kids. Throw in some chips or tater tots, and you’ve got a Friday night dinner plan everyone will look forward to. Now, what movie to watch?
