It seems a little surreal that we are heading into the last week of May! This time of year always seems so busy and overwhelming to me and having a week of meals planned out, including recipes that come together quickly, removes one thing off my daily to-do list and helps me manage my stress a bit better.
I’m happy to share my meal plan for the coming week with you, and hopefully it helps you manage your own week a bit better as well.
So, grab your pen and paper, or open up that AnyList app and make a shopping list for the week ahead.
Top Image: Eggplant Tomato Pasta with Bacon from Serving Dumplings
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Asparagus is still super fresh and in season right now and I grabbed a ton at our Farmer’s Market, which finally opened up this week. (YAY!) I’m prepping and cooking this Asparagus Quiche recipe from Elke Living on Sunday, so that I can just pull it out and reheat on Monday for a combo Meatless Monday/Breakfast for Dinner night.
Because I am prepping and cooking on Sunday, I will probably make my own pie crust using my favorite 5-step recipe, but if you don’t have the time there is never any shame in grabbing a pie shell at the store. I love the pie crusts from Trader Joe’s, and always keep 2 or 3 in my freezer at all times.
Related: 6 easy breakfast for dinner recipes that go way beyond pancakes
Taco Tuesday is my favorite night of the week, and this coming Tuesday, we’ll be devouring these Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa & Sour Cream Cilantro Sauce with a recipe from Gimme Delicious. Shrimp is such an easy, nutrient-packed source of protein and it cooks so quickly — perfect for a busy weeknight. If you have spice-reluctant family members, adjust the level of seasoning you use.
Related: 8 kid-friendly, super-fast shrimp dinner recipes
Tip: Because we eat A LOT of tacos around here I grabbed these Mason Modern Melamine Taco Holders from Pottery Barn earlier this month and they are a huge win! It makes the DIY taco night so much easier for small fingers, and keeps tacos from falling over while we’re filling them. They also pop right in the dishwasher for easy clean up! Highly recommend!
As evening sports and activities are starting back up, we all need those mid-week recipes that are super easy, fast and don’t require a ton of time to get on the table. I made this Pineapple Pork with Coconut Rice from Pinch of Yum last week and it will definitely be going into my busy night meal plan rotation.
You can prep all the components earlier in the day, then just sauté it all up while the rice cooks in my beloved Instant Pot (more on that below). You don’t really need to serve a side with this dinner, but I did steam up some broccoli that was in our crisper, and it balanced out the bowl nicely. Feel free to add a favorite dip, like one of these, if it helps your kids scarf down those green veggies!
We have sung the praises of the Instant Pot for a long time around here, because it’s soooo helpful — check out our posts on the best summer recipes using an Instant Pot, or ideas for an entire week’s dinners made in an Instant Pot.
I recently upgraded to this Instant Pot Ultra 60, above, and it makes me so happy. It is the only way I make rice now and it turns out perfectly every time — in just about 10 minutes. If you are looking to trade up, or if you’re looking into your first Instant Pot, be sure keep an eye on the prices as they tend to go on sale so often.
What’s the best way to get your kids to eat eggplant? Serve it in pasta and toss in some bacon. This Eggplant Tomato Pasta with Bacon by Anna at Serving Dumplings is so freaking good, and comes together in a snap.
Take her advice and do not skip the halloumi breadcrumbs. What is halloumi, you ask? It’s a Cypriot semi-hard, unripened cheese made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, and in fact, it can be found at most grocery stores and chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s — just look for it where you would find Feta cheese. It has a high melting point, and can even be fried or grilled. Try it! It may become your new favorite cheese.
Related: Classic Italian American recipes your family will love
Friday night calls for DIY dinners in my home, and this week we are folding some homemade calzones. If you need inspiration, start with this Calzone recipe from The Recipe Critic. You can set up the ingredients just like any other DIY dinner night, and use any pizza toppings your family like, from pepperoni or sausage, to veggies, to a mix of cheeses. In fact, check this list of 25 creative pizza toppings and find some inspiration.
Follow our Weekly Meal Plan Ideas Pinterest board, our Kid-Friendly Dinners board, and our Easy Family Meals board for even more ideas!
I put these weekly meals plans together based on recipes I am actually cooking for my family, and with you in mind. If you have suggestions, tips or recommendations for recipes or other food bloggers I should check out please comment here, or shoot me a message in our Recipe Rescue group on Facebook. – Lisa
