It’s hard to believe that we are heading into the last three weeks of 2021. This has been an insane year, and while it may be tempting to reflect on many of the unfavorable things that have happened this year, I think it’s important to pat yourself on the back for the things that you did really well. If you reflect on the number of meals that have been planned, prepped, executed and cleaned up, you should be really proud of yourself! Feeding your brood every single day, 365 days a year is no small thing.
Next week’s meal plan consists of recipes from a few food bloggers that are new to me. I love to try new recipes and support small, independent business women. So, grab your pen and paper, or open up that AnyList app and make a shopping list for the week ahead.
Top Image: Easy Instant Pot American Goulash from Rosalynn Daniels and Sheet Pan Alla Vodka Pizza from Half Baked Harvest
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One of my culinary accomplishments this year has been committing to, and sticking with, #MeatlessMonday. It has been a really successful experiment, and I have discovered a ton of new vegetarian and vegan recipes that my meat eating family have actually enjoyed! This next week, I am planning this Creamy Mushroom Soup from Whisper of Yum for #MeatlessMonday. Don’t skip the room temperature crème fraîche or sour cream swirled on top right before serving. I like to serve with a green salad and crusty bread on the side.
And by the way, if you are still on the fence about picking up this Staub French Oven that Kristen featured in her sexy cookware and kitchen gift guide, this mushroom soup may just be the reason you need to gift yourself this gorgeous dutch oven. Hurry! It’s still on sale!
Hearty one-pot meals are my favorite for busy mid-week dinners. This Chorizo, Chicken, Rice and Beans from The Kitchenista Diaries is one of those recipes that I make often, and keep extra ingredients for it stocked in my freezer and pantry. As a side note, you can also make this one pot wonderful meal in that snowflake Staub French Oven!
Related: 5 Easy Sheet Pan meals
Another goal I set for myself at the beginning of the year was to work more fish into our weekly meals because of how good it is for you. But to be perfectly honest, salmon is not my favorite; my kids love it, but I struggle. So I’m always on the lookout for salmon recipes that add a little bit more “oomph” to the dish. I was excited to find this recipe for Parmesan Herb Crusted Salmon over at The Season Skillet. I love that it bakes in the oven, only requires 6 ingredients and the crunchy topping adds flavor and texture to the fish.
Related: How to cook salmon perfectly
Easy Instant Pot American Goulash from Rosalynn Daniels is another perfectly wonderful one-pot meal that comes together in about 25 minutes. You may have a goulash story from your childhood (didn’t everyone have goulash night?), but trust me, this goulash is so much better than the versions you may remember. My addition to this recipe is to stir about a cup of sharp cheddar cheese in right after the quick release before serving and still sprinkle a bit of cheese on top.
Related: 5 Instant Pot meals your family will love
Right after Thanksgiving, Tieghan at Half Baked Harvest shared this recipe for Sheet Pan Alla Vodka Pizza and I bookmarked it right away. Vodka sauce is a fan favorite around here, and using it on a pizza is a stroke of genius. As I have mentioned before, when cooking with vodka, the alcohol burns off so you are only left with the amazing flavor it brings out of the tomatoes. If you are hesitant, you can sub chicken broth.
And because you made it through this week and almost all of 2021, treat yourself with one of these fun holiday cocktails or mocktails. Cheers!
Follow our Weekly Meal Plan Ideas for Families board on Pinterest @CoolMomEats 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, cookbooks or other food bloggers I should check out please comment here, or shoot me a message in our Recipe Rescue group on Facebook
![Save yourself some time with our cheat sheet of foods you never need to both washing -- and a few that you should always. You may be surprised (we were)! | Cool Mom Eats [Photo by Davide Ragusa via Unsplash]](https://coolmomeats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/02/foods-that-should-never-be-washed-davide-ragusa-unsplash-300x200.jpg)
