Meal planning makes grocery shopping and weeknight dinners less hectic, and we could all use a little less stress in our lives. If you’re new to meal planning or just need some new inspiration, our weekly meal plans are a great place to start.
Each week, we’ll be adding the meal plan featured in our Meal Prep & Planning newsletter. Sign up now if you’d like to get these meal plans sent straight to your inbox.
Check out the Expert’s Guide to Meal Planning for tons more plans, recipes and tips that’ll keep you organized.
Sunday: Meat ‘n’ Potato Kabobs
They're summery, but these kabobs really stick to your ribs. A microwave makes quick work of cooking the potatoes, so grilling is done in a flash. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Monday: Applesauce Barbecue Chicken
You only need a few ingredients to create this sweet and peppery chicken. The subtle flavor of apple makes this tender barbecue dish stand out from the rest. —Darla Andrews, Farmers Branch, Texas
Tuesday: Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet
We love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn't diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio
Wednesday: Basil Pork Chops
Just a few ingredients give a tender pork loin chop all the glazed goodness it needs. Serve with your favorite roasted veggies and you’ve got a meal bursting with flavor. Leftover herbs? Use them in these basil recipes. —Lisa Gilliland, Fort Collins, Colorado
Thursday: Baked Chicken with Bacon-Tomato Relish
We eat a lot of chicken for dinner, so I'm always trying to do something a little different with it. My children love the crispiness of this chicken, and my husband and I love the flavorful relish—you can't go wrong with bacon! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Friday: Cheeseburger Quesadillas
I created these fun cheeseburger quesadilla mashups in honor of my family's two favorite foods. They are so yummy and easy to make! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Saturday: Popcorn Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
These healthy popcorn shrimp tacos combine classic flavors in a new way! It’s one of my family’s favorites. To make them low-carb, use lettuce instead of tortillas. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Find more 7-day meal plans.In the summer, it’s good to keep dinner easy. All of these fresh, summer meals can be made in 30 minutes so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the sunshine.
Sunday: Sweet-and-Sour Pork
After my sister moved away to the university, I used to visit her on weekends. She often made this wonderful and tangy pork dish. Now, every time I make it for my family, it reminds me of those special visits. Everyone who tries it loves it. -Cherry Williams, St. Albert, Alberta
Monday: Vegetarian Pad Thai
This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Tuesday: Slow-Cooker Beef and Broccoli
I love introducing my kids to all kinds of flavors. This Asian-inspired slow-cooker beef and broccoli meal is one of their favorites, so I serve it often. —Brandy Stansbury, Edna, Texas
Wednesday: Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps
Casual, flavorful and low in carbohydrates, these Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps are a perfect and low-fuss way to feed a group. Place the ingredients in separate dishes and let your guests assemble their own wrap, which allows them to personalize to suit their tastes. —Gretchen Barnes, Fairfax, Virginia
Thursday: Szechuan Skillet Chicken
My whole family loves this Szechuan chicken. My husband prefers it without peppers, but he is happy to let others have his! I use the ginger paste that comes in a tube and pre-shredded carrots to save time. —Christine Snyder, Boulder, Colorado
Friday: Pork & Bok Choy Udon Soup
While traveling in Thailand, my husband sampled a local version of this tasty soup from street vendors. We have tried many variations, and this comes the closest to his recollection. We double the recipe so we have lots of leftovers. —Donna Noecker, Plano, Texas
Saturday: Kimchi Fried Rice
Forget ordinary fried rice! Kimchi fried rice is just as easy, but it packs a flavorful punch. This is a great use for leftovers, too. You can freeze the fried rice for up to three months. When cooking your defrosted rice, add a little extra soy sauce so it doesn't dry out. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Find more 7-day meal plans here.Take theme nights one step further and meal plan a whole theme week! Choose a cuisine you like, such as Asian, and make a dish from that country or region each night. It’s a great way to explore new flavors.
Want to make your own plan? Check out our meal plan template.
July Weekly Meal Plans
Lazy summer days are coming right up. Enjoy easy 30-minute plans and more. Our goal is to help you cook less so you can enjoy more time outdoors.
June Weekly Meal Plans
Longer, warmer days have us wanting to spend less time in the kitchen. This month, we’re showing you how to use one prepared ingredient a few nights throughout the week. At the store (or farmers market!), keep an eye out for tons of fresh summer fruits and leafy greens.
May Weekly Meal Plans
See ya spring—and hello summer! May is a great transition month and the perfect time to start experimenting with fresh flavors in your kitchen. Put seasonal ingredients to work, like tomatoes and grilled chicken, and enjoy time well spent on the patio.
April Weekly Meal Plans
A warm up is on the way! Celebrate spring this month with recipes featuring taco meat, roast chicken and more. April is also a great month to get thrifty and experiment with making meals out of pantry staples or minimal ingredients. (After all, we’ve been saving up for spring break!)
March Weekly Meal Plans
Spring is on the horizon. As you start spending more time outdoors (goodbye, snow), make dinner quick with recipes that require just 15 minutes of prep. Making a big batch of meat and grains on Sunday also helps speed up weeknight dinners. And don’t forget about St. Patrick’s Day. We have ideas for the entire week—corned beef, reubens and other Irish-inspired meals.
February Weekly Meal Plans
February may seem dull and dreary, but it does have some holidays and events. If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your special someone or observing Lent, we’ve got a meal plan for you. And if you’re in the mood to use your favorite small kitchen appliances—like the Instant Pot and slow cooker—to cook up some comfort food, you’ll find lots of ideas this month.
January Weekly Meal Plans
January is all about starting fresh—and that applies to your meal plans, too! We’re enjoying lots of lightened-up meals, as well as classic comfort foods to keep us warm on cold nights. January is also a great month to experiment in the kitchen, whether that means trying a new global recipe or finally putting your Dutch oven to work. Stay warm out there!
December Weekly Meal Plans
If you ask us, December is the best month of the year. And whether you’re craving something healthy in between bites of Christmas cookies or you need ideas for using up leftovers, these meal plans have you covered. Plus, they’re all easy! (We know you’ve got your hands full with holiday prep).
November Weekly Meal Plans
We look forward to November all year long. And while Thanksgiving Day is a major food holiday, the rest of the month doesn’t have to be quite as laborious. That’s why we love these oh-so-simple meal plans for sheet pan suppers, 5-minute meals and more. There’s nothing wrong with taking it easy!
October Weekly Meal Plans
Fall is in full swing, and we are loving seasonal ingredients. This month, incorporate pumpkin, squash, Brussels sprouts and more autumnal produce into your meals. This is also a great month to dig into cozy casseroles and hearty German eats (Hello, Oktoberfest!).
September Weekly Meal Plans
September brings a lot of change—cooler weather, back to school and shorter days. Make the most of it with prep-ahead meals, global eats and plans that incorporate your favorite kitchen appliances.
August Weekly Meal Plans
The dog days of summer are here. Cool off with summer meal plans built around grilled meats, family favorites and simple ingredients. This is a great month to take advantage of peak seasonal produce, too. (We’re serving sliced watermelon with almost every meal!)
How do I make my weekly meal plan?
In the mood to make your own meal plan? We suggest starting with a few core ingredients that you can use throughout the week. Roast chicken, for example, can work as a Sunday night dinner, a Monday night taco filling and a Tuesday soup starter. We also recommend picking simple, family-friendly meals. After all, meal planning is supposed to make your life easier—don’t feel pressured to whip up a 27-step gourmet meal after a busy day.
Editor’s tip: If you’re on a budget, use grocery store sale flyers to guide your ingredient selection.
What meals can I cook for a week?
Most meal plans focus on dinner, but you can also meal plan for breakfast and lunch—or all three! To save time, we recommend repeating meals for breakfast and lunch. Overnight oats are a great meal prep option to enjoy all week. And a big batch of grains, roasted veggies and grilled chicken prepared on Sunday can feed you for lunch the entire week.
If you’re looking for meal plans that fit a particular lifestyle, check out our low-carb meal plan, vegetarian meal plan and vegan meal plan. We also have tips for creating a healthy meal plan, too.
Next up: How to Stock Your Pantry According to Our Kitchen Expert
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