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: Roasted Chicken
This tender chicken is a real time-saver on a busy weekend. A simple blend of seasonings makes it a snap to prepare, and it smells heavenly as it roasts. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington These other roast chicken ideas work well, too!
Monday: Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Tuesday: Simple Chicken Enchiladas
This chicken enchiladas recipe is so quick and easy, and I always receive a ton of compliments. It quickly becomes a favorite of friends whenever I share the recipe. Modify the spiciness with the intensity of the salsa and the green chiles to suit your taste. —Kristi Black, Harrison Township, Michigan
Wednesday: Pork and Asparagus Sheet-Pan Dinner
When time is of the essence, it's nice to have a quick and easy meal idea in your back pocket. Not only is it delicious, but you can clean it up in a flash. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Thursday: Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad
My family loves pasta salads, but usually they have too much mayonnaise or oily dressing. Using hummus gives this dish a great taste and texture, while also increasing its nutritional profile. Adding chicken (store-bought rotisserie chicken works well), makes this pasta salad a complete meal. —Jenny Lynch, Rock Island, Illinois
Friday: Firecracker Grilled Salmon
Let this sensational salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the taste buds, this weeknight dish is anything but boring. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, AL
Saturday: Homemade Pizza
This recipe is a hearty, zesty main dish with a crisp, golden crust. Feel free to add your favorite toppings. —Marianne Edwards, Lake Stevens, Washington Find more 7-day meal plans.Roast a whole chicken on Sunday (or grab a rotisserie chicken from the store) and use the meat in this week’s dinners. This recipe yields about 12 cups of cooked chicken, so there will be plenty for three nights of leftovers.
Sunday: Seasoned Taco Meat
I got this recipe from the restaurant where I work. It's famous in our town for the blend of seasonings, and now the secret is out! —Denise Mumm, Dixon, Iowa
Monday: Taco Pizza Squares
Everyone will come running the minute you take this fun twist on pizza out of the oven. I top convenient refrigerated pizza dough with leftover taco meat, tomatoes and cheese, bringing a full-flavored fiesta to the table in under half an hour. —Sarah Vovos, Middleton, Wisconsin.
Tuesday: Tasty Onion Chicken
The secret to this French onion chicken is the yummy, crunchy coating that keeps the meat juicy and tender. Round out your meal with green beans and buttermilk biscuits. —Jennifer Hoeft, Thorndale, Texas
Wednesday: Meat-and-Potato Quiche
This hearty dish is welcome anytime, of course, but our family especially enjoys it at breakfast! It just seems to get the day off to an extra good start. —Esther Beachy, Hutchinson, Kansas
Thursday: Taco Pinwheels
These pinwheels come together quickly when you start with leftover taco meat. They make an appealing party appetizer served with salsa, or a fun lunch option with a salad on the side. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Friday: Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Saturday: The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado Find more 7-day meal plans.Save yourself some time this week by cooking 3 pounds of ground beef on Sunday. Start with a make-your-own taco bar, and then turn the rest of that savory taco meat into three delicious meals— your family won’t even know it’s leftovers!
Want to make your own plan? Check out our meal plan template.
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 doesn’t have to be. 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. And if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your special someone, we’ve got a meal plan for you.
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!)
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.
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.
Don’t miss our most popular Taste of Home recipes for January.
Next up: How to Stock Your Pantry According to Our Kitchen Expert
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