I often have a hard time thinking of what to make for dinner, so now that my meal plan is ready for the week, I thought I would share it here to help anyone who is looking for ideas. There are only six dinners listed, because that is usually enough to get us through the week. In my area, all the ingredients you need for these meals are easy to find at a regular grocery store, though things in your area might by different.
1. Caprese sandwiches [https://cookieandkate.com/caprese-sandwich-recipe/](https://cookieandkate.com/caprese-sandwich-recipe/)
2. Chickpea and sweet potato curry [https://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/chickpea-and-sweet-potato-curry.html](https://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/chickpea-and-sweet-potato-curry.html)
3. Burrito bowls (I don’t use a recipe for my burrito bowls, but you could follow [this one](https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/vegetarian-burrito-bowls) if you need a blueprint)
4. Tofu and vegetables with peanut sauce [https://www.budgetbytes.com/peanut-tofu/](https://www.budgetbytes.com/peanut-tofu/)
5. Pasta with pumpkin marinara sauce [https://cookieandkate.com/creamy-pumpkin-marinara-recipe/](https://cookieandkate.com/creamy-pumpkin-marinara-recipe/) and a salad
6. Cheese pupusas with [coleslaw](http://akitchenyear.blogspot.com/2008/06/june-5-creamy-buttermilk-coleslaw.html)
If you’re not familiar with pupusas, they are like very thick, stuffed tortillas from El Salvador. In [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKL4VcCCOcA), you can how they are made. She uses a filling with meat, but I just use mozzarella. The typical side dish for pupusas is curtido, which is sliced vegetables, mostly cabbage, with a vinegar dressing, but I usually make a creamy coleslaw instead. I’m sure this is sacrilegious, but I like it.
I hope this helps anyone who is running low on dinner ideas. If you already have your dinners planned for the week, consider posting them in the comments.
by macfadden3
6 Comments
very nice! i’m making a couple similar dishes.
this weekend i want to try out this zucchini butter recipe (https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-jennie-cooks-zucchini-b-121770) and i want to try making sun-dried tomatoes (in the oven) so for lunches i will be making caprese-inspired sandwiches with those two ingredients plus mozz and basil.
for dinners i’m making one of my go-tos, sweet potato & black bean taquitos (https://www.iheartnaptime.net/black-bean-and-sweet-potato-taquitos/). i don’t make the avocado sauce from the recipe. sometimes i top with guac but this time i think i’m just going to do cotjia.
I’m a household of one with minimal plan ahead skills but when i do cook it’s enough for several meals
So far definitely beet salad, probably with chopped walnuts and walnut oil and chickpeas or lentils (already cooked the beets in my instant pot)
Probably blistered green beans and teriyaki tofu
I want potato salad yet leave town Wednesday and I’m incapable of making small amounts so might just make it when I’m at my parents house they generally appreciate when i cook for them
Sounds delicious
Looks like a good meal plan / ideas. Simple and useful, thanks for sharing it with us.
Oooh, I love this meal plan! I’ll have to try some of these ideas next week.
Here’s my meal plan for this week, combining my usual recipes with new ideas:
– Pesto pasta salad w/ blistered tomatoes: https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/meatless-monday/recipes/plant-based-pesto-pasta-salad-with-grilled-grape-tomatoes. (I actually just made this with chickpea pasta, and it’s really good!)
– Breakfast hash: roasted potatoes, red bell pepper, squash, and spinach w/ eggs
– Box mix coffee cake and fruit for breakfasts and snacks
– Grain bowls: barley, black beans, arugula, sweet corn, shredded carrots, and sliced avocado
– “Sloppy joes”: red lentils and tomato basil sauce in sandwiches w/ spinach and mozzarella cheese, all toasted
– Chickpea, barley, feta, green bean, and arugula salad w/ lemon herb vinaigrette
– Veggie subs w/ roasted grape tomatoes, roasted carrots, squash, onion, and barbeque sauce
– A variety of fruit, chips and salsa/hummus, and trail mix for snacks and sides
I usually only cook for myself, so each of these recipes will make enough for 3-4 meals. I’m trying to eat healthier and eat more whole foods, so I really tried to load up on in-season produce for this week’s meals.
Another easy chickpea option it mashing a can of chickpeas (drain the liquid) add in diced red onion, celery, pickle, salt, pepper, some garlic powder, and some mayo. Turn it into a sandwich and put some lettuce on it. Super easy especially for when it’s hot out