For our family, it's important to keep weeknight meals fast and easy - otherwise, the temptation to grab the keys, hop in the car, and head to the nearest restaurant is too much. So most of the time, our dinners are one-dish, complete meals that can be served up in a bowl.
Another priority around here? Easy, still-delicious leftovers for lunch the next day (and/or, better yet, we can freeze what's left for an even easier weeknight dinner down the road).
For this meal plan, I went with recipes that, for the most part, meet these criteria. It also includes several ingredients that can span more than one meal, so perishable items are less likely to go to waste. It's all about getting the most bang for our buck (and our time!).
Here's this week's menu:
Monday
Thai Red Curry Soup from Oh My Veggies // This recipe is so simple, but so satisfying! Mushrooms and cubes of tofu swim in a spicy/creamy/sweet broth. I could eat it every single day. It takes only about 25 minutes from start to finish - perfect for busy weeknights.
Tuesday
Butternut Squash & Black Bean Chili from Dishing Up The Dirt // This recipe results in a big, huge, wonderful vat of comforting chili, packed to the brim with butternut squash. If you love squash, this one-pot meal is for you! Serve over brown rice, if desired, and top individual servings with cilantro, a tangy dollop of Greek yogurt, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Wednesday
Roasted Winter Vegetables in Thai Red Curry from Kitchen Treaty // Kiersten's Thai Red Curry soup has me on a Thai red curry kick. I can't stop! And because you have to pick up a jar of red curry paste anyway, why not put it to good use in another dinner, too? This satisfying dish boasts roasted parsnips, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and more, with instructions on adding chicken to the meat-eaters' portions if you happen to have to have a carnivorous loved one or two dining with you.
Thursday
Roasted Vegetable Soup from A Calculated Whisk // I. Love. This soup. It's so simple, but a good splash of white wine makes all the difference. We found this made a satisfying dinner as-is, but a loaf of crusty bread and maybe even a green salad would complement it nicely, too.
Friday
Mexican Black Bean Pizza from Better Homes & Gardens // A pureed black bean mixture as the base, cheddar cheese, chopped red bell pepper and scallions and ... done. Super simple and perfect for Friday pizza night.
Tips for This Week's Plan
- If you opt for dried black beans, cook up a pot over the weekend. Save four cups for Tuesday's chili, and then freeze the remaining beans for Friday's pizza.
- If you're making brown rice for Tuesday's chili, double the batch so you're ready for Wednesday's curry.
- When roasting veggies for Wednesday's recipe, set up a second baking sheet with all of your vegetables for Thursday's soup, too. Let the roasted veggies cool, refrigerate in an airtight container, and pull them out for dinner the next night.
- The grocery list calls for creme fraiche, Greek yogurt, and sour cream. They're not exact matches, but most of the time, these ingredients can be fairly interchangeable, so you may want to think about purchasing a large container of one instead of all three.
- If you can find Thai basil for the red curry recipes, get it! But since that's not available everywhere, regular basil works just fine.
- The chili recipe calls for grapeseed oil or your oil of choice. I used olive oil, and opted not to add grapeseed oil to the grocery list. If you prefer it, you may wish to add that ingredient to your shopping list.
- Personally, I think every single one of these recipes would be mighty fine with a nice, dry-ish Chardonnay. Get one you love - you only need ½ cup for the roasted vegetable soup. The rest is all for you!
Click here for a printable version of this week's meatless meal plan and shopping list, then click on the links above to print out each recipe. Now you're set for the week!
Nina says
I really love these meal plans with the shopping list! I should plan my luches this way as well!
dishing up the dirt says
I love these meal plans so much. The shopping list is genius! Thanks for sharing all of the recipes and including my butternut squash chili. Great to see you here Kare!
Kare Troughton says
Aren't they awesome?! After writing one, I'm finding I'm totally changing the way I plan our weekly dinners. And it's so great to have an excuse to make other bloggers' recipes - like your wonderful chili!
Becky @ A Calculated Whisk says
I'm so glad you liked my roasted vegetable soup! Thanks for including it :). Looks like a delicious week of healthy eats!
Kare Troughton says
Hi Becky, I adore this recipe, and it's so nice when you can roast the veggies a day or two beforehand. And the wine totally makes it.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
That black bean pizza looks amazing! Just my sort of thing!
Kare Troughton says
It is such an easy recipe, too! We do pizza night every Friday, and I'm thinking it's tonight's dinner. Again. 🙂
loreejo says
I've been to your website many times and never have commented. Finally time to tell you how wonderful it is, everything from your menus, to ideas, to photos, and also the tips. Thanks for what you do. 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
Thank you for your comment and the kind words about Oh My Veggies! 😀
Laura @ Kneadwhine says
I've pinned the winter vegetable Thai curry - looks great!
Kelly says
I love the tips--inspiring!
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Can we come to your house and eat? These all look so delicious but I think I might make us that pizza first!!
Joanne says
I love that there are TWO doses of curry in this meal plan! The more, the merrier.
Connie says
Great collection again! Having leftovers is just so crucial... for lunches... for busy days in the future. Funny, I was going to make a butternut & bean chili this week too (but slow-cooker style). I'll check out this recipe for some additional ideas/substitutions.
Nita says
i just stumbled upon your blog and i love it! what a great service you're doing for vegetarians like us and for people wanting to explore!! thanks so much.
nita.
Brittany says
I love the idea of black bean pizza! Yum! My husband loves it when I make taco pizza but I can't bring myself to make it anymore, let alone eat it. I'm hoping this will be a great compromise for us.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I'm so in love with this idea. It makes eating a healthy, vegetarian diet so easy and accessible for everyone! I'm loving all of the food choices too. That pizza looks awesome!
Stephanie says
So excited!!! This is my first week going veg and this menu looks so good, I'm going with this!!
Side note, it would be helpful if you could add the Tips either on the shopping list or on another separate printable pdf.
Thank you!
Rachel says
I've been coping and pasting the tips into Microsoft Word, and printing them on the back of the menu/shopping list. Or you can write out the tips on post it notes and put each note with the day that it applies to.
Best of luck!
Meg says
Kate- thank you for making life easy for me this week. Even on the night when I am out of the house, the rest of the family eats well. Keep em coming!
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
I have an abundance of thai basil during the summer months but limited ideas of what to do with it. I'm thinking I should freeze it for use in the winter months!
Kiersten Frase says
I should do that too! I can't find it anywhere here, so the only way I can get it is if I grow it myself.
Wendi says
I could kiss you! I have a meal plan that I use at home, goes about 7 weeks or so and occasionally I get adventurous and try a new recipe or two. But my husband mentioned he was getting tired of what we'd been eating. We were in a food rut.. I've visited your site before (few times actually - love the site design!), but never made anything. I came across your meal plans and tried this one since it's winter. LOVING IT! I so appreciate the shopping list and that you expose me to recipes on other sites, too. Really great.
Kiersten Frase says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipes! I totally know what you mean about getting into a food rut - I think we've all been there! 🙂