Here's your FREE Weekly Meal Plan 17. Don't let dinner time be crazy! It's hard, right? I get it! Use these to help you to stay on budget and save time in the kitchen!
If you have any suggestions or needs, let me know. I'd love your input. Together we can enjoy delicious, affordable meals!
Find all of the weekly meal plans here.
Jump to:
- Meal planning and prepping tips
- Stretch your budget
- Weekly Meal Plan
- Sunday - Salisbury Steak
- Monday - Creamy Zucchini Soup
- Tuesday - Pasta Primavera
- Wednesday - Roll-Up Sandwiches
- Thursday - Instant Pot Pork Loin
- Friday - Supreme Pizza Soup
- Saturday - Slow Cooker Paella
- Dessert - Pistachio Ice Cream
- Meal Planning Worksheet
- Related recipes
Meal planning and prepping tips
If you're new here...
Every week, I share a free meal plan for you to use the following week. You'll have seven main dish recipes, along with a few extras and, of course, dessert!
Typically the weekly meal plans are named by the number of the week and date. For example, if the plan is for the first week of January, I'll name it Weekly Meal Plan 1. Next year the plans will be updated for the corresponding dates and tasty new recipes!
Don't forget - if you have a busy day and plan on eating out, just drop a day off the menu and adjust the meal plan to fit YOUR busy life!
I found some great tips in an old email, and with the rising cost of groceries, now is the right time to find easy ways to stretch your budget and USE items before they spoil in the refrigerator.
Stretch your budget
Do you realize that over 72 billion pounds of food is thrown out annually? The average American household throws out over 30% of its food. That's unbelievable! {Source Forbes}
That's pretty shocking!
An easy way to cut down on your waste (which results in saving $'s!) is to store items correctly. Here are some tips to help you waste as little as possible.
The BEST way to stretch your produce; here is what to do now to ensure your herbs and vegetables stay fresh even longer.
Herbs - parsley, cilantro, basil - slice off the end of the stems, fill a glass with water and, put them in water, keep them in the refrigerator. Green Onions can also be placed in a glass of water and refrigerated.
Another way to increase the "shelf life" of herbs and green onions is to wash them immediately. Shake off the majority of the water and wrap them in a paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. Store in the crisper.
Either of these methods will significantly increase their shelf life. When they become soft, brown or squishy, it's time to say goodbye!
Asparagus - trim off the ends and place them in water. This will keep them plump and fresh when you're ready to enjoy them. It will typically last for 5-6 days.
Spinach - I've been craving fresh vegetables and I picked up some spinach at the store last week.
My friend Michelle shared her best tip: rinse, shake off as much water as you can. Lay it flat on a paper towel and roll up cigar-style and place in a plastic bag. It will last even longer that way.
Expert Tip: Also, for both herbs and spinach, removing the twisty wire will help it to last longer.
Cauliflower - They will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator and it's so delicious roasted!
Most vegetables, like carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and celery, should be stored in the crisper drawer in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Mushrooms are best stored in a paper bag. Do not wash vegetables until you're ready to use them. Vegetables should be stored in a different part of the refrigerator than fruit. This will prevent them from ripening too fast.
Radishes, Beets - any root vegetable will last longer if you trim off the greens. I keep radishes in a bowl of water after trimming the tops off, they will last a week or more.
Cheese is best stored in the refrigerator's vegetable crisper, where the temperature is cold and stable. Although you can use a plastic bag, it's best wrapped in aluminum foil or parchment paper, then in plastic wrap to seal. The harder the cheese, the longer it will last.
Butter - lasts 1-2 months in the refrigerator, up to six months in the freezer.
Here are some shortcuts and tips for this week's menu!
- Pasta Primavera Casserole is a big casserole! Leftovers freeze well.
- Leftovers of roll-up sandwiches and BLT pasta salad make for yummy lunches later in the week!
- Salisbury steak freezes good as well.
- Zucchini soup is best enjoyed fresh, it will get grainy if frozen.
- Pork loin sandwiches make great lunches during the week!
Weekly Meal Plan
Sunday - Salisbury Steak
Tender beef topped with a rich, savory gravy. This French Onion Salisbury Steak Recipe takes just 30 minutes!
Serve with mashed potatoes and a side of collard greens - easy and delicious!
Monday - Creamy Zucchini Soup
Super savory, this creamy Zucchini Parmesan Soup takes minutes to make. You'll love this soup!
Serve with Stuffed Garlic Stuffed Cheesy Bread, delicious!
Tuesday - Pasta Primavera
Creamy Pasta Primavera Casserole is a delicious spring casserole!
Grab a bag salad to round out this meal and make mealtime easy!
Wednesday - Roll-Up Sandwiches
These are yummy! Pinwheel Sandwiches are tasty bites and leftovers are perfect for lunch later in the week!
Make a big bowl of BLT Pasta Salad, yum!
Thursday - Instant Pot Pork Loin
You'll love this Instant Pot Pork Loin Recipe with a delicious balsamic glaze.
Serve it with Crockpot Cream Corn or Pan Roasted Vegetables and a side of easy dinner rolls!
Friday - Supreme Pizza Soup
Like your favorite pizza, Pizza Soup will soon be a favorite!
If you have a little time to bake, serve this with a loaf of Smoked Gouda Cheese Bread!
Saturday - Slow Cooker Paella
No standing over the stove with this crockpot paella recipe! The leftover rolls from last night are perfect with this lovely meal.
A green salad is a perfect side.
Dessert - Pistachio Ice Cream
You scream I scream, we all scream for ice cream!
This Homemade Pistachio Ice Cream Recipe is a REAL TREAT!!
It's delicious! I know you'll love it!
Meal Planning Worksheet
Click on the link below to download a PDF of the meal planning worksheet for weekly meal plan 17 so you can easily make notes and your grocery list for this week's recipes!
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