Here's your FREE Weekly Meal Plan 42 for October 16 - 22. Don't let dinner time be a daily crazy event! It's hard, right? I hope these menus are helping 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!
You'll find all of the Weekly Meal Plans more tips and recipes here!
Jump to:
- Meal planning and prepping tips
- Stretch your budget
- Shortcuts and tips for this week's menu
- October 16 - Salisbury Steak
- October 17 - Creamy Zucchini Soup
- October 18 - Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
- October 19 - Roll-Up Sandwiches
- October 20 - Instant Pot Pork Loin
- October 21 - Supreme Pizza Soup
- October 22 - Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
- Dessert - Rolo Turtle Pretzels
- 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 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 - Jan 3-9. 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 on 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 every year? The average American household throws out over 30% of it's food. That's unbelievable! {Source Forbes}
That's pretty shocking!
An easy way to cut down on your waste is to store items correctly. Here are some tips to help you waste as little as possible.
The BEST way to stretch your produce; when you bring home herbs and vegetables to help them 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" for herbs and green onions is to immediately wash them. Shake off the majority of the water and wrap them in a paper towel and place 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.
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 which is to 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 herbs and spinach remove the wire twisty. This will help it last longer.
Cauliflower - They will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator and are 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 fridge 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 longer.
Cheese - Best stored in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, 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.
Shortcuts and tips for this week's menu
- Leftovers of salisbury steak, chicken broccoli and rice freeze great!
- Roll-up sandwiches are best made ahead. Make them the night before. Leftovers sandwiches and BLT pasta salad makes for a great lunches!
- Sliced pork loin makes terrific sandwiches too.
Oooh there's some fantastic easy recipe on this week's meal plan!
October 16 - Salisbury Steak
Tender beef topped with a rich, savory gravy. This meal is on the table in just 30 minutes! YUM! I love this old fashioned meal.
Click here for the French Onion Salisbury Steak Recipe
Steamed Brussels sprouts or Southern Style Collard Greens are easy to make and delicious.
Of course you'll need potatoes to spoon over that yummy sauce. Mashed potatoes or Smashed Potatoes would be amazing!
October 17 - Creamy Zucchini Soup
Super savory this yummy Zucchini Parmesan Soup takes minutes to make. You'll love this stew!
Yummy Cuban Sandwiches would be terrific to serve alongside this luscious soup!
October 18 - Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
I have made some outstanding casseroles lately my Creamy Pasta Primavera Casserole is one you'll love!
Because this meal has pretty much everything you need with the rice, chicken and broccoli a side dish isn't really necessary.
BUT if you'd like to serve one, Oven Roasted Brussels sprouts would be delicious! Grab a bag salad to round out this meal and make meal time easy! Dinner rolls would be yummy with this recipe!
October 19 - Roll-Up Sandwiches
These are yummy! Pinwheel Sandwiches are tasty bites and leftovers are perfect for lunch later in the week!
BLT Pasta Salad would be a yummy side! Loaded with tons of crispy bacon, tomatoes, onions and pasta in a creamy poppy seed dressing. A bag of chips and you've got a meal!
October 20 - Instant Pot Pork Loin
Tender pork loin doesn't take all day to make in the pressure cooker! You'll love this Instant Pot Pork Loin Recipe with a delicious balsamic glaze.
Serve Cracker Barrel Cheesy Potatoes with this meal, it's perfect and leftovers last for 3-4 days AND they freeze great!
Sautéed Portobello Mushrooms would be amazing with the pork tenderloin! Make some Cracker Barrel Fried Apples to serve alongside, YUM!
October 21 - Supreme Pizza Soup
Just like your favorite pizza, you'll be working this yummy soup into the weekly rotation!
Pizza Soup is easy to make and filled with all the best toppings!
If you have a little time to bake serve this with a loaf of Smoked Gouda Cheese Bread!
October 22 - Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
This easy recipe for Mexican Tater Tot Casserole will quickly be part of weekly rotation.
This family friendly meal requires minimal prep and is full of flavor! Make a big Caesar salad to share with this meal.
Dessert - Rolo Turtle Pretzels
I want you to make a big pan of these treats to enjoy all week long! Aren't they perfect for Weekly Meal Plan 42? I knew you'd think so!
Rolo Turtle Pretzels are a yummy sweet treat that takes only minutes to make.
Since there are only 3 ingredients you'll be enjoying these in no time at all! Refrigerate leftovers.
Meal Planning Worksheet
Click on the link below to download a PDF of the meal planning worksheet so you can easily make notes for your grocery list for this week's recipes!
Find all of the Weekly Meal Plans here!
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