This week's menu includes juicy Smashed Chicken Tacos, Healthier Pink Sauce Pasta, Chicken Meatball Subs—and two brand-new dinners made with ingredients you already bought.
As always, this menu makes about 3 to 4 dinner portions!
What's In This Week's Meal Plan
MONDAY: Buy Once, Cook Twice - Smashed Chicken Tacos
TUESDAY: Pantry Magic - Healthier Pink Sauce Pasta
WEDNESDAY: Repurpose & Transform - Chicken Meatball Sandwiches
THURSDAY: Go Global - Garlic Fried Rice and Teriyaki Tofu
FRIDAY: Pizza Magic - Pasta Pizza
As always, this week's meal plan includes 3 brand-new dinners and two dinners made using what you already have! That means a shorter grocery list, less cooking, and way less weeknight stress.
Monday it's our viral smashed chicken tacos that people have been making nonstop on Instagram. Tuesday is a creamy, luscious pink sauce pasta (without any cream!), Wednesday is all about chicken meatball subs—I always buy a double pack of ground chicken because I know it'll get used again. Thursday we switch things up with Thai-inspired garlic fried rice and teriyaki tofu, and by Friday, the leftover penne and tomato sauce become the easiest pizza night ever. Honestly, this lineup makes weeknight dinners so much easier!
MONDAY: Smashed Chicken Tacos
The recipe makes 8 tacos (about 4 servings) using 1 pound of ground chicken, but I grab a 2-pound pack at the store because the extra gets used on Wednesday for our chicken meatball sandwiches.
And if you're wondering what to serve on the side, you can't go wrong with our cilantro lime rice, black beans and rice, or air fryer corn—they're all family favorites!
TUESDAY: Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta
This recipe makes 3 servings, and it's so good with a side of air fryer roasted broccoli, Parmesan-crusted Brussels sprouts, or cheesy roasted broccoli. This air fryer garlic bread will make a delicous pairing!
It also uses 8 ounces of penne, so you'll have half a box left over—which is exactly what we use to make our easy pasta pizza on Friday! You will have some leftover coconut milk and that can be frozen for later use!
WEDNESDAY: Chicken Meatball Subs
These chicken meatballs are so easy to make in the air fryer and come out incredibly juicy every time. If you don't have an air fryer, just bake them in a 400°F oven instead. I pile them into garlic buttered hoagie rolls, and trust me—they make some of the best chicken meatball sandwiches ever!
Since the air fryer is already out, I usually throw in some air fried green beans or zucchini parmesan for an easy veggie side and less cleanup.
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THURSDAY: Garlic Fried Rice and Teriyaki Tofu
Thursday is all about quick, flavor-packed meals! Our Thai-inspired garlic fried rice comes together in under 20 minutes with leftover rice and loads of crispy garlic. Honestly, I'd happily eat a big bowl of it on its own on busy days! We pair it with teriyaki tofu, the vegetarian version of our popular air fryer teriyaki chicken. The best part? No pressing the tofu, so dinner is on the table in about 30 minutes.
FRIDAY: Pasta Pizza
RECIPE
- Cook ½ pound of pasta until al dente, then drain and let it cool slightly.
- Toss it with 2 eggs, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, marinara sauce, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, and salt and pepper to taste. Don't be shy with the sauce—you want the pasta well coated since it'll be topped with even more cheese.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pasta into a ¾-inch-thick circle. (Don't spread it too thin or it won't hold together when sliced.)
- Top with more mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan, then bake at 400°F until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven, top with some shredded fresh basil, let it cool for a few minutes before slicing so it has time to firm up.
SHOPPING LIST
Produce
- 2 onions
- 2 bulbs garlic
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 lemon
- fresh basil leaves
- 1 bunch scallions
Meat, Poultry and Fish
- 2 pounds ground chicken (or use turkey)
Condiments and Spices
- panko breadcrumbs
- salt
- ground black pepper
- chili powder
- ground coriander
- ground cumin
- paprika
- cayenne pepper powder
- red pepper flakes
- vegetable oil
- olive oil
- mayo
- soy sauce
- oyster sauce
- mirin
- dried parsley
- cornstarch
- sugar
Dairy & Misc. Refrigerated Items
- ½ cup sour cream
- 5 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese
- 24 ounces shredded mozzarella
- 4 eggs
- 1 block extra firm tofu (14-ounce package)
Grains
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 4 Portugese rolls or Hoagie Rolls
- 1 cup rice
Canned and Jarred
- 2 jars marinara sauce
- 1 cup of canned coconut milk
Print Shopping List
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Hi, I’m Maria! I share easy, flavor-packed dinners, high-protein meals, and irresistible baking ideas. If you’ve ever asked, “Don’t know what to cook tonight?” you’re in the right place. And yes—there’s plenty here for breakfast, snacks, and dessert too. More about maria ->
