Weekly Meal Plan #72 | The Recipe Critic
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Dinner doesn’t have to feel like another thing you’re failing at. This weekly meal plan is all about hearty, comforting meals that make your evenings calmer and nights easier. Think cozy, filling dinners the whole family will love!
Hearty Meals For Cold Days
Winter has a way of pulling everyone back home. If you want your family to stay in, gather around the table, and actually linger, these hearty, family-friendly dinners are for you. Want more ideas? Check out all my other weekly meal plans here.
Feeds 4–6 + Includes a Grocery List
This free weekly meal plan takes the guesswork out of dinner with five delicious, family-friendly recipes and a cute shopping list to make your week easier.
Broccoli Cheddar Barley
Creamy broccoli cheddar orzo made in one pot with tender veggies, melty cheese, and cozy flavors in every bite.
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Fall off the Bone Slow Cooker Short Ribs
Fall off the Bone Slow Cooker Short Ribs is a perfect hearty, satisfying, and savory dinner. Full of flavor and fork tender succulent beef, it’s a meal worth coming home to.
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General Tso’s Chicken (Baked)
Sweet, spicy, and sticky, this baked General Tso’s chicken delivers all the takeout flavor without the fryer.
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Pork Enchiladas
These delicious enchiladas are filled with juicy pork carnitas and smothered in melted cheese. Topped off with homemade red enchilada sauce, this is a dinner that the whole family will go crazy over.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Busy week? These air fryer chicken tenders come together fast, with a crispy outside, juicy inside, and kid-approved every time.
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Why I Stick With Weekly Meal Planning
Meal planning keeps me sane. When life gets busy, having dinner figured out is one less thing to stress about. Here are a few more reasons why I stick with it!
- Save money: Groceries aren’t cheap. If you’re planning ahead, that means fewer impulse buys and less food waste.
- Save time: No more 5 PM fridge stares or that “what’s for dinner?” panic.
- Eat better: If I have a meal plan in place, I’m way less likely to grab takeout out of desperation.
Each weekly meal plan also includes a free printable grocery list that’s already measured and organized. So instead of stressing, you can just print it, grab what you need, and then enjoy how much easier and put-together your life will feel!
What to Serve with This Week’s Meals
Side Dishes
Super Easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
5 hours 15 minutes
Easy
Garlic Edamame
10 minutes
Dressings, Sauces, and Dips
Guacamole
15 minutes
Easy
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
1 hour 40 minutes
Storing Leftovers for Meal Planning
I only plan dinners Monday through Friday. Weekends are our time to relax, be spontaneous, or treat ourselves to something fun. If you’ve got leftovers from the week, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy a no-cook night when you need it most.
