Meal planning makes grocery shopping and weeknight dinners less hectic, and we could all use a little less stress in our lives. If you’re new to meal planning or just need some new inspiration, our weekly meal plans are a great place to start.
Each week, we’ll be adding the meal plan featured in our new Meal Prep & Planning newsletter. Sign up now if you’d like to get these meal plans sent straight to your inbox.
Check out the Expert’s Guide to Meal Planning for tons more plans, recipes and tips that’ll keep you organized.
This Week's Plan: Prep-Ahead Soups
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Sunday: Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup
This soup delivers a big bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband. Toppings like avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips are a must. —Heather Sewell, Harrisonville, Missouri
Monday: Glazed Smoked Chops with Pears
My husband would eat pork chops every day if he could. Luckily, they're good all sorts of ways, including with pears. —Lynn Moretti, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Tuesday: Italian-Style Lentil Soup
I cook with lentils often because they're a nutritious, inexpensive source of protein. This low-fat soup is one of my favorite ways to use them. To make it even heartier, add ground beef, cooked sausage or leftover cubed chicken. —Rachel Keller, Roanoke, Virginia
Wednesday: Spaghetti Squash Lo Mein
My colorful Lo Mein is a lighter version of the classic Chinese dish that everyone at our table loves. Try it with a squirt of Sriracha. —Loanne Chiu, Fort Worth, Texas
Thursday: Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup
I tweaked a recipe I got from one of my best friends, and I couldn't believe how much it really does taste like stuffed green peppers! With beef and brown rice, it makes a hearty meal on a cold day. — Gina Baxter, Plainfield, IL
Friday: Waffle-Iron Pizzas
These little pizza pockets are a fun mashup using the waffle iron. Try your favorite toppings or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs on this waffle pizza. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Saturday: Easy White Chicken Chili
Chili is one of our best cold-weather strategies. We use chicken and white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of red. It’s soothing comfort food. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia Find more 7-day meal plans.Last Week's Plan: Sheet Pan Suppers
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Sunday: Sliced Ham with Roasted Vegetables
To prepare this colorful, zesty oven meal, I "shop" in my backyard for the fresh garden vegetables and oranges (we have our own tree!) that spark the ham's hearty flavor. It's my family's favorite main dish. —Margaret Pache, Mesa, Arizona
Monday: Hoisin Sriracha Sheet-Pan Chicken
The convenience and simplicity of this chicken dinner make it extra awesome. Feel free to change the veggies throughout the year—the sticky-spicy-sweet sauce is tasty on everything!! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Tuesday: Mini Meat Loaf Sheet-Pan Meal
I grew up with this meat loaf recipe, but I adapted it to mini meatloaves so that it would bake more quickly. The sauce topping is always a hit. I added the potatoes and asparagus to make the meal easier. —Deanne Johnson, Reading, Pennsylvania
Wednesday: Lemon-Dijon Pork Sheet-Pan Supper
Most nights I need something that I can get on the table with minimal effort and delicious results. This sheet-pan supper has become an all-time favorite, not only because of its bright flavors but also because of its speedy cleanup time! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Thursday: Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
While exploring Mexican restaurants, I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this new favorite recipe, stuffed poblano peppers. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan
Friday: Sheet-Pan Tilapia and Vegetable Medley
Unlike some one-pan dinners that require precooking in a skillet or pot, this one uses just the sheet pan, period. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Saturday: Santa Fe Chicken Pizza Pie
Give your pie a Southwest twist when you slather on the taco sauce and top with black beans, green chilies and kicked-up chicken strips. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Find more 7-day meal plans.October Meal Plans
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The post Your Weekly Meal Planner appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Racette Parulski