Summer is busy enough without spending hours in the kitchen. This meal plan is all about getting dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less, so you can spend more time enjoying the sunshine and less time wondering what’s for dinner. From easy DIY nights to a surprisingly simple and comforting soup these recipes are perfect for surviving the busiest weeks of summer.
This Week’s Menu
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak with Cauliflower and Rice
Lasagna and Spinach Soup
Taco Night
Veggie Flatbreads
Baked Cavatelli
Why This Week Works
Family-friendly DIY-style options
Ability to substitute whatever vegetables you have on hand!
Opportunities for leftovers that make for easy lunches
Simple favorites means less time reading new recipes for overcomplicated dishes
A sweet and salty teriyaki marinade will get me every time! It is so good. You can use this recipe as a guide and mix/match any protein and sides that your family prefers! I use the grill heavily to simplify clean-up here but feel free to adjust your temperatures and times if you gotta go oven and stovetop!
When you are craving pasta but don’t want the heaviness I highly recommend this delicious and easy soup (even on a hot day!) This is effectively a one-pot dinner and little hands nearby can help break up the lasagna noodles for fun! Bonus, soup can always be eaten another day for lunch or frozen for the future.
Any night can be taco night with the right attitude, it does not need to just be for Tuesday! Ground beef tacos are so simple to pull together during the week, and the best part is picky eaters can mix and match any toppings. Classic ground beef is a favorite in my house, but it is easy enough to change up to protein or even go full veggie (e.g., mushroom) if you prefer.
When I first started using these naan flatbreads I could not believe the versatility. Lunches, dinners, meat toppings, veggie – there is something for everyone. The best part is, you can freeze the naans so you always have some of these bad boys on hand. the recipe here is intentionally loose – I make some suggestions but feel free to mix it up depending on your family preference and anything extra you have in your pantry that sounds good! Since it is Summer, feel free to actually grill the naan for a few minutes instead of using the oven!
A cheesy, buttery pasta will always have my heart, but if I can’t have that, then I am FOR SURE making this baked cavatelli. It is GOOEY. It is CHEESY. It has TOMATOES. Best, of all, it is entirely one pot! This is an excellent weeknight dinner that is easy to pull together and dresses up a casual pasta night.
Last week Overview:
Summer should mean spending more time outside—not stressing over what’s for dinner. This week’s meal plan is full of fresh, family-friendly dinners that are easy to make after a day at the pool, a trip to the park, or a busy evening outside. From homemade pesto ravioli to juicy pulled pork and pineapple chicken, these meals celebrate summer flavors without keeping you in the kitchen for hours.
This Week’s Menu
Ravioli with Homemade Pesto
Pineapple Chicken with Rice & Broccoli
Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
Creamy Corn Pasta
Pulled Pork Quesadillas