Help with a weekly dinner plan?

[Anonymous]

We have gotten way too dependent on pizza and Chinese delivery, carry out, and Trader Joe's frozen meals. We would really like to cut those back to once or two days a week. Any inspiration for a meal plan for 5 days (Sunday through Thursday, then we'll do leftovers on Friday and pizza or dinner out on Saturday)? Here are the limitations-- no beef, pork or salmon, try to eat meat free meals at least 2-3 days a week, needs to take 20 minutes or less or be able to be made or prepped on the weekend, at least 2 meals need to be made in advance or be crock pot for my late nights in the office. This is basically our current rotation so some new ideas would be good- turkey or bean chili, homemade mac and cheese, pasta and sauce (white, red, scampi, pesto), enchiladas, roasted whole chicken and potatoes and veggies, pan fried fish or chicken tenders, breakfast for dinner, peanut noodles, Asian stir fry veggies with a protein and rice, quiche...

Also I'm thinking about trying 6 O'Clock Scramble to help with new ideas, planning in advance, using the same ingredients in a week, planning different sides... Any recent feedback on that plan?

Thank you for any ideas you can share!

[Anonymous]

Baked chicken breasts. I marinate for an hour or three.
Breakfast for dinner (eggs, pancakes, fruit, fritatta, etc)

[Anonymous]

Quesadillas (we do black bean)
Baked pasta that can be dinner one night and leftovers another night, add salad
Chicken and rice in crockpot with enough for leftovers the next night, steamed vegetables on side
Vegetarian chili in crockpot, leftovers next day

[Anonymous]

With the no beef/pork/salmon, the 6 o'clock scramble might be tough for you. But it's been a while since I checked it out.

Here are some of my vegetarian favorites:

veggie tacos: Saute onions in a pan. Add in broccoli, green pepper & mushrooms and cook a few minutes. Then add in one can each of zesty tomatoes (w mild green chiles), black beans and pinto beans. Cook about 5 min or until veggies soften and beans are heated through. Serve on soft tacos with sour cream & salsa.

chickpeas with feta & spinach: http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/2012/01/chickpeas-with-tomatoes-spinach-feta.html

mushroom stroganoff: this is a vegan recipe, but I use regular dairy products and it is delicious http://palsdxe.wordpress.com/2013/12/27/candle-cafes-porcini-mushroom-stroganoff/

What about a veggie lasagna? Make one on Sunday and have the leftovers on Tuesday or so. Use the no bake noodles so the only thing you're cooking is the lasagna itself.

We also have black beans & brown rice on hand at all times for a quick meal in case a day gets out of hand and whatever I've planned can't get prepped.

Have you ever done a crockpot chicken? Big hit with my meat eaters. Skin a chicken, season it and add a quartered onion and a few crushed cloves of garlic. Turn it breast side up and cook for 5-8 hours on low. (Fryers for 5, larger roasters for longer.) Pull apart and serve with salad and a veggie.

[Anonymous]

Cheesey bake spaghetti squash. I usually cook the squash on Sunday, bag it and thow the meal together on Monday or Tuesday. http://againstallgrain.com/2014/03/11/cheesy-baked-spaghetti-squash/

Eggplant parm with a side of steamed spinach instead of pasta. (I bake the eggplant instead of pan frying, although I spray with olive oil. Flip after 12 minutes. Double the batch and freeze for another meal a couple of weeks later. I do the same with chicken tenders).

Soups! I usually add a bunch of veggies and pick up great bread. This is our family's favorite - http://againstallgrain.com/2013/01/30/leftover-roast-chicken-soup-with-roasted-vegetables/ To make it easier, I purchase the peeled and cut up sweet potato and butternut squash.

[Anonymous]

I love soups, lentil soup in the crockpot is a satisfying one for your meatless days.

Taco night where everyone chooses their own fixes.

Baked fish with panko breadcrumbs.

[Anonymous]

How many are you? Kids? And if so, what ages?

I have four kids, but three are grown. Now that I only have one at home (a HS junior), I find it's very workable to have quick meals for only three people, because leftovers are adequate for at least one to two meals per week--and there are your easy nights.

The no beef part is tough, because I love a good pot of chili (perfect for leftovers), but perhaps you could try a chicken chili? I've never tried it, but I know people like it.

Shrimp couldn't be any quicker to cook. I buy the easy peel large ones & then saute them in an olive oil/butter/garlic sauce.

Catfish fillets are quick to fry in a pan, and baked salmon is delicious.

I've never been a big fan of slow cookers, but I like BBQ chicken cooked that way (also beef pot roast, but there's the beef issue again).

Breakfast for dinner was always a big hit in our house. We always enjoy scrambled eggs. And grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup are comforting in the winter.