Planning dinner doesn’t have to be stressful. This week’s meal plan is packed with easy, family-friendly recipes that help get dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
From one-pan meals to comforting pasta dishes, these budget-friendly recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. They also make excellent leftovers for easy lunches and second meals throughout the week. Best of all, all 5 dinners can be made for about $61.72 in groceries.
This Weekly Meal Plan was created to make planning your meals even easier. For even more ideas, check out Summer Grilling Meal Plan, One Pan Meal Plan and Cheap & Easy Meal Plan.
Why You’ll Love This Meal Plan
- Easy dinners that fit busy schedules.
- Several one-pan and low-cleanup meals.
- Budget-friendly ingredients.
- Great options for leftovers and meal prep.
- Breakfast and dessert included for extra meal-planning help.
Print Shopping List
Before heading to the store, take a few minutes to check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. You may already have several of the ingredients on hand, which can help save both time and money this week.
Monday – Ground Beef Pasta
When everyone’s hungry, and dinner needs to happen fast, Ground Beef Pasta pulls through with a cheesy, hearty sauce and barely any fuss.
Estimated Cost: $14.03, $2.34 per Servings
Tuesday – Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Everything roasts together in one pan in Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies, giving you caramelized flavor, easy cleanup, and dinner without the chaos.
Estimated Cost: $9.33, $2.33 per Servings
Wednesday – Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowl
Savory ground beef and roasted sweet potatoes come together in Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowl for a hearty, simple meal that still feels satisfying.
Estimated Cost: $11.83, $2.96 per Servings
Thursday – Peanut Butter Burger
Peanut Butter Burger takes a juicy grilled burger in a surprising direction with a creamy, savory-sweet twist that makes it stand out from the usual cookout lineup.
Estimated Cost: $19.82, $3.30 per Servings
Friday – Penne alla Vodka
Creamy, rich, and full of cozy pasta-night energy, Penne alla Vodka tastes like something you’d order out but comes together right at home.
Estimated Cost: $6.71, $1.12 per Servings
Breakfast – Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Soft homemade bread layered with buttery cinnamon swirls, Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread makes the whole kitchen smell like something worth slowing down for.
Estimated Cost: $2.10 Recipe, $0.35 per Serving
Dessert – Peach Dump Cake
Warm peaches bubbling under a buttery cake topping make Peach Dump Cake the kind of low-effort dessert nobody waits long to dig into.
Estimated Cost: $7.02 Per Recipe, $0.59 Per Serving
If you love stocking your freezer with easy meals, check out our Lazy Day Cooking Club. Spend just a few minutes getting things started earlier in the day, and let the slow cooker handle the rest so dinner is ready when you get home.
Leftover Ideas
One of the easiest ways to save money during the week is to plan for leftovers. Many of this week’s recipes reheat well and can be turned into quick lunches or second meals.
- Ground Beef Pasta makes an easy lunch the next day and reheats beautifully.
- Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies can be added to salads, grain bowls, or wrapped in tortillas for a quick lunch.
- Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowl is perfect for meal prep and easy grab-and-go lunches.
- Peanut Butter Burger leftovers can be crumbled into wraps or served over a salad.
- Penne alla Vodka pairs well with grilled chicken or vegetables for a second dinner later in the week.
FAQs
Meal planning helps reduce impulse purchases, prevents food waste, and allows you to intentionally use leftovers throughout the week.
Ground Beef Pasta, Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowl, and Penne alla Vodka all reheat well and make great lunches.
Yes. The vegetables for the sheet pan dinner can be chopped ahead of time, and the sweet potatoes for the bowl can be roasted in advance.
Serve pasta dishes with bread and salad, add extra vegetables to sheet pan meals, and use leftovers for lunches or second dinners later in the week.
Easy Side Dish Ideas
This week’s meal plan is full of simple recipes that make dinner easier without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight meals, budget-friendly ideas, or recipes that provide great leftovers. These family favorites have you covered.
Be sure to save this meal plan for later. Leave a comment letting us know which recipe you’re most excited to try this week!
See How We Calculate Recipe Cost (cost per serving explained).
