Five Easy Dinners For Those Hectic Nights - Meal Plan #3

Weekday nights are beyond busy and the last thing you want to think about is what to make for dinner. Luckily, I have a dinner meal plan for you and your busy family!

These are 5 easy meals for your family to make this week a little easier. At the bottom, I have a grocery list included at the end for all the meals.

South of the Border Sandwich

My friend shared the recipe with me and I am obsessed with it. It's easy, delicious, and a one-pan meal. This recipe makes a lot and tastes just as good when it is reheated in the air fryer!

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf French bread

• ½ c. olives chopped

• ½ t. chili powder

• ½ t. cumin

• ¼ t. salt

• ½ c. mayo

• ⅓/ c. sour cream

• ½ c. green onions chopped

• ¾ lb. deli turkey sliced/or a small can of chicken

• 2 med. tomatoes sliced thin

• 2 ripe avocados

• ¾ c. grated cheddar

• ¾ c. pepper jack of Monterey jack cheese
  

Directions:

1. Combine olives, spices, and salt, setting aside 2 tablespoons of the mixture.

2. Add mayonnaise, green onions, and sour cream to the remaining olive mixture.

3. Slice the French bread horizontally and place it on a baking sheet.

4. Spread the mayo mixture on each side of the bread halves.

5. Layer turkey or chicken and sliced tomatoes on top.

6. Spread additional mayo mixture over the tomatoes.

7. Top with sliced avocados and cheese.

8. Sprinkle the reserved olive mixture over the sandwich.

9. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until crispy.

Pot Pie

This is one of my favorite comfort meals, but they usually take a ton of time! This recipe is super simple and still gives that cooked-from-scratch feeling.

This recipe by Real Simple is one of the best recipes I have found that gives you a great pot pie in an even better amount of time.

Feta Pasta

I made this once and it's made my dinner rotation as it's seriously my new favorite meal! Besides cooking the pasta, this is another great one-pan meal. It's super fresh and tastes like it could be from a fancy restaurant.

The recipe I have been loving is from The Pioneer Women. You need to at least try it once, it's amazing!

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Chili

I had another friend send me this recipe and I could not believe how delicious it was for how easy it was to make! This slow cooker recipe is simple and has a little bit of a kick to it.

It does call for 2 tablespoons of chili powder, so if your family does not prefer spice I would tone it down and only do one or so. Otherwise, follow this recipe by Favorite Family Recipes for a delicious chili!

Chicken and Caesar Salad

If you have zero time, here is a super simple meal it's one of my family's favorites. I love these chicken nuggets from Costco and this chopped salad kit from Walmart.

This meal will be ready for you in no more than 15 minutes. Although a lot of it's premade, It's still provides protein and some greens!

Ingredients for this week:

Breads and Pastries

- 1 loaf French bread

- ½ (17.3-ounce) package of frozen puff pastry, thawed (1 sheet)

Dairy and Eggs

- ½ cup mayo

- ⅓ cup sour cream

- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

- ¾ cup grated cheddar cheese

- ¾ cup pepper jack or Monterey jack cheese

- ½ cup heavy whipping cream

- 1 8-ounce block feta cheese

- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese

- 1 cup milk

Fresh Produce

- ½ cup chopped olives

- ½ cup chopped green onions

- 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

- 2 ripe avocados

- 2 pints cherry tomatoes

- ¼ red onion, sliced

- ½ cup loosely packed basil leaves, chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

- Chopped salad kit (from Walmart)

Meats and Proteins

- ¾ lb. sliced deli turkey or a small can of chicken

- 3 cups shredded, cooked chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)

- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

- Bag of lightly breaded chicken breast chunks (from Costco)

Pantry Staples

- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme

- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water

- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to serve

- 2 tablespoons chili powder

- ½ teaspoon cumin

- ¼ teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- Pinch of red pepper flakes, plus more to serve

- 1 lb. medium shell pasta

- 1 (12-ounce) jar of roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

- 1 (22.6 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

- 1 (10-ounce) can RO*TEL diced tomatoes & Green Chilies

- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 (15-ounce) can of corn, drained

- 2 cups chicken broth

Frozen and Canned Goods

- 2 ½ cups frozen vegetable blend

Seasonings and Sauces

- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 2 cups red enchilada sauce

- 1 cup green enchilada sauce

- ¼ cup olive oil