A 7-Day Meal Plan That Keeps It Simple

Dinner doesn't have to be complicated. Make a protein or vegetarian main, like these, and a simple side. Try a crisp leafy salad, hearty bread or a big pot of plain rice seasoned differently each night.

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Sunday: Cast-Iron Skillet Steak

If you’ve never cooked steak at home before, it can be a little intimidating. That’s why I came up with this simple steak recipe that’s so easy, you could make it any day of the week. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
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Monday: Crispy Onion Chicken

My family loves chicken, and I'm always trying new ways to prepare it. This golden-brown chicken with its crunchy french-fried onion coating is great with rice, baked potatoes, macaroni salad or potato salad. —Charlotte Smith, McDonald, Pennsylvania
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Tuesday: Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese

This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I've never met anyone who didn't ask for a second helping. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
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Wednesday: Favorite Grilled Pork Chops

This recipe is my favorite out of all my grilled pork chop recipes. I start preparing this entree the night before I plan to grill it.—Erica Svejda, Janesville, Wisconsin
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Thursday: Chicken Fingers

Almost everyone in my family requests these golden chicken fingers as their birthday dinner entree. I begin marinating the chicken strips early in the day to cut down on last-minute fuss. —Charlotte Baillargeon, Hinsdale, Massachusetts
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Friday: Oven-Roasted Salmon

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Saturday: Tasty Lentil Tacos

When my husband's cholesterol numbers rose, I quickly lowered the fat in our family's diet. Finding dishes that were healthy for him and yummy for our five children was a challenge, but this fun taco recipe was a huge hit with everyone. —Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine

Find more weekly meal plans here.

Emily Racette Parulski
Emily has spent the last decade writing and editing food and lifestyle content. As a senior editor at Taste of Home, she leads the newsletter team sharing delicious recipes and helpful cooking tips to more than 2 million loyal email subscribers. Since joining TMB seven years ago as an associate editor, she has worked on special interest publications, launched TMB’s first cross-branded newsletter, supported the launch of the brand's affiliate strategy, orchestrated holiday countdowns, participated in taste tests and was selected for a task force to enhance the Taste of Home community. Emily was first mentioned by name in Taste of Home magazine in 1994, when her mother won a contest. When she’s not editing, Emily can be found in her kitchen baking something sweet, taking a wine class with her husband, or making lasagnas for neighbors through Lasagna Love.