Enjoy a free 5-day meal plan filled with delicious, family-friendly dinners. This plan helps simplify your week, saves time, and ensures your family enjoys hot, home-cooked meals every night.
If you have guests coming, try serving a refreshing virgin mojito — it’s easy to make and perfect for entertaining.
I’ve shared 5-day meal plans with my email subscribers for years and recently started posting some on Instagram. The feedback has been wonderful — many readers use these plans regularly and appreciate the convenience and variety.
If you’re new to these meal plans, each one typically includes five dinner recipes and one or two desserts. I aim to offer a balanced mix of dishes with flexibility so you can swap ingredients or skip recipes as needed. I also recommend setting aside a day for leftovers or using them for next-day lunches.
📅 Food Holidays
This week features a few fun food-themed days — great chances to try something new or spotlight an ingredient. For example:
- July 16 is National Ice Cream Day — try a simple homemade ice cream for a delightful treat.
🍌 In Season Now
Fresh seasonal produce includes apricots, bananas, beets, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, honeydew, blueberries, cherries, limes, watermelon, and more — perfect for summer recipes.
Jul 18
Eggs with Dates
A nostalgic combination of salty and sweet, eggs with date paste is a simple dish I grew up with. It’s quick to prepare and surprisingly satisfying.
Jul 19
Chicken Shawarma
Homemade chicken shawarma rice beats takeout — flavorful, tender, and easier to make than you might expect. It’s a great family meal that reheats well for leftovers.
Jul 20
Grilled Trout
Grilling a whole fish is straightforward and impressive. A simply seasoned grilled trout brings bright, homey flavors to the table with minimal fuss.
Jul 21
Instant Pot Barley Soup
A comforting one-pot meal that won’t heat up your kitchen. Beef and barley in the Instant Pot makes a hearty, satisfying soup perfect for busy evenings.
Jul 22
Meatloaf Cupcakes
Meatloaf cupcakes are individual portions of seasoned meat topped or paired with mashed potatoes — a playful, family-friendly twist on classic meatloaf that’s easy to prepare.
Desserts
For a quick and easy dessert, try a simple peach cobbler made using a cake mix as a shortcut — warm, fruity, and ideal with a scoop of ice cream.
🖨️ Printable Shopping List
Use a printable shopping list to make grocery trips faster and more organized when preparing this week’s menu.
Related posts
If you enjoyed this menu, check last week’s meal plan and browse other weekly menu plans for more ideas and inspiration.