Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, so let’s keep this week easy. Nothing fussy. My brand new Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin. A Mediterranean sheet pan chicken that marinates while you’re busy. My new Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings copycat. Air-fried salmon, egg bites for grab-and-go breakfasts, and pumpkin streusel muffins.
Two little jobs for future you. Tuck a few muffins in the freezer for Thanksgiving week. And if your turkey is frozen, buy it now! A 12-pound bird needs (at least) 3 to 4 days to thaw in the fridge, so move it from the freezer by Sunday the 22nd. Bigger bird? Start sooner.
Your Weekly Plan
Suggested sides are not included in the grocery list.
- Dinner 1: Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin
- Dinner 2: Mediterranean Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
- Dinner 3: Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
- Dinner 4: Air Fryer Salmon
- Brunch/Lunch/Dinner: Instant Pot Egg Bites
- Snack/Dessert: Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
This Week’s Kitchen Rhythm
Your Smart Cooky Club plan for the week
- Sunday dinner on a Monday: Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin
Rub the pork the night before. It looks fancy, but it is weeknight easy. - Marinate and go: Mediterranean Sheet Pan Chicken
Marinate the chicken in the morning, then everything roasts together on one pan. - Copycat comfort: Chicken and Dumplings
Grab a rotisserie chicken if the day gets away from you. It works great here. - Fast fish night: Air Fryer Salmon
Quick, low-carb, and the homemade tartar sauce takes 5 minutes. - Flexible extras: Egg Bites + Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Egg bites for on-the-go breakfast all week. Muffins to snack on now, plus a few tucked away in the freezer.
A simple plan to help your week run a little smoother.
This Week’s Kitchen MVP: A Sturdy Sheet Pan and Rack. Your sheet pan chicken needs room to roast instead of steam, and a heavy pan won’t warp in a hot oven. The rack cools a batch of muffins fast. You’ll use both all through Thanksgiving week, too.
Don’t have one yet? This is the USA Pan sheet pan and rack I reach for again and again.
5 Steps to a Stress-Free Week of Meals
Start by printing your grocery list, then let’s make this week feel a whole lot easier.
Remember the suggested sides are not included on the grocery list, so be sure to add those ingredients.
- Plan Your Week, Your Way: There’s no right or wrong order here. Cook the meals as listed or mix and match your favorites.
- Access Your Recipes Anytime: Print the recipe cards or pull them up on your device. Everything you need is right at your fingertips.
- Shop Smart: Check your fridge and pantry first. Cross off what you already have and add anything else you need.
- Make It Yours: Use the tips below to adjust for dietary needs, preferences, or portion sizes.
- Enjoy the Process: This is about simplifying your week and gathering around the table with good food and the people you love.
You’re building a kitchen rhythm that serves your home well, one simple meal at a time.
Dinner 1: Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin
Prep-Ahead Tips: Trim the silver skin and rub the pork up to a day ahead, then keep it loosely covered in the fridge. Go by temperature, not time. Pull the pork at 140°F; it climbs to about 145°F as it rests.
DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free. Double-check your labels, especially the Dijon.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter, or just use all olive oil.
Cooking for Two? This recipe halves easily. Use the slider on the recipe card to halve the pork and rub, but make the glaze in full. Or roast both tenderloins and save one for lunches. Cold, thinly sliced leftovers are amazing on a sandwich or over a salad.
Suggested Sides: My Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes for that glaze, plus Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic or Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli. Feeling a little German? Try my Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage.
Dinner 2: Mediterranean Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
Prep-Ahead Tips: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead, and chop the veggies up to 2 days ahead. Store them separately, and keep the tomatoes whole until you roast. Want one for later? Freeze the raw chicken in its marinade, then thaw it overnight in the fridge. This is one of my favorite make-one, freeze-one recipes.
DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Naturally dairy-free. Just skip the optional feta.
- Low-Carb: Already low-carb. It’s all chicken and veggies!
Cooking for Two? It scales down easily. Use the slider on the recipe card to halve it, and roast it on a smaller pan, keeping everything in a single layer. Leftovers keep up to 4 days.
Suggested Sides: A bowl of my Tzatziki Sauce for dipping, plus rice or warm pita. My White Bean Dip is great with the pita too.
Dinner 3: Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Prep-Ahead Tips: Dice the onion, carrots and celery the night before. Running behind? Skip poaching the chicken; simmer the veggies in broth and stir in shredded rotisserie chicken for the last 5 minutes. Go easy on the dumpling dough. Knead it like bread, and the dumplings turn tough.
DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum, plus gluten-free broth and bouillon. Chill the dough for 15 minutes before rolling, since gluten-free dough is stickier; it needs to hydrate.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free butter (or Crisco). For the buttermilk, stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup of non-dairy milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Cooking for Two? Use the slider on the recipe card to halve it, or make the full pot and freeze some. It freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat low and slow with a splash of broth.
Suggested Sides: Go full Cracker Barrel with Southern-Style Green Beans, Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread or Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and my Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole.
Dinner 4: Air Fryer Salmon
Prep-Ahead Tips: Stir together the tartar sauce in the morning so the flavors can blend. Thaw frozen salmon in the fridge overnight, or cook it straight from frozen; the recipe card shows you how. No air fryer? The oven method is on the card too.
DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: Naturally both, tartar sauce included. Just check your relish label.
- Low-Carb: Already low-carb. Serve it with a salad instead of potatoes.
Cooking for Two? Use the slider on the recipe card to make 2 fillets. Or cook all 4 and flake the leftovers over a salad for lunch. Reheat leftovers low and slow, at 275°F, so the salmon doesn’t dry out.
Suggested Sides: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Asparagus or Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli. For low-carb, try my Broccoli Salad or a Steakhouse Wedge Salad.
Breakfast or Lunch: Instant Pot Egg Bites
Prep-Ahead Tips: Cook and drain the sausage a day ahead. Make a batch on Sunday and breakfast is handled for days. They keep 5 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. No Instant Pot? Bake them in a muffin pan at 350°F; the oven directions are in the post.
DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free. Check your sausage label.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free cheese.
- Low-Carb: Already low-carb.
Cooking for Two? This makes 3 to 4 servings, so it’s already a good size for two. Freeze the extras flat on a parchment-lined tray for an hour, then move them to a freezer bag.
Serving Suggestions: Add fresh fruit, like my Tropical Mango Fruit Salad, or Air Fryer Sausage Links. Weekend brunch? Go all out with my gooey Cinnamon Rolls.
Snack: Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Prep-Ahead Tips: Make the streusel first and chill it while you mix the batter. Bake a batch and freeze some for Thanksgiving week. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap or foil and freeze in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Rewarm at 350°F for 7 to 12 minutes.
DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: In the streusel, use half GF AP flour and oat flour. In the muffin use 1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour, ¼ cup almond flour and ¼ cup oat flour. That’s my favorite mix for the best texture and flavor.
- Dairy-Free: The only swap is the butter in the streusel. Use a dairy-free butter.
Cooking for Two? Freeze them one by one and pull out a muffin or two whenever you want. They keep 3 to 7 days on the counter in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions: Warm, with a little butter. Feeling fancy? Add a swirl of my Cream Cheese Frosting. They’re also great next to a bowl of Panera Autumn Squash Soup.
Make the Most of This Meal Plan
- Only the main recipes are included in the printable grocery list (no sides)
- Look over the recipes at the start of the week so nothing sneaks up on you
- Prep a few basics ahead (chopped veggies, cooked proteins, sauces)
- Cook once, plan for leftovers to cover another meal
- Don’t be afraid to swap meals based on your schedule or what sounds good
- Keep simple sides on hand (bread, salad, fruit) to round things out
- Adjust portions as needed, especially if cooking for two
- Give yourself a little grace; done is better than perfect 💚
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