As a member of the Smart Cooky Club, you have access to this growing collection of meal plans anytime you need a little inspiration. Take a minute to scroll through, there’s a lot tucked into this week’s plan to help make mealtime feel a whole lot easier.
You’ll find prep tips, cooking for two, simple dietary adjustments (gluten-free, low-carb, and more), and helpful notes for each recipe.
Your Weekly Plan
Suggested sides are not included in the grocery list.
- Dinner 1: Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Dinner 2: Homemade Hamburgers
- Dinner 3: Shish Kebabs
- Dinner 4: Chopped Mexican Salad
- Brunch/Lunch/Dinner: Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole
- Snack/Dessert: Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls
This Week’s Kitchen Rhythm
Your Smart Cooky Club plan for the week
- Start strong: Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Savory, cheesy, and baked until golden, these sliders kick off the week with an easy and flavor-packed comfort meal. - Midweek cozy: Homemade Hamburgers
A classic dinner night that never fails. Simple, juicy burgers that are perfect for a midweek option! - Prep-ahead favorite: Shish Kebabs
Marinate and prep ahead for an easy, flavor-packed dinner that feels a little special without much effort. - Quick night win: Mexican Chopped Salad
Crisp, colorful, and loaded with texture, this one is perfect as a main or an easy side to stretch throughout the week. - Flexible extras: Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole + Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls
A wonderful make-ahead dinner option plus a sweet treat to round out your week (because you deserve it).
A simple plan to help your week run a little smoother.
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: Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Prep-ahead tips: If you didn’t purchase shaved steak, slice your steak (a quick freezer chill helps!) and prep onions and peppers ahead of time. You can even cook (slightly undercook) the filling in advance and assemble the sliders just before baking.
- DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free slider rolls, double check Worcestershire sauce (Lee & Perrins is gluten-free)
- Dairy-Free: Skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Cooking for Two? You can easily make a half batch using just a few rolls, which is perfect for a smaller household. If you make the full recipe, store the filling separately from the rolls and reheat in a skillet, then assemble fresh sliders so they don’t get soggy.
- Suggested Sides: Serve with steak fries or sweet potato fries and a bagged salad for a full meal. Try this Italian chopped salad or some crunchy pickles on the side!
Dinner 2: Homemade Hamburgers
Prep-Ahead Tips: Form your patties ahead of time and store them covered in the fridge, bringing them out 30 minutes before cooking. Prep toppings and condiments so everything is ready to go when it’s time to cook!
- DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free buns, serve in a lettuce wrap, or serve without a bun.
- Dairy-Free: Skip cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Low-Carb: Serve as a burger bowl or lettuce wrap! Watch carbs in sneaky things like pickles.
- Cooking for Two? You can easily scale this down to just a couple of patties for a quick dinner. Alternatively, make a full batch and freeze the extra uncooked patties so you have an easy meal ready to go another night.
- Suggested Sides: Keep it classic with potato chips, steak fries or try them with roasted potatoes and onions. For something lighter, pair with a wedge salad and don’t forget fun toppings like avocado, caramelized onions, or burger sauce to switch things up.
Dinner 3: Shish Kebabs
Prep-Ahead Tips: Marinate your meat and chop vegetables the night before for maximum flavor and an easy cooking day. You can even assemble the skewers ahead of time and store them covered in the fridge until grilling! Take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before grilling.
- DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free, just check marinades (use Tamari or GF Teriyaki) for hidden gluten.
- Low-Carb: Focus on protein and low-carb veggies like peppers, onions, and zucchini! Skip the pineapple if preferred.
- Cooking for Two: Simply scale down the marinade using the recipe scaler. If you have leftovers, remove everything from the skewers and use it in wraps, rice bowls, or salads the next day.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with rice pilaf, couscous, or warm pita bread for a complete meal. It’s also great with my ramen noodle salad! Add a dipping sauce like lemon dill sauce or hummus on the side, too.
Dinner 4: Mexican Chopped Salad
Prep Ahead Tip: Chop all vegetables and prepare the dressing in advance for quick assembly later. Store everything separately so the salad stays crisp and fresh when it’s time to eat.
- DIETARY TWEAKS
- Dairy-Free: Skip cheese or use a dairy-free alternative!
- Low-Carb: Omit tortilla strips or corn if needed!
- Cooking for Two: You can easily halve the recipe or keep it whole for easy lunches throughout the week. Just store dressing separately so each portion stays crunchy and fresh when you’re ready to eat.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy it as a main dish with grilled flank steak, carne asada or Instant Pot carnitas on top. It also works beautifully as a side dish alongside burgers or kebabs, making it one of the most flexible meals in the lineup!
Pro Tip! Use my favorite cutting board for all the chopping that this recipe requires. It stays in one place and makes the chopping stress-free!
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole
Prep Ahead Tips: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning (or evening), just bake it straight from the fridge (remove while you are preheating your oven) for an easy, no-stress meal!
- DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free tater tots and check additional ingredients, just to be sure.
- Dairy-Free: Swap in plant-based milk and cheese.
- Low-Carb: Replace tater tots with roasted vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini. Sweet potato tater tots would also be a great option!
- Cooking for Two: Halve the recipe and bake in a smaller dish for a perfectly portioned meal. Or bake the full casserole and portion leftovers for quick breakfasts or lunches all week.
- Serving suggestions: Serve with a Mexican fruit salad or a side of the Mexican chopped salad you prepped earlier in the week. I also love it with my easy guacamole!
Snack: Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls
Prep Ahead Tip: Prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Bring it to room temperature before baking, so you get soft, fluffy rolls fresh out of the oven.
- DIETARY TWEAKS
- Gluten-Free: I have not tried with my cinnamon rolls, but use a good cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend (King Arthur is my fave) and replace some of the flour (about ¼ cup of each almond flour and oat flour) for texture.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute butter, milk and cream cheese in frosting with plant-based alternatives.
- Cooking for Two: This recipe is already perfectly portioned for a small batch, making it ideal for two without leftovers piling up. If you do have extras, they reheat beautifully and taste just as soft and gooey the next day.
- Serving Suggestions: Of course, they are best served warm! They also make a lovely dessert if you reheat them slightly and serve with a drizzle of icing or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!
Make the Most of This Meal Plan
- Only the main recipes are included in the printable grocery list (no sides)
- If making any sides, add the ingredients to your shopping list
- 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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