SUNDAY
Slow Cooker Pot Roast for Sunday supper fills the house with warming aromas. I substitute avocado or olive oil for canola and use arrowroot powder in place of cornstarch for a slightly lighter sauce.
MONDAY
It’s book fair family night at school, so half the crew will eat and do homework at home while the youngest and I head back for the evening. That makes this a night for an easy Trader Joe’s dinner. I’m leaning toward a spinach tortellini casserole (omit the sausage to keep it meatless) or Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi tossed with Rao’s sauce for a quick, satisfying meal.
TUESDAY
We’ll make a cowboy quinoa casserole with a few tweaks. I brown a pound of grass-fed beef seasoned with homemade taco seasoning, then fold it into the quinoa base. Instead of a full cowboy caviar salsa, I often add a can of drained and rinsed black beans and some fire-roasted corn from Trader Joe’s to boost texture and flavor. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing bake that reheats well.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesdays are hectic here, with everyone heading in different directions, so an easy Red Beans and Rice suits the night perfectly. Serve hot sauce like Frank’s on the side for those who want a kick. Add a green vegetable—simple green beans tossed with a little olive oil and roasted on a sheet pan at 425°F for about 20 minutes—so the meal feels balanced without extra fuss.
THURSDAY
With an evening class to teach, a 3pm dentist appointment for my oldest, and after-school carpool duties, I need something I can start in the afternoon and forget about. Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is ideal—a hands-off meal that turns into a build-your-own taco night when everyone comes home. Prep in the afternoon and let the slow cooker do the work.
FRIDAY
My oldest daughter and I are heading to New York City for a mother-daughter weekend—tickets to Dear Evan Hansen tonight and Waitress tomorrow. We expect lots of eating and walking, so dinner plans are minimal. My husband will handle feeding the younger kids while we’re away. If you need quick ideas at home, check my YouTube channel for recipe videos that complement what’s on the site. One easy option to throw on the grill is honey hoisin pork tenderloin—fast, flavorful, and perfect for a simple Friday night.