Weekly Menu Plan 42
You’ll love our Menu Plan 42 ideas with easy weeknight dinner recipes, snacks, breakfast, and game day, too. From zucchini noodles (or baked spaghetti squash) and chicken meatballs to easy chicken and rice, shepherd’s pie, and tomato soup, we have something everyone will love!
Here is your meal plan for the third week of October. You can shop the Grocery List or download the printable Meal Plan
.Be sure to scroll down to download our helpful menu planner and pantry staples list printables.
⭐ Tips
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✔️ Clean your produce when you get home from the store. I like to prep ingredients like onions, broccoli, and carrots ahead of time, so you just need to grab a container when it’s time to cook. This week, I suggest you prep minced onions and chopped carrots ahead of time.
✔️ Keep your prepped foods fresh by using quality airtight containers – these are my favorite. Plus these are great for leftovers, too.
✔️ Chicken meatballs freeze wonderfully, so consider doubling the batch and freezing some for another meal.
✔️ Before you shop, check your grocery store’s website. You may find coupons or specials to help save you money. Chicken thighs on sale? Substitute them for the chicken breasts in Monday’s recipe. A little planning can go a long way toward saving you money, and that adds up at the end of the month!
Got a tip for me?
Please comment below, I’d love to hear it!
Monday – Shepherd’s Pie
Fall is the perfect time to bring back shepherd’s pie.
It’s so cozy and comforting – and filling! This casserole is just perfect for Sunday supper.
Serve with these buttery dinner rolls or a side of cowboy green beans.
Tuesday – Chicken and Rice
My grandmother used to make this amazing baked chicken and rice meal.
A few years ago, my sister simplified it into a quick instant pot chicken and rice recipe that’s on the table fast.
Looking for something a little different? Try this slow cooker potato soup instead.
Find more instant pot recipes here.
Wednesday – Tomato Basil Soup
Talk about comfort food! Give me a bowl of hot soup and a grilled cheese sandwich and I’m a happy girl!
In this case, try our tomato basil soup with a pesto panini for a hearty and homey meal the whole family will love.
And, if you love soup, try one of these other yummy recipes:
Thursday – Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
My family adores this super easy rotel chicken spaghetti. We like a mild version, but you can switch up the type of rotel diced tomatoes to change the flavor and amount of heat… hot habaneros anyone?
Serve with a green salad or even a fruit salad!
If you’re a fan of this meal, try our creamy pasta bake, million dollar chicken casserole, chicken hashbrown casserole, or chicken and broccoli pasta.
Friday – Chicken Meatballs
Our chicken meatballs are low carb and keto-friendly. These are a little bit spicy, but you can adjust the seasoning to suit your family’s tastes.
Serve them along with our zucchini noodles or baked spaghetti squash for a hearty meal.
More low carb recipes:
Saturday – Lasagna Soup
Lasagna Soup has all the cozy flavors you love in classic lasagna, but it’s ready in a fraction of the time! With just 10 minutes of prep and on the table in 30, this hearty soup is loaded with ground beef, bowtie pasta, and a tangy tomato base that hits all the right notes. It’s an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love—comfort food made simple!
Serve with a batch of easy pizza dough breadsticks or garlic and herb cheese bombs.
Sunday – Chopped Chicken Salad
My husband is a huge fan of this chopped chicken salad. It’s loaded with tons beans, corn, tomatoes and pepper.
I like to serve this with our zesty Southwest salad dressing, but it’s also great with creamy avocado ranch dressing.
More recipes for salads with chicken
Breakfast
You can make this baked oatmeal with any sort of fruit you like. My favorite way to make it is with raspberries and a handful of slivered almonds.
For a super easy breakfast, try make ahead overnight oats:
- blueberry overnight oats
- chocolate peanut butter overnight oats
- apple cinnamon overnight oats
Kids go nuts for our churro waffles (which are great for dessert with a scoop of ice cream!) Our cinnamon banana bread muffins and banana carrot muffins make a great breakfast or snack option, too.
More Breakfast Ideas
Dessert
These red velvet cake balls are so decadent!
If you’re not up for red velvet, try these yummy brownie truffles or our OREO truffles instead.
Since Halloween is just around the corner, you’ll also want to check out our new Halloween Cookie Bars recipe!
Planning a party? Consider including Halloween Strawberries or my Halloween Snack Board.
Snacks
Chicken tenders are classic snack food and always a big hit with kids, right?
This homemade recipe is is so good, and easy, too!
Serve with your favorite sauces like spicy ketchup, honey mustard sauce, sweet and spicy teriyaki sauce, or ranch dressing.
Here are a few more of our favorite snacks to make on game day (which are also great for move night, potlucks, and parties!
Project of the Week
Check out our tutorial to learn how to hang patio string lights. We have a couple of tricks for helping your string these up even if you don’t have trees in your yard. (This is great for Christmas decor, too!)
Find more DIY project ideas here.
✨ Need a project idea to do with the kiddos? Try these different tie dye techniques on shirts, blankets, baby onesies, and more!
Weekly Meal Plan Worksheet
Click on the link below to download a PDF of the meal planning worksheet and also our grocery list. Meals this week with menu plan 42 are gonna be so easy!
More Weekly Meal Plans
Not sure our menu plan 42 is for you? Try one of our previous meal plans instead:
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