You’ll Want to Build a Meal Plan Around These 29 Recipes

When you’re ready to build a meal plan that actually works for your week, these are the kinds of recipes to start with. They’re solid, reliable, and easy to keep in rotation. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a crew, it helps to have go-to meals that hit the right balance of simple and great. These aren’t just random dinner ideas—they’re the kind of meals that make the rest of the week feel way less chaotic.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Thai-Coconut-Shrimp-Curry.jpg

Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

An overhead image of vegan white bean chili with toppings. — Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan white bean chili uses pantry staples and comes together in 30 minutes. It’s a great pick when you want something quick that still feels like dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

Zucchini Soup

This zucchini soup is ready fast and only needs a few simple ingredients. It’s a light, easy option that works well when you need something flexible in your plan.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Soup

Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

A close up view of a cooked asparagus casserole in a baking dish. — Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Asparagus casserole keeps things simple with a few ingredients and one dish. It’s great for meal planning because it’s easy to prep ahead or reheat.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

Green Beans and Potatoes

An image of green beans in a serving bowl with a spoon resting on it. — Green Beans and Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green beans and potatoes make a hearty side that’s done in under 30 minutes. It’s a smart add-on to round out meals through the week.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Potatoes

Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry

Thai coconut shrimp curry comes together fast with bold flavor and just a few steps. It’s a strong choice when you want a meal that feels complete without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro is a 30-minute pasta that’s budget-friendly and crowd-pleasing. It’s a solid option when you need something easy to build meals around.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro

Jamaican Rasta Pasta

An overhead image of cooked rasta pasta on a serving bowl. — Jamaican Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Rasta pasta has a bit of spice and a short ingredient list, ready in 30 minutes. It works well for weeknight plans when you want to keep things simple.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Bucatini Pasta with Garlic Shrimp

Bucatini with garlic shrimp and tomatoes cooks in under half an hour. It's the kind of dinner that makes busy weeknights feel way more doable.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Pasta with Garlic Shrimp

Avocado Salad

This avocado salad comes together fast with a creamy dressing and fresh ingredients. It’s an easy side to pair with nearly any meal you’re planning.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad

Mushroom Stroganoff

Mushroom stroganoff is rich, ready in 30 minutes, and works with noodles, rice, or potatoes. It’s a great recipe to keep in rotation when you want something filling without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Veggie Pinwheels

Hummus pinwheels use fresh veggies and need zero cooking. They’re a good meal prep option when your week needs something quick and fresh that actually holds up.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pinwheels

Veggie Taco Salad

This vegetarian taco salad is simple to pull together and packs all the flavor of taco night. It’s a smart option when you want a fast meal to keep in the mix.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Taco Salad

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken uses just a few spices and comes out bold and creamy in under an hour. It’s a solid main dish when you want to break out of your usual rotation.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Beet Salad with Feta

Beet salad with feta and pistachios works well as a light meal or a side. It’s simple to prep ahead, which makes it easy to plan around.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad with Feta

Baingan Bharta

Baingan Bharta is ready in 30 minutes and uses roasted eggplant with bold spices. It’s a strong meal to build around when you want something comforting and fast.
Get the Recipe: Baingan Bharta

Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bowls

Chicken orzo bowls are quick to prep and work as lunch or dinner. They’re a great way to keep things balanced without overthinking it.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bowls

Black Bean Quinoa Burger

Black bean quinoa burgers are easy to prep ahead and cook when you need them. They’re a good pick for your weekly lineup if you want a meatless option that sticks.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Burger

Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Pimento cheese sandwiches take minutes and don’t need any cooking. They're great for busy days when you want to plan a no-hassle lunch that holds up.
Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Honey mustard pork chops cook fast in the air fryer and come out juicy and flavorful. It’s a weeknight main that keeps your schedule simple.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Spinach Avocado Salad

This salad with spinach, avocado, and citrus dressing comes together fast. It’s a no-cook lunch that keeps things fresh and filling without taking up time.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Mexican Corn Salad

Mexican corn salad is quick, flavorful, and works as a side with just about anything. It’s an easy way to round out meals without adding more to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Cheesy green bean casserole takes 30 minutes and works as either a side or a full meal. It’s a reliable dish to keep on hand for flexible planning.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Horizontal image of fried rice in a white bowl with brown chopsticks on the side. — Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Fried rice comes together fast with day-old rice and whatever’s in your fridge. It’s a strong backup plan for busy nights or quick lunches.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Roasted Beet Salad

Roasted beet salad is simple to prep and works as a light lunch or first course. It’s easy to make ahead, which helps with planning the rest of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad

Spicy Vodka Pasta

Spicy vodka pasta can be made with or without vodka and easily adapted. It’s a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t take much thought.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Vodka Pasta

Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Close up of zucchini and summer squash casserole in glass dish. — Squash and Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Squash and zucchini casserole uses just one pan and bakes in 30 minutes. It’s a smart dish for planning ahead since it reheats easily and works with most mains.
Get the Recipe: Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma combines sautéed eggplant and tomato sauce into a meal that feels like more than the effort it takes. It’s great for keeping dinner plans simple but solid.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

Korean Tofu Soup

Korean tofu soup uses gochugaru and a rich broth to bring bold flavor in under an hour. It’s a strong go-to when you want a fast, one-pot meal that sticks.
Get the Recipe: Korean Tofu Soup

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

An overhead image of Vegan Caesar Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts in wooden bowl. — Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Brussels sprout Caesar swaps in crispy chickpeas for crunch and is easy to throw together. It’s a great side or light main that fits easily into a weekly plan.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad