- This week’s dinner plan includes recipes with 5 ingredients or fewer.
- Each meal includes protein, carbs and healthy fats for something nourishing and delicious.
- From our 5-Ingredient Taco Stuffed Peppers to our Chicken Carbonara, these meals are proof that simple recipes can be interesting and flavorful.
I love to cook—it’s how I relax and unwind at the end of the day. And for home cooks in the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest cooking weeks of the year. While I love sharing a special meal with people I love on the holiday, the rest of the meals throughout the week can feel a little overwhelming. That’s why all of the dinners in this week’s plan contain five ingredients or fewer, and come together quickly for an easy meal that helps keep your grocery list a little shorter. And I’ll share some healthy breakfast inspiration for Thanksgiving Day to help you stay fueled and energized for the celebration ahead. Let’s dig in!
Your Weekly Plan
Sunday: 5-Ingredient Roasted Lemon Chicken & Vegetables
Monday: Sheet-Pan Salmon with Bok Choy & Rice
Tuesday: 5-Ingredient Taco Stuffed Peppers
Wednesday: Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Thursday: Cinnamon-Raisin Baked Oats
Friday: Chicken Carbonara
Our column, ThePrep, has everything you’ll need to make dinner planning and grocery shopping as easy as can be. Nutritional needs differ from one individual to another, and we invite you to use these dinner plans as inspiration and adjust them as you see fit. Sign up to get a dinner plan delivered to your inbox every Saturday!
Sunday: 5-Ingredient Roasted Lemon Chicken & Vegetables
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
This delicious and simple dinner comes together on one sheet pan, helping you save time on cleanup. Contrary to what you might think, chicken thighs are a great healthy protein source. Plus, dark meat poultry—like chicken thighs—is typically lower cost and slightly higher in iron and zinc than its white meat counterparts. Vegetables like carrots, potatoes and turnips add fiber and antioxidants. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens it up.
Monday: Sheet-Pan Salmon with Bok Choy & Rice
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which provide anti-inflammatory properties that support your heart, brain, skin and more. The miso-soy glaze adds umami to the dish. Whole grains like brown rice are high in fiber, which supports your gut, heart and more.
Tuesday: 5-Ingredient Taco Stuffed Peppers
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
Switch up taco night with these delicious stuffed peppers. They come together in just 15 minutes of active time, so you can keep dinner prep quick and easy. The combination of ground beef and black beans provides more than 40 grams of protein per serving to keep you satisfied. The salsa is mixed into the filling and served on top to add spice and tanginess.
Wednesday: Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Ali Redmond
This stuffed sweet potato recipe is one that I come back to again and again. It’s as easy to make as it is nutritious. The sweet potato cooks in the microwave while you sauté the kale and bean stuffing. Drizzle it with hummus as the finishing touch. Sweet potatoes are packed with carotenoids, which not only give them their bright orange flavor but also offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Note that this recipe only makes one serving; we’ve added enough for four to the shopping list.
Thursday: Cinnamon-Raisin Baked Oats
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
Thanksgiving is a day full of cooking traditions that are personal to you and your family, so instead I’ll share a breakfast. As a dietitian, I want to remind you that you still need a balanced morning meal even if you have a holiday celebration later in the day. It will help you have more sustained energy levels and make it easier to honor your hunger (instead of overeating) later in the day. This option is perfect for making ahead and serving to a crowd if you have visitors. Enjoy each serving with ½ cup of blueberries for added fiber and antioxidants.
Friday: Chicken Carbonara
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek
After a big Thanksgiving celebration, the last thing most of us want to do is cook another elaborate meal. It doesn’t get much easier than this carbonara recipe: only 5 ingredients, ready in 20 minutes and packed with satisfying protein. While this recipe calls for leftover cooked chicken, leftover turkey works just as well. Serve it alongside mixed greens dressed with our Balsamic Vinaigrette.
I wish you all a great week, and I hope you enjoy this dinner plan. If you try a recipe, remember to add a review.
