Hi all,
We’re so glad so many of you love our weekly Sunday Strategist column. As we work to transition our content to our web site and away from this blog, please visit http://ift.tt/2hCWg5U each week for a new meal plan. Soon, we’ll have an all new part of our web site dedicated to this great column. When it’s live, we’ll be sure to let you know. For now, look for us at http://ift.tt/2hCWg5U.
Cheers,
Kimberly
Editor, CookingLight.com
Every Sunday, we publish a week of Cooking Light dinner plans filled with our favorite recipes—both from current issues and classics. Each meal is designed to be ready and on the table in about an hour so that you have more time to enjoy the food you’ve prepared and the company of those you’ve prepared it for.
If you like having a healthy meal plan but want something customized to your dietary or caloric needs, check out The Cooking Light Diet. It’s a calorie-driven weekly meal plan—breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—based on your dieting goals and food preferences.
The Plan
Monday: White Bean and Hominy Chili and Herbed Breadsticks
Tuesday: Quick Beef Stroganoff and Grainy Mustard Brussels Sprouts
Wednesday: Philly Cheesesteak Pizza and Garlic Haricots Verts
Thursday: Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sliders and Shredded Cabbage Slaw
Friday: Pork Chops with Country Gravy and Pan-Seared Potatoes with Quick Pickled Red Onions
Dessert Bonus: Maple-Pecan Sundaes with Cinnamon Crisps
Monday: The last thing anyone wants after a long work day is a complicated dinner, so let’s just not. Instead, make a batch of White Bean and Hominy Chili and serve with Herbed Breadsticks to sop up any last drips. The chili is meatless–Meatless Monday after all–but super filling. The herbed breadsticks use up some leftover pizza dough you’ll have after Wednesday’s pizza recipe. Thinking ahead, folks.
Total: 345 calories, 7.9g fat, 0.8g sat fat, 778mg sodium
Tuesday: If there’s any dish that signifies home cooking for me, it’s beef stroganoff. We’ve lightened it up and sped it up in this Quick Beef Stroganoff recipe. It’s creamy, chewy, and oh-so-filling. Serve with Grainy Mustard Brussels Sprouts to round out the dish. You’ll like the tart mustard kick from the sprouts with the creamy stroganoff.
Total: 424 calories, 14.4g fat, 6.6g sat fat, 600mg sodium
Wednesday: I’m not saying this pizza will make you a dinnertime hero, but I’m not saying it won’t. Use up the remaining 12 ounces of pizza dough from Monday night with this Philly Cheesesteak Pizza recipe. All you cheesesteak fans, find everything you love here in the famous sandwich: sautéed onions and peppers, thin-sliced steak, and even cheese sauce! Serve with Garlic Haricots Verts to get a little more green on the plate and finish off the dish.
Total: 469 calories, 11.2g fat, 3.8g sat fat, 762mg sodium
Thursday: Sliders are adorable. They’re fun to make and fun to eat, so let’s have a little fun tonight with these Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sliders. You’ll use rotisserie chicken meat to speed it up, but the barbecue sauce is all you, starting with a ketchup base and building from there. Serve with Shredded Cabbage Slaw for a crunchy and cool side. If you’re into it, put a little on top of your chicken in the slider for an all-in-one experience. Use whole-wheat slider buns if you can find them, too.
Total: 492 calories, 8.4g fat, 2.7g sat fat, 735mg sodium
Friday: Rarely do you think “country gravy” and “light” in the same sentence, but we managed to do it. Our Pork Chops with Country Gravy have just 252 calories per serving, and you’ll get plenty of creamy country gravy goodness. Make our quick Pan-Seared Potatoes with Quick Pickled Red Onions to get both your potato fix and your pickle power. The onions’ pickled kick will go with the potatoes and country gravy beautifully. Be prepared to have a new favorite dish.
Total: 396 calories, 13.8g fat, 4.9g sat fat, 894mg sodium
Dessert Bonus: Finish the week on a sweet note with these fast Maple-Pecan Sundaes with Cinnamon Crisps. Start the cinnamon crisps, and then scoop the sundaes. They’ll be ready just in time to serve. Swap in walnuts if you have them, or almonds even. You can’t go wrong with the nut choice here. They’ll all be delicious.
Total: 303 calories, 6.7g fat, 1.5g sat fat, 203mg sodium
Are your ready to start your week off light? Sign up for our newsletter and get a fresh ideas to supercharge your healthy eating and cooking routine. We’ll deliver Sunday Strategist, plus new recipes and delicious dinner inspiration to your inbox every weekend.
Every Sunday, we publish a week of Cooking Light dinner plans filled with our favorite recipes—both from current issues and classics. Each meal is designed to be ready and on the table in about an hour so that you have more time to enjoy the food you’ve prepared and the company of those you’ve prepared it for.
If you like having a healthy meal plan but want something customized to your dietary or caloric needs, check out The Cooking Light Diet. It’s a calorie-driven weekly meal plan—breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—based on your dieting goals and food preferences.
The Plan
Monday: Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms, Chickpeas, and Olives + Spicy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic
Tuesday: Cheesy Skillet Gnocchi + Quick Parsley-Spinach Salad
Wednesday: Honey and Sesame-Glazed Chicken Breasts with Green Beans + Brown Rice with Sesame
Thursday: Steak Tips with Peppered Mushroom Gravy + Lemony Snap Peas
Friday: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo + Whole-Grain Corn Bread
Dessert Bonus: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pudding
Monday: Now that you’ve had your fill of Thanksgiving leftovers, try a hearty bowl of pure comfort (that also happens to be meatless). Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms, Chickpeas, and Olives is full of rich flavors from earthy mushrooms, briny olives, nutty chickpeas, and sweet-tart balsamic vinegar. It’s sure to go on your favorites list. Serve with Spicy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic (talk about deliciously complex flavors!) for a sophisticated start to the week.
Tuesday: I suppose comfort food is the theme this week, because next up is easy-peasy Cheesy Skillet Gnocchi—pillowy dumplings with a little Italian sausage, fresh tomato, basil, and mozzarella. It’s comforting without being heavy and comes together super fast thanks to packaged whole-wheat gnocchi (one of my favorite pantry staples). With a side of bright, lemony Quick Parsley-Spinach Salad, dinner is in the bag. (And if you don’t have parsley and pistachios on hand for the salad, just leave them out or swap in basil and any other nut.)
Wednesday: How ’bout a flavorful 20-minute entrée to anchor your midweek meal? Our Honey and Sesame-Glazed Chicken Breasts with Green Beans uses pantry and fridge staples to create a deeply flavorful, nutty sauce to snazz-up lean chicken. Double down on the sesame goodness with quick and easy Brown Rice with Sesame.
Thursday: Steak Tips with Peppered Mushroom Gravy is undeniably old-fashioned comfort food, and it’s just so good to cozy up to on a chilly night—providing much of the satisfaction of beef stew but ready in only 20 minutes! One tip: I’d suggest serving with whole-wheat egg noodles, whole-wheat rigatoni, or whole-wheat rotini instead of regular egg noodles. To brighten the meal, serve with a fresh green side; Lemony Snap Peas are ideal.
Friday: Soup, glorious soup! It’s the heart of the season, and Chicken and Sausage Gumbo is 30 minutes within reach. That’s right—a tasty pot of gumbo, made rich and complex with nut-brown roux, in only a half hour. Whole-Grain Corn Bread completes the meal, simply and deliciously. If you have corn bread leftovers, try splitting and toasting slices and drizzling with honey; makes an awesome breakfast treat.
Dessert bonus: What better way to cap off a week of comforting meals than bowls of warm Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pudding? The recipe comes together in a flash and really does taste best warm—so you can enjoy almost-instant gratification!
Are your ready to start your week off light? Sign up for our newsletter and get a fresh ideas to supercharge your healthy eating and cooking routine. We’ll deliver Sunday Strategist, plus new recipes and delicious dinner inspiration to your inbox every weekend.
Every Sunday, we publish a week of Cooking Light dinner plans filled with our favorite recipes—both from current issues and classics. Each meal is designed to be ready and on the table in about an hour so that you have more time to enjoy the food you’ve prepared and the company of those you’ve prepared it for.
If you like having a healthy meal plan but want something customized to your dietary or caloric needs, check out The Cooking Light Diet. It’s a calorie-driven weekly meal plan—breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—based on your dieting goals and food preferences.
The Plan
Monday: Mushroom Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash + Kale Salad with Creamy Peppercorn Dressing
Tuesday: Sweet and Tangy Glazed Pork Tenderloin + Sautéed Almond Green Beans
Wednesday: Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew + Garlic-Parmesan Toasts
Thursday: Yogurt Sundaes + Crunchy Maple Granola
Friday: Roast Turkey Pho + Cheddar, Broccoli, and Barley Sweet Potatoes
Boozy Bonus: Cranberry Kir Royale
Monday: Try going meatless at least one night this week with our rich, filling, and satisfying Mushroom Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash. Full of exquisite flavors from the dried porcini mushrooms and soy sauce, this meal offers a pleasant palate of tastes and textures. Brighten the table with a simple green side, like our Kale Salad with Creamy Peppercorn Dressing.
Tuesday: We’re taking your favorite grape jelly beyond the typical PB&J. Our Sweet and Tangy Glazed Pork Tenderloin is table-ready in under 40 minutes, and the combination of sharp red wine vinegar and sweet grapes makes this a winning dish. On the side, enjoy our Sautéed Almond Green Beans. Just wait for the oohs and aahs to begin.
Wednesday: Don’t have time to whip up a good ol’ hearty batch of stew because you’re busy prepping for Turkey Day? Think again. Throw the ingredients for our Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew into a pot in the morning and come home to soothe your family with the simple joys of comfort food. You’re going to need something to soak up that saucy goodness. Our Garlic-Parmesan Toast is a four-ingredient recipe that’s warm, cheesy and perfect for busy weeknights.
Thursday: A bird’s in the oven, a table needs to be set, and the last thing on your mind is breakfast. But, you need a quick and nutritious snack to make it through the morning’s prep work, and we’ve got just the treat for you: Yogurt Sundaes with Crunchy Maple Granola. Serve your family a healthy breakfast, packed with whole grains that’ll leave you feeling full longer.
Friday: The greatest perk of Turkey Day? Leftovers, of course. (If there are any!) But instead of turkey this year, I’m saying you should focus on the remaining sides. Have leftover mashed sweet potatoes? Give them new life by turning them into Sweet Potato Waffles. You can top with that leftover turkey you have, or be brave and try a fried egg, avocado, and a bit of sriracha.
Boozy Bonus: Welcome the weekend by giving thanks for this sweet twist on a French classic. Leftover cranberry sauce from Thursday helps concoct a fruity homemade cocktail in our Cranberry Peppercorn & Sage Shrub Soda. This fizzy cocktail will make you swoon and sway. We’ll drink to that!
Are your ready to start your week off light? Sign up for our newsletter and get a fresh ideas to supercharge your healthy eating and cooking routine. We’ll deliver Sunday Strategist, plus new recipes and delicious dinner inspiration to your inbox every weekend.
Every Sunday, we publish a week of Cooking Light dinner plans filled with our favorite recipes—both from current issues and classics. Each meal is designed to be ready and on the table in about an hour so that you have more time to enjoy the food you’ve prepared and the company of those you’ve prepared it for.
If you like having a healthy meal plan but want something customized to your dietary or caloric needs, check out The Cooking Light Diet. It’s a calorie-driven weekly meal plan—breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—based on your dieting goals and food preferences.
The Plan
Monday: Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet and Garlicky Spinach
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket and Spinach Salad with Avocado and Orange
Wednesday: Sheet Pan Chicken with Roasted Baby Potatoes and Chile and Lime Roasted Carrots
Thursday: Salmon in Smoky Tomato Broth and Quinoa with Broccoli and Bacon
Friday: Roasted Tomato Mac and Cheese and Lemony Kale Salad
Brunch Bonus: Egg and Toast Cups
Monday: This Spanish “Tortilla” Omelet is one easy and meatless way to ease back into the week. It’s also the ultimate breakfast for dinner (a.k.a. Brinner). Inspired by the traditional Spanish tortilla, our quick-fix-fluffy omelet is topped with potato chips for a touch of crunch. Serve with a nutritious side like Garlicky Spinach.
Tuesday: Kick up your Taco Tuesday with our mouthwatering Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket. Just throw the ingredients in your slow cooker as you head out the door, then come home to a meltingly tender brisket that’s taco-ready. Serve the saucy barbacoa in corn tortillas with green and red onion, cilantro leaves, jalapeño slices, and fresh lime wedges. If you’re wanting a little something extra, enjoy with a Spinach Salad with Avocado and Orange on the side as well.
Wednesday: Leap over hump day with this one-pan Chicken with Roasted Baby Potatoes that’s perfectly-portioned for two. You’ll love the flavor hit that tarragon and mustard deliver to this dish, but what you’ll love the most is the easy-as-pie cleanup. You really can’t beat that. Serve with a side of vibrant Chile and Lime Roasted Carrots. To speed up the entire dish, make sure to prepare the potatoes while the oven preheats and prepare the mustard mixture and sear the chicken while the potatoes and carrots bake.
Thursday: This delicate broth is a grade-A example of how to build big flavor—fast, which is just one of the many reasons this Salmon in Smoky Tomato Broth was a staff fav this month. Though this dish feels decadent and comforting, it boasts 36g protein, 7g carbs and only 3g sugar all for only 337 calories. Serve with a side of Quinoa with Broccoli and Bacon to round out your meal.
Friday: TGIF, and thank goodness for this glorious Roasted Tomato Mac and Cheese. The gorgeous tomatoes are the icing on top of this creamy, decadent mac and cheese. You’ll love the artichokes, too. Serve with a bright and fresh Lemony Kale Salad.
Brunch Bonus: If you love the classic egg-in-a-hole, then you’ll love this upgrade featuring these delicious Egg and Toast Cups. They’re perfect for a brunch party, or even a grab-and-go breakfast throughout the week.
Are your ready to start your week off light? Sign up for our newsletter and get a fresh ideas to supercharge your healthy eating and cooking routine. We’ll deliver Sunday Strategist, plus new recipes and delicious dinner inspiration to your inbox every weekend.
