Week 5 Meal Plan: 7-Day Weekly Menu for Busy Families

Here’s this week’s menu plan. I’m still on vacation for a little while longer, but I’ll be back before you know it—and that means getting back to the daily task of feeding the kids. In the meantime, I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite food bloggers to put together a simple, crowd-pleasing weekly menu you can use for family dinners, date night, or a casual weekend gathering.

Each week we’ll share a curated set of recipes—main dishes, sides, and desserts—that work well together and are easy to plan around. Click on any recipe title or image to view the full instructions and ingredient list from the original author. The weekly menu plan is posted every Saturday morning, so check back each week for fresh ideas and seasonal inspiration.

WEEK #5

This week’s lineup offers comforting classics, a few lighter options, and sweet treats to finish the week on a high note. Below is a quick overview of each recipe so you can plan shopping and prep time at a glance.

Clam Chowder

A creamy, satisfying clam chowder that makes a great starter or a main when paired with crusty bread. It’s comforting and simple to make on a chilly evening.

Blueberry Corn Salad with Prosciutto

Fresh and colorful, this salad pairs sweet blueberries and summer corn with salty prosciutto. It works well as a side dish or a light lunch option.

Taco Pizza Rolls

A playful, family-friendly option that combines taco flavors with the convenience of roll-ups—great for busy nights or kid-approved dinners.

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni

An oven-baked pasta dish with plenty of cheese—perfect for feeding a crowd or for leftovers that taste even better the next day.

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Mini chicken parmesan sandwiches make a fun dinner or party snack—easy to assemble and full of classic Italian flavors.

* DATE NIGHT *

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

Set it in the slow cooker and relax—this cashew chicken provides rich flavors with minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for an easy date-night dinner at home.

Crock Pot Pork Chops

Tender pork chops cooked low and slow in the crock pot—an ideal no-fuss main that pairs nicely with simple sides.

Roasted Vegetable Medley

A colorful, healthy side with seasonal vegetables roasted to enhance their natural sweetness—easy to customize based on what’s in your fridge.

Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Bright and tangy cheesecake bars that balance sweet strawberries with a lemony finish—an excellent dessert for warm evenings or potlucks.

Bonus dessert suggestion: Chocolate Cherry Bars

A simple, crowd-pleasing bar cookie that works well for dessert or a sweet afternoon treat—perfect as a bonus if you want to bake something extra during the week.

Enjoy this week’s recipes and feel free to mix and match based on your schedule and preferences. We’ll be back next Saturday with another thoughtfully selected menu to make mealtime easier and more delicious.