WEEKLY MEAL PLAN: 7 EASY DINNER IDEAS FOR THE WEEK
A new week means seven new dinner ideas. For our second Jernej Kitchen weekly menu, we’ve once again put together a mix of simple, seasonal recipes to make weekly meal planning easier and help answer the everyday question: what should we cook today?
During the week, we’re focusing on quick and easy lunch and dinner ideas that don’t require too much time in the kitchen. At the weekend, there’s a little more time to slow down and prepare a comforting family meal.
Monday is meatless again, Friday is reserved for fish, while Saturday and Sunday feature more substantial dishes that are perfect for a relaxed weekend lunch. And since autumn is already here, we’re finishing the menu with two seasonal desserts — one with plums and one with pumpkin.
We hope this weekly meal plan gives you plenty of inspiration for the days ahead, helps make meal planning a little simpler, and perhaps even introduces you to a new favorite recipe.
Monday: Vegetable Tortellini Soup
We’re starting the week with a cozy meatless meal. This vegetable tortellini soup is packed with tender vegetables, pillowy tortellini, and a flavorful broth that makes every spoonful warm and comforting. It’s light enough for a weekday lunch, yet satisfying enough to enjoy on its own. Best of all, it comes together in one pot with minimal effort — perfect for an easy Monday.
Recipe for Vegetable Tortellini Soup
Tuesday: Quick Pork Loin Steak with Sauce
For Tuesday, we’re going with a quick and comforting homemade lunch that comes together in about 30 minutes. The pork cutlets are tender and juicy, with a simple pan sauce that’s perfect with mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh seasonal salad.
It’s an easy weekday recipe with just 10 minutes of prep and around 20 minutes of cooking — ideal for busy days when you still want something warm and satisfying.
Recipe for Quick Pork Loin Steak with Sauce
Wednesday: Best Creamy Beef Stroganoff
Midweek calls for a quick classic that works beautifully for a family lunch. Beef Stroganoff combines tender strips of beef, golden sautéed mushrooms, and a rich, creamy sauce, all ready in about 30 minutes.
Serve it with noodles, rice, or potato gnocchi. It’s one of those dishes that feels a little more special, while still being quick and easy enough for a busy weekday.
Thursday: Cauliflower curry
For Thursday, we’re keeping things a little lighter without sacrificing flavor. This cauliflower curry is creamy, aromatic, and packed with vegetables, while still being simple enough for a busy weekday.
Serve it with fluffy rice, warm naan, or your favorite side for an easy, comforting meal that feels both nourishing and satisfying.
Friday: Tuna Patties
Friday is for fish. This week, we’re making easy tuna patties that are quick to prepare, full of flavor, and great for kids too.
Serve them with a fresh salad or roasted potatoes, or tuck them into soft buns with your favorite toppings for a simple homemade fish burger.
Saturday: Chicken paprikas
At the weekend, we usually have a little more time to cook, so it’s the perfect opportunity for a proper homemade lunch. This creamy chicken paprikash with sweet peppers, tomatoes, and sour cream is warm, comforting, and just right for cooler autumn days.
Serve it with potato gnocchi, wide noodles, pasta, or creamy mashed potatoes for a cozy family meal.
Sunday: Boneless Pork Loin Roast with Sage and Garlic
Sunday calls for a roast. This juicy pork roast with sage and garlic is a wonderful choice for a hearty family lunch, while still being simple and approachable to prepare.
Serve it with roasted potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, or a big fresh salad for a comforting Sunday meal.
Recipe for Boneless Pork Loin Roast
Two seasonal desserts for a sweet weekend
And because a cozy weekend feels even better with something sweet on the table, we’re finishing this week’s menu with two seasonal autumn desserts that are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Plum Crumble Cake
Plums are one of our favorite fruits to bake with in early autumn, and this easy plum crumble cake is a wonderful way to make the most of them. Juicy plums are baked into a soft, moist cake and finished with a buttery, golden crumble topping.
This simple seasonal dessert is perfect for a cozy weekend, afternoon coffee, or an easy family treat. Serve the plum cake slightly warm with tea or coffee, or add a spoonful of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent finish.
Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu
The second dessert is a true autumn treat. This Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu combines creamy mascarpone, coffee, pumpkin purée, and warm fall spices for a rich and cozy seasonal dessert.
Since it can be prepared ahead of time and left to chill in the fridge, it’s a perfect make-ahead dessert for a weekend lunch, celebration, or relaxed get-together with family and friends.
Recipe for Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu
What to cook this week?
We hope this weekly meal plan makes planning your meals a little easier and saves you time when deciding what to cook each day. Feel free to adapt the menu to your own schedule, swap the days around, or prepare some of the dishes ahead of time.
On Jernej Kitchen, you’ll find plenty more easy dinner ideas, quick weeknight meals, family-friendly recipes, comforting one-pot dishes, meat recipes, and meatless meals, so whenever you need fresh inspiration, there’s always something new to discover.
We’ll be sharing a new weekly meal plan every week, with seven dinner ideas and seasonal recipes to make answering the question “What should we cook this week?” just a little easier.
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