The Importance of Making a Meal Plan

Confession, I didn't really cook much this summer. I ate, to be sure, but didn't plan a lot of meals. Summer is the time of year for lots of eating out, parties, BBQs and potlucks. Lacking my Meal Plan, I mostly refrigerator surfed, grabbing what caught my eye whether it really made sense for dinner or not. I went to the Farmer's Market starting about a month ago, finally a step in the right direction. Every Thursday, off I trotted, and it was one of the highlights of my week whether or not I actually bought anything. I purchased sweet corn, shishito peppers perfect for blistering in the pan, and lots of plump tomatoes and rosy peaches.

But the weather is starting to shift just a bit, life is slowing down from the high season on the Lake (Tahoe), and I yearn for more structure to my life and diet. And honestly I just can't do it without a meal plan. Especially since I need a Vegetarian Meal Plan.

A Vegetarian Meal Plan, yes I need to capitalize it to emphasize its importance, organizes my ideas. It focuses me with what I should purchase at the market. It supports healthier choices, protecting me from daily pasta dishes. When I have a plan for dinner, it helps to organize my day so I'm not burrowing through the refrigerator at 6pm.

Here's my plan for this week's Meal Plan, with a bonus idea for baking this weekend. As the weather cools, I crave baking. Does cooler weather affect you that way too?

M O N D A Y

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA CASSEROLE WITH PESTO

Get recipe here by The Wimpy Vegetarian

This is a total comfort casserole with lightly breaded eggplant slices layered in cheese, pesto, and a rich tomato sauce. Much of it can be made ahead on Sunday when I have more time, making this a great way to start this week's Vegetarian Meal Plan.

Prep Ahead: Eggplant should be salted and drained ahead of time. This reduces the chances for a watery casserole, and balances eggplants slight bitterness. Purchase smaller eggplant vs the large ones. You could make the eggplant slices on Sunday, when you have more time, and then simply assemble and bake on Monday evening. Feel free to purchase your favorite tomato / pasta sauce if you don't want to take the time to make your own. Otherwise, make the sauce over the weekend too.

Omnivore Tip: I wouldn't personally add any meat to this already hardy casserole, but it would go well with roast chicken.

T U E S D A Y

CUBAN SPICY BLACK BEAN AND SWEET POTATO TACOS WITH CANDIED PLANTAINS

Get the recipe here by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Prep Ahead: The only thing that takes a little time, and I do mean a little little time, is the Tomatillo-Avocado Sauce. But seriously it doesn't take long at all and can easily be done while the sweet potatoes are cooking and the beans are warming up. But, this sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead if necessary. I wouldn't go longer than that because avocado, over time, turns brown.

Omnivore Tip: Shredded pork or sliced skirt steak would be a great addition for the meat eaters.

W E D N E S D A Y

VEGETARIAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE

Get the recipe here by Peas and Crayons.

Spaghetti squash rocks it for a heathy dinner. I like to switch it in for pasta tossed with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese. But this casserole looks fantastic to me. I think I'll cook my squash up in my Instant Pot to speed it up, but I don't plan on any other changes. I'll let you guys know how it comes out! 

Prep Ahead: In reading the recipe, nothing jumps out at me to prep ahead that would make a big difference in the overall time in making this dish.

Omnivore Tip: I plan to serve this along side pork chops for my husband.

T H U R S D A Y 

SPICY SWEET POTATO and GREEN RICE BURRITO BOWLS

Get the recipe here by Cookie + Kate

I'm a fan of just about anything I see posted on Cookie + Kate, and am already looking forward to making this dish!

Prep Ahead: I plan to make the green rice ahead of time, just in case I'm feeling rushed on Thursday. Rice will generally keep very well in the refrigerator for at least a week.

Omnivore Tip: I plan on cooking chicken in the slow cooker so that it's very shred-able.

F R I D A Y

GRILLED ITALIAN CAPRESE PANINI

Get the recipe here by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Sometimes, I just want to throw together a sandwich for dinner, and with tomatoes at the end of their prime season, I want to use them at their peak while I can. This sandwich is also highly adjustable for other veggies you might want to add, making this a great way to end this week's Vegetarian Meal Plan. 

Prep Ahead: You could make the pesto ahead of time, if you don't use store bought. This time of year, though, there's nothing better than fresh pesto. I had friends to dinner earlier this week, and made fresh pesto from basil I purchased at the Farmer's Market. Everyone used it on everything, it was that yummy. It takes about 10 minutes to make.

Omnivore Tip: Either slices of roast chicken or steak would go great in this sandwich as an additional layer.

W E E K E N D   B A K I N G

BLUEBERRY SCONE BREAD

Get the recipe here by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Bonus Meal Plan Recipe:

I love to bake, and when summer begins to draw to a close, I pull out my baking pans. Our Farmers Market still has plump, juicy blueberries, and this is my project this weekend.

If you make any of these dishes, I would love to see how it turns out for you!! Take a photo and put it up on Instagram - just don't forget to tag me @wimpyvegetarian.

Did you miss my other Weekly Menu Plans? Check them out here for more meal planning recipes for vegetarians with tips for the omnivores at the table + menu planning tips:

For some general vegetarian meal planning tips and 5 dinner ideas, check out Vegetarian Meal Plan + Tips For Omnivores // Week 1.

For questions to ask your self when meal planning, check out Vegetarian Meal Plan + Tips For Omnivores // Week 2

Vegetarian Meal Plan + Tips For Omnivores // Week 4 includes 5 dinners and 5 common mistakes made when meal planning for the coming week.

My Vegetarian Meal Plan + Tips for Omnivores // Week 5 post includes 5 ideas for making meal prepping easier along with 5 easy vegetarian dinners.

And finally, Week 6 Vegetarian Meal Plan talks a little about meal planner options, although I really need to research this more now that I'm getting back into the cooking groove.

Oh, and I know, Week 3 is missing. I used my roundup of Best Ever Roasted Veggies for Easy Dinners on Parade as my collection of dinner ideas that week.