Welcome to Forkcast—our weekly meal plan with five recipes, a grocery list, and tips to keep dinner easy. This week’s lineup comes from Lee Anthony, a pro meal prepper and busy mom who knows how to make weeknight meals work for the whole family.
After a long day, my daughters often ask, “What’s for dinner, Mom? We want something tasty but that won’t take too long because we are hungry!”
This is a common scene in my kitchen. I know they want a meal that’s quick and easy—but still delicious. That’s when I reach for tried-and-true favorites like pasta with sauce, tacos, or stir-fried veggies with rice. These dishes are simple to make, satisfying, and perfect for our busy evenings. I love making dinner something we all look forward to.
As a busy mom, grandmother, and wife, my approach to meal prep is all about staying organized. With two young girls at home who can be picky eaters, planning ahead is key. Each week, I make a grocery list focused on healthy meals that work for the whole family. I also get my daughters involved in picking some of the meals, which encourages them to try new foods. My husband and I focus on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables—it’s important to us that we’re eating well, too.
Meal prep helps me keep our weeks running smoothly, and gives me peace of mind knowing we’re all getting the nourishment we need—without the dinner-time stress.
This menu shares easy and fun recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert that everyone, including kids, can enjoy.
Breakfast: Whole-Wheat English Muffins with Eggs
Toast whole-wheat English muffins until golden and crispy. Scramble eggs until soft, and halve a few baby tomatoes. Layer the eggs on the muffin, top with tomatoes, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a delicious, protein-packed breakfast.
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Lunch 1: Colorful Quinoa Salad
Start with 1 cup of cooked quinoa. Mix in rinsed black beans, chopped bell peppers, diced avocado, and Roma tomatoes. Add some cooked white onion for crunch. Stir in fresh cilantro and, for a kick, half a minced jalapeño. Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper for a bright, flavorful dish.
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Lunch 2: Caprese Salad with Penne Rigate
Cook 1 pound of penne until al dente. In a large bowl, combine mozzarella pearls, sliced grape tomatoes, and torn basil. Add the cooked pasta, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with a vinaigrette made of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. It’s fresh, easy, and great warm or cold.
Dinner: Easy Skillet Stuffed Shells
To make this dish, gather the following ingredients: 18 jumbo pasta shells, ground pork and ground mild Italian sausage. Use 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and 3 cups of marinara sauce. Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for some heat. Mix in 1 cup of six Italian cheeses, 1 cup of mild cheddar, and a variety of spices including oregano, Italian seasoning, basil, and parsley.
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Dessert: Oreo Cookie Lasagna
Crush Oreo cookies and mix with melted butter to form a crust. Layer with whipped cream or chocolate topping, then add another layer of crushed Oreos. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top for extra sweetness. Want to go big? Add a layer of cream cheese whipped with powdered sugar for a cheesecake vibe. Chill until set. Slice and serve.
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Meat & Protein
• 1 (16 oz) ground pork
• 1 (16 oz) mild Italian sausage
• Quinoa
• 1 can black beans
Dairy & Cheese
• Italian 6-cheese blend
• Mild cheddar cheese
• Mozzarella pearls
• Eggs
• Whipping cream
• Butter
• Cream cheese
Pasta & Grains
• Jumbo pasta shells
• Penne rigate
• Whole-wheat English muffins
Produce
• Garlic
• Grape tomatoes
• Basil leaves
• Mixed bell peppers
• Avocado
• Roma tomatoes
• White onion
• Cilantro
• Jalapeño
• Lemon
Pantry
• Marinara sauce
• Oreo cookies
• Chocolate chips
1. Toasting matters
Whole-wheat English muffins taste even better when toasted and topped with soft scrambled eggs and fresh ingredients.
2. Dress smart
Short on time? A store-bought cilantro-lime dressing can be a fast, flavorful addition to the quinoa salad.
3. Mix up your salad
Add avocado or toasted pine nuts to the Caprese pasta for more texture.
4. Customize your shells
Ricotta or mozzarella can make the filling creamier. Or try ground beef instead of pork and sausage.
5. Stack that lasagna
For more richness, layer the Oreo dessert with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and extra whipped topping.
What are your go-to weeknight meals?
