Lately, I've been trying to plan dinners ahead, and honestly, it's a game changer when you have such draining or busy days. Simple, cozy meals that make weeknights easier, but also don't sacrifice flavor. Here's what's on the menu for this week.
Monday: Buffalo Chicken Sliders & Fries
Quick, messy, and delicious.
Ingredients:
•Rotisserie chicken, shredded
• Buffalo wing sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Cream cheese, softened
• Slider buns (Hawaiian rolls)
• Frozen fries, for air frying
Instructions:
1. Mix chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, and cream cheese.
2. Spoon onto buns, top with cheese, and bake until melty.
3. Serve with crispy air-fried fries.
So good for game nights or when you just want something quick and cozy.
Tuesday: Steak Wedge Salad
Crisp, fresh, and still indulgent.
Ingredients:
• Filet steak (seasoned and marinated 30 min)
• Iceberg lettuce, quartered
• Bacon bits
• Cherry tomatoes
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Italian dressing + olive oil
Instructions:
1. Marinate steak in seasoning for 30 minutes.
2. Grill or pan-sear to your liking, then slice thin.
3. Layer on lettuce with bacon, blue cheese, and drizzle with dressing.
Perfect for a lighter dinner that still feels restaurant-worthy.
Wednesday: Cheesy Ranch Potatoes & Sausage
Comfort food you can make ahead or last minute.
Ingredients:
• 1 lb smoked sausage (halal-certified)
• 4 cups baby potatoes, halved/quartered
• 2 tbsp olive oil
•1 packet ranch seasoning (halal-certified)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream (optional)
Instructions:
Thursday: Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets with Caesar Salad
Crispy chicken, fresh salad, zero fuss.
Ingredients:
• Thin chicken cutlets
• Panko + Italian breadcrumbs
• Egg wash (egg + milk)
• Romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan
• Caesar dressing
Instructions:
1. Dip cutlets in egg wash, coat with breadcrumbs.
2. Air fry at 375°F for 10–12 min, flipping halfway.
3. Slice and serve over salad with Parmesan and dressing.
Crunchy, fresh, and satisfying — perfect for a quick, cozy dinner night.
Friday: Crock Pot Creamy Parmesan Garlic Bowtie Pasta
A cozy weeknight favorite with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients:
• 1 lb beef (sirloin or stew meat)
• 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cups beef broth
• 8 oz bowtie pasta
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• ¾ cup half & half
• Salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Brown beef with salt, pepper, Worcestershire.
2. Add beef, butter, garlic, onion, spices, and broth to crock pot. Cook on low 3–4 hrs (or high 2 hrs).
3. Add pasta and cook on high 30–40 min, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in Parmesan and half & half before serving.
Garlic Bread: Slice bread, spread with butter and garlic, bake until golden.
Perfect for cozy Friday nights — creamy, comforting, and basically cooks itself.
That’s the week! I usually make these recipes for two of us, and there are often leftovers that make a great lunch the next day. I’m not a huge leftover person, so I try to pick meals I actually enjoy reheating — trust me, these still taste amazing the next day.
Planning dinners ahead keeps evenings calmer and makes meals tastier. Try one (or all!) and tag me @fashionwithnik — I love seeing your versions!
Shop my kitchen favorites and cozy home tools on my Amazon Storefront.
Xo, Nik
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