this week, we’re staring down a little more time in our evenings. back-to-school nights are done and dusted, so this week we’re planning our evenings around one cross country meet and one night of soccer pictures. what does that mean for dinner? i feel like i can breathe a bit.

i’m still leaning heavy on the crock-pot this week, just because it makes everything so much easier. plus, we’re throwing back to one of our family’s tried-and-true soup recipes that i have been making since well before the boys were born! and, i’m trying two (count them TWO!) new-to-us recipes from skinnytaste that i’ve always wondered about.

ready for this week’s inspo for your dinner table? let’s go!

monday, 9.1.25: grilled steak with tomatoes + balsamic / air fryer mini potatoes / salad

tuesday, 9.2.25: taco soup / cheese quesadillas (*taco soup recipe is below!)

wednesday, 9.3.25: teriyaki salmon bowls

thursday, 9.4.25: slow cooker beef ragu / protein pasta / salad

friday, 9.5.25: juicy lucy cheeseburgers / mini potatoes / steamed corn

saturday, 9.6.25: marry me chicken / rice / steamed broccoli

sunday, 9.7.25: ground turkey burrito bowls (*this isn’t a fancy recipe…we basically make rice, ground turkey with taco seasoning, black beans, and then put out a spread of shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream, mexican cheese, cholula, black olives + queso and we all make-our-own!)

whether it’s your first week of school or your fifth (looking at you, my indiana friends!), i hope you’re all getting into the groove of things + getting into the new routine for your families!

p.s. here’s our taco soup recipe…one of the easiest dinners ever!

ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef/ground turkey
1 envelope of taco seasoning (or if you make your own, you’ll need 2 T.)
1 envelope of ranch seasoning (no idea if you can make this on your own…if you can, you’ll need 2 T.)
1 can low sodium corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
directions:
1. using a large stock pot, cook your ground beef/turkey over medium heat. once the meat is completely cooked, add in the ranch seasoning and taco seasoning. *you don’t need to add water!*
2. once the meat + seasonings are combined, add in the corn, stewed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes with green chilis. allow to simmer on low for 15 minutes.
3. serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, hot sauce, sour cream, cilantro, or whatever else you like! we also will tend to make simple cheese quesadillas to eat alongside this!