Hi again Reader 👋

I've spent the last few weeks with a permanent smile on my face because y'all have shown me SO much love around the release of my fourth cookbook, ​EVERYDAY EATS​! Nothing makes me happier than getting tagged in your photos so I can see exactly what you've been cooking from it.

Quick note before we dig in: Dinner = Done is, and will keep being, about 95% free recipes straight from the blog. This is only the second menu I've built from the book...and I hope you'll let me have it. I spent more than two years on Everyday Eats, so many of you now have a copy sitting on your counter, and I'm honestly still in the thick of celebrating this project. I know many of you are celebrating it with me (thank you!) and are excited for these meal plans. If cooking from the book isn't where you're at this week, I completely understand! Every meal plan I've sent is still in your inbox to revisit, and there are a lot of them to pull from. We'll be back to blog recipes soon. This is the last Everyday Eats meal plan I'll be sharing for a bit. ;)

Okay—now onto the food!

This week we're opening the book right back up and cooking through some of the best weeknight-friendly recipes in it. Think a cozy stew, an umami-packed hearty salad, and a baked pasta to celebrate the start of the weekend. I love every recipe in this book and could never pick a favorite, but these are the ones I know will leave you feeling accomplished in the kitchen, even after a long day.

Along with a full Monday-through-Friday menu, I'm also including three additional recipe ideas: a make-ahead breakfast, a lunch idea, and a sweet treat to keep in the freezer. Consider this your go-to guide for what to cook from ​EVERYDAY EATS​.

Scroll down for this week’s recipe ideas, plus a downloadable grocery list you can take straight to the store. Let’s have a great week! 👇

Cooking fish in parchment paper is a foolproof way to keep it moist, but the process is admittedly a little fussy, which is why I love this skillet method instead. You get the same results with way less work!

I'm all about a one-skillet dinner, and this one doesn't sacrifice any flavor. It uses both sliced peperoncini peppers, plus the brine from the jar for a punchy, tangy bite.

I'm not quite ready to admit that fall is (almost) here, but at least that means I get to eat this hearty stew on repeat. It's packed with ground beef, diced tomatoes, pearled barley, and tons of dried spices, which gives it a warm and cozy flavor.

Picture all the best aspects of a chicken lettuce wrap in the form of a light and nourishing salad. A duo of crushed red pepper flakes and sriracha gives it some heat, but feel free to reduce the amount for more sensitive palates or even serve it over rice for the littles.

My whole family loves a baked ziti (I mean, who doesn't?!) but I don't love how many dishes making it seems to produce. That's why I love this skillet version — it's essentially a no-boil pasta bake packed with seared sausage and a trio of cheeses.

PREP THESE NOW!

Get a head start on breakfast for the week with my take on the Tex-Mex classic. I'll make one big frittata on Sunday and then reheat it whenever I want a quick and energizing breakfast. This is one of my absolute favorites from the make-ahead breakfast chapter!

I absolutely love how versatile this salad is. You can serve it hot or cold, enjoy it right away, or make it ahead, plus you can pair it with so many different proteins.

If you love a peanut butter cup but want something just a little more nourishing to snack on throughout the day, you need to make these make-ahead no-bake bites. There's less than 10 ingredients, and they come together in no time at all.

Your Grocery List is Ready!

Everything you need for all 8 recipes — organized by store section to ensure that your shopping trip is easy and efficient.

Hope you have the most delicious week! As always, tag me @thedefineddish when you make these — I love seeing your creations. 🤍