This Week's Menu Is a Good One


Hi again Reader 👋

Happy Sunday! Welcome back to Dinner = Done, my brand new weekly meal plan that I launched last week — and wow, the response to last week's launch completely blew me away. The messages, the tags, the kind words — thank you so much! Knowing how much you're loving this new format makes me so excited to keep showing up in your inbox every Sunday. We're just getting started and I already can't imagine not doing this. 🤍

This week's menu is one I am really excited about — and here's why. Every single recipe uses simple, low-effort techniques, but the flavors are completely different each night. Cooking every night can be a breeze — and it most definitely doesn't have to be a bore. Instead of grinding through the same vibe night after night, you can actually look forward to dinner. (What a concept, right?!) That's the whole goal, and this week, I really think we nailed it.

Scroll down to find all five recipes, plus a downloadable grocery list that you can take to the store. Let's have a great week!👇

Monday's technique couldn't be easier — you literally fold everything up in parchment paper and let the oven do the work. But the flavor? Coconut milk, green curry paste, fresh Thai basil...it's aromatic and exciting and feels nothing like a typical Monday night dinner. The best kind of surprise.

Tuesday is all about the filling — we're talking enchilada filling made with rotisserie chicken for a hands-off recipe. The combination of green chiles, sour cream, and salsa verde creates this incredibly creamy, tangy sauce that tastes like it took hours. It didn't. I promise.

One pot + 30 minutes = a real treat for a mid-week meal. The goat cheese melts right into the pasta water to create the creamiest sauce with zero effort — and the fresh asparagus and peas make it feel bright and seasonal. Make this one now because I have a strong feeling you'll want it on rotation this spring!

Thursday is your easiest day — because in my family, it's always the busiest! I like to toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to dinner already done. The warm spices, citrus zest, and green olives do all the heavy lifting while you're out living your life (for me, that means carpool duty and sports practice). It smells amazing and tastes even better over a bowl of rice!

Friday's dinner comes together in under 30 minutes and feels like a total reward after a long week. Ground sirloin, balsamic glazed onions, and a tangy homemade vinaigrette over fresh greens — all the satisfaction of a great burger in the form of a nourishing bowl. It's the perfect way to end the week. 🙌

Your Grocery List is Ready!

Everything you need for all 5 dinners — 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. 🤍

The Defined Dish by Alex Snodgrass

The daily newsletter by recipe developer and New York Times best seller, Alex Snodgrass.

Read more from The Defined Dish by Alex Snodgrass

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...

Hi again Reader 👋 This is a really special edition of Dinner = Done to celebrate the release of my fourth cookbook, EVERYDAY EATS! I hope you're not sick of hearing me talk about it because I'm definitely not sick of the love that I have felt from this community. You've already started tagging me in photos of recipes that you've made from the book, DM'd me with the ones that you're most excited to try, and told your family and friends about it. Never in a million years did I think I would be...

Hi again Reader 👋 Happy Sunday! Welcome back to Dinner = Done, my weekly meal plan that I launched last month. Y'all are loving these newsletters because they've helped you accomplish exactly what I was hoping for — figuring out what to make for dinner at the beginning of the week so you don't need to make any last minute decisions at 5 pm. Since I think most people consider Memorial Day weekend the unofficial start of summer, I wanted some of these recipes to reflect that. We're kicking...