Hi again Reader 👋

Happy Sunday! Before we get into this week's menu, I'm so excited to announce that it's officially #DDGrillWeek 2026 🔥 — aka my favorite favorite (did I say favorite?!) week of the year! I start planning for this months in advance so that I can give you the most delicious, flavor-packed grilling recipes that you'll want to make on repeat this summer. Stay tuned because every day this week, I'm going to be sharing a brand new recipe on the blog. (And to make sure that you don't miss a thing, I'll also send each one straight to your inbox!)

Now if you live somewhere where it's still a little too chilly to grill or you want some more low-key recipes to cook in between all of those al fresco dinners, I've got you covered with this week's menu. These are the no-brainer weeknight recipes that are guaranteed to get your family's stamp of approval. You'll find a few of my favorite chicken dishes, a super crunchy and super cheesy taco recipe, and a cozy vegetarian-friendly pasta dish that will disappear in a snap.

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!👇

I feel like most people's goal on Monday is to just get dinner on the table. Period. However, cooking something quick and easy doesn't mean you need to sacrifice flavor or variety — and these chicken rice bowls are proof of that. My favorite Sichuan Chili Crisp (from Fly By Jing!) does a lot of the heavy lifting flavor-wise, but the crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and lime transform it into a feel-good meal.

Talk about an oldie but a goodie! Celebrate Taco Tuesday with these beef tacos that have the best of of both worlds — aka a super crunchy taco shell with a soft and cheesy interior. The trick is assembling all of the tacos at once, then baking them on a sheet tray to perfect the texture. No fancy tools needed!

Sriracha is one of my go-to condiments — the smoky, spicy notes make everything better! In this recipe, I whisk it up with some other pantry staples (coconut aminos, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and honey) for a quick sauce that completely transforms chicken breasts. And the best part is that dinner will be on the table in just 35 minutes!

Stuffed shells are so nostalgic to me and always such a crowd-pleaser but whoever said that they were a weeknight-friendly meal was lying. Enter: my unstuffed shells, which gives you the same cozy vibes without all the work.

We're ending the week on a big note with a recipe that's the perfect way to kick off Memorial Day weekend! These are unlike any grilled chicken sandwich that you've had before, thanks to the tangy pepperoncini brine, which gives the meat the best flavor and an ultra-tender bite. Pro tip: marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance to save time!

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. 🤍