Weekly Meal Planner: What We’re Eating This Week [January 4, 2026]

Another week, another meal plan. Planning dinners ahead of time is one of the biggest sanity savers in our house, especially during busy work weeks, after school activities, and nights when everyone is hungry at a different time.

I plan dinners every Sunday for about 5 to 6 nights, take one request from each family member, and build my grocery list from there. It keeps us organized, cuts down on food waste, and helps me avoid that 5pm panic of “what’s for dinner?”

This week was a big bougie since we were celebrating my husband's birthday. Surf & turf isn't on the menu often - but now I am wondering if maybe it should be?!

Dinner 1: Surf & Turf

Steak and Crab Cakes with Brussel Sprouts and Mashed Potatoes

🛒 What You’ll Need

• Steak

• Crab cakes

• Brussel sprouts

• Potatoes

• Butter

• Olive oil

• Garlic

• Salt and pepper

How to Make It

1. Roast brussel sprouts at 400°F with olive oil, salt, and pepper for about 25 minutes.

2. Boil potatoes until fork tender, then mash with butter and milk.

3. Cook steaks on the grill or stovetop to your preferred doneness.

4. Bake or pan-sear crab cakes according to package directions.

5. Serve everything hot and enjoy.

Dinner 2: Indian Butter Chicken

🛒 What You’ll Need

• Chicken

• Butter chicken sauce

• White rice

• Naan

• Samosas

• Butter or oil

How to Make It

1. Cook rice according to package instructions.

2. Sauté chicken in a skillet until cooked through.

3. Add butter chicken sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Warm naan and samosas in the oven.

5. Serve with rice and naan for dipping.

Dinner 3: Asian Noodles with Teriyaki Beef

🛒 What You’ll Need

• Beef

• Asian noodles (I love the Teriyaki Str Fry Udon from Costco)

• Teriyaki sauce

• Garlic

• Olive oil or sesame oil

How to Make It

1. Cook noodles according to package directions.

2. Sauté sliced beef or ground beef in oil until browned.

3. Add garlic and teriyaki sauce.

4. Toss noodles with the beef and sauce until coated.

5. Serve immediately.

Dinner 4: Cajun Salmon with Couscous and Broccoli

🛒 What You’ll Need

• Salmon fillets

• Cajun seasoning

• Couscous

• Broccoli

• Olive oil

• Lemon

How to Make It

1. Season salmon with Cajun seasoning and bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes.

2. Prepare couscous according to package instructions.

3. Roast or steam broccoli until tender.

4. Finish salmon with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Dinner 5: Pink Penne Pasta with Sausage and Peas

🛒 What You’ll Need

• Penne pasta

• Italian sausage

• Frozen peas

• Tomato sauce

• Heavy cream

• Garlic bread

• Parmesan cheese

How to Make It

1. Cook pasta until al dente.

2. Brown sausage in a large skillet.

3. Add tomato sauce and heavy cream to create a pink sauce.

4. Stir in peas and cooked pasta.

5. Serve with garlic bread and top with Parmesan.

Meal planning like this helps our weeks feel calmer, dinners feel easier, and grocery shopping stay efficient. Save this post if you want to reference it later, and let me know which dinner you’d make first.