Seven Easy Family Dinners, One Chocolate Dessert, and a Grocery List for the Week

Deciding what to make for dinner can feel like one more thing on an already full to-do list. A little planning ahead helps—and this week’s recipes bring together comforting flavors, everyday ingredients, and easy cooking methods.

From Crock-Pot chicken and dumplings to colorful sheet-pan fajita bowls, these seven dinners offer plenty of variety without making every evening a big kitchen project. There’s also a chocolate dessert to enjoy when you’re in the mood for something sweet.

Choose the meals that fit your schedule, check your pantry, and use the grocery list below to get started.

This Week’s Dinner Plan

Monday: Crock-Pot Apple & Onion Pork Chops

Start the week with thick-cut pork chops cooked over apples and onions in a lightly seasoned broth. With just 10 minutes of prep, this cozy dinner is easy to get started in the afternoon.

Serve with: Mashed potatoes and green beans.

Get the Crock-Pot Apple & Onion Pork Chops recipe

Tuesday: Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls

Seasoned chicken, bell peppers, and onions roast together before being served over rice. Set out salsa, avocado, and lime wedges so everyone can finish their bowl just the way they like it.

Easy shortcut: Use microwave rice.

Get the Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls recipe

Wednesday: Instant Pot Beef & Vegetable Stew

Tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and peas make this a hearty choice for a cozy evening. The beef cooks first, followed by a shorter cooking stage for the vegetables.

Serve with: Bread or dinner rolls.

Get the Instant Pot Beef & Vegetable Stew recipe

Thursday: One-Pan Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet

Enjoy the familiar flavors of cabbage rolls in a simple skillet meal. Ground beef, chopped cabbage, and a savory tomato sauce simmer together with no stuffing or rolling required.

Serve with: Rice, baked potatoes, or bread.

Get the One-Pan Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet recipe

Friday: Crock-Pot Chicken & Dumplings

Tender shredded chicken and vegetables cook in a savory broth, topped with homemade drop dumplings. Allow extra time at the end for the broth to heat and the dumplings to cook.

Helpful tip: Use a 6-quart Crock-Pot so the dumplings have room to expand.

Get the Crock-Pot Chicken & Dumplings recipe

Saturday: One-Pan Smoky Sweet Potato & Turkey Hash

Ground turkey, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and onion come together with smoked paprika, garlic, and cumin. It’s a colorful skillet dinner with a little sweetness and plenty of savory flavor.

Serve with: Toast or a simple green salad.

Get the One-Pan Smoky Sweet Potato & Turkey Hash recipe

Sunday: Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken thighs, bell peppers, and onions cook in an Italian-seasoned tomato sauce, then are served over pasta. It’s a comforting way to finish the week with a homemade dinner.

Serve with: A green salad or bread.

Get the Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe

Something Sweet: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cobbler

Save a little room for Chocolate Chip Cookie Cobbler. Whether you make it for a weekend dinner or an evening treat, it’s a sweet addition to this week’s menu.

Get the Chocolate Chip Cookie Cobbler recipe

Combined Grocery List for the Seven Dinners

These quantities cover one batch of each dinner. Optional toppings and serving suggestions are listed separately. Add the ingredients from the linked cookie cobbler recipe if you’re making dessert.

Meat & Poultry

• 4 thick-cut pork chops, about 1 inch thick
• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1½ pounds beef chuck
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground turkey

Produce

• 2 apples
• 7 onions: 5 medium and 2 large
• 6 bell peppers
• 8 garlic cloves, about 1 bulb
• 6 large carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• ½ large head green cabbage, about 6 cups chopped
• 1½ pounds potatoes
• 2 medium sweet potatoes

Canned, Boxed & Frozen Items

• Chicken broth: 5¾ cups, plus extra as needed
• Beef broth: 3½ cups, plus extra as needed
• 1 can diced tomatoes, 14½ ounces
• 1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounces
• 1 can crushed tomatoes, 28 ounces
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Rice to make 3 cups cooked
• 12 ounces pasta

Pantry & Seasonings

Check what you already have before shopping:

• All-purpose flour: 1½ cups
• Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
• Cornstarch: 4 tablespoons, plus 1 tablespoon for the optional pork chop sauce
• Brown sugar: 1 tablespoon
• Olive oil: 7 tablespoons
• Olive oil or vegetable oil: 2 additional tablespoons for the dumplings
• Garlic powder: 4 teaspoons
• Dried thyme: 2 teaspoons
• Chili powder: 2 teaspoons
• Ground cumin: 1½ teaspoons
• Paprika: 2 teaspoons
• Smoked paprika: 1½ teaspoons
• Italian seasoning: 3 teaspoons
• Salt and black pepper

Optional Toppings & Sides

Choose the extras that fit your dinner plans:

• Salsa
• Avocados
• Limes
• Green beans
• Salad greens and dressing
• Bread, toast, or dinner rolls
• Additional potatoes for mashed or baked potatoes
• Additional rice for the cabbage skillet
• Your preferred mashed potato ingredients

A Little Planning for an Easier Week

Chop vegetables ahead when you have a few spare minutes, check which nights work best for slow-cooker meals, and keep the quicker skillet dinners for your busiest evenings. You can also rearrange the menu to fit your family’s schedule.

Whether you’re settling into a new home or gathering around a familiar table here in Spokane, a simple homemade dinner can be a welcome part of the day. Hopefully, this week’s recipes make deciding what to cook a little easier.