Recipes • October 24, 2026

Seven Family Dinners, No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups, and a Grocery List for the Week

Seven Family Dinners, No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups, and a Grocery List for the Week

Some weeks, having dinner planned is a welcome head start. You still have to make it, but at least you can skip the evening debate about what sounds good and whether you have the ingredients.

This week, I’ve pulled together recipes from previous meal plans for a fresh mix of dinners. There’s a slow cooker soup, a colorful turkey hash, warm sandwiches, and a chicken biscuit pot pie for a cozy Sunday meal. And for dessert, peanut butter cheesecake cups can be made ahead and tucked into the refrigerator.

Arrange the meals around your schedule, leave a night open for leftovers if you need it, and click each recipe title for the complete ingredients and instructions.

Monday: One-Pan Smoky Sweet Potato & Turkey Hash

Start the week with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and onion cooked together in one skillet. Smoked paprika and cumin give this dinner warm, savory flavor that pairs nicely with the sweetness of the potatoes.

Cut the sweet potatoes into small, even pieces to help them cook through. Serve the hash on its own or add toast and a simple green salad.

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

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup

A warm bowl of chicken soup sounds especially good when Spokane evenings start getting chilly. This version combines chicken, potatoes, carrots, onion, and rice for a filling dinner made with everyday ingredients.

Most of the cooking happens in the slow cooker, with the rice added toward the end. Keep some bread or crackers on hand for serving.

Get the Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup recipe

Wednesday: Sausage, Peppers and Onion Sandwiches

Give sandwich night a little more flavor with Italian sausage, tender bell peppers, onions, and marinara tucked into toasted hoagie rolls.

The filling cooks in one skillet, and everyone can build their own sandwich at the table. Add a salad, fresh fruit, or chips for an uncomplicated midweek dinner.

Get the Sausage, Peppers and Onion Sandwiches recipe

Thursday: Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

Beef, egg noodles, and a creamy sour cream sauce make this a comforting choice for the end of a busy day. The noodles simmer in the same pot after the beef pressure cooks, keeping cleanup manageable.

Add mushrooms if your family enjoys them, or leave them out. Green beans or steamed broccoli make an easy side.

Get the Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff recipe

Friday: Baked Italian Sliders

Friday is a good night for a pan of warm sandwiches to share. Hawaiian rolls are filled with ham, salami, pepperoni, and provolone, then brushed with a buttery Parmesan topping before baking.

Keep the rolls connected while you assemble them, then slice into individual sliders once they’re warm and the cheese has melted. Serve with fresh fruit, vegetables, or a bagged salad.

Get the Baked Italian Sliders recipe

Saturday: Garlic Butter Sausage & Potato Skillet

Smoked sausage and baby potatoes make a hearty dinner with just a handful of ingredients. Garlic, butter, and Italian seasoning bring everything together, with optional Parmesan and parsley to finish.

The potatoes steam briefly before the sausage is added, helping them soften without burning. Pair the finished skillet with your favorite vegetable.

Get the Garlic Butter Sausage & Potato Skillet recipe

Sunday: Easy Chicken Biscuit Pot Pie

Finish the week with creamy chicken and vegetables beneath a golden biscuit topping. Cooked chicken, frozen mixed vegetables, and refrigerated biscuits help keep this comfort-food dinner practical.

A rotisserie chicken gives you a convenient head start. Use the small biscuits called for in the recipe so the topping cooks through, or follow the recipe’s suggestion to bake them separately and serve over the filling.

Get the Easy Chicken Biscuit Pot Pie recipe

Something Sweet: No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups

These individual cheesecake cups start with a buttery graham cracker base and a creamy peanut butter filling. There’s no baking involved—just a little mixing and time in the refrigerator.

Make them earlier in the day or the night before, then add mini chocolate chips or chopped peanut butter cups if you’d like. They’re a handy dessert to have ready when dinner is finished.

Get the No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups recipe

Your Grocery List

This list covers one batch of each dinner and the dessert. Recipe yields vary from four to six servings, with eight cheesecake cups. Adjust quantities for your household, and check your pantry before shopping.

Meat & Poultry

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1½ pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 3 cups cooked, shredded or chopped chicken
  • 4 Italian sausages
  • 1½ pounds beef stew meat
  • 14 ounces smoked sausage
  • 6 slices deli ham
  • 6 slices salami
  • 12 slices pepperoni

Produce

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 3 potatoes for the soup
  • 1½ pounds baby potatoes
  • 3 bell peppers
  • 5 onions: 3 medium and 2 small
  • 3 carrots
  • 7 garlic cloves
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms, optional
  • Fresh parsley, optional

Dairy, Refrigerated & Frozen

  • 11 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 6 slices provolone cheese
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, plus ½ cup shredded Parmesan if using on the sausage skillet
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
  • 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1 tube (7.5 ounces) refrigerated biscuits containing 10 small biscuits

Bread, Pasta & Rice

  • 4 hoagie rolls
  • 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls
  • 12 ounces egg noodles
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs

Broth, Sauces & Condiments

  • 2½ cups chicken broth, plus a little extra if needed
  • 3 cups beef broth, plus extra for the noodles if needed
  • ½ cup marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter

Pantry & Seasonings

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Optional Sides & Extras

  • Salad greens and dressing
  • Broccoli or green beans
  • Fresh fruit
  • Bread, toast, or crackers
  • Chips
  • Mini chocolate chips or chopped peanut butter cups

A Little Planning for the Week Ahead

A few small steps can make these dinners easier. Buy enough onions and peppers for both the hash and sausage sandwiches, check your broth supply, and plan how you’ll get the cooked chicken for Sunday’s pot pie.

The cheesecake cups can be prepared ahead, too. Just give them at least two hours to chill before serving.

Save this meal plan for your next grocery trip, and move the dinners around as needed. Having a plan should give you a little more breathing room during the week.

And if your plans include buying or selling a home in the Spokane area, I’m happy to help with that, too. Whether you have a question about your neighborhood or want to talk through a possible move, reach out anytime.

Ronda Swanson
509-979-5894