We concluded our first full week of school last week, and the temps decided to creep back up into the 80s. I am currently torn between pulling out all the fall food or making the best of the last few meals of summer. So this week’s menu is a little bit of both… Enjoy!

MONDAY //

Herbed Pork Bolognese over Whole Wheat Spaghetti
notes: another HalfBaked Harvest winner. I used the seasoned pork tenderloin from Trader Joe’s, and their heirloom cherry tomatoes, which I have tried to include in as much as possible this summer, just because they’re my fav. Omitted the heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Also skipped out on the fresh herbs in the pasta and just kept it with the cheese and garlic, and made zoodles for a healthier alternative. With the parmesan kale on the side this is really a one recipe dinner which is always a winner in my book.

TUESDAY //

BBQ Chicken, Sweet Potato + Broccoli Bowls
notes: this was one of those surprisingly easy dinners that was just delicious. I used frozen broccoli instead of fresh and doubled on the chicken, so I had one sheet pan for the chicken and one for the veggies. The Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce at TJ’s is our all-time favorite, and worked especially well for this meal.

WEDNESDAY //

Easy Oven Tacos
notes: this is a favorite taco tuesday recipe. I like to use TJ’s fire roasted diced tomato and skip the green chiles. I just bake chicken and shred on a cookie sheet.

Autumn Kale Salad w/ Fennel & Apples
notes: yum, this salad was a good one. I just used one bulb of fennel, and found it was plenty. Also, subbed feta for goat cheese. The dressing is fabulous and this is just all-around a winner.

THURSDAY //

Date Night | Madelyn made Garlic Cheese Stuffed Pretzels w/ Marinara and Applesauce

FRIDAY //

Sausage w/ Fennel & Apples over Rice
notes: apparently, this was the week of one pan meals. The flavors in this are amazing. I used the frozen rice from TJ’s and microwaved it before putting it on the cookie sheet (recipe wasn’t clear on that). Also, went with the Roasted Garlic and Sundried Tomato chicken sausage from TJ’s. This is a wonderfully “fall” recipe, and I’m sure will be made again before the season’s over…

Oven Roasted Green Beans
notes: I skip the onion and garlic powder on this and just go simple. These are some of my favorite green beans ever. Cooked these at the same time as the sausages and just put that dish on the lower rack, and these on the upper.

SATURDAY //

Out

SUNDAY //

Crockpot Split Pea Soup
notes: Sunday crock-pot meals forever. I like to use the TJ’s rosemary ham (in the deli section) diced up for the meat element. I find this always needs more salt and season to taste when the cooking is done. Also, I prefer giving everything a mash with my immersion blender before serving so it’s a creamy texture.

Cheese Toast