Meal Plan Mondays #30

Meal Plan Mondays is here with easy weeknight meals and recipes that are quick and easy to make and can help you use up some of those Easter leftovers!

I don't know about you but before a big holiday I try to make some super easy recipes leading up to the day. I never want to cook huge, elaborate meals because I know that I'll be making a huge dinner for the holiday.

Likewise, I'm always looking for ways to use leftovers after the holiday because it never fails that there is plenty leftover. So I'm not only sharing easy meals leading up to Easter but I'm also sharing a few recipes to help use up that extra ham and potatoes.

Tips for making holiday meals easier:

2-3 days before the holiday chop all the vegetables (except for potatoes) and place in air tight containers or zip top baggies.
Check all recipes 2 days before the holiday and figure out what you can cook at the same time. Adjust oven times and time in the oven as needed. Things that go in the oven within 50 degrees of each other can usually be put into a slightly hotter or cooler oven if you adjust the cook time.
Try to find side dishes that can be made and cooked or made and refrigerated the day before so that you don't have to prep them the day of the holiday.
Make dessert 1-2 days before the holiday.
Find all dinnerware, glassware, and silverware 5-7 days before the holiday. This way if you are missing silverware, a serving plate, cups, or a salt shaker you can pick one up before it becomes a big deal.

So this week I'm sharing a delicious and easy to make Baked Lemon Pasta, Old School Beef Tacos with a kick, and a fabulous Steakhouse Salad that can be made with a homemade ranch or use your favorite salad dressing. Then I'm sharing my mom's Tuna Loaf recipe which is what I have had on Good Friday every year since I was a child and still make today! I'm rounding out the entrees with easy Chicken Saltimbucca.

My side dish recipes this week can all be made with leftovers or with fresh ingredients. First up is a Mashed Potato Souffle that is made with leftover mashed or baked potatoes. Then we have a Lamb and Orzo Soup that's great when used with leftover lamb. Finally use up all that ham with a Ham and Pea Fried Rice recipe.

Dessert recipes are up next and these would be great for Easter dinner or for using up leftover Easter candy. Chocolate Birds Nest Cookies are a fun and easy no bake recipe that even your littlest baker can help make. Easter Bark can be made with any of your favorite holiday candy. Then we have a classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar with holiday M&M's in it.

I'm finishing off with a few fun bonus recipes for this week. My PEEPS S'mores are a fun, packaged treat that can be given at school (I'm sending these in to my sons class) or put in Easter baskets. Since rhubarb season is almost here I'm also sharing my favorite Honey Rhubarb Muffins. Lastly we have an Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup which is great for using up leftover holiday ham.

So get ready for a holiday week with these delicious recipes and don't forget to pin them to use after the holiday as well.

Meal Plan Mondays #30

Meal Plan Mondays is here with easy weeknight meals and recipes that are quick and easy to make and can help you use up some of those Easter leftovers!