May Meal Plan Week 1
Kick off May on the right foot with this Week 1 Meal Plan, packed with tasty dinner ideas, flavorful side dishes, and a few irresistible homemade desserts.
Also, visit our Meal Plans page for more year-round meal-planning ideas. Meal Planning is one great way to save on the grocery budget.
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May Events
We like to celebrate occasions in May with special recipes.
- May 1st National Day of Prayer (Mealtime prayers for children)
- May 3rd Kentucky Derby
- May 4th- Star Wars Day
- May 5th Cinco de Mayo (Mexican recipes)
- May 11th Mother’s Day (Brunch recipes)
- May 13th National Apple Pie Day (recipe)
- May 14th National Buttermilk Biscuit Day (recipe)
- May 26th Memorial Day (Patriotic Ideas)
Graduation is coming soon! See these Luau Party Ideas to celebrate:
More Meal Plans
- April Meal Plan Week 5
- April Meal Plan Week 4
- April Meal Plan Week 3
- April Meal Plan Week 2
- April Meal Plan Week 1
About the meal plan
- This meal plan will serve 4. Some recipes will serve more than four, depending on your portion sizes.
- It is understood that you have common ingredients in your pantry, such as salt and pepper, so those are not included in the ingredient lists.
- There are 7 dinner ideas each week, in no particular order.
- Scroll down for the recipe links.
- Subscribe to my Newsletter to have these meal plans delivered to your inbox.
- Follow my Facebook page for lots of recipes shared daily.
May Meal Plan Week 1
All recipes are linked at the bottom of this article. Side dish suggestions are not required; cook your favorite family sides. The grocery list for each entrée includes the ingredients required for that entrée.
1. Rosemary and Pecan-Crusted Pork Chops
Make these Low Carb Rosemary & Pecan Covered Roasted Pork Chops with Homemade Plum Sauce for special occasions. The plum sauce isn’t low carb but it is sweetened with honey instead of sugar. Serve on the side or skip it for a true low-carb entree.
Side Dishes
Sticking with low-carb, I recommend this Italian Roasted Cauliflower Steaks Recipe or Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Grocery List for the entree
- 2 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1½ Cups pecans
- 3 Tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves
- 4 thick-cut boneless pork chops
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Plum Sauce Ingredients
- 6 large plums, pitted and chopped
- 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp. honey
2. Chicken Fajita Wraps with Cilantro Lime Sauce
This is an easy Mexican dinner on the lighter side. Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the Deli and save yourself some time. Cut some carbs by serving on Romaine lettuce leaves. You can use tortilla shells if you like. We don’t mind.
Side Dish
If you are skipping carbs, you are probably skipping the sides. If you want the full-on Lucious meal, use my favorite easy Guacamole recipe and get your favorite tortilla chips to go with it.
Grocery List
Fajita Seasoning (check your pantry)
- 3 Tbsp. Chili powder
- 1½ Tbsp. smoked paprika
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- 1 cup plain, full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. Homemade fajita seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced
- 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Fajitas
- 2 Tbsp. Robust Olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced thin
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
- 1 orange pepper, sliced thin
- ½ small red onion, peeled and sliced thin
- 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 Cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 2-3 Tbsp. Homemade fajita seasoning
- ¼ Cup chicken stock
- ¼ Cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 Tbsp. Chopped green onion
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1 head Romaine lettuce
3. Copycat Mexican Three-Meat House Special
A family favorite recipe, this copycat Mexican Three-Meat House Special is even more delicious prepared at home. Choose all three meats or only two if you like. This dish comes together quickly and smells delicious while cooking.
Side Dish
We enjoy chips and dip with this meal. See my favorite easy Guacamole recipe listed above (with the Fajitas)
Grocery List
- 1 lb. beef stir-fry meat
- ½ lb. jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 boneless skinless chicken tenderloins, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 pkg. (1 oz.) Fajita seasoning
- 1 large onion, cut into long thin slices
- 1 pkg. Sliced Baby Bella fresh mushrooms
- 1 Cup rice (will be 2 cups cooked)
- 1 Cup Red, Yellow, and Green Bell Peppers, sliced long, Optional
- 2 Cups plus 1 Tbsp. water
- 4 Tbsp. butter
- 1 (16 oz.) container of White Cheese Dip
4. Simple Chopped Steak with Mushroom Gravy
This simple homemade chopped steak recipe is great for those meat-and-potato-loving families. This is what cooking from scratch is about.
Side Dishes
Take your pick between Homemade Mashed Potatoes or a Baked Potato. You can skip the potatoes and cook rice. Be sure to add your favorite green beans also.
Grocery List
- 1 lb. ground beef (preferably ground chuck)
- 1 pkg. dry beefy onion soup mix
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2 Cups beef broth
- 1 Tbsp. flour
- 1 container sliced Portobello mushrooms, rinsed
5 Crockpot Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe
Whip up a rich and creamy Crockpot Pink Sauce Pasta with this easy slow cooker recipe that blends classic spaghetti sauce with smooth Alfredo for the perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors.
Side Dishes
This is the perfect meal for an Olive Garden Salad copycat recipe and some Homemade Italian Butter with bread.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 16. oz. A jar of spaghetti sauce
- 1 16 oz. A jar of Alfredo sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
- 8 oz. of uncooked pasta noodles, Bowtie or Penne
- 8 oz. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Grated Parmesan to sprinkle on top
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish, if desired
6. Asian Chopped Salad (Turn a produce department salad kit into dinner)
This dinner is ready to eat in under 30 minutes. The best part is that it is on the lighter side, too. Use this recipe to turn a grocery store salad kit into a dinner.
Side Dish
Now is a good time to make these Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches. Have a salad and a sandwich for dinner.
Grocery List
- 1 Seedless Cucumber
- 1 pkg. Asian Chopped Salad Kit (with Wonton strips, almonds, and Sesame Dressing included)
- 1 lb. chicken tenders from grocery deli (cold)
- 1/2 Cup Yum Yum Sauce
7 Slow Cooker Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin
Everything is better with bacon, right? This Slow Cooker Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin recipe is simple and easy with only about seven ingredients. It cooks slowly for a tender, juicy, and tasty dinner.
Side Dish
Since the entree for today is perfect for Sunday dinner, I am suggesting some delicious sides that will make the perfect meal. Southern Carrot Soufflé, Pecan Glazed Green Beans, and some Southern Deviled Eggs. Make a batch of Copycat McDonald’s Biscuit Recipe and a pitcher of this Southern Sweet Tea Recipe.
Grocery List
- One (3 lb.) Pork Tenderloin
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 Tbsp. Onion Powder
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 Medium Onion, peeled and cut into fourths (optional)
- 6 to 8 slices of thick-cut bacon
Scroll down for all of this week’s menu plan recipe links.
May Meal Plan Recipes Week 1
- Rosemary Pecan Crusted Pork Chops recipe
- Fajita Chicken Wraps with Cilantro-Lime Sauce recipe
- Copycat Mexican Three-Meat House Special recipe
- Chopped Steak with Mushroom Gravy recipe
- Crockpot Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe
- Asian Chopped Salad with Sesame Dressing recipe
- Slow Cooker Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin recipe
Your thoughts?
Got tips others can use? Questions? I love hearing from you. Please scroll down and leave a comment.
Desserts To Make At Home
- Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting recipe
- Oatmeal Cream Pie Cupcakes recipe
- Homemade Crescent Apple Turnovers recipe
- Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe
- Classic Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
- Old Fashioned Sour Cream Pound Cake Recipe
