Weeknight Meal Planner: Week of December 12th

Make a reuben that bursts with plant-based flavor for Meatless Monday. Not only is this sandwich lower in fat, it has tempeh, sauerkraut, and greek yogurt that provide good-for-your-gut probiotics. This healthier version is so good, you might not ever go back to corned beef.

Restaurant- worthy cooking has never been so fast or afforable. Simple stir fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon into softened butter for an almost instant meat or vegetable topper. Dollop the luxurious goat cheese mixture over the pork chops and cover the plate with foil so it will melt slightly while you cook the green beans. 

Toast is more than just breakfast when it's topped with tuna, egg, avocado, dressing, onion, and arugula.  Using canned tuna makes this dish a breeeze; perfect for a busy weeknight. If you still aren't into breakfast for dinner, toss this combo over pasta instead of whole-grain toast. 

Chilli really is a gift that keeps on giving. This recipe makes 8 servings, so you can eat it more than once. Prep for 15 minutes in the morning and then let the slow cooker do the work. Leaving the peels on the sweet potatoes saves you time, adds fiber, and helps the potatoes hold their shape. If you prefer, use parsnips or red potatoes instead of sweet potatoes. 

One bowl; unlimited goodness. Pappardelle pasta; tossed in lemon juice, half-and-half, red pepper, and parmesan; is the base for mushrooms, garlic, shallot, and shrimp. Talk about a bright and flavorful dish that's needed on a cold winter night. 

Why buy something that you can do easily at home? Make your own crunchy, addictive entertaining crackers and add your own flair, too. Chose what size you make and what toppings you want, such as parmesan, salt and pepper, or Italian herb.