• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Shop

What’s For Dinner This Week

October 25, 2021 by Joy the Baker 14 Comments

I’m trying to set myself up for success this week (the week before my first half marathon). By “success” I mean I’m trying to limit my popcorn-as-a-meal or tortilla-then-cookie-dough-dinner.  I wish that last dinner option was fictional, alas.  This week, I’m digging through the archives for my grocery list.  My weeknight dinners are usually one-pot meals that make great leftovers.  If you’re in the market for dinner inspiration, take a quick scroll.  Here’s what’s for dinner this week starting with my Dad’s One-Pot Hawaiian Chicken. Salty, sweet, and yes… thousand island dressing.



•  I didn’t know Cincinnati Chili was controversial until I offered a bowl to a friend who scoffed at the audacity of cinnamon in chili. I happen to LOVE it. This spiced meat chili is topped with beans, cheese, and onions and served over spaghetti.  Would this make a good carb loading meal the night before my race of is this to similar to Michael Scott eating alfredo pasta five minutes before running a mile?  If you have The Office memorized like I do, we’re laughing together.

•  This Braised Chicken and Mushroom Ragu somehow feels romantic to me. It’s such a cozy dinner and the mushroom add an earthiness that feels super settling.



•  Here me out:  a can of beans and a few inches of a baguette can absolutely be dinner. Add cheese and fresh herbs and get everything toasts. White Bean Skillet Crostini. The leftovers are fantastic with a soft boiled egg in the morning!

•  I have the ingredients for this Chicken Enchilada Bake in the fridge except I’m using Seemore Sausage’s Chicken Chili Verde instead of shredded chicken!

•  I’ve made these One-Pot Lamb and Spinach Meatballs with Orzo with ground turkey more often than ground lamb and either way they’re easy and delicious.

•  I feel like Cheeseburger Fried Rice should also come with an apology. It’s so good it’s actually a problem .

A grilled cheese sandwich dipped in tomato soup bowl.


• A comforting pot of Simple and Creamy Tomato Soup makes a very nice WFH lunch or dinner and also freezes well.  There is one catch – serve with a French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

That’s what’s for dinner this week, friends! Have a great week. We’ve got this.

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Beyond the Kitchen

Previous Post: «
Next Post: Tart Lemon Poppy Seed Bars »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. samantha campanini

    November 1, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    So many great ideas!!

    Reply
  2. Emily

    October 26, 2021 at 6:24 am

    That chicken and mushroom ragu is the bomb. It’s on regular rotation at our house. It absolutely feels romantic and fancy–it has a really complex taste with the red wine and the two kinds of mushrooms and everything. We really love it. Good luck with your half marathon this week!

    Reply
  3. Caitlin

    October 25, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    You have answered a question I sent to the universe this week! I recently received a promotion at work (yay!) but it has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of time I spend working (less yay?) so much so, I have been at a loss as to what this means for getting a good dinner on the table every night. After an exhausting day, the thought of cooking and dishes (so. many. dishes.) just seemed completely impossible and overwhelming. Please, please, more of this!

    PS – I’m a native Houstonian, I’m so happy you are discovering more of our underrated city! :)

    Reply
  4. frabjuousMe

    October 25, 2021 at 5:08 pm

    I have made the White Bean Skillet Crostini many times. It always impresses, is utterly delicious, hits numerous food wishes/fantasies/targets…the fresh herbs a MUST…..One of my go to recipes when I want something ‘Restaurant Worthy’ that I can make at home…. decadent, definitely worth the time. Now that I am a solo girl, have learned that left over bean mixture is awesome reheated on a morning topped with a poached egg, toast of choice on the side for dipping/scooping. One of my most favorite recipes of yours that I have recreated numerous times…. and there are many. Thank you, Joy @curtsy@

    Reply
  5. Sandra Bounds

    October 25, 2021 at 3:39 pm

    Hi! What is the dish next to the chili? Looks amazing. Thanks!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      October 26, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      It’s a Braised Chicken and Mushroom Ragu! The link is up there if you need!

      Reply
      • Sandra Bounds

        October 26, 2021 at 1:22 pm

        THANKS!

        Reply
  6. CyndiTX

    October 25, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    Enjoy your first half marathon, run your race at your pace. Don’t get caught at someone else’s pace. If you have juice left after 7 or 10 miles pick it up, but running someone else’s race has consequences. Do You, You are fabulous!

    Reply
  7. Janet Fazio

    October 25, 2021 at 10:28 am

    Cheeseburger fried rice? That may be what’s for dinner tonight. Sounds amazing.

    Reply
  8. Jess Mann

    October 25, 2021 at 8:13 am

    JOY! I am so excited you’re going to run your first half marathon. I’ve done a couple, but they were pre-babies, so about six years ago (womp womp). Anyway, I am sure you know how to fuel your bod with all your training, but I am going to throw my hat in the ring and say, the night before the race, stick to SIMPLE carbs…potatoes and pasta are great, but maybe go easy on the beans…erm…for reasons that a lady like myself shall refrain from mentioning.
    So um, yeah! You’re amazing, and you can do this! Kill that race!

    Reply
  9. Marsha Gibbons

    October 25, 2021 at 7:28 am

    This is the most decadent collection of recipes ever!! I can’t wait to try them all. Absolutely yummmmmmmy. Thank you. Can’t wait to get your holiday magazine!

    Reply
  10. Beth

    October 25, 2021 at 6:35 am

    I love your main course cooking as much as your baking! I’ve made several of your dishes in Over Easy many times (especially love the chicken salad). My husband and I really love your turkey meatloaf (website recipe). One time I accidentally added in double the amount of red pepper flakes—game changer! We won’t eat it any other way now; gave it a big kick! (And I’m not a huge spicy food lover usually.)

    Reply
  11. Brandy

    October 25, 2021 at 6:05 am

    Thank you for the inspiration! Wasn’t looking forward to the same old dinner ideas this week. Can’t wait to try all of your dinner recommendations!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      October 26, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      The same old dinner gets old. I get it, Brandy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Beyond the Kitchen

New Year, New Orleans

If you can spend a holiday away from home, do it. Christmas on a beach with a cocktail? Yes, please. Santa can bring his swim trunks! This year I decided to ring in the new year in New Orleans, my favorite place outside of Chicago, with my girlfriend Breyon. A bae-cation, if you will. We…

Read More

An Update from Joy

Hi friends! Thanks for letting me pop into your Saturday. What are you up to this weekend? If I were to guess the goodness of your life, I’d say you’re putting an elf on a shelf, drying oranges slices into ornaments, and going for an epic no-budget Trader Joe’s run. Since I have a habit…

Read More

My 12 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

We want to make sure your holiday cookie tin is the best because you are the best. This is not a competition, but obviously, if we were to momentarily think of this as a competition –  you have to win. We’re giving you only the best 12 holiday cookie recipes ensuring instant victory at any…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

Orange roll on a plate with a fork.

Christmas Morning Orange Rolls

Baked pull apart garlic bread baked in a loaf pan.

Erin’s Roasted Garlic Herb Pull-Apart Bread

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

cowboy cookies close up showing texture.

Cowboy Cookies with salted cereal brittle

Raspberry linzer cookie recipe stacked on baking sheet.

Raspberry Lemon Linzer Cookies

Iced Oatmeal Cookies layered on a cooling rack.

Eggnog Iced Oatmeal Cookies

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker and author of books and magazines
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
💁🏻‍♀️Classes with me @thebakehousenola
🍰 Products with @williamssonoma

joythebaker
My prayer is that we are fortified, flexible, and My prayer is that we are fortified, flexible, and well fed this year.
Homemade Hamburger Helper with Sneaky Veggies. ⁣ Homemade Hamburger Helper with Sneaky Veggies. ⁣
⁣
The thing is, you think you’re making enough for leftovers but somehow it’s all gone in one sitting. It’s that good. Recipe linked in the bio. Xo
I made these Almost Almond Croissant with a sheet I made these Almost Almond Croissant with a sheet of puff pastry and half a log of almond paste. Consider this a max volume weekend treat. ⁣
⁣
You’ll need:⁣
- A thawed sheet of puff pastry, fridge cold⁣
- 3.5 ounces or half a log of almond paste cut into 12 even-ish pieces⁣
- An egg beaten for egg wash, with a splash of heavy cream and a glug of vanilla bean paste for extra luxury⁣
- Sliced almonds⁣
- Powdered sugar ⁣
⁣
Lightly roll a sheet of puff pastry and slice into six rectangles. ⁣
Brush each rectangle with egg wash. Arrange each with two slices almond paste. Pull two corners of the puff pastry up and over the paste, pressing lightly to seal. Brush lightly with egg wash. ⁣
⁣
Transfer to a small, parchment lined baking pan and allow to rest in the freezer while the oven preheats to 425 degrees f. ⁣
⁣
Bake from chilled for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and again lightly brush with egg wash. Top with almond slices and bake for 6-8 minutes more. Keep an eye as to not burn the almonds. ⁣
⁣
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar and enjoying warm.
No hesitation. Marshmallows in every cookie. ⁣
⁣
Peanut Butter Fluffernutter Cookie recipe linked in the profile. 💋
🙋‍♀️ if you buy bananas just so they can 🙋‍♀️ if you buy bananas just so they can languish on the counter long enough to be baked. ⁣
⁣
These Almond Flour Banana Bread cookies are stacked with walnuts and chocolate and one of the best way I know how to celebrate a speckled banana. Find the recipe linked in the profile! xo #bananabread #glutenfreerecipes #joythebaker #cookies #bakingrecipes
Just tryna get the most cheese on my most simple s Just tryna get the most cheese on my most simple small-batch bagel recipe. Get in on this with me: ⁣
⁣
2 Easy No Yeast Bagels⁣
1/2 cup self-rising flour⁣
4 tablespoons greek yogurt (plus a teaspoon or two more if needed)
1 large egg, beaten for egg wash⁣
1/3 - 1/2 cup grated gouda or gruyere⁣
Everything bagel seasoning⁣
3 tablespoons baking soda with 2 cups of boiling water. ⁣
⁣
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick spray. ⁣
⁣
In a small bowl, use a firm spatula to work together the flour and yogurt. Add a few teaspoons of yogurt if it feels dry and knead into a cohesive ball for 5 minutes or so. Sprinkle with a bit more flour if it gets overly sticky. Cover with a damp paper towel and gather your toppings. ⁣
⁣
Divide dough in two and roll each piece into a roughly 8-inch rope. Bring the ends around and pinch into a circle. ⁣
⁣
Sprinkle the bottom of the prepared pan with grated cheese in two spots.  Pour boiling water over the baking soda and float each bagel in the water for 20 or so seconds.  Use a slotted spot or spatula to transfer the bagels on top of the cheese.  Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with more cheese and everything bagel seasoning. ⁣
⁣
Bake for 20 - 22 minutes until deeply golden and bubbling.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and smearing with cream cheese.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up