Meal Plan 128

Oct 02, 2026

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

By the first full week of October, I am officially ready for soup, creamy pasta, and dinners that make the kitchen smell like something good has been happening all afternoon.

But October is also one of those months when schedules get busier by the day, so this week's meal plan balances cozy fall dinners with a few practical shortcuts.

Meal Plan 128

Just like all of my weekly meal plans, this week's free meal plan includes 7 delicious dinners, ideas for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, meal-prep ideas, and a shopping list. I truly want to help you make home-cooked meals easier!

Download the meal plan, complete with meal-prep tips and a shopping list, here. Or simply find inspiration below.

Dinner Recipes

Sunday: Marry Me Chicken or Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken with Orzo Rice + Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Monday: Lasagna Soup or Instant Pot Lasagna Soup + Leftover Salad
Tuesday: Ground Turkey Taco Skillet + Fresh Fruit
Wednesday: Leftover Marry Me Chicken served over leftover Orzo Rice + Frozen Veggies
Thursday: Baked Ravioli Lasagna + Leftover Salad
Friday: Cajun Chicken Pasta + Frozen Veggies or Salad
Saturday: Chicken Gnocchi Soup + Crusty Bread or Salad

Breakfast Ideas

Lunch Ideas

Leftovers
Soup + Crackers or Fruit
Cheese Quesadillas

Snack & Treats

Tips for this Week's Meal Plan

Sunday: Make extra Marry Me Chicken and a double batch of orzo so Wednesday's dinner is nearly finished before the week even starts. Make a large batch of balsamic vinaigrette too. It keeps well and is perfect for salads throughout the week.
Monday: Use just half a pound of ground sausage for the soup, saving the rest for Thursday night. I promise your meals will still be plenty hearty.
Tuesday: Ground turkey keeps this skillet quick and affordable, but use ground beef or chicken if either is on sale.
Wednesday: Reheat the leftover Marry Me Chicken gently with a splash of broth or cream so the sauce loosens back up. Serve it with the extra orzo from Sunday and a frozen vegetable.
Thursday: Use the remaining half of the sausage to make the baked ravioli.
Friday: Buy a larger package of chicken early in the week and divide it between Sunday's Marry Me Chicken and tonight's Cajun Chicken Pasta if the price is better per pound. Freeze Friday's portion if you are worried about keeping it fresh all week.
Saturday: Use the same heavy cream from Sunday's Marry Me Chicken to finish the Chicken Gnocchi Soup. If you have leftover spinach, toss that in too. No need to buy half-and-half just for one recipe. No Instant Pot? Follow my crockpot instructions below:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Instructions: Combine chicken, broth, carrots, and seasonings together in the base of a crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours (or on HIGH for 3-4 hours). Remove the chicken to a cutting board, shred. Turn the slow cooker to high. Add the chicken and gnocchi to the slow cooker, along with the cream, mixed with cornstarch. Cook on high for 20-30 minutes or until the soup has thickened and the gnocchi is tender. Stir spinach in for the last 5-10 mins of cooking if using.