8/12/2026
Meal Prep Like a Chef: Back to School Meal Plan (Week 1)
Chef Ashley brings easy, family friendly meals to your kitchen with a printable shopping list.
This two-week meal plan includes 10 family-friendly dinners, with five recipes each week. You’ll also get a printable shopping list and Chef Ashley’s meal prep tips to help you shop once, prep with a plan and make weeknight dinners easier.
Yes, you can prep components of these meals ahead of time to make weeknight easier. The goal isn’t to cook five complete meals on Sunday. Instead, Chef Ashley shows you how to prepare ingredients, marinades and other components ahead of time so you can quickly turn them into fresh dinners throughout the week.
This meal plan is designed for busy families looking for easy, flavorful weeknight dinners, especially during the back-to-school season. The recipes are built with real-life schedules in mind, but they’re flexible enough for anyone who wants to spend less time planning dinner and more time enjoying it.
In some recipes you can substitute a similar cut of beef, but the best substitution depends on the recipe and cooking method. When choosing a substitute, consider the cut’s tenderness, thickness and recommended cooking method. Check the individual recipe or use the Certified Angus Beef ® brand [Beef Cuts Guide] to find a cut with similar characteristics.
Not at all! Think of this meal plan as a guide, not a strict set of rules. When you follow along with Chef Ashley on social, you may notice she makes a few swaps or uses ingredients she already has on hand. That’s part of real-life cooking! Use her approach for inspiration, then follow the linked recipes for the recommended ingredients and cooking instructions. From there, feel free to make your own swaps and adjustments to fit your family’s preferences, schedule and what you have in the kitchen.
Now let’s cook.
Let's talk about the secret to making a family pack work for you. Buying a bigger pack of Certified Angus Beef ® sirloin steaks is great, but only if you know how to maximize its use! Instead of cooking a few steaks tonight and hoping inspiration strikes later in the week, we’re treating the whole pack as one prepped component for the week.
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Chef Ashley’s Tip:
Don’t be scared of “cold steak”. It still performs as the star of the plate even two days later, it’s just about how you utilize it. Always be sure to slice it thin and against the grain.
Welcome to Tuesday night! Tonight’s pizza is proof that leftovers don’t have to feel like leftovers.
We’re layering sliced sirloin onto grilled pizza dough with grilled peaches and a good-quality jarred pesto for a dinner that feels special without requiring much effort. Plus, no air fryer required! Meal prep is about knowing where your time matters most.
Tonight, I’m perfectly happy letting store-bought pesto do some of the work.
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Chef Ashley’s Tip:
Don’t be scared of grilling those peaches! Stone fruits do well with heat and the grill will char them beautifully. Spray the flesh with some non-stick cooking spray and lay them flesh-side down straight on the grill. Once the edges start to caramelize, gently flip for just a minute or two. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze if you’re feeling fancy. Very Hamptons. 😉
EASY NIGHT. YOU DESERVE IT! We've made it to the middle of the week, and this is where Sunday meal prep really starts to show off.
Thinly slice your cooked sirloin against the grain, pile it onto a toasted focaccia roll and dinner is basically done. Chef Kiss, sandwich night!
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Chef Ashley Tip:
Spread that herby mayo on the bun before toasting them. I use it anywhere I would normally use butter for an extra layer of flavor.
I hope tonight feels like the exhale, my friend. Nobody ordered takeout. Nobody has hit the drive-through. That’s a win!
Remember those meatballs we prepped on Sunday? Tonight is why.
Warm them in your favorite sauce, serve over your favorite pasta shape and finish with some grated Parmesan.
We’re not reinventing the wheel tonight. We’re boiling water.
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Chef Ashley’s Tip:
If your meatballs are still frozen because you forgot to thaw them the day before, throw them in your slow cooker with your favorite sauce. Let dinner take care of itself while you’re at work.
Cue the “WE DID IT!” energy. It’s Friday and I'm not asking for anything ambitious.
And once again, Sunday prep has paid us back. The ground beef is already cooked, which means fewer dishes, less cleanup and one less thing standing between you and dinner.
Mix, dump and BAKE.
Your family is full, happy, and loaded with protein for the first week of back-to-school dinners. I’d call that a success.
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Everything you need for this week’s recipes is organized into one convenient shopping list to make your next grocery trip faster and easier.
Check Before You Shop
Before you fill your cart, see what you already have on hand. These everyday ingredients may already be hiding in your pantry or fridge.
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