It’s the fourth week of May, and the menu is full of goodies! From hearty chili to elegant chicken Lombardi, there are delicious dinner ideas all week long to inspire you.
One of my favorite things about late May is that the kitchen starts to feel connected to the world right outside the back door. The herbs are growing beautifully in the garden, and I love going out to pluck fresh rosemary, thyme or basil to use with whatever is on the menu that evening.
Eating seasonally is a joy this time of year, and you’ll see that reflected in this week’s menu. From a bright lemony artichoke soup to an elegant rhubarb galette, the flavors of late spring are front and center. Pull up a chair, grab your grocery list and let’s get dinner on the table this week!
Monday
Happy Memorial Day! We always try to make it to our local Memorial Day parade when the weather cooperates, but this year it looks like the weekend and Monday will be a little washed out. So, instead of firing up the grill for hamburgers in the rain, we turned to one of our all-time family favorites, and frankly, no one’s complaining!
Our family chili recipe has a slightly sweet, deep savory flavor that everyone loves, and while it’s not my mom’s original recipe, it has all the comfort and warmth of something that’s been lovingly made and shared over the years. I almost always make a double batch and tuck the leftovers in the freezer for a quick and easy lunch or dinner on the road.
Served in a large shallow bowl with all the fixings like sliced green onions, sour cream, shredded cheddar, tortilla chips and salsa, it becomes a complete and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy. Round it all out with a batch of sweet cream cornbread and Monday dinner is done!
🌿 Tip: Chili is always better the next day! Make it on Sunday and reheat it on Monday for a more delicious, stress-free dinner.
The best family favorite chili
Sweet cream corn bread with a helping from a box mix
Chips and Homemade Blender Salsa
Tres Leche Cake
Tuesday
Tonight’s dinner, Lemony Tuscan Artichoke Soup, is completely new to me, and since I’m a huge fan of artichokes, it immediately caught my eye. The bright lemon soup and tender artichokes look absolutely lovely, and I think they would be equally delicious with shredded or rotisserie chicken for a light meal.
🌿 Tip: When making no-knead bread dough, mix a whole batch and store it in the refrigerator. You’ll have fresh homemade bread ready to bake all week long with almost no effort!
Lemony Tuscan Artichoke Soup
Arugula Salad with Parmesan, Pepitas and Lemon Vinaigrette
Easy no-knead bread
Wednesday
Wednesday dinners are fresh, delicious and a little fun! The grilled chicken kabobs are delicious and simple, but honestly, the star of this meal is the Asian ramen noodle salad.
This is one of those salads that I love to serve when we have company over because it’s different, full of flavor and never fails to impress. In fact, guests often ask me for the recipe! It’s the kind of side dish that surprises people the best and keeps them coming back for more.
🌿 Tip: Make the Asian Ramen Noodle Salad a few hours ahead and refrigerate it, but wait to add the crunchy ramen noodles before serving so they’re super crispy!
Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Peanut Lime Dressing
Delicious Asian Ramen Noodle Salad
Thursday
Salmon makes regular appearances on our weekly menu, and for good reason. It’s healthy, delicious, and a single recipe almost always gives me a great lunch the next day. This Baked Salmon in Foil with Garlic, Rosemary and Thyme is a lovely, fuss-free way to prepare it and paired with a bright.
Asparagus and Lemon Orzo Salad is another new recipe I’m trying this week. Now that it’s in season, we eat a lot of asparagus.
Tonight’s dinner feels a little special without too much effort.
🌿 Tip: Always temp your salmon for perfect results! The USDA recommends 145°F, but I like to pull mine from the oven at 140°F and let the cook do the rest of the carryover. You’ll get perfectly cooked, moist salmon every time.
Salmon baked in foil with garlic, rosemary and thyme
Asparagus and Lemon Orzo Salad
Friday
We have company coming over this weekend, so I’m already thinking ahead and preparing what I can do in advance.
Chicken Lombardi is an elegant but simple dish perfect for guests, and since our friends are true foodies, I think they’ll either be in the kitchen with me or on the grill with Bobby!
Served with Nani’s fried rice (she loves it as much as we do) and bacon-wrapped asparagus, this is a dinner that feels special and celebratory without the stress.
Chicken Lombardy
Nani’s Fried Rice
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Saturday
There’s nothing like a great steak, and this Marinated Herb Butter T-Bone Steak is totally company-worthy! We hope the weather cooperates so we can enjoy dinner on the patio with our friends, because good steaks, good company, and a warm May evening sound almost perfect.
For dinner, a classic Caesar salad with homemade dressing and chocolate chip skillet cookies for dessert. Skillet cookies are also new to me. I don’t mind friends and family being “guinea pigs” to help me test out new recipes.
🌿 Tip: Make Dill Pickled Potato Salad a few days ahead! Flavors has time to get married and it’s all the better for him.
Marinade Herb Butter T-Bone Steak
Dill Pickled Potato Salad
Caesar salad with homemade salad dressing
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookies
sunday
Our company will leave us before dinner. Sunday offers something simple and comforting. The Slow Cooker Mushroom Chicken is just the thing for a quiet dinner for two, served over noodles. It is warm, satisfying and practically easy.
And Panzanella Salad? It is my absolute favorite. Honestly, I could make that beautiful Tuscan bread salad my entire meal and walk away completely satisfied! I probably will.
🌿 Tip: When making croutons for panzanella salad, you want a crisp outside with little inside. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t get too hard!
Slow Cooker Mushroom Chicken
noodles
Panzanella Salad: Tuscan Bread Salad
Sweet treat of the week…
Rhubarb is in season, and I look forward to it all year! This easy and delicious rhubarb galette is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the gorgeous, sweet and sour flavors that only rhubarb can provide. A galette is rustic, pretty and much simpler than a traditional pie, making it the perfect dessert for this time of year.
🌿 Tip: Any summer fruit can easily be substituted for the rhubarb, making this recipe incredibly versatile. Strawberries, peaches, cherries or blueberries would all be absolutely delicious!
Easy and delicious rhubarb galette
Other recipes I think you will like
Chicken Fried Steak It’s a true comfort food classic, and this crispy, hearty recipe is a great reason to bring it back to your table!
Smooth, cheesy, and full of flavor, this 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas Prove that weeknight dinners don’t have to be complicated.
I made this summer Pan Seared Cod in White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce Many times and it never disappoints!
This colorful Baja Fish Tacos Fresh, vibrant and perfect for summer.
I keep a big batch Magic BBQ Rub Keeps on hand all summer long because it makes everything off the grill awesome.
Nothing beats a bowl Homemade vanilla ice creamAnd this step-by-step recipe makes it completely accessible!
Rich, creamy and gorgeous, this Crab Bisque Each bowl feels like a special occasion.
Cheesy, tangy and comforting, this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Going straight to the top of my must make list.
Bright and bursting with fresh flavor, this Strawberry Lemon Blondies The perfect warm weather treat.
Packed with tender and bold Mediterranean flavors, this Slow Cooker Greek Chicken A wonderful hands-off weeknight dinner.
Rich and rich with sumptuous pan sauce, Pepper Chicken Feels like a restaurant meal at home.
Tangy, crunchy and full of flavor, Old-fashioned sauerkraut salad A fun retro side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
simple and fresh, Green beans with mushrooms A go-to side dish that pairs well with almost anything.
I love artichokes, these are delicious and tender Baked Italian Artichoke Hearts Absolutely calling my name!
Silky, rich, and deeply satisfying, this Authentic Italian Carbonara It is one of the classic recipes that everyone should have in their repertoire.
Light, elegant and very pretty with fresh strawberries, Strawberry Flagnard A beautiful and easy warm weather dessert.
bright and creamy, Creamy Lemon Pasta A quick and satisfying dinner that comes together.
Sweet, sour and beautiful, Rhubarb Shortcake Rhubarb is a lovely twist on a classic summer dessert when it’s in season.
Crispy, cheesy and very easy to make, Sheet Pan Oven Quesadillas A genius solution for an entertaining weeknight dinner.
Golden, garlicky and absolutely irresistible, Crispy Garlic Parmesan Green Beans There is a side dish that I like to make every week.
This creates all the rich, savory flavors of French onion soup poured over tender steaks French Onion Salisbury Steak Pure comfort food at its best.
Rich, chocolatey, and perfectly split, this Mini Texas Sheet Pan Cakes It’s a wonderful little indulgence any night of the week.
I hope this week’s menu gives you plenty of inspiration and maybe even some new recipes to add to your regular rotation! From a cozy slow cooker dinner to a fantastic steak night with friends on the patio, there’s something for every night of the week. Don’t forget to save your favorites to Pinterest so you can find them easily, and if you make any of these recipes, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Leave me a comment below and let me know what’s on your menu this week.
Happy cooking, friend…
