On The Menu 4th Week Of August

Get a full week of dinner ideas plus 49 delicious recipes, from tomato pie to raw apple cake, in this easy weekly menu plan.

Happy September, friends! There is something about this time of year that makes me want to spend a little extra time in the kitchen, and this week’s menu has a little bit of everything I love.

From a spin on tomato pie while summer tomatoes are still at their peak, to a steak dinner that never disappoints, to the soup that always finds its way into my freezer, this week has you covered for seven delicious dinners. And of course, we cannot let September pass without making raw apple cake, a family favorite that always disappears fast.

I hope this week’s menu makes your planning a little easier and your dinners a little more delicious.

I am very excited to make this delicious spin on tomato pie this week. Layers of juicy tomatoes, caramelized onions, and crisp bacon settle into a flaky crust under a creamy, cheesy topping, and this is the perfect time of year to make it, as tomatoes are at their very best.

Alongside it, a peppery arugula salad with toasted pepitas, shaved Parmesan, and a bright lemon vinaigrette rounds out the meal beautifully.

🌿 TIP BOX: For the best tomato pie, salt your tomato slices and let them sit on paper towels for ten minutes before layering. Patting them dry removes excess moisture so your crust stays flaky instead of soggy.

Bacon Onion Tomato Pie

Arugula Salad With Parmesan, Pepitas, In A Lemon Vinaigrette

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Steak is always a favorite on our menu, and this pan-seared balsamic steak is one I have made quite a few times and find absolutely delicious. A hot cast iron skillet gives the steak a deep, caramelized crust, and a rich balsamic herb cream sauce finishes it off and makes it feel special. Don’t tell Bobby, I actually like this recipe more than one on the grill.

On the side, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes and a Mexican street corn salad with pearl couscous round out the plate.

🌿 Searing a steak this way creates a good bit of smoke in the kitchen, so turn your fan on high before you start. It will help keep your smoke alarm quiet while you get that deep, caramelized crust.

Pan Seared Balsamic Steak

Melt In Your Mouth Potatoes

Mexican Street Corn Salad

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When I don’t have any chicken taco soup in the freezer, I know it’s time to make a double batch. This soup is easy to make, full of Tex-Mex flavor, and freezes beautifully for lunches or those nights when I just don’t want to cook. I also love giving a frozen container of soup to my mom or a friend who is under the weather. Serve it alongside a slice of sweet cream corn cornbread for the perfect pairing.

🌿 Sauteeing your onions, peppers, and garlic before adding the liquid makes a real difference. Taking that extra five minutes to soften them and toast the taco seasoning deepens the flavor of the whole pot.

The Best Chicken Taco Soup

Sweet Cream Corn Cornbread

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I love cod piccata, and this version is lemony, creamy, and dusted with capers. It’s another recipe I make over and over. The cod is dredged in a Parmesan flour coating and pan-seared, then simmered in that bright, buttery sauce and served over linguine. A simple caprese salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil rounds out the meal.

🌿 My best tip is to not overcook the cod. It only needs four to five minutes per side in the skillet, just until it turns golden. No rubbery cod, please.

Cod Piccata With Linguine

Caprese Salad

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This French chicken casserole is a spin on my Nani’s Sauteed Chicken. The flavor profile is a bit different, with mushrooms, shallots, and a splash of white wine, but the way the chicken thighs gently cook into a delicious saucy bath creates the most tender, moist chicken. Alongside it, caramelized onion mashed potatoes and lemon garlic sauteed spinach make it a complete, cozy meal.

🌿 Searing the chicken skin side down for a few minutes before it goes into the sauce is the key step for that deep golden color and rich flavor in the finished dish. Don’t rush this part.

French Chicken Casserole

Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

Lemon Garlic Sauteed Spinach

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My favorite salmon profile has an Asian bent, and this honey soy salmon is scrumptious. A quick marinade of soy sauce, honey, ginger, and scallions comes together in minutes, then the salmon broils to perfection in under ten. This is another one of my favorite recipes. Alongside it, mushroom cauliflower rice, a dish Bobby always loves, and crispy crack broccoli with lemon, garlic, and Parmesan round out the plate.

🌿 Hold back some of the marinade before it touches the raw salmon, then spoon that reserved portion over the fish once it comes out of the oven. This keeps the bright flavor without worrying about cross-contamination.

Honey Soy Salmon

Mushroom Cauliflower Rice

Crack Broccoli

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Tonight’s dinner makes fajitas easy and delicious. This sheet pan chicken fajita recipe gives us enough for dinner tonight and lunches for me for a day or two. One extra ingredient I always add to fajitas is red pepper jelly. Give it a try, it is amazing! Serve everything alongside sweet, buttery corn on the cob for a simple, satisfying meal.

🌿 Spread the chicken, peppers, and onions in a single layer with room to breathe on the pan. Crowding them causes steaming instead of roasting, and you will miss out on those caramelized edges.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Butter Boiled Corn On The Cob

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It’s September, so that means it’s time to make raw apple cake. It’s everyone’s favorite. This cake is packed with fresh chopped apples and walnuts, and it stays moist and tender for days, whether you top it with the simple vanilla drizzle or serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you make one thing this week, raw apple cake should be it. It’s that delicious.

🌿 Leave the peel on your apples. It saves a step and adds little flecks of color and texture throughout the cake, and no one will ever miss it.

Raw Apple Cake

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Crispy on the outside and juicy within, air fryer garlic parmesan chicken tenders come together in minutes with barely any cleanup.

A slice of warm, cheesy beer bread is the perfect no-fuss addition to almost any dinner table.

For a lighter start to the day, this healthy breakfast strawberry shortcake swaps in wholesome ingredients without losing any of the sweetness.

Layers of flaky phyllo make this tomato ricotta phyllo tart as beautiful as it is delicious.

Fresh basil and creamy ricotta turn this summer pasta with zucchini, ricotta and basil into a simple weeknight favorite.

You will want to keep a batch of these easy skinny ice cream sandwiches tucked away in the freezer all summer long.

This WW Mexican casserole delivers all the Tex-Mex flavor you love in a lightened-up, family-friendly dish.

Sweet, tender, and studded with sprinkles, funfetti pound cake turns any occasion into a celebration.

Slow-simmered until fall-apart tender, this French onion chuck roast is pure comfort food.

For a fun spin on breakfast, this cracked-up tater tot casserole is hearty enough to double as dinner too.

Bright with citrus, orange zucchini bread is a wonderful way to use up extra zucchini from the garden.

Tender and full of flavor, baked chicken ricotta meatballs are a lighter twist on a classic favorite.

On a chilly night, a bowl of creamy ravioli soup is exactly the kind of comfort you crave.

This German bee sting cake layers a honeyed almond topping over soft cake and creamy filling for a truly special dessert.

Loaded with vegetables and a flaky crust, this creamy chicken pot pie casserole is comfort food at its best.

Crunchy, colorful, and full of texture, the famous La Scala chopped salad is a restaurant favorite you can make right at home.

Zesty and fresh, this Southwest salad with cilantro lime dressing is packed with color and flavor.

Made with juicy summer peaches, brown sugar peach cake is a simple, sweet way to celebrate the season.

Rich, saucy, and satisfying, beef Lombardi casserole is a hearty dinner the whole family will ask for again.

This Texas Roadhouse-style baked salmon gets a sweet, honey lime glaze that makes it feel like a restaurant meal at home.

Sweet caramel and crunchy pecans make these caramel-frosted zucchini pecan bars an irresistible treat.

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes bake up crispy and golden in this crispy balsamic thyme potato torte.

Perfect for a potluck or a quick lunch, creamy pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser every time.

These easy stuffed mushrooms make a wonderful appetizer that always disappears fast.

Sweet peaches and a splash of bourbon come together beautifully in this bourbon peach roasted salmon.

These Chicago-style bakery apple slices are a wonderful way to feed a crowd with a classic fall dessert.

Crunchy Fritos and sweet corn make Frito corn salad a fun addition to any summer cookout.

Ready in just ten minutes, easy lemon ricotta pasta and spinach is a bright, simple dinner for busy nights.

Rich, fudgy, and finished with a sprinkle of salt, salted brownie cookies are the treat you did not know you needed.

Crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, and all the classic toppings make this classic wedge salad a steakhouse favorite you can enjoy any night.

And no collection would be complete without Ina Garten’s meatloaf, a tried-and-true classic that never disappoints.

I hope this week’s menu gives you plenty of inspiration for your own table. There is something here for every night of the week. As always, I would love to hear which recipes become new favorites in your home. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I will see you back here next week with a brand new menu.

Happy cooking, friends…