Meals of the Week, July 19th to 25th, 2026

  

 Hello everyone!  Welcome to my weekly Sunday Meals of the Week Post!  Every Sunday I like to do a recap of all of the main meals that I have cooked and or enjoyed over the past seven days!  All of the delicious main dishes that have graced my table.   It is a post that I really enjoy doing, and, from the feedback that I get from you, my readers, I know that you enjoy reading and seeing as well!

 

 I started doing these posts several years ago.  As a person who lives on their own it became clear to me that preparing food and eating as a single person presented a particular challenge.  There could be the tendency to eat a lot of prepared, processed ready meals.  You could also eat out a lot. I did not want to do either of those things.  Frozen dinners are expensive and loaded with salt, fat and sugar.  Plus they never taste even half as good as they look on the package.

Food prep  for one could also become really boring. I love to cook, and I love to eat. Boring is not my thing.  I decided that, in sharing my main meals of the week with you, I would not only be inspired to cook better meals for myself, but I could  inspire those of you who find yourselves in the same position to want to cook and eat better for yourself also.

As a Senior, I am also on a very limited budget, and I have health concerns.  To that end I also try as much as possible to make my meals healthy and budget friendly.   I have also been downsizing a lot of my older recipes in recent months in an attempt to save money and to reduce waste.  

Personally, I don't want to end up having to eat the same thing for three or four days on the trot.  BORING!   To that end, I try to make my meals and menus as interesting and varied as possible,  in reasonable quantities for me to be able to cope with, and all whilst staying within my dietary and budget restrictions!

Generally speaking, I do eat out once a week with my father, on Wednesday nights, and most weeks, I will have a family dinner on Sundays at my sister's place. On those days I have substituted "like" types of recipes to use in their place. My daughter is also coming to me for Saturday night sleepover/movie nights, so we are trying to have something we both enjoy on Saturdays as well. Quick, easy and delicious.

I usually eat my main meals at noon or in the early afternoon. Going to bed on a full stomach is no longer an option, and I do tend to be in bed by 9 pm most nights. Breakfast is usually a protein shake, homemade granola, or oatmeal with fruit.  At supper time, I will usually have a sandwich, or a salad.  Occasionally I will have yogurt and fruit for either breakfast or supper.  

I try as much as possible not to each in between meals, but I am only human and so occasionally I will eat a cookie or a piece of cake.  Naughty I know. Most of the time they are homemade and unprocessed at least.

And so, without further adieu, here are the main meals that I have enjoyed over the past seven days!  I hope you will enjoy them as well and perhaps be inspired to want to cook a few of them for yourself!

 

SUNDAY, July 19th - Chicken Pot Pie  Casserole for Two

Usually on Sundays we will go to my sister's for supper. She wasn't feeling too well this week so we cancelled family dinner and just made our own at home. Eileen and I had Chicken Pot Pie Casserole for Two. I always have cooked chicken in the freezer and plenty of vegetables so this was quick and easy to prepare.

If you’re craving something warm, homey, and deeply comforting, this Chicken Pot Pie Casserole for Two is the kind of dish that makes you feel wrapped in a kitchen hug. Tender chicken and a medley of colourful vegetables are tucked into a rich, herb‑kissed homemade gravy , then topped with buttery, flaky from‑scratch buttermilk biscuits that bake up golden and gorgeous right on top .

It’s everything you love about a classic pot pie — but perfectly sized for one or two people, with no waste and no leftovers lingering in the fridge . Simple ingredients, cozy flavours, and a satisfying, hearty finish… this little casserole is a true small‑batch winner.

We enjoyed this along with some sliced cucumbers (a bit afraid of lettuce at the moment) and some strawberries and ice cream for dessert. It all went down a real treat. Eileen decided to stay an extra night. We were both enjoying our time together a lot.

MONDAY, July 20th - Pork Steak with Mushroom Gravy

I had a couple of minute pork steaks in the freezer so on Monday I made myself Pork Steak with Mushroom Gravy. This is always something I enjoy. It is simple, savory and delicious.

This cozy dish turns humble pork steaks into something truly special. The meat is lightly seasoned, dusted in flour, and flash‑fried in butter until beautifully golden and tender . Then it’s nestled into a rich, homemade mushroom gravy made right in the same pan — golden sautéed mushrooms, a touch of flour, chicken stock, and cream come together into a silky, savory sauce that feels like pure comfort.

It’s quick, economical, and deeply satisfying — the kind of simple, from‑scratch supper that makes you grateful for what’s already in your fridge. Perfect for two, perfect for busy days, and absolutely perfect with a pile of buttery mash or a baked potato.

On this occasion I enjoyed it with a baked potato and some fresh local yellow beans from the farmers market. Mom always called them Wax Beans. I really love them.

TUESDAY, July 21st - Honey & Sesame Noodle Salad

I had some chicken in the freezer that I got up at Peltons. I love their chicken it is always tender and delicious. Not tough like the supermarket chicken. I decided to make myself Honey & Sesame Noodle Salad. This is a salad I just love, LOVE. 

 This Honey & Sesame Chicken Noodle Salad is fresh, vibrant, and packed with irresistible flavour. Tender, five‑spice‑rubbed chicken is grilled until golden and juicy, then paired with al dente noodles tossed in a sweet‑savory dressing of soy, honey, lemon, garlic, and chili flakes for just the right amount of zing . Crisp spring onions, nutty sesame seeds, and bright, crunchy tenderstem broccoli finish the dish with colour and texture. 

 It's refreshing, wholesome, and incredibly easy to prep ahead - perfect for busy days, work lunches, or a light family supper that tastes like sunshine in a bowl. Nothing else is needed. Its a whole meal in one.

WEDNESDAY, July 22nd - Dinner out with the family

My father likes to go out to a local eatery for dinner on Wednesday nights and we join him. My sister has to drive him anyways, so she might as well stay and I go along because I like spending time with them, and dad's friend Hazel also comes and Eileen has been joining us since January.  We all enjoy this time together.

This week's specials were the Six-layer Lasagna (served with garlic bread and salad) and the foot long Cheese-steak Sandwich served with fries and coleslaw.  Eileen chose the lasagna and I chose the sandwich. (I saved half of it for Eileen to take home with her for her supper the next night.) Both were very good.  Dad had a Cheeseburger and fries. Hazel had the grilled Haddock dinner and Cindy had the Belly Buster Burger with sweet potato fries. We were all happy with our meals.

In the place of my sandwich I am sharing my recipe for the Not Quite Philly Beef and Cheese Sandwich.  This is very similar to a cheese steak. Rare deli roast beef, with a lush sauce, plenty of peppers, onions and lotsa lotsa cheese, all tucked into a soft bun that has been toasted on the cut sides. Delicious!

THURSDAY, July 23rd - Easy Dump & Bake Meatball Casserole

I made this simple casserole on Thursday with the idea in mind that I would give half of it to Eileen for her to have for her supper on Friday. She had a lot of medical appointments on Friday and I didn't want her to have to worry about cooking a meal on top of everything.

Cooking for one or two doesn’t have to mean settling for bland meals or drowning in leftovers. This Dump & Bake Meatball Casserole is a cozy, small‑batch pasta bake that comes together with just a handful of ingredients and almost no effort. Everything — dry pasta, marinara sauce, water, herbs, and tender Italian meatballs — is stirred together and baked until the pasta absorbs the flavourful sauce and the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly topping. 

It’s budget‑friendly, freezer‑friendly, and perfect for anyone who wants a comforting, homemade dinner without the fuss. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a small household, this easy casserole proves that simple ingredients can still deliver big, delicious results.

A salad would be excellent served on the side of this. We are avoiding lettuce at the moment so made do with a bean salad.  It was all very yummy and Eileen really appreciated the leftovers.

FRIDAY, July 24th - Salmon & Broccoli Fish Cakes

I was really craving some fish on Friday so made myself some fish cakes. Salmon and broccoli are beautiful partners and I used some salmon this week along with some chopped fresh broccoli to make these delicious fish cakes.  You can use poached fresh salmon or you can use tinned salmon. In this instance I used tinned salmon.  These are fabulously delicious!  Flavored with dill and lemon, they are really simple and easy to make. 

I love that you can buy the tinned salmon now which is bone and skin free.  I have always enjoyed  tinned salmon, but have never been fond of the bones and skin. I have taken ages in the past routing it all out so I can discard it!

These fish cakes are really lovely. I enjoyed them with some steamed veggies on the side (again, avoiding salad). You could also have them with a lemon butter sauce if you wished. Very tasty.

SATURDAY, July 25th - Baked Western Sandwich with Oven Hash

Eileen was over Saturday night for a movie night and a sleepover. We both enjoy these times together very much. 

This Baked Western Sandwich is pure diner‑style comfort made easy at home. A savoury mix of onions, peppers, and chopped ham is sautéed in butter until soft and flavourful, then baked with eggs and rich, crumbly aged cheddar into a tender omelet you can slice and tuck between hot, buttered toast for the perfect Western Sandwich experience. Paired with crisp, golden oven‑roasted hash browns, it’s a simple, satisfying meal that feels like a cozy treat any time of day.

Who doesn't enjoy Diner food? We enjoyed this exactly as written and had a couple of cheeky ice cream sundaes for dessert!

Simple and delicious. Works for me every time!

And there you have it, my meals of the week for the past seven days.  I hope that you will be inspired to want to cook a few of these things for yourself as well!    Enjoy! Be sure to come back next Sunday to see what I cook over the next seven days!

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