Weeknight Rescue Meal Plan//October 18, 2025
We’re breaking out the flavors of the season this week, which is full of fall produce. It also offers some of the easiest recipes on the site. If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more of a fun baking project, check out the marbled pumpkin loaf cake at the tail end!
4-Ingredient Sweet Potato Enchiladas
It’s the flavor combo of these easy enchiladas that makes them a real winner. The balance of the spicy/tangy green enchilada sauce plays off just right with the sweet potato. You can bump up the protein and fiber by adding a can of black beans, layering it over the sweet potatoes. Serve it with this salad on the side if you want some crunch!
Modern Caesar
The addition of shaved Brussels sprouts and colorful radicchio adds texture and a big hit of nutrients to a classic Caesar. To make it a main dish, add rotisserie chicken or slices of this easy baked chicken. Griddled shrimp, boiled eggs, or any leftover protein-rich food in your fridge will do the job, too.
Baked Tofu Parm
Here’s a good one for meatless Monday. The tofu is breaded and baked until crispy and then layered with sauce and cheese. Add steamed or roasted broccoli and dinner is done. Leftovers are tasty a day or two later.
Weeknight Spaghetti and Clams
This is simple, affordable weeknight cooking that relies on pantry ingredients, including canned clams and spaghetti. Delish! Consider adding a green salad (with this dressing) or the Modern Caesar above.
Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Figs
If you can get yourself fresh figs from the market, this is a wonderful way to enjoy them. They pair beautifully when roasted with pork tenderloin. If you don’t have fresh figs, you can use another seasonal fruit, such as seedless grapes or sliced pears (instructions in the post).
Roasted Delicata Squash with Maple Syrup and Thyme
Delicata squash seems to be more widely available than ever before, which is a good thing indeed. It’s such a tasty variety and I know of no easier way to prepare it that this recipe. Seasonal squash, butter, maple syrup, herbs. So good!
Marbled Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf
Pumpkin and chocolate are a dream team in this supremely moist loaf cake punctuated with dark chocolate chips. You can also bake it in a muffin tin for single-serve treats.
SHOPPING LIST
4-Ingredient Sweet Potato Enchiladas
1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
8 small 6-inch tortillas
2 cups green enchilada sauce (two 8-ounce pouches or one 15-ounce can)
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Modern Caesar
3 oil-packed anchovy filets (or 1 tablespoon anchovy paste)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 large clove garlic
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
Small chunk Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups chopped hearts of romaine or Little Gem lettuce (about 1 romaine heart or 2-3 Little Gems)
2 cups chopped radicchio (if radicchio is too bitter for your taste, use endive or additional romaine)
8 ounces Brussels sprouts (about 3 cups shredded)
1 medium ripe avocado
Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Figs
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus 2 big sprigs
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
Freshly ground black pepper
Two 1 to 1-1 /4 pound pork tenderloins
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
16 fresh figs (about 1 basket)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, divided
Baked Vegetarian Tofu Parmigiana
14 ounces extra-firm tofu
¾ cup panko-style breadcrumbs
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
1 ¾ cups marinara sauce
1 cup lightly packed shredded Mozzarella cheese
Spaghetti and Clams
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 large cloves garlic
Four 6.5 ounce cans chopped clams in clam juice
1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
Zest of 1/2 lemon plus 2 tablespoons juice
Big pinch red pepper flakes
Roasted Delicata Squash
3 whole delicata squash
1 1/2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil for a vegan version)
1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
6 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Marbled Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf Cake
Non-stick cooking spray
One 15-ounce can pumpkin puree, unsweetened
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar, plus 3 tablespoons
2 eggs
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups whole-wheat pastry flour, spooned and leveled
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
½ heaping cup dark chocolate chips
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