Husband Approved: Your 21 Day Fix, Ultimate Portion Fix & Weight Watchers Meal Plan with 5 Delicious Dinners & Printable Grocery List

Navigating healthy eating for the entire family can often feel like a juggling act, especially when you’re dedicated to structured nutrition plans like the 21 Day Fix, Ultimate Portion Fix, or Weight Watchers Freestyle. The quest for meals that are both nutritious and genuinely appealing to every palate, including that of a discerning partner, is a common challenge. That’s precisely why I’ve curated this special 21 Day Fix meal plan, complete with a convenient printable grocery list, featuring five “husband approved” dinners that promise to be a resounding success around your dinner table. My husband, who serves as the ultimate arbiter of taste for this blog, has enthusiastically endorsed each of these recipes, confirming their status as both wholesome and incredibly delicious. This ensures you’re getting recipes that are not just good for you, but genuinely enjoyed by all.

This post contains affiliate links for products I am obsessed with, meaning if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

To celebrate the spirit of family and good food, especially around moments like Father’s Day, I’ve compiled a collection of my husband’s absolute favorite meals from the blog. His stamp of approval is the ultimate testament to a recipe’s success; only those that truly win him over make the final cut to be shared with you. This curated selection includes dishes that consistently rank high on his list of “must-have” meals. These aren’t just healthy alternatives; they are robust, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying dishes designed to please everyone. Each recipe is meticulously detailed with container counts for 21 Day Fix and Ultimate Portion Fix, as well as Weight Watchers Freestyle points, making your healthy eating journey both enjoyable and effortless. Get ready to transform your weekly meal routine with these five universally loved, nutritious, and undeniably tasty dinners!

The Secret to Success: “Husband Approved” Meals

What exactly does “husband approved” signify in the realm of healthy eating? It’s more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a guarantee that these recipes transcend the typical “diet food” stigma. It means a dish is hearty, packed with flavor, and satisfying enough to appease even the most traditional eaters who might be wary of healthy adaptations. When my main taste-tester gives a recipe his enthusiastic endorsement, it ensures that it’s not a compromise but a genuinely delicious meal that the entire family will look forward to. This meal plan takes the stress out of planning healthy dinners, demonstrating that you can adhere to your dietary goals while still serving up crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed meals.

Seamlessly Integrating Health Programs into Family Dinners

For individuals committed to the 21 Day Fix, Ultimate Portion Fix, or Weight Watchers Freestyle, finding recipes that fit within your daily allocations is crucial for sustained success. These programs effectively promote balanced nutrition and mindful portion control. Our meal plan is specifically designed to simplify this process, providing clear container counts for 21 Day Fix/Ultimate Portion Fix and Freestyle points for Weight Watchers. Each meal is thoughtfully balanced to provide essential nutrients, keeping you feeling full and energized. This approach allows you to focus on enjoying your food and your family, rather than constantly calculating and worrying about compliance.

Your Weekly Guide: 5 Husband Approved Dinners with Grocery Lists

Monday: Healthy & Hearty Shepherd’s Pie

Start your week strong with a beloved comfort food, healthified! This Healthy Shepherd’s Pie offers all the rich, savory goodness of the classic dish – a deeply flavorful meat base crowned with a light, fluffy potato topping – but with a smart, nutritious makeover. You have the flexibility to choose between the traditional oven-baked version or opt for the time-saving Instant Pot Healthy Shepherd’s Pie, which is also a fantastic gluten- and dairy-free option. It’s an ideal meal for any evening, providing a substantial amount of lean protein and cleverly hidden vegetables to make it a complete and satisfying dish that truly delivers on flavor and wholesomeness.

21 Day Fix: 1 YELLOW, 1 GREEN, 1 RED, and 1 1/2 tsp (per serving)
WW Freestyle: 4 points (per serving)

Groceries for Healthy Shepherd’s Pie:

Cooking spray
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Chicken broth
Himalayan salt
Tomato paste
Organic lean ground turkey
Chopped cauliflower
Red potatoes
Vegan butter, olive oil, or ghee

Tuesday: Easy & Delicious Lazy Zucchini Lasagna

Tuesdays often demand something comforting yet simple to prepare, and our Lazy Zucchini Lasagna perfectly fits the bill. Bid farewell to the laborious layering of traditional pasta sheets; this brilliant one-skillet recipe ingeniously uses fresh zucchini slices as a gluten-free and vegetable-packed alternative to noodles. It’s a delightful medley of savory lean organic Italian poultry sausage, vibrant fresh spinach, and a creamy blend of cheeses, all simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce (or a quality no-sugar-added jarred sauce for ultimate convenience). This lasagna delivers all the robust Italian flavors you adore, presented in a healthier, much easier-to-assemble package. It’s a truly satisfying and flavorful meal that everyone will love.

21 Day Fix: 2 GREEN, 1 1/2 RED, 3/4 BLUE (per serving)
WW Freestyle: 10 points (per serving)

Groceries for Lazy Zucchini Lasagna:

Cooking spray
Lean organic Italian poultry sausage
Fresh garlic
Zucchini
Spinach
Homemade tomato sauce (or no sugar added jar sauce)
Ricotta cheese
Egg
Parmesan cheese
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh ground pepper
Fresh basil

Wednesday: Warming Instant Pot Beanless Beef Chili

For a perfect mid-week meal that’s both hearty and quick, look no further than this 21 Day Fix Instant Pot Beanless Beef Chili. This robust chili is incredibly flavorful and deeply satisfying, even without the traditional addition of beans. It’s brimming with lean ground beef and a colorful spectrum of nutritious vegetables, including onion, celery, carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini, making it a powerful source of nutrients. The Instant Pot works its magic, ensuring a rich, slow-cooked depth of flavor in significantly less time. As an added bonus, this chili is Paleo and Whole30 friendly, offering a versatile and delicious option for various dietary needs. Serve it as a stand-alone comfort meal or customize it with your favorite healthy toppings for extra zest!

21 Day Fix: 1 RED, 1 3/4 GREEN, 1/2 tsp (per serving)
WW Freestyle: 7 points (per serving)

Groceries for Instant Pot Beanless Beef Chili:

Ground beef
Fresh garlic
Olive oil
Onion
Celery
Carrots
Bell peppers
Zucchini
Chili powder
Ground cumin
Oregano
Cayenne pepper
Tomato puree or tomato sauce
Tomatoes with green chilies

Thursday: Gourmet Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with Creamy Mac & Cheese

Elevate your Thursday dinner with a touch of gourmet flair by preparing these exquisite 21 Day Fix Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Lightly pan-fried to a beautiful golden crisp, these gluten-free crab cakes are bursting with the delicate, sweet flavor of tender lump crabmeat. For a truly indulgent yet balanced meal, pair them with our incredibly creamy and comforting Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. This mac and cheese, a healthy marvel, incorporates a secret ingredient (cauliflower!) to enhance its nutritional value while retaining that wonderfully luscious, cheesy texture everyone loves. It’s also gluten-free and easily adaptable for Weight Watchers Freestyle. This pairing creates a delightful symphony of sophisticated tastes and comforting textures, perfect for a special weeknight treat.

Tip: Enhance the nutritional value and freshness of your meal by serving it alongside a vibrant, crisp side salad. This simple addition can significantly boost your daily vegetable intake!

**Budget Tip: If jumbo lump crabmeat doesn’t fit your budget this week, you can still enjoy a fantastic meal with the creamy mac and cheese. For a delicious and economical alternative, simply stir in some canned tuna (packed in water) at the end of the mac and cheese cooking time for a healthy twist on tuna noodle casserole. Alternatively, cooked and diced chicken can be added for a hearty and equally satisfying dish!

Crab Cakes 21 Day Fix: 1/2 YELLOW, 1 RED, 2 tsp (per crab cake)
Crab Cakes WW Freestyle: 6 points (per crab cake)

Mac & Cheese 21 Day Fix: 1 1/3 YELLOW, 1/3 GREEN, 1 BLUE, 1/2 tsp (per serving)
Mac & Cheese WW Freestyle: 6 points (per serving)

Groceries for Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes:

Extra-virgin olive oil
Olive oil spray
Butter or ghee
Onion
Fresh garlic
Jumbo lump crabmeat
Fresh bread crumbs (Use Gluten-free bread for GF Crab cakes)
Mayonnaise
Old Bay seasoning
Egg
Lemon
Fresh cilantro
Salt
Pepper
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Groceries for Creamy Mac & Cheese:

Cauliflower
Chicken broth (can sub water)
Elbow pasta (I used a 12 oz box of gluten-free Barilla)
Vegan butter or ghee (can sub regular butter)
Freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Pecorino Romano (optional, but highly recommended!)
Garlic powder
Dry mustard
Himalayan salt

Friday: Indulgent Blue Cheese Burgers with Lettuce Wraps

Cap off your week with these incredibly flavorful 21 Day Fix Blue Cheese Burgers. Made with lean ground sirloin, these patties are expertly seasoned and generously topped with pungent blue cheese crumbles – or your preferred cheese, choosing a low-fat option if you’re following Weight Watchers. Served elegantly on crisp lettuce wraps instead of traditional buns, these burgers offer a lighter yet utterly satisfying alternative that doesn’t compromise on that rich, savory burger experience. They are the perfect way to enjoy a classic American favorite while staying perfectly aligned with your health and fitness objectives. My husband consistently raves about these, making them a true family favorite!

Tip: Elevate your burger experience by serving them alongside sweet corn on the cob. For a quick and perfectly cooked side, try preparing the corn in your Instant Pot – just 1 cup of water and 2 minutes will yield tender, flavorful results every time! For an extra layer of deliciousness and an earthy note, I highly recommend adding some perfectly sautéed mushrooms to your burger.

21 Day Fix: 1 RED, 1/4 BLUE (per burger)
WW Freestyle: 5 points (per burger)

Groceries for Blue Cheese Burgers:

Extra lean ground sirloin (93% or higher is ideal!)
Blue cheese crumbles or sub cheese of your choice (low fat for WW)
Himalayan salt
Olive oil
Lettuce for bun (butter lettuce or romaine hearts work great)
Mushrooms (optional, for sautéing)
Corn on the cob (optional side)

Maximizing Your Meal Plan: Essential Tips for Success

Smart Meal Prep: Dedicate a small amount of time, perhaps an hour or two on a Sunday, to preliminary meal preparation. This could involve chopping vegetables, pre-cooking grains, or preparing components like the ground turkey for Shepherd’s Pie. This strategic planning will significantly reduce cooking time during busy weeknights.
Efficient Grocery Shopping: Utilize the provided grocery lists as your comprehensive guide. Before heading to the store, check your pantry and refrigerator to avoid purchasing ingredients you already have. Organizing your list by supermarket aisle can also streamline your shopping trip, making it quick and stress-free.
Prioritize Hydration: Remember the importance of staying well-hydrated throughout the day. Drinking ample water supports various bodily functions, aids in metabolism, helps maintain satiety, and is fundamental for overall health and well-being.
Personalize Your Portions: While this meal plan offers clear guidance on container counts and points, it’s crucial to listen to your body. Feel free to adjust portion sizes slightly or make minor ingredient swaps to best align with your personal hunger levels, preferences, and specific dietary needs.
Embrace Delicious Leftovers: Many of these recipes are designed to taste even better the next day, making them perfect for meal prepping. Package any leftovers into single-serving containers for convenient, healthy lunches throughout the week, further simplifying your healthy eating routine.

Final Thoughts: Healthy Eating, Happy Family, Delicious Results

This “Husband Approved” meal plan is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a testament to the fact that healthy eating can be both profoundly enjoyable and effortlessly integrated into family life. It elegantly demonstrates that following structured programs like the 21 Day Fix, Ultimate Portion Fix, or Weight Watchers Freestyle does not necessitate sacrificing flavor, satisfaction, or the joy of communal meals. With these five delicious, thoroughly tested, and enthusiastically approved dinners, you are well-equipped for a week filled with wholesome, flavorful dishes that will keep both your taste buds happy and your health goals firmly on track. Take the first step by downloading your printable grocery list, embark on a delightful culinary adventure, and relish the positive impact these wonderful, family-favorite recipes will have on your well-being and your family’s dinner experience!

Happy cooking, and enjoy these wonderful, family-favorite recipes!