Are the dog days of summer making dinner feel like a chore? Relax—this week’s Monday Menu turns familiar summer favorites into bright, refreshing meals with inventive twists to keep evenings flavorful and a bit cooler.

Pineapple Burgers with Avocado are this week's title featured recipe with a Monday Menu text overlay.

This Week’s Secret To Success

Summer remains in full swing, so we’re leaning into it with upgraded classics—think burgers and pasta salad elevated with fresh, zesty ingredients to keep meals exciting.
Buy one pineapple and use it from top to tail. Follow the pineapple slicing guide in the burger recipe so you can grill whole rings and dice the rest for a bright pineapple salsa.
Make the homemade flour tortillas featured here and cut them into triangles. Bake or fry the wedges for quick, delicious chips to scoop up salsa and avocado spread.
Include the pickles with the pasta salad and on burgers for a tangy, slightly spicy lift.

9 recipes included in this week's Monday Menu easy-to-use recipe plan for families.

Getting The Most From This Menu

Cook a few extra burger patties and turn them into burger bowls the next day.
If you don’t grill more pineapple, use leftover pineapple salsa, avocado slices, and shredded lettuce to top your burger bowl.
Add roasted sweet potato wedges to round out the meal for a satisfying side.

How I’m Setting My Table

Tasty recipes matter, but the table setting completes the experience.

A few favorite items set out ahead of time make mealtime inviting and stress-free—perfect for casual outdoor meals or relaxed indoor dinners. Fill willow-wrapped vases with ferns or fresh greenery for a cool, summery feel.

Colorful summer table setting ideas with family friendly melamine dishes and rattan accents.

Square rattan placemats
Colorful melamine plates (set of 6)
Yellow plaid dessert/salad plates
Light green lattice table topper
Willow-wrapped glass vases
Bamboo flatware set
Jewel-tone 20 oz plastic glassware set
Yellow ruffle dinner napkins

Menu 1- Pineapple Burgers with Avocado Spread

Mix a bit of pork sausage into ground beef and top with a grilled pineapple slice—suddenly weeknight burgers feel island-inspired. Serve with zippy pineapple salsa and homemade tortilla chips or fresh flour tortillas for a meal that’s familiar but refreshingly different.

Hawaiian Pineapple Burgers with Fresh Avocado Salsa

fresh pineapple salsa is a wonderful appetizer dip or topping for grilled chicken and fish.

Summery Pineapple Salsa

A woman picking up a fresh, warm flour tortilla to show how soft and tender they are.

Homemade Flour Tortillas

Menu 2- Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad

Pasta salad meets chicken salad in this sweet-and-savory Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad. Red grapes, sliced almonds and tender chicken make it a perfect dish for cookouts, potlucks, or a light family dinner.

How to serve Waldorf Pasta Chicken Salad

Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad

Sweet & spicy bread and butter pickles are a quick refrigerator pickle with a semi-homemade recipe that requires no canning.

Sweet Heat Bread & Butter Pickles

Sugared glasses filled with lavender colored lemonade, garnished with blueberries and lemon slices.

Sparkling Lavender Lemonade

Dessert This Week

If fudgesicles were a favorite growing up, you’ll adore these rich and creamy Mocha Fudge Pops. Bold coffee and smooth chocolate make a refreshing, indulgent treat—perfect for a hot afternoon or a cool finish to dinner.

Mocha Popsicles dipped in mini chocolate chips

Breakfast Made Easy

Light, tender, and slightly sweet, these Glazed Orange Buttermilk Biscuits burst with citrus from sugared orange zest and a tangy orange glaze. They’re perfect for brunch, afternoon coffee, or a leisurely weekend breakfast, and come with straightforward tips for foolproof biscuits.

Orange buttermilk biscuits for breakfast start the day with loads of citrus flavor.

Snack of the Week

Ritz Bits Muddy Buddies give the classic peanut butter-and-cracker combo a chocolatey makeover. With just five ingredients, this addictive snack mix is quick to make and perfect for parties, game days, or easy weekend munching.

overhead view of 2 bowls of ritz bits muddy buddies snack

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