🥖 8/31/25 Weekly Meal Plan: Simple Recipes for a Long Weekend (sending early this week!)...

Ciao Reader!

I know many of you are heading into a long weekend with Labor Day, so I’m sending this week’s meal plan a little early. For me, these holiday weekends are less about big to-dos and more about slowing down, sharing simple food, and making memories. This plan is filled with recipes that are easy to prepare, perfect for gatherings, and full of the bright flavors we still get to enjoy at the end of summer. Whether you’re grilling outside, cooking for family, or just savoring a quiet weekend, I hope these meals bring joy to your kitchen. Made with Amore💙, Elena.

✨Let’s start with a recipe you loved this week...

​Pesto Pasta​

"This is hands down the best pesto I’ve ever had! It’s quick and easy to make, but the flavor is miles ahead of anything from a jar. I’m a big pesto fan, but I don’t make it often because my family can’t stand the store-bought stuff. I gave this recipe a try one night, and to my surprise, everyone loved it—even my picky eaters cleaned their plates. Fresh, good-quality ingredients (including the pasta) really make a difference. Once you try this, I’m sure it’ll become a go-to in your kitchen too!" - Jessica ​MAKE THIS RECIPE!

📬 Forward this email to a friend who would love these recipes.

✨Your cooking inspiration for the week...

Monday: Grilled Chicken Sandwich​ Or, try my ground chicken burgers.

Tuesday: Shrimp Tacos​ We love this creamy avocado slaw with it!

Wednesday: Roasted Smashed Potatoes​ Serve with our famous BURGERS🍔​

Thursday: Oven Roasted Zucchini and Squash​ Serve with grilled chicken thighs.

Friday: Bruschetta Chicken ​ SO many are loving this one, I have to reshare with in-season tomatoes at their peak!

Weekend: Apple Upside Down Cake​ The perfect dessert to bridge summer into fall.

So many of you make all my pizza recipes that I wanted to share this informative and recently updated post with you:

​HOW TO STORE PIZZA DOUGH​

👩🏻‍🍳 My Top Pick This Week: Authentic Risotto. A true taste of Italy! This risotto alla Milanese is one of my favorites.

📣DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know you can favorite recipes on my site so they’re saved to your own easy-to-find list every time you visit?

Here’s how it works:
Just click the 🔖 “Save” button on any recipe card. (You’ll need to be logged in—if you’re not, it will ask you to log in or sign up- this is FREE.)

Then, any time you click the little magnifying glass—either under the heart icon (on the right-hand side of your screen) or at the top of the page, you’ll see “My Favorites” right at the top of your search results.

It’s like your own little CucinabyElena recipe box, ready whenever you need it. 📖

It will look something like this after you start saving your recipes. You can also organize them! I hope you can use this feature.

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