A Week of Easy One-Pan Keto Dinners from Alex & Lauren Lester of Cast Iron Keto

Alex and Lauren Lester are the co-creators of the popular keto cooking website Cast Iron Keto. They believe that low-carb cooking doesn’t have to be boring, complicated, or based on a limited diet of just meat and cheese. Their recipes are whole-food based, heavy on vegetables and nourishing fats, and always gluten-free. Here, the couple shares a week’s meal plan with us, and tells us how they do it.

Some weeks are more hectic than others — especially in today’s world. So we’ve put together a no-nonsense meal plan that will leave your taste buds super-satisfied, and the kitchen with minimal mess.

There’s no need for a half-dozen different appliances cluttering up your kitchen counter. All you need is a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. We always refer to our 10-inch skillet as the Swiss Army Knife of the kitchen. Cast iron skillets are so incredibly versatile; you could bake a cake, fry up some chicken, or make just about everything in between. In the rare occasion of a misplaced meat mallet, you can even use your skillet to work out some frustrations if you’re imaginative enough.

So here’s to a week’s worth of deliciousness that won’t leave you with a sink overflowing with dishes so you can take back your evenings and spend more time doing the things you love.

Mondays are typically when we make a large batch of something to have on hand for easy lunches throughout the week. These keto stuffed peppers are perfect for meal prep, as they hold up really well and reheat in a flash. They’re made the classic way, with ground beef, cauliflower rice, tomato, garlic, onion, and spices and topped with melty cheese.

Get the recipe: Keto Stuffed Peppers

What’s Tuesday if it’s not #tacotuesday? During the week we try to group recipes by similar ingredients so that we’re utilizing them all without wasting anything. This recipe also uses ground beef and cauliflower rice as the base, like in Monday’s dinner. The star of the show is definitely the toppings, though. Avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and spicy jalapeños top the dish off for one tasty 30-minute dinner.

Get the recipe: Keto Cheesy Taco Skillet

Crab cakes are such a delicious and versatile protein option. We like to serve these on a bed of greens with a quick homemade tartar sauce, but they’re equally as delicious when tucked into a low-carb bun with a little shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and capers.

Get the recipe: Keto Crab Cakes

One of our favorite recipes from our cookbook, this keto schnitzel features crispy chicken plus tangy sauerkraut for the perfect German-inspired dinner. We love using pork rinds as the breading; they make an incredibly crunchy crust, allowing it to fry up to a perfect golden-brown. Serve it up on a bed of greens or with some mashed cauliflower.

Get the recipe: Keto Schnitzel

Inspired by chicken tikka masala, these meatballs are super fun and filled with vibrant flavors. This dish is ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for the end of a long week. We like to serve them on a bed of herbed-flecked cauliflower rice.

Get the recipe: Keto Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs 

Thanks so much, Alex and Lauren! Their debut cookbook, Cast Iron Keto, contains 75 easy one-pot recipes guaranteed to make dinnertime stress-free and delicious. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

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Meal planning isn’t always easy — especially if you’re just getting started. But we’re firm believers that it’s the secret to stress-free weeknight dinners. We want to help you find inspiration and ease some of the pain points that come with getting dinner on the table night after night, whether you’re cooking one or a family of four or five. Every week we share a new meal plan solution specifically customized for you from reader requests or from a guest contributor, for Next Week’s Meal Plan!