A week’s worth of quick, healthful meals for budgetminded families.

SUNDAY: Enjoy a family gathering with a special meal of Chicken Thighs With Yogurt Sauce and Couscous (see recipe). Add a romaine salad and flatbread. For dessert, orange sherbet and butter cookies will taste good. Plan ahead: Save enough sherbet for Monday.

MONDAY: For a super-quick meal, make Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese. Add a pound of cooked lean ground beef, 1 cup salsa and some chopped fresh cilantro to cooked macaroni and cheese. Serve the easy entree with a packaged Caesar salad and breadsticks. Scoop the leftover sherbet for dessert.

TUESDAY: The holidays are around the corner, so save some bucks with economical Creamy Red Beans and Rice With Caramelized Onions (see recipe). Add a fresh spinach salad and whole-grain bread. For dessert, peaches are easy. Plan ahead: Save enough red beans and rice for Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY: Make Beans and Rice Wraps with the heated leftovers, topped with shredded cheddar cheese and wrapped in warm flour tortillas. Serve with a lettuce and tomato salad. Enjoy pears for dessert. THURSDAY: Skip meat tonight and enjoy Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup. In a Dutch oven on medium, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 4 medium chopped carrots, 1 medium chopped onion. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned and tender. Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin; cook 1 minute. Add 1 (14.5-ounce) can nosalt-added diced tomatoes and their liquid, 1 (14-ounce) can unsalted vegetable broth, 1 cup dried red lentils, 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon coarse salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; cover and heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, 8 to 10 minutes or until lentils are tender. Stir in 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach leaves. On the side, add mixed greens and whole-grain bread. Buy a coconut cake for dessert. Plan ahead: Save enough cake for Saturday.

FRIDAY: The kids will love Barbecue Sloppy Joes. Heat some canola oil in a large skillet on medium-high. Add a chopped onion and cook until softened. Add 1 pound ground chicken and cook 4 minutes or until no longer pink. Stir in ¾ cup any barbecue sauce and heat through. Spoon onto toasted whole-grain buns. Add baked beans and zucchini sticks and a kid-favorite dip. Sprinkle apple slices with cinnamon for dessert. SATURDAY: Salmon With Asian Walnut Slaw (see recipe) is fit for a king or any honored guest. Serve the delicious salmon with basmati rice and steamed broccoli. Add sourdough bread. Slice the leftover cake for dessert.