Meal planning has so many perks. Not only does it allow you to prep your kids for the menu that week (less complaining??), but hopefully eliminates some of the stress that comes with a 6pm home arrival and no dinner plans in sight. It’s also good for your wallet! We’re laying out the basics of meal planning to get you on your way to a calmer, more efficient dinner prep experience.
Pick a day, and grab your cookbooks and favorite blogs
I sit down every Saturday morning with my computer and a stack of my favorite cookbooks and start going through recipes. I choose a variety of recipes and try to include a two meats, a fish, a veggie dish and room for takeout, leftovers or pizza night 🙂 I always include at least one slow cooker or Instant Pot recipe for when the kid’s activities run into the dinner prep hour. Print out or photocopy your recipes so you have them readily available.
Shop and Prep
Try to do as much of the shopping for your week in advance. Additionally, if you have some extra time on the weekend, prep your ingredients, like chopping up some veggies. Make sure you take a peek at your pantry, fridge and freezer to ensure you have the essentials when creating your list. I always like to have the following pantry items at all times:
- Chicken/Beef/Veggie stock
- Pasta
- Rice/Grains
- Olive Oil
- Vinegars (white/red wine, balsamic)
- Canned tomatoes and tomato sauce
- Onions
- Canned beans
- Dijon Mustard
Determine your maximum
Meaning, the number of meal planning days that works for you. If planning out five days seems daunting and unrealistic for you and your family’s schedule, start with three.
Keep it simple
Weeknight meal planning is not the time to channel your inner Julia Child. For weeknight meals, choose recipes that involve fewer and similar ingredients. Save new and more complex recipes for the weekend. I love the Cook Once, Eat All Week cookbook weekly meal prep. We also love Greens + Chocolate for easy, delicious, healthy family friendly recipes.
Slow Cookers and Instant Pots…
are your new best friends. If you’re a family that has kids in late afternoon/early evening activities or you tend to work late, do yourself a favor and buy an Instant Pot or a Slow Cooker. Who doesn’t love the glorious aromas coming from your slow cooker all day? Forgot to defrost the roast you needed for tonight? Enter, Instant Pot.
Multi-task and double up
One of my favorite things to do is roast a couple chickens at the beginning of the week, have one for dinner and save another to make a batch of chicken noodle soup, tacos or lunches. Do the same with other meats and roasted veggies.
Use a menu board
We highly recommend using a menu board. Writing it down and keeping it hidden in your planner doesn’t allow your family to see what’s coming up that week. Putting it on display in your kitchen reminds you first thing in the morning and helps you determine timing and prepwork, as well as any additional groceries you need to grab. We designed a menu board with meal planning in mind. It allows you to plan out your week AND keep track of your groceries!
Plan for when life happens
Last minute meeting at work keeping you later than normal? Kids home from school sick? Just honestly too tired to even think about cooking? Always keep a quick and easy backup meal available. Frozen lasagna, soups and other prepared meals from the grocery store are smart to keep on hand. When all else fails? That’s why they invented take out 🙂
Learn more about organizing and stocking your fridge to stay organized for the week here!
Happy Planning!
Ashley + Lindsay
