I love cooking for my family but honestly hate coming up with ideas as to what to make? I feel like we always eat the same things and when I ask for suggestions I get the famous "I don't care", "whatever" or "food". Then when you make "I don't care, whatever or food" everyone whines and says, "But I didn't want this! I don't like this." *Palm slaps forehead* Sound familiar?! I bet everyone can relate at some level.I finally decided to start planning out meals, and I'm so glad I did!! I literally have saved time and money by doing so.... I plan out my family's meals for two weeks at a time. This can be done on a weekly basis if preferred. Honestly, it takes me about 15 minutes to make my list of meals and grocery list to match. It's simple and so worth it!!
By planning out my family's meals, I have found that:
*I don't waste time asking "what do you want for dinner"- it's planned and there's no discussion about it. I can look ahead at my list and tell you what we're having for the next two weeks! I feel organized and prepared... and I like that!
*By knowing what I am making in advance, I'm able to plan what meat to have thawing in the fridge and can have ingredients on hand and ready to go. (Certain veggies prepped, items mixed in advance, and so on).
*When grocery shopping, I look at the meals I've planned and make sure I have all the ingredients on my shopping list. When shopping, I stick to my list. By sticking to my list and only buying the ingredients needed to make my meals, I avoid over-buying and impulse buys. (The only time I veer from my list is when I find a good deal and need to stock up on that particular item).
*And lastly...we aren't eating the same thing all the time. We have variety and change and it's a good thing!
So, I only plan one meal a day, five days a week. Five meals a week. Easy. Anyone can do it! I only plan one meal a day, five days a week because my kids are in school during the day. Also, I have one day planned for eating left overs, and another day I cheat with something simple like frozen pizza, packaged chicken nuggets, hamburger helper, sandwiches, or soup (cereal anyone?!). And of course, there's always the occasional eating out. (We don't eat out very often. My husband is required to eat out for his job, so he doesn't particularly care to do it when he can have a home-cooked meal. Eating out for me and the kids a treat though!)
Another thing I try to do is plan one "meat-less" night. My husband could eat meat everyday for every meal; however, I'm not a big meat eater. By planning one night without meat helps keep everyone happy and also save a little money. I also try to make sure I have a mix of chicken and beef meals in a week. Nobody wants to eat chicken five nights a week! Switch it up! On nights that I know we are going to be really busy and not have a lot of down time, I plan crackpot meals for those nights. Plan ahead- look at your schedule and pick a meal that will work for you and your busy schedule. My crockpot is my best (kitchen) friend!
One other thing I'm particular about is making sure my kids are offered a "well rounded meal". I always have at least one fruit and one vegetable available and some sort of side dish to go with. If I'm serving a large main dish, like lasagna for example, I won't make a side dish. When making a large 'main dish', I just include a fruit and vegetable and maybe some breadsticks. Do what works for you and your family though, but think about side dished and fruits/vegetables when grocery shopping and planning meals.
Searching Pinterest of flipping through cookbooks is a great way to get ideas. Maybe one night a week you will try a new recipe? Who knows, maybe one of those new recipes will become a new family favorite?! If you have several family recipes that everyone loves, make sure to get them on your list! Once you have a good size list and have made all the recipes, you can start the list all over again! No more eating the same thing all the time!
If you're willing to put a little time and planning into your family meals, you can save lots!! Not just time, but money. It feels so good to know I have dinner planned out and I won't have to stress out about what to make at 5:00. My kids also like knowing in advance what they will be having for dinner. My daughter suggested I print up a menu like they get for school lunches. I think I will pass on this idea however because I don't want them getting the idea that they can have "cold lunch" instead of what's being served. Sorry, this isn't a restaurant (or school). You eat what Mom makes and that's that!
Below I have complied a list of meal ideas. If you plan one meal for five days a week, the below list is enough to last you well over a month! Score!! Share your meal ideas with me, I'd love to hear them!
What For Dinner- Meal Ideas:
Goulash
Scalloped potatoes and ham
Homemade hamburger soup
Homemade chicken noodle soup
Chili
Maid Rites/ sloppy joes
Chicken drumsticks (crockpot)
Burritos
Grilled chicken with vegetables on the grill
Grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup
Tacos
Hamburgers
Hot dogs/brats
Spaghetti
Chicken or shrimp stir-fry
Homemade shells and cheese with peas
Homemade pizza (*See blog for recipe!)
Breakfast dinner: French toast or pancakes, eggs & bacon
Easy pot roast/ steak (*See blog for recipe!)
Chicken casserole
Meatloaf
Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice (*See blog for recipe!)
Chicken patties on a bun
Chicken and noodles
Chicken enchiladas
Lasagna (made in pan or crockpot)
Homemade chicken strips
Steak
Smoked ribs
Omelets, bacon, and cinnamon rolls/toast
Beef taco skillet/ taco bake
Beef stroganoff
Pot roast with vegetables
BBQ beef sandwiches (left over meat from roast)
Hot beef/ pork sandwiches with gravy over mashed potatoes (can use left over meat from roast)
Baked spaghetti
Manicotti
Tater tot casserole
Pork chops (crockpot)
Bubble pizza
Creamed chicken over biscuits
Chicken and rice casserole
Bacon wrapped chicken
