Why a Weekly Meal Plan is Essential
Are you looking to simplify your cooking routine while saving time and money? A weekly meal plan is your answer! By taking the stress out of deciding what to cook each day, you can focus on enjoying your meals with family. Plus, having a planned menu reduces food waste and helps you stick to your budget.
How to Create Your Weekly Meal Plan
Getting started with a weekly meal plan doesn’t have to be overwhelming. First, set aside a quiet time each week to plan your meals. I pull up our calendar to take into account work and school schedules for when we might need a faster meal (or takeout!). Next, browse your pantry, freezer and fridge. Take note of what ingredients you have on hand that can help you build your meals. This will prevent you from buying unnecessary items and cut down on food costs.
Think about what you’re in the mood for, and don’t forget to consider seasonal ingredients. Make a list of your favorite meals, and choose a balance of proteins, veggies, and grains.
I use a paper planner to write down all of our dinners, and will add a breakfast and/or lunch prep to make sure our kids have something easy for the week. Once my husband and I have looked over the plan it hangs on our kitchen bulletin board. Next, we will pull any proteins out of the freezer we need for the week and begin thawing them in the refrigerator.
Stick to Your Plan and Enjoy!
Once you’ve laid out your weekly meal plan, make sure to create a shopping list based on your selections. This list will make your grocery trips quick and efficient, allowing you to stick to your budget effortlessly. My favorite app for shopping lists is Out of Milk, you can make lists for multiple stores (Costco and Walmart for me), and my husband can keep adding items at home while I am on my way to the store.
As you start implementing your plan, feel free to adjust it as necessary; flexibility is key! Enjoy the newfound free time that meal planning provides. With your weekly meal plan in hand, you’ll feel less of that decision fatigue at the end of your day.
Family Dynamics
My family operates a bit uniquely – both my husband and I are health care workers but work opposite shifts with a variable schedule. He works less than I do and is home during the day, making him the primary dinner cook. He enjoys cooking, but his style does not always fit with a quick weeknight prep that most people need. I do not enjoy cooking dinner, and tend to choose meals that are easier and quicker. I take all of this into account when planning our meals, and on nights that we are just crossing paths we either do takeout, or prep a 2nd meal the day before.
We have teenage daughters and also involve them in meal prep. Typically, they are in charge of prepping any breakfast and lunch items to help out.
Week One
Breakfast – Blueberry muffins (Krusteaz mix) + Lemon sugar topping
Lunch – Pasta salad
Dinners –
- Sunday: Chili + Cornbread – midwestern style chili with ground beef and beans, jiffy cornbread mix
- Monday: Pork loin, potatoes, green beans – pork loin cooked in the crockpot, oven roasted mini red and gold potatoes, fresh green beans sauteed with lemon juice and butter.
- Tuesday: Salmon, rice, and asparagus – Salmon filet seasoned and cooked on pellet smoker, instant rice, asparagus pan sauteed. Served with Sriracha and yum yum sauce.
- Wednesday: Steak and baked potato
- Thursday: Lentil soup
- Friday: Egg bake (prepped day before)
- Saturday: takeout
Kitchen Must Haves – My husband uses the pellet grill at least once a week, he loves this portable one that we also bring camping. Some of his favorite seasonings come from Hard Core Carnivore, for the salmon this week we used the cajun blend. The immersion blender gets used most during soup season by me – I love having other attachments! The weekly planner I have is from Target, but there are so many other options out there! This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Looking for more ideas? Keep reading on page 2!