I hear that question from at least one of my kiddos on the drive home from school. Sometimes my answer is met with an excited YES, while other days the response is a moan, groan or sigh.
Even when it was just the two of us, Aaron and myself, I still tried to meal plan as much as possible. One, because I loath grocery shopping and only wanted to go as minimally as possible. Back then I could stretch it out to once every two weeks. And two, I was always so hungry when I got off of work and needed to have a game plan.
Needless to say grocery shopping happens weekly now with sometimes an extra milk or produce run, feeding this hungry crew of seven with boys who have an endless appetite. Meal planning is a must, especially when we are in a season of sports and practices after school. Although, I meal plan every week I always find myself asking the question what should I make for dinner and probably agonize over it for far too long. (In part to being pregnant and having major food aversions.)
I thought I would share some of our favorite and easy meals as we head into the weekend to help in your meal planning. I would love to hear some of your go-to’s, I am always looking for new things to add to the menu.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup – I have tried a few different recipes and hands down this is my favorite. Although it says slow-cooker, I just do it all in a big pot on the stove top. I alter it a bit adding a full cup of cream and only half of the flour.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos – Toss three chicken breast in the slow-cooker with one package of taco seasoning and three cans of tomatoes with green chilies. Cook on low 7 hours and shred. Serve with tortillas and all of your favorite taco toppings or as a yummy salad.
Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup with Cinnamon Apple Ham and Cheese Grilled Sandwiches – Okay, so this sounds like a crazy combination and hodgepodge of everything, but believe me this is a kid favorite! I buy organic box soup, which makes this a quick week night dinner. Butter slices of cinnamon raisin bread and top with slices of ham, cheese and thinly sliced apple. Grill it up and dip into the soup.
Shredded Beef Sandwiches – Put a chuck roast or rump roast in the slow-cooker with a package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix and a little water. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or until it easily shreds. Serve with bbq sauce, horseradish, sliced pickles and fried onions.
Magnolia Chicken Spaghetti – A twist on classic spaghetti and easy to throw together. Plus, this makes a generous amount of food which easily gives us a full meal of leftovers.
Happy weekend!
I love meal planning posts! I too meal plan weekly for my own sanity….the 4-6pm hours are already difficult enough without having us all hungry with no idea what we’re having! š Yesterday we had BBQ beef biscuits (I make biscuits and put them in muffin tins but you could also use Pillsbury cans, fill them with cooked ground beef mixed with some bbq sauce, top with slice of cheese, and bake at 400 for about fifteen minutes.). We also like doing spaghetti and meatballs with the meatballs cooked in the crockpot all day. “Man pleasing chicken” is one of my husbands favorites…maple syrup and dijon mustard with a bit of rice vinegar makes up the sauce– then cook chicken thighs in it at 450 for about 30 minutes (you can google for this recipe on Witty in the City blog as well).
I love these ideas! Thank you so much for sharing!!