Another week of meal planning and stress-free dinner preparation in the books. I am feeling like I am going to stick with it this year, and am excited to keep going. I actually started planning my NEXT three week cycle last night. (Surfing Pinterest when you’re hungry is dangerous, but I have a whole bunch of recipes I’m eager to try.)
I hope this week’s meal plan sparks an idea or two for you. Have fun and happy planning.
Sunday:
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Crockpot Chicken Tacos, Salad
*Crockpot Taco Chicken is SO easy, and great to use for tacos, nachos, quesadillas, salads, on top of rice- you name it! We are all usually pretty spent after church on Sundays, so I love making use of the crockpot for Sunday dinners.
Monday:
Cereal and Fruit
*We keep A LOT of cereal on hand. I was scheduled to make cinnamon muffins this morning, and slept later than planned. Thank the Lord for cereal!
My husband works late on Mondays, so the kids and I often have simple suppers, go meatless, or enjoy food that he wouldn’t like – like these tasty black bean quesadillas. Quesadillas are so easy to customize, a snap to whip up, and fun to dip.
Tuesday:
Waffles
Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken, Rice, Broccoli
*When I review a product that I don’t like, I often don’t publish the review. I used another blogger’s recipe and we honestly didn’t care for it, so I won’t link to it. It had me wishing I’d made my Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken instead.
Wednesday:
Oatmeal
Moons Over My Hammy Sandwiches, Hashbrowns
*I am failing on the whole “taking pictures of my dinner” thing. I’ll get it! tonight was an example of how important it is to stick to your plan. In the morning, I looked at the menu, saw what I had planned, and wanted out. It didn’t sound good. BUT, I made it, and all six of us LOVED it and the kids asked when we were having it again.
A Moon Over My Hammy Sandwich (from Denny’s) is basically a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with the addition of an egg. I make my eggs “over-hard” when I make these sandwiches. Super good and a fun change up to “breakfast for dinner.”
I also did my next three week grocery shopping trip today. Click to read more about Meal Planning and Money at my house. Next time I promise to take a picture of our cart!
Thursday:
Donuts
Skyline Chili, Veggie & Fruit Tray, Jello
*I grocery shop at Winco. Winco just so happens to have the world’s best grocery store donuts. They are amazing. (You may as well know that I have a “thing” for donuts. They are my favorite.) I’m also not above bribery at the store. I told my four year old (who also loves donuts) that if he was a super good boy, we could get donuts. (He’s usually pretty good at the store, so I knew we’d get them. Win-win!)
Skyline Chili is a restaurant chain in the mid-west. My husband introduced me to it. While we don’t have any here in the NW, we often make it at home. It’s SO easy! Start by preparing spaghetti noodles. Then, top with your favorite chili. (We use No-Bean.) Then add cheese and any veggies you like. I like mine with cheese, green onions, tomatoes, and sometimes olives. So so easy.
The kids also really loved having a fruit/veggie tray with dinner. I just cut up the produce we had and put it out. I’m always amazed at how much they eat when I do this. Kids buy into gimmicks!
Friday:
Cereal
Chicken and Rice Casserole, Mixed Veggies, Cottage Cheese
Layered Peanut Butter Brownies
*Chicken and Rice Casserole is a family favorite. I learned this recipe from my MIL, and it’s one of our go-to comfort foods. I will do a post on this one the next time I make it. (I forgot to photograph it this time! Ah the perils of a blogger who isn’t a full-time food blogger!)
It was family night tonight. We listened to Frank Sinatra and snuggled up to watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks. (It’s one of my FAVORITES!)
Saturday:
Almond Poppyseed Muffins
Queso Taco Pasta Bake, Green Fluff
*Krusteaz makes the best muffin mixes!! These are always in our pantry as they are delicious and so quick and easy to prepare.
The pasta was easy to make and the kids all ate it, which is always a plus.
Enjoy your week! You can always check the Meal Plan Monday archives for more ideas.
