Tried & True Weeknight Recipes Our Family Loves
I’m a big fan of online grocery shopping. Each Sunday morning, I take a little time to map out the week and add everything we need to my virtual cart. In our location, if I place the order that morning, I can usually pick it up by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to prep a relaxed Sunday dinner.
And then comes the real challenge: five more nights of meals.
I genuinely enjoy cooking, but over time weekly meal planning can start to feel like a slog. To keep things simple (and keep everyone happy), we rely on tried-and-true family favorites. Here are some recipes that our family rotates through to make meal planning easy and create meals that everyone loves.
Sunday - Easy but Hearty
Some Sundays, I grab a rotisserie chicken. Everyone in my family loves it, and paired with a few simple sides, it makes a complete, comforting meal. When we have a bit more time, I’ll cook something homemade, hearty, cozy, and easy. One go-to is shepherd's pie:
Monday - Crockpot Night
Mondays are hectic enough on their own. I try to get something into the crockpot in the morning so that by dinnertime, our meal is essentially done. Crockpot meals can be hit or miss (some are great, some are mushy), but slow cooker pulled pork is always a hit in our house. It can be served alone as a protein with a side of bread or rice and veggies; on a bun as a pulled pork sandwich; or along with tortillas as pulled pork tacos.
Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
Tuesday - Taco Tuesday
Tacos are a big win in our house. Everyone eats them, and each person can customize their meal exactly how they like it. Sometimes we mix things up with fajitas or quesadillas, but the general idea stays the same. Did you know that making taco seasoning at home is super easy and economical, rather than buying a seasoning packet each week? Here is a great taco recipe to get started:
Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning
Wednesday - Chicken Night
Sheet-pan dinners are a big win for us. A good chicken sheet-pan meal is simple, satisfying, and usually very easy. I typically use boneless chicken thighs or breasts and add sweet potatoes and whatever vegetables we have on hand that roast well. If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll toss in a little sausage. While it’s called a one pan meal, I’ll sometimes use two pans if the veggies and chicken need different cook times.
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Thursday - Leftovers or Breakfast for Dinner Night
Thursdays are all about cleaning out the fridge and using up whatever’s left from the week. If leftovers are slim, we pivot to a family favorite: breakfast for dinner. Egg sandwiches, pancakes, or waffles are always a hit.
Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Friday - Take Out & Movie Night
Fridays are reserved for family takeout and movie night. No cooking required, though I’ll sometimes have something simple and cozy for dessert. Here is a cookie recipe our family loves:
Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Saturday - Casual Dinner, Homemade Takeout
Saturdays don’t always allow for structured meal prep, so I keep things relaxed and kid-friendly. Pasta makes a frequent appearance, and sometimes I’ll make a “homemade takeout” option for the adults, not the healthiest, but still easier on the budget than ordering out.
I hope these meal ideas make your weekly planning feel a little lighter and that your family enjoys these recipes as much as we do. š
If you'd like to see what kitchen and home gadgets we are most enjoying, here is a link to our amazon list, with affiliate links: Favorite Household Products
Comments
Post a Comment