Menu Planning for a Week | Breakfast, Lunch + Dinner
Now this is something I have been meaning to share for a while now. Menu planning may seem like an arduous task but, rest assured that the effort you but in will definitely be worth it in the end. I started meal planning when Justin and I moved in together. Even then Stop + Shop in Westbury had the scan it guns. A game changer when it came to sticking to our budget.
Can you believe I used to go shopping for the two of us for the week, and head out of the store spending well under $100? Those days are long gone (thanks to inflation)…
But, menu planning can still help you save, both money and time. And then there is something about being organized that just turns my anxiety levels down a notch (hello, type A!).
OUR MENU FOR A WEEK
SUNDAY MEAL IDEAS
Sunday. Waffles + Fresh Fruit. We have had our Calphalon waffle maker for nine years now. Justin doesn’t normally eat breakfast but, he does like waffles. Which is precisely why the waffle maker made it onto our wedding registry, and why after two cross country moves, it is still with us.
BBQ Burgers + Sausages. Justin is in charge of the grill here at home. Nora and I love our homemade burgers, while Justin and Sadie opt for chicken sausage. Have you had a toasted bun before? So good! We just started to make our own fries here at home. Nothing fancy. Just chop up 2 russet potatoes, soak for 30 min in some EVOO, sea salt, garlic powder + water. Then, drain (pat dry) and throw in your air fryer. So much tastier and more satisfying then store bought fries.
Roasted Chicken + Broccoli with Rice. So, I am partial to chicken tenders (they cook faster) as well as, using fresh garlic and onion as the base to most of my meals. This simple dinner isn’t any different. I usually pull out a baking sheet. Set the oven to 350, and then pile on the chicken and broccoli (along with the onions + garlic). Drizzle a bit of EVOO on top… I might add more dried herbs or lemon juice to the mix. Total cooking time: 30 minutes. But, make sure to flip at 15 minutes.
The rice goes in the Ninja Foodi, one of my must have kitchen gizmos (along with the Berkey of course).
The Best Meal for Monday Night
Monday. Cornbread Muffins + Fresh Fruit. I usually grab our favorite Southern Living brand from the store, and give the girls their favorite, seasonal fresh fruit.
Air Fryer Chicken + Raw Veggies. The Ninja is seriously clutch in our kitchen. Depending on what we have on hand, I will either bread chicken tender and throw them in the air fryer or just use frozen chicken tenders instead. A quick, simple + kid approved lunch!
Meatball Monday. A family favorite. Justin and I recently switched over to zoodles (zucchini noodles). The girls would not let that fly so they still get their favorite pasta, and meatballs. What ingredients do you add to your homemade meatballs?
Takeout Tuesday
Tuesday. Apple Pie Oat Bars (My Kids Lick the Bowl). A quick and easy breakfast recipe, especially if your little ones love oatmeal.
Greek Turkey Meatball Gyros (Joyful Healthy Eats). I am still trying to figure out how to keep my turkey/chicken meatballs from drying out. While I did alter this recipe a bit, (I baked the meatballs, and switched up some of the ingredients). In the end, it would be way better if my ground turkey meatballs weren’t so dry. And, instead of tzatziki, we used hummus.
Takeout Tuesday. The girls recently started a gymnastics class which moved our traditional take out night from Thursday over to Tuesday. Thankfully, Long Island take out options are plentiful – Italian, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Mexican…- you name it, it’s here.
The lack of takeout is something we despised when we lived in San Diego. While we 100% miss SoCal Mexican, all other takeout options were subpar.
Yum Tum Wednesday
Wednesday. Homemade Pancakes + Fresh Fruit. Just like waffles with fresh fruit on Sunday but, these take more time. To be honest, I am in the market for a griddle where I can make at least five silver dollar pancakes at a time. Now, that would be a game changer.
Steak with Roasted Broccoli + Egg Noodles. Right now the only vegetable our girls will eat is broccoli. And, I’m not gonna hate because broccoli drizzled in EVOO, and laced with fresh garlic and herbs is kind of my thing too. Throw in a perfectly marinated flank steak and egg noodles, and I’m swooning…
Arroz Con Pollo (Ambitious Kitchen). This recipe pulls at my Puerto Rican heart strings. Try it, you will love it!
Thursday Menu Plan
Thursday. Cereal + Fresh Fruit. Hey! Somedays mama needs a break too! What cereal does your kiddo ask for on the regular?
Chicken Pesto Quesadillas (Seasonal Sprouts). True story I made this recipe once with store bought pesto, and almost killed Justin (he is allergic to nuts). I had no idea pesto would have nuts. I’m thinking basil + EVOO but, I was obviously wrong. And, this is why I make my own pesto at home, and Justin will never eat pesto again…
Greek Chicken + Rice (What Molly Made). Full disclosure, I do not use the Ninja Foodi for this recipe…well, other than for the rice of course. But, I just grill or use the cast iron skillet to cook up the chicken, and get this one on the table.
Foodie Friday
Friday. Crescent Rolls, Scrambled Eggs + Sausage/Bacon. I don’t need to explain this one, it’s just a delicious and simple breakfast.
Pizza Rolls + Salad. Honestly, serving two rounds of crescent rolls in one day is not typically in my wheelhouse but, I couldn’t resist. And, shockingly the girls went for it.
BBQ Burgers + Sausages. #Repeatoffender and thank god it’s summer!
Saturday Recipes
Saturday. French Toast Bake. This recipe is straight out of a Disney Cookbook that Nora was gifted. You need to prep this one the night before and it can take 40+ minutes to bake so, its perfect for a Saturday or Sunday breakfast.
Chicken Parm Sliders (I am Homesteader). Such a good recipe to back pocket for later. You should definitely give it a try.
Sausage + Peppers. Full disclosure, I have tried another recipe for this one but, tweaked it a little bit to make it my own, and I plan to share this with you too in the future. I don’t know why but, whenever I think of sausage and peppers, I always think of a carnival. Have you ever had sausage and peppers at a carnival?
Have a great weekend! The weather here on Long Island promises sun, and temps in the low 80’s. Get out and enjoy summer!
