🛒 How I Learned to Love Meal Planning

Let’s be honest, dinner comes around fast. One minute you’re sipping your morning coffee and the next thing you know someone’s asking, “What’s for dinner?” like you’ve got a five-course meal up your sleeve. If that question makes your eye twitch, you’re not alone. It’s actually how I learned the importance of planning ahead because winging it every night just wasn’t cutting it.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that help keep me one step ahead of the chaos. Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated, and grocery lists don’t have to be written on napkins you end up leaving in the car. This is how I learned to make dinnertime feel a little less frantic. With a little prep and a few smart habits, you can take the stress out of mealtime and get back a little piece of your evening.

📅 Start With a Plan, Not a Pinterest Board

I love a pretty recipe board just as much as the next woman, but let’s keep it real. Meal planning works best when you start with what your family actually eats. Before you even think about a new recipe, write down five meals you know everyone will eat without complaints. That’s your base. These do not need to be fancy dishes, just something easy for you that everyone likes. We make Sun-dried tomato chicken in the crockpot almost every week. I just throw it in before the day gets going, and by dinnertime, it’s perfectly tender and full of flavor, no extra fuss needed. Add a bag salad and you’ve got yourself a tasty meal that everyone loves.

Then, fill in the rest with one or two new things if you’re feeling adventurous. And don’t forget to leave a night open for leftovers or a “whatever you can find” dinner. You’d be surprised how often a bowl of cereal and a sandwich night saves the day.

📝 Keep a Running Grocery List (Where You Can Actually Find It)

The number of times I’ve written a grocery list and left it sitting on the counter is almost impressive. However, I started using the notes app on my phone, and let me tell you, game changer. Anytime we run out of something, I just open the list and add it.

You can also keep a little magnetic notepad on the fridge if you’re more of a pen and paper kind of person. The trick is to write things down when you think of them. Don’t trust your memory. It’s got enough to do.

🧺 Shop Your Pantry First

Before you plan a single meal or step foot in the store, take a quick look in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. You might already have half the ingredients you need. Use what you’ve got before you buy more. That bag of rice, frozen veggies, or forgotten can of beans might just inspire dinner.

I’ve thrown together some of our best meals by simply using what was already in the house. Turns out, necessity really is the mother of invention, especially when it comes to dinner.

🧃Theme Nights Make Life Easier

Taco Tuesday exists for a reason. Theme nights give your week a little structure and take the guesswork out of planning. You don’t have to go overboard. Try something simple like:

~ Meatless Monday
~ Taco Tuesday
~ Sheet Pan Wednesday
~ Slow Cooker Thursday
~ Pizza Friday

Even if you mix it up, just having a rhythm helps. Plus, your kids will start to look forward to certain nights, which means fewer complaints and more eating.

📦 Prep a Little, Not a Lot

I used to think meal prep meant spending five hours on a Sunday cooking a week’s worth of meals. Now I just focus on the small stuff. I chop onions, wash produce, and maybe cook a batch of chicken or ground beef to use in a few different meals.

That little bit of effort saves a lot of time when the week gets busy. It’s the kind of prep that feels doable, not overwhelming.

🥣 Have a Back Pocket Meal

You need one or two meals that you can throw together with your eyes closed. I call these “back pocket meals” and they’ve saved me more times than I can count. Maybe it’s spaghetti and garlic bread or “breakfast for dinner” with eggs and pancakes.

The point is to have something easy you can make without thinking too hard. Keep the ingredients on hand and don’t feel one ounce of guilt about it.

💡 Final Thoughts

Meal planning isn’t about perfection. It’s about keeping things just organized enough to make life a little smoother. You don’t need a color coded binder or a degree in nutrition. Just a list, a plan, and a little patience.

And remember, frozen pizza and store bought rotisserie chicken count too. Feeding your family isn’t about doing it all, it’s about doing what works for you.