Easy Meal Plan for Busy Families

Dinner: One-Pot Chicken and Veggie Pasta

Start the week with a meal that requires minimal cleanup. One-pot dishes are perfect for busy families because they save time on both cooking and cleaning. Everything goes in one pot and you still get all your food groups.

We asked Orion, our AI assistant to create a one pot recipe and he came up with this delicious chicken and veggie pasta recipe (see below).

NOTE:  You can also pre-chop and portion out all your vegetables and proteins for the week on Sunday. Store them in clear containers, so you can quickly grab what you need without the hassle of cutting and measuring each day. This method not only saves time but also keeps your fridge organized.

Dinner: DIY Taco Bar

Make Taco Tuesday fun and interactive by setting up a DIY taco bar. Lay out a variety of fillings like seasoned ground beef, shredded chicken, beans, and all the toppings your family loves.

Use muffin tins to organize your taco toppings. This keeps everything neat and makes it easy for everyone to customize their tacos. Plus, it adds a playful element that kids will enjoy. For a healthier twist, swap out regular taco shells for lettuce wraps or whole grain tortillas.

Here’s a Healthy Taco Dip Recipe from 90/10 Nutrition to add to your taco bar.

Dinner: Slow Cooker Chili

Midweek calls for comfort food, and there’s nothing like a hearty chili. Use your slow cooker to prepare this dish in the morning and come home to a ready-made dinner.

Double your slow cooker recipes and freeze half for another week. This way, you have a backup meal ready for those days when you’re extra pressed for time. Slow cooker liners can also make cleanup a breeze—just lift out the liner and toss it when you’re done.

You could use this chili from 90/10 Nutrition or pick a different slow cooker option like one of these slow cooker recipes.

Dinner: Breakfast Burritos

Switch things up with breakfast for dinner. Breakfast burritos are one of my favorite things on this easy meal plan for busy families. They are quick to make and can be packed with nutritious ingredients like eggs, spinach, and avocado.

Prepare a batch of breakfast burritos over the weekend, wrap them individually, and freeze them. On Thursday morning, move them to the fridge to defrost, then simply heat them up for dinner. This tip can be applied to other breakfast items like pancakes or waffles, making breakfast-for-dinner nights even easier.

Check out this breakfast burrito recipe already loaded into MyFoodPlanet

End the workweek with a fun and interactive meal. Homemade pizza allows everyone to get involved in the kitchen, from rolling out the dough to adding their favorite toppings. What would an easy meal plan for busy families be without pizza night?

Use store-bought dough or pre-made crusts to save time or make your own if you like. Set up a pizza assembly line with different toppings and let each family member create their personal pizza. For a unique twist, use a mix of traditional and unconventional toppings like BBQ chicken or pesto with fresh vegetables. This article has some great ideas to help you further.

1. Batch Cooking: Spend a couple of hours over the weekend batch cooking staple items like grains, proteins, and vegetables. This will make it easier to assemble quick meals during the week.
2. Menu Board: Create a weekly menu board that outlines each meal. This visual aid helps everyone know what’s coming and reduces the stress of daily decision-making. Kids can also get involved by helping to plan the meals.
3. Snack Station: Set up a healthy snack station in your fridge and pantry. Fill it with pre-portioned fruits, veggies, nuts, and yogurt. This not only promotes healthy eating habits but also makes snack time quick and easy.
4. Grocery List: Keep a running grocery list on your phone. Add items as you run out or think of them. Apps like MyFoodPlanet can help organize your list and even suggest items based on your usual purchases.

With these tips and meal ideas, you can take the stress out of weeknight dinners and ensure your family enjoys delicious, nutritious meals without the hassle. MyFoodPlanet is here to support you every step of the way, making meal planning easier and more enjoyable for busy families. Need more tips for meal planning to go along with this easy meal plan for busy families? We have more blogs on meal planning here.