If you missed it, check out Meal Plan No. 1 first — that’s where I shared how I plan meals for our family each week and what helps keep dinner stress-free.
This week, I’ve got a little something extra for you — a FREE printable!
In my first post, I talked about the importance of taking inventory of your fridge, freezer, and pantry before meal planning. This week’s printable includes those exact inventory sheets so you can organize your space, simplify your process, and start your next meal plan with what you already have on hand.
How I Plan My Meals
I’ve learned that assigning specific meals to specific days just doesn’t work for me. Life happens, moods change, and sometimes what sounded good on Monday doesn’t sound good by Thursday! Instead, I make a flexible list of meals for the week (or two) and pick what to cook based on how I’m feeling, what fits the day’s activities, and what ingredients we already have.
Here’s the rhythm I follow each week:
- Check for leftovers.
I always start by seeing what’s in the fridge that could be repurposed. Leftover chicken might become quesadillas, or leftover mashed potatoes could top a shepherd’s pie. - Take stock of what we have.
Next, I check the pantry, fridge, and deep freezer. Keeping a well-stocked pantry makes meal planning so much easier. I always keep staples like noodles, beans, broth, flour, and sugar on hand for quick or last-minute dinners. - Browse my meal list.
I keep a running list of our family’s favorite meals in my phone’s notes app. Every so often, I’ll flip through cookbooks or scroll Pinterest for new inspiration. I also subscribe to a few food blogs that send weekly recipes straight to my inbox — I love having ideas ready to go. - Make the grocery list.
Once I’ve picked out meals, I jot down what we need, start a grocery pickup order, and then do my main shopping trip at Aldi. I like keeping it simple — a quick pickup, then a few favorite items from other stores if needed.
Take a Look at What I’m Cookin’
Breakfasts
- Blueberry oatmeal muffins — a recipe I’ve perfected over the years and a weekly staple. (Check out the recipe here!)
- Biscuits and gravy — I love Joanna Gaines’ homemade biscuit recipe. It’s seriously the best — buttery, flaky perfection.
- Smoothies — perfect for this time of year when colds and sniffles are going around. I sneak in veggies, vitamins, and supplements to boost immunity.
- Strawberry and blueberry pancakes — colorful, fluffy, and kid-approved.
- Other mornings are simple and relaxed — oatmeal with fruit, bagels and cream cheese, eggs and sausage, or yogurt and granola.
Dinners
- Sheet pan meatless nachos — an easy weeknight favorite. I layer shredded cheese, queso, pinto and black beans, then bake until warm. Finish with lettuce, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
- BBQ pulled chicken sliders — served with sweet corn, salad, and fries. I use Kinder’s Original BBQ sauce, adding a touch of brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian dressing for extra flavor.
- Korean BBQ chicken with rice and broccolini — we love Kevin’s Korean BBQ sauce for this. It’s quick, delicious, and family-approved. (You can even buy the full meal pre-made if you’re short on time.)
- Slow-cooked pot roast with mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, salad, and yeast rolls — nothing says cozy like this meal. I sear the roast, add it to the crockpot with diced onions, garlic, beef broth, and Kinder’s Sunday Pot Roast seasoning. Fresh thyme and rosemary on top make the whole house smell incredible.
- Beef tacos with beans and rice — we’re big taco lovers here, so this one’s a weekly staple. Our go-to: ground beef with Siete mild taco seasoning and lightly fried corn shells. Don’t skip the pico de gallo!
- Baked chicken spaghetti with garlic bread and salad — a comforting twist on a family classic that’s always a hit.
💬 I hope this series gives you inspiration to try something new in your kitchen — or helps simplify your weekly meal prep.
What’s a go-to meal that your family loves? I’d love to hear your tried-and-true favorites in the comments below — I’m always looking for new ideas!
Free Printable: Pantry + Freezer + Fridge Inventory Sheets
Simplify your meal planning routine with these free printable inventory sheets. Keep track of what’s in your fridge, freezer, and pantry so you can plan meals around what you already have — saving time, money, and stress.
👉 Download the Free Meal Planning Printable
