Menu Planning happens the same way in our house almost every single week. After the kids are in bed, my husband and I crash on the couch and watch a movie (or just enjoy the sound of silence) together. He suggests dinner ideas that sound good, and I attach them to days, based on our schedule for the week. Just like that we have a menu plan!
I have veto power, but I find that often the hardest part of creating a menu plan is that initial inspiration. I’m happy to cook if I have a plan. My husband is the exact opposite. So we make a good team, and it starts the week off on the right foot.
Here’s what’s for dinner at my house this week:
Monday — Spaghetti with Roasted Marinara Sauce (from the freezer), rolls, Creamed Spinach
Tuesday — Simple Roast Chicken, Homestyle Scalloped Potatoes, green beans
Wednesday — Enchiladas Suizas (using leftover chicken), green salads, tortilla chips
Thursday — Chicken Noodle Soup (using leftover chicken), No-Knead Bread, fruit
Friday — Leftovers
Saturday — Dinner Out
Sunday — Breakfast for Dinner — Oatmeal Pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit
Find more great recipes on Frugal Living NW! Find more frugal homemaking posts here. Find past menu plans here.
What are you making for dinner this week? Be sure to leave a link to any recipes in the comments!
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“… I find that often the hardest part of creating a menu plan is that initial inspiration. I’m happy to cook if I have a plan.”
This is exactly what happens at our house! I love to cook, but have a hard time starting. My wife, unfortunately, is much the same way. So we end up with a lot of “What do you want this week?” “I dunno… how about you?”
Could you share your recipe for Enchiladas Suizas? We don’t really care for red enchilada sauce so this would really be great. I am learning to coupon and stockpile and cook from my stockpile to save money. Thanks for all you do.
Somebody (me?) forgot to make our menu plan this week. All I know for sure is that my sister-in-law is coming for dinner on Wednesday and has requested these:
http://motheronamission.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/mini-bacon-and-cheese-frittatas/
We have just started to really use a menu plan and OH MY GOSH. It has cut down my grocery trip to one hour from 2.5 and savings us money (not buying items we wone immediately use). Also using my couponing skills learned from you guys better and getting what I need, not what I can get a good deal on. Thank you for your posts, especially the vegetarain ones. We are a mostly vegetarian, gluten and dairy free home. I need as many ideas as I can get!
I love your weekly menu planning that you post! I do mine by the month now on a whiteboard using dry erase markers and the kids love to see it all month. It really helps me budget for the week when I shop and not forget items needed for dinner. I cook simple most of the time since I have 5 kids and standing in the kitchen for long would result in disaster! Lol. I love how you incorporate leftovers and reuse parts of a meal for later meals! I also love that you eat out to get a break, I do that too once a week for dinner with the kids as well. I find your posts encouraging!