As Christmas and New Year’s come and go my goal for the new year is to be more organized. A big part of organization (and frugality) for me is having a dinner plan and using it. Sometimes it can be difficult when the day has been long and crazy to just get dinner on the table without resorting to take-out or PB&J for the umpteenth time, and the novelty of breakfast for dinner wears away fast. The first step for me is to get organized with meal planning. Here are some of my favorite frugal tips, recipes, and meal ideas I use in meal planning.
Meal plans go way beyond “what’s for dinner” to how I am going to plan and execute dinner. From the grocery shopping list to thawing meats or prepping sides, I need to incorporate the plan throughout my day AND evening. I am going to start collecting meal ideas and recipes here as a way to help me AND give you some dinner ideas. Let’s make it our goal this year to get dinner to the table with as little stress as possible and without having to resort to take-out or stress as much.
Meal Planning and Execution Tips
- Have a notebook or calendar for your menu planning
- Plan in line with what is on sale at the grocery stores.
- If you coupon, make sure to have them organized for maximum value and time management.
- Stock up when favorite products are on sale.
- Keep a list handy for adding products too as they get low at home. I am keeping a grocery list at my desk to add on to as the week goes by.
- Start menu planning 1 – 2 weeks ahead of time.
- Pull any meat that needs to thaw out of the freezer and put into the fridge before going to bed at night. (Please do not leave meat on the counter to thaw. Practice food safety.)
- Prep vegetables at night if the next day is a busy one or have them on the list for prep after breakfast.
- Utilize the slow cooker for busy days.
- Have several freezer meals for busy days.
- Mix simple meals, favorite meals, and more complex special meals.
Dinner/Entree Ideas
- Gorgonzola Beef Stroganoff
- Spaghetti with white sauce or Nut-Free Kale Pesto
- Spicy Fish Nachos
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Ham and Lentil Soup
- BBQ Chicken and Broccoli Stirfry
- Tacos – Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Meat
- Black and Blue Sirloin Steak
- Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Pizza – Easy Pizza Crust you can make ahead and freeze.
- Philly Cheese Steak
- Potato Leek Soup {Slow Cooker} {Gluten-Free}
- Tuna Steak with Wasabi Lime Aoli
- Chicken and Couscous Soup
- Turkey/Chicken and Gravy
- Southwest Chili Dip – delicious as an entree over rice
- Wild Rice Stuffed Portabellas
- Homemade Ravioli
- Chicken Wings
- Brats then Slow Cooked French Onion Soup
Freezer Meals
Another thing that has helped me out in the past is having some easy meals already thrown together in the freezer. This usually requires planning ahead to thaw but if I have the rest of my week planned out incorporating this will get easier. I will add to the calendar to pull it from the freezer with enough time to thaw for the day I need it. Freezer meals are so rewarding when you have had a long day and enjoy a good meal even with no time to prep.
Freezer Meal Ideas
- Chicken Cheddar Ziti
- Butternut Squash Soup {Gluten-free, Dairy-free}
- Chicken and Vegetable Soup
- Spinach and mushroom stuffed chicken breast
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Easy Rice, Not Minute Rice
Side/Condiment Planning
Sometimes I am quite guilty of getting the entree to the table but failing to take time for the sides. These are days I am grateful for baby carrots and broccoli. Having great side options the family loves and are easy to make, such as the Honey Glazed Carrots, can be a real dinner saver. Adding Melted or brown butter, or fresh squeezed lemon juice to steamed vegetables can change up “plain old veggies” without taking a lot of time. Roasting vegetables can change them up without being time consuming also. When I put a good healthy meal complete with protein, starch and veggies on the table I feel my meal plan was a success.
Side/Condiment Recipes
- Mushroom Soup
- Amish Mashed Potatoes
- Blue Scalloped Potatoes
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potatoes
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Refrigerator Pickles
- Quick and Easy Balsamic Dressing
Meal Planning “Helpers”
Sometimes you just run out of new ideas. Here is where I love some of the meal planning sites. eMeals is my favorite. It does all the work for me. I choose a style of menu and it emails me a menu plan and shopping list. So easy and 100% delicious.
About Heather McCurdy
Heather McCurdy writes at Real: The Kitchen and Beyond where she shows families how to slow down and savor life on any budget with tasty homemade recipes and family travel.
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Menu planning is awesome! Sometimes I have meals in the freezer but most of the time not. I probably should do better about having an emergency meal or two in there for when the day really doesn’t go as planned.
I use my food saver on Sunday after shopping!
I cook sauce ,sausages,meatballs,rice,pound out chicken and freeze it seperated.
This leaves time to make my cookies! 🙂
I forgot to mention that I have a list of my frozen foods,and use a meal planner
Best way to use what I already have.
BEFORE I freeze anything else.
Good plan. I need to go through my freezer again and inventory. I haven’t been doing a good job of that. There is nothing worse than having to throw out freezer burned food.
It makes me feel so organized, and enjoy it when I get into organizing!
I had to throw out a lot from the freezer , the plastic containers get ice in the top..And they are for freezing, and zip .loc freezer bags,I get ice in them also………I’m sure I must do it different. Food Saver has rools,and you can make your own bags,or buy the bags.I like to buy the rolls and cut the size I need.
Thank you for sharing your great tips! I really need to get a Food Saver. I have birthday money burning a hole in my pocket. I am thinking the Food Saver is the best option right now, especially as we go into summer, where I preserve as much as I can.
YES! freezing rhubarb, blueberries, all veggies
My go to is my pounded out and cut up frozen chicken brests,chicken broth,and a vegetable..I cook rice seperate,then add it in our bowls.
Every year I say I am going to get better at meal planning. I’m going to take these tips and (hopefully) run with them. 🙂
I constantly fall behind. Scheduling it into the week helps so much – especially planning on the weekend for the week ahead.
WOW! I have never been organized in my entire life! I would never be able to meal plan. I just usually just go to the market every few days and decide what to make on the spot. I totally applaud your sincere desire to ensure you family is eating yummy homemade meals. Everything sounds delicious.
I stink at being organized but really need it. I couldn’t handle going to the grocery store with 3 kids every few days. I try to grocery shop every other week as much as possible!
And you’ll get use to getting enough of what you need, and just have to get milk