The dreaded ‘what’s for dinner’ question. I….can’t…..take….it. I’m sure some of you feel me on this one. So, I’m answering it for you! We’ve implemented a weekly theme rotation which helps with planning and anticipation of meals tremendously (so hopefully your kids can ask you less often what’s for dinner). I am in the habit of sitting down before grocery day to plan every single dinner for the week because I REFUSE to go to the grocery store more than once per week. I would never go again if I had my wish. I’ll include your grocery list at the top and the weekly plan below. New to the rotation this week is Grilled Chicken Salad Night (GCSN)! That’s right, it’s grilling season and we are HERE FOR IT. We’re adding grilling into the mix once to twice per week. Feel free to mix and match as you see fit for your family!

Combined Grocery list (family of four, increase/decrease as needed, see each meal below for detailed items needed for that night). Doesn’t include common pantry Staples like dried spices:

• Ground beef (1lb)
• Bell Peppers (6)
• Rice (pantry staple)
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozarella/provolone shredded cheese mix (2 lbs)
• Fresh mozzarella (16oz)
• Pizza sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Chicken breasts or thighs (2lbs)
• 1 pkg Fajita seasoning (or make your own!)
• Tortillas of choice
• Sour Cream
• Taco sauce
• Romaine lettuce
• Caesar dressing
• Waffle mix
• Bacon (1.5-2 lb)
• Eggs
• cheddar/Monterey jack cheese blend or block
• Maple Syrup (pantry staple)
• Sweet corn
• Spaghetti
• Beef Chuck Roast (approx 4 lb)
• Carrots
• Chicken stock
• Tomato paste
• Baby potatoes
• Heavy cream
• Pre-made pizza crust or dough (if needed, we like to make our own)
• Preferred pizza toppings (pepperoni, olives, pineapple? whatever suits your fancy, throw on some leftover chicken or bacon if you have it!)

Monday (meatloaf/ball or adjacent): Italian style stuffed peppers (instapot)

• Ground beef
• Bell peppers
• Parmesan
• Mozzarella/provolone mix
• Rice
• Marinara sauce
• Additional pantry ingredients not on the grocery list: garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper

Tuesday (taco/tortilla or adjacent): Sheetpan Chicken Fajitas

• Chicken breast (1 lb)
• Bell peppers
• Fajita seasoning
• Tortillas
• Sour cream
• Taco sauce
• Additional pantry items not on the grocery list: olive oil

Wednesday (GCSN): Grilled chicken Caesar salad w/sourdough croutons

• Chicken breast (1 lb)
• Romaine lettuce
• Parmesan
• Homemade sourdough croutons (see our favorite recipe here)
• Caesar dressing
• Additional pantry items not on the grocery list: garlic powder, salt, pepper, olive oil

Thursday (breakfast for dinner): waffles, bacon and cheesy eggs

• Waffle mix
• Bacon (cook both packages & save the leftovers for tomorrow!)
• Eggs
• Cheddar/monterey jack block
• Maple syrup
• Additional pantry items not on the grocery list: oil of choice to use with waffle mix (review instructions), butter

Friday (pasta night): Creamy bacon and sweet corn pasta with chicken

• Chicken (1 lb)
• Bacon (leftover from yesterday!)
• Sweet corn
• Spaghetti
• Parmesan cheese
• Heavy cream
• Additional pantry items not on the grocery list: salt, pepper, butter

Saturday (pizza night): homemade pizza

• Pizza crust (or homemade)
• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella/provolone blend
• Fresh mozzarella
• Pizza toppings of choice

Sunday (slow cooker): pot roast

• Chuck roast
• Carrots
• Baby potatoes
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth
• Additional pantry items not on the grocery list: Worcestershire sauce, dried rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper

That’s the plan for the week! Let me know if y’all found this helpful or what swaps you made. If you need recipes or suggestions, please drop a comment below!

-NLM