Menu Plans


These menus are not all inclusive.  Don't forget that you need to plan not only breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week, but also snacks and desserts!  There are not 7 dinners listed on each menu because not everyone can cook 7 days a week, in fact it's best if you can NOT do that.  Plan for leftovers, or have "easy nights", etc.  Here are a few hints under each part of the day to fill in any gaps.  Don't forget to watch portion control!  My Tuna casserole feeds 4, but the way some people I know eat (my self included sometimes!) maybe only 2 eat it.  Get familiar with what a real portion is, and if you're still hungry fill up on your sides of fruits and veggies.

When you buy meat in family packs and/or on sale, one way to save time is to brown ahead of time and package in 1 lb or other needed sizes for future recipes, double wrap and place in freezer.  Don't forget to label it.  Some recipes, especially those for chicken or turkey, you could use canned meats in a pinch.

breakfast
pop tarts, toaster strudel, toast, english muffins, bagels, oatmeal, cream of wheat, eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, fruit, yogurt, cereal bars or granola, pancakes, waffles

lunch
leftovers (my fave!), soup, sandwiches, salads, microwavable entrees either frozen or from the shelf

snacks
100 calorie packs, individual bagged snacks (you can make your own from larger bags), chips, pretzels, popcorn, fruit, veggies, dip, dry cereal, granola and other bars, cookies, cheese, crackers, yogurt

dinner
spaghetti, tacos, hamburger, chicken or tuna helpers, frozen dinners, rotisserie chicken, breakfast, vegetable plate with mac & cheese (this is one of our faves....make 2-3 vegetables and some mac & cheese)

sides
frozen or canned veggies, potatoes, rice, stuffing, mac & cheese, couscous

desserts
fresh, frozen or canned fruit, jello, pudding, cookies, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, cake, pie (we don't have dessert very often, usually just for company)

Menu # 1
Menu # 2
Menu # 3
Menu # 4
Menu # 5
Menu # 6
Menu # 7
Menu # 8
Menu # 9
Menu # 10
Menu # 11
Menu # 12
Menu # 13
Menu # 14
Menu # 15
Multiple Meals - Leftover Chicken
Multiple Meals - Make Ahead Meatballs
Multiple Meals - Pork Loin