Hi everyone! Welcome back to another organized week of menu planning 🙂
So it’s going to be an exciting week around our house. My son’s 14th birthday is this week and then on Thursday I’m flying out to Toronto for the Blissdom Canada Conference. Then once the conference is over I’m going to spend a wonderful week visiting all my family in Ontario which is what I’m looking forward to most of all. All my extended family lives there so it’s always a blessing when I get to visit. I did the majority of my Christmas shopping this past weekend so that I could bring all the presents with me and not have to ship them later. It’s going to seem strange wrapping Christmas presents so early but a lot less to think of and prepare later. Whoot!
Recipe Highlight:
So this one was easy for me. My favorite recipe from last week was hands down the Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole. I made it earlier in the day when I had more time and energy and then simply reheated it at dinner and it was delicious. Even my 7 year old who hates Tater Tots (say what?) loved it and gobbled it up. I think this casserole would be excellent for potlucks or when making a meal for a friend. The only thing I’d do differently next time is add a veggie of some kind and then I wouldn’t have to make a separate side dish 🙂
Kids In The Kitchen:
Get your kids in the kitchen with this great collection of cookbooks for kids. With easy-to-follow recipes, guidelines and schedules for teaching kitchen skills, and encouragement that your investment will pay off, this bundle will help you discover the fun of cooking with kids while teaching them important skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
This week only, get all five of these ebooks for more than 85% off:
- Cooking 101 for Kids by Lynn at Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
- Real Food Kids: In the Kitchen from GNOWFGLINS
- Cupcakes! 12 Months of Happiness by Liz Latham
- Adventures with Kids! In the Kitchen by Charra Shopp
- Teaching Your Kids to Cook by Laura Coppinger
Menu Planning Resource:
I think it’s important to have a list of meals in your arsenal that you can get on the table fast. This post on 10 Easy Meals For When You Forget to Plan Dinner offers some great suggestions.
My Weekly Menu:
Monday: Baked Tacos
Tuesday: Son’s 14th birthday! His request is: Rotisserie-Style Chicken served with baked potatoes and corn. For dessert, I’ll be making Gluten, Dairy & Egg-Free Chocolate Cake. Yum!
Wednesday: Leftover buffet
Thursday: Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops served with rice and spinach salad
Friday: Quick Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
Sunday: YOYO (you’re on your own)
Have a fantastic week everyone!
WHAT’S ON YOUR MENU PLAN THIS WEEK? JOIN US!
Menu Plan Guidelines, banner selections and recipe helpers are here.
More family favorite recipes here.
Don’t forget to join the growing Menu Plan Monday Facebook Page!!
One of my favorite menu planning resources:
SusieQTpies says
Nom Nom! Hey that bundle looks great. I have that 101 Cooking for Kids and it rocks! Have a super week and thanks for the link party! Pinned your post to pinterest!
April says
That tater tot casserole looks yumm!! I’m marking the 10 quick dinners … how did you know that I needed that?? An organizing, meal planning, mind reader you are!
Liz & Doug @ PocketChangeGourmet.com says
Thanks for hosting Laura! And thanks for promoting the eBook bundle, I’m thrilled to have my Cupcake book featured!
~Liz
Janet says
Way to go getting all those gifts purchased already. That’s going to make your holiday season so much easier. That tater tot casserole looks delicious. Will have to try it sometime.
GiadasMama says
i am so excited to be back doing menu plan monday!
Pat @ Elegantly, Gluten-Free says
Your week sounds pretty busy — don’t get the birthday wrap mixed up with the Christmas gift wrap 🙂
Have fun!
Ellen says
Tater Tots and Chili? Totally on my menu next week.
Jen B says
My son turns 14 on Oct 12! Thank you for hosting this. It is my first week joining you. Have a great week!
I love your Sunday menu! Haha
Jean says
Your son shares a birthday with my older brother! Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating and visiting family. Thanks for hosting!
Mrs. Duh says
Mmmmm… those pork chops sound delicious!
Sarah @ Confessions of a Caustic Caretaker says
My son turned 14 a couple weeks ago! Are you finding, as I am, that a third job and a second mortgage are going to soon be necessary in order to keep feeding your 14-year old?!?
Happy Monday!
Laura says
Yes definitely Sarah!
Rona B says
I’m definitely going to try the Chili Tator Tots Cassorole. My guys would love it.
Robin says
I realize this post is from last year, but I just wanted to mention…I made the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta. It was SO good!! I left the broccoli on the side, as my boyfriend isn’t a fan. But with or without the broccoli, it’s delicious!! He couldn’t stop eating it! I’ll be making this again, and pinned it on Pinterest. Thanks so much 🙂
Diane says
Hi, I want to start using your Monday Menu planning template. Do you share the one you fill out for the week in a printable version?
Thank you for all your ideas!
Diane
Laura says
Hi Diane, here’s a list of all my free printables including a menu planner template 🙂
https://orgjunkie.com/printables
Laura