The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Rachel at Useful Beautiful Home.
Recently, I tagged alongside my husband on his business trip to Florida. The downside of soaking up the extra sunshine was returning home to an especially busy week. So, prior to leaving, I rounded up some pantry recipes and organized a Busy Week Meal Plan to help ease back into cooking duties.
Organized Meals for a Busy Week:
With school back in full swing and holiday months closing in, I thought this would be a handy tool to incorporate when you know a busy week is approaching.
I know, I know; we don’t need another meal planner. There are dozens of free menu planners available in blog land. Additionally, we have meal accountability and encouragement every Monday from Laura. Some of my family’s favorite recipes have come from her Menu Plan Monday series.
This planner is a little different in that I’m sharing a strategy to make home cooked meals by using ingredients previously stocked in the pantry or freezer. The point is to create a “back up” menu for weeks that are so crazy, just getting to the grocery store is inconvenient and stressful.
Of course, the only thing easier would be meals already prepared and waiting in the freezer, but since some hectic weeks are unplanned (like my impromptu trip), there isn’t always time to tackle the freezer method.
Furthermore, I don’t have a personal chef at willful readiness nor do I possess any superpowers. 🙂 So, pantry planning it is for me!
There is a wee bit of preparation involved, since the concept doesn’t work unless you purchase the ingredients prior to your busy week. You must stock-up in advance so that almost everything you need is ready and waiting.
Without further delay, here are the links to 7 pantry/freezer friendly meals.
Clean Eating Slow Cooker Southwestern 2 Bean Chicken
Gnocchi Soup with Lemon and Dill
And for all you breakfast lovers out there…
Apple Pancakes with Cranberry Syrup
Since this is not an exhaustive list and you may have your own favorite go-to meals, I created a blank printable too.
While I can’t cook your meals for you, I can provide you with a free planner and a jump start on pantry meal ideas to make life a little more simple.
Click the link below for an organized printable of these shop-ahead meals and their corresponding grocery lists as well as a blank template. Hopefully this will help calm the crazies and fill the personal chef void in your life. 🙂
At this time this printable is no longer available. So sorry!
Busy Week Meal Plans with Grocery List
Other than take-out, what pantry/freezer/staple meals do you use during a busy week or upon returning home from a trip?
In the professional world, I’m a nurse by trade. But, around our house, I’m known as Mommy to our young daughter. My two worlds collided and began shaping into a blog. Useful Beautiful Home represents the hours I’ve dedicated to managing my household as efficiently as possible. I offer you motivation to keep your home healthy, organized, and welcoming. My goal is to share what I’ve implemented in my home to inspire you with fresh ideas and to encourage you to keep up the good work in yours!
Susan says
We usually pick up food on the way home, due to us retiring late and needing to get the kids in beds somewhat on time 😉
Jessica says
I created myself a list of dishes I’m fond of, divided into main courses, side dishes, soups, desserts and all-in-one-meals. It hangs in the kitchen and, when I want to cook something, it’s easty to grab it and consider the ingredients I have in stock to arrange a good meal in a reasonable time.
Rachel@Useful Beautiful Home says
Sounds great!
Dreena Tischler says
We like (canned) black beans on rice. I keep cooked rice in the freezer – it heats quickly and beautifully in the microwave. I buy fresh spinach every week — it’s lovely wilted by the rice. If we have it, we top with ricotta cheese.
Spaghetti carbonara is a good “something from nothing” dish and we serve with any veg we have on hand or in the freezer.
I also keep the flash frozen chicken breasts in the freezer because they thaw in minutes in a bag in a sink full of water. We stir fry and (here comes the frozen rice again!) and add in any veg I have in the freezer.
Finally eggs and cheese grits are a quick meal when I’m too tired to be creative. On these days we give up on the veg and just have fruit alongside!
I love Jessica’s idea; I do have a list of breakfasts so the kids don’t get cereal every day!
Rachel@Useful Beautiful Home says
Great additions! Thanks for sharing.
Kelli at 3 Boys and a Dog says
AM I the only one not seeing the linky?
Rachel@Useful Beautiful Home says
Oh no! Any luck finding it? It’s written in light blue color and underlined words that say “Busy Week Meal Plans with Grocery List”. It’s not a button or tab but rather just linked words. Does that help?
Rae @ Disorganized Musings says
I love your template. Do you have a blank printable template?
Thanks!