Family Dinner Ideas: Week of 10/1
Hey there, mama! If you’re a busy mom juggling work, kids, and everything in between, meal planning can be very stressful. It can be one of the biggest stressors. I totally get it! So if you’re looking for some dinner ideas or ways to reduce your workload as a mom, this blog post is for you. Today I’m sharing a little experiment we tried that made a huge difference in our home. We got the whole family involved in meal planning AND cooking!
This week, I asked my family to help by choosing meals they wanted to eat. They would cook them either solo or with a little help. And let me tell you, the results were amazing. This not only took some of the pressure off me. It also brought us together and made dinnertime more fun for everyone.
Why Let Your Family Help with Dinner?
As a working mom, it’s easy to feel like everything falls on your plate (pun intended). Between grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking, it’s no wonder we’re exhausted by the time we sit down to eat! But here’s the thing: family meal planning doesn’t have to be a solo mission.
When you involve your family in the process, everyone wins. Here’s why:
- It lightens the load: By sharing the responsibility of meal planning and cooking, you can focus on other important things. You can also just take a much-needed break.
- It teaches valuable life skills: Cooking is a critical skill. By letting your kids and partner pitch in, you’re helping them learn their way around the kitchen.
- It strengthens family bonds: Cooking and eating together fosters connection, which can help strengthen your family’s relationships.
- It makes meals more fun: Let’s face it—sometimes cooking feels like a chore. When everyone gets involved, it adds an element of fun and creativity to the process.
Ready to see how we made this work for our family? Let’s break down what we ate this week!
What We Ate This Week: A Week of Easy Family Dinner Ideas
This week, each member of my family got to choose a meal. They had the option to either cook it themselves or with a little help. Here’s what was on the menu:
Monday – Grayson’s Chicken Stuffing Casserole with Rice
We kicked off the week with my son Grayson’s comfort food dish: chicken & stuffing casserole. This dish was super simple to make and perfect for a busy weeknight. Grayson handled most of the cooking. I gave him just a little help. We served the casserole with a side of rice to make it extra filling.
Recipe Highlights:
- Ingredients: Shredded chicken, stuffing mix, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, butter, and rice.
- Why It Works: This casserole is budget-friendly, quick to make, and full of that warm, comforting flavor we all love. Plus, it makes great leftovers for lunch!
Tuesday – My Husband’s Curry Chicken with Rice and Peas
On Tuesday, my husband took over the kitchen with his Jamaican style curry chicken. This dish was a hit in our house—fragrant, flavorful, and packed with spices. He paired it with Jamaican style rice and peas, and it was absolutely delicious. It was reminiscent of his late mom which made this meal extra special.
Recipe Highlights:
- Ingredients: Chicken, curry powder, all-purpose seasoning, black pepper, yellow onion, green onions, garlic cloves, potato, fresh thyme, scotch bonnet pepper, and olive oil, rice, coconut milk, kidney beans (dark red), ground allspice, and scallions.
- Why It Works: This meal is hearty, healthy, and packed with flavor. Curry is a great option for busy families because it’s versatile and easy to customize.
Wednesday – Butternut Squash and Tortellini Soup with Salad and Bread
For our midweek meal, I decided to make a cozy, fall-inspired butternut squash and tortellini soup. It’s a simple dish that’s perfect for autumn, and the addition of tortellini makes it filling enough to serve as a main course. We paired the soup with a fresh salad and some crusty bread to round out the meal. I don’t really have a recipe for this I saute some onions and apple chicken sausage, cook the tortellini in vegetable broth, add in the onions and sausage and add some butternut squash soup, curry, garlic, ginger, black pepper and and a little red pepper flakes and let simmer.
Recipe Highlights:
- Ingredients: Butternut squash, vegetable broth, cheese tortellini, garlic, onion, olive oil, apple chicken sausage, onion, black pepper, red pepper flakes, curry, and ginger.
- Why It Works: This soup is warm, comforting, and easy to prepare. It’s also a great way to sneak some extra veggies into your family’s diet!
Thursday – Livi’s Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken
My daughter Livi went classic with her meal choice: mac and cheese. To make it a bit more substantial, we added some rotisserie chicken to the mix, and it turned out delicious. This meal was a hit with everyone, especially the kids!
Recipe Highlights:
- Ingredients: Macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, rotisserie chicken.
- Why It Works: Mac and cheese is a kid-friendly staple, and adding rotisserie chicken is an easy way to make it more filling and nutritious.
Friday – Takeout Night
By the time Friday rolled around, we were ready for a break, so we decided to order takeout from our favorite local spot. This is something we try to do once a week—it’s a great way to treat ourselves and support local businesses, all while giving me a night off from cooking!
Saturday – Chili Pie with Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Topping
For Saturday dinner, we made a chili pie with a jalapeño cheddar cornbread topping. This dish is a family favorite, and it’s perfect for a cozy weekend night in. It’s hearty, filling, and has just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting.
Recipe Highlights:
- Ingredients: Ground beef, ground pork, beans, chili seasoning, tomato paste, nutmeg, kidney beans, boxed cornbread, jalapeño, cheddar cheese, and frozen corn.
- Why It Works: Chili pie is a budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to throw together. The jalapeño cheddar cornbread topping has a gentle kick that we all can enjoy!
Sunday – Leftovers
I planned for pumpkin Alfredo pasta with leftover chicken, but instead opted to finish up some leftovers that was in our fridge. The weather is still nice here in Massachusetts – so we spent most the day outside. New England has some pretty long depressing winters. So, we are just savoring all the good weather days mother nature gives us. Plus, we pretty much emptied the fridge, and minimized food waste.
Dessert – Teigan’s Chocolate Lava Cupcakes
Finally, for dessert, my youngest, Teigan, got creative in the kitchen and made chocolate lava cupcakes. These ooey-gooey treats were the perfect way to end the week, and they were so fun to make (and eat!). Livi and I helped her make the chocolate ganache filling, and taking the pan in and out the oven. These were amazing and didn’t last long.
Recipe Highlights:
- Ingredients: Chocolate chips, heavy cream, butter, eggs, oil, and cake mix.
- Why It Works: These cupcakes are a simple, indulgent dessert that’s sure to please everyone. Plus, they’re easy enough for little ones to help with!
How to Start Family Meal Planning in Your Home
If you’re feeling inspired to try this in your own home, here are a few tips to get started:
- Assign each family member a day: Let everyone pick one meal to make during the week. It gives them ownership and makes the process more fun.
- Keep things simple: Don’t feel like every meal has to be fancy. Simple, easy-to-make dishes are perfect for busy weeknights.
- Be flexible: If someone needs help, jump in, but try to let them take the lead. It’s all about lightening your load, mama!
- Make it fun: Turn it into a bonding experience. Cooking together can be a great way to connect as a family.
Conclusion: Simplify Dinner with Family Involvement
This week of meals was a game-changer for me as a working mom. Not only did it help me save time and energy, but it also brought us closer as a family. I encourage you to try this approach and see how it works in your home.
What Did You Eat This Week?
I’d love to hear about your favorite meals or any tips you have for getting the whole family involved in the kitchen. Share in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @momlifeonabudget77. And if you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the blog so you never miss out on new posts and ideas to make mom life just a little bit easier.
Want a Second Serving?
If you’re looking for another easy family dinner idea then check out my Easy Baked (no boil) Ziti Recipe It’s so easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights.
