While I’ve shared in the past that sticking with a meal plan isn’t one of my virtues, I’m going to give it an honest go for October. We’ve got a busy month coming up with three weekend soccer tournaments and a business trip for me mid-month, so hopefully having a plan in place will help alleviate some of the stress!
Two things before we get to my plan… Weekends are almost always up in the air for us until the last minute, so I’m only going to plan out our weeknights. Also, we rotate through a number of different side dishes, so I’ll just list a specific side when it makes sense and share some of our other faves apart from the main dishes after the plan.
:: Week One (9/29-10/3)
Snacks
chocolate chip coffee muffins
freezer smoothies
Dinners
grilled honey lime chicken, coconut milk rice
dinner out
one pot cilantro lime chicken w/ corn & blackbeans, leftover coconut milk rice
grilled lemon basil pork chops, lemony basil orzo pasta salad
homemade pizza night
:: Week Two (10/6-10/10)
Snacks
crunchy homemade granola bars
apple muffins
Dinners
cilantro chipotle barbecue grilled chicken thighs
Italian wedding soup, bread machine sourdough bread
leftovers (business trip)
pizza carryout (business trip)
dinner out (soccer tournament)
:: Week Three (10/13-10/17)
Snacks
no bake peanut butter bars
banana bread
Dinners
beef barbacoa burrito bowls, coconut milk rice, Mexican sweet corn cake (if I’m feeling ambitious)
leftovers
creamy tomato basil soup, grilled cheese sandwiches
4-ingredient mini chicken pot pies
dinner out (soccer tournament)
:: Week Four (10/20-10/24)
Snacks
mango bread
pumpkin bread
Dinners
homemade chicken and dumplings
zuppa toscana soup, homemade breadsticks
leftovers
walking tacos
homemade pizza night
:: Week Five (10/27-10/31)
Snacks
apples with homemade caramel sauce
chocolate-covered pumpkin pretzels
Dinners
slow cooker chili
leftovers
slow cooker cola pulled pork sliders
leftovers (Trick-or-Treat night)
dinner out (soccer tournament)
As I mentioned, we’re pretty laid back when it comes to side dishes. Usually I can throw together at least one of the sides below with whatever comes in our weekly produce box and/or what’s in my pantry — and my family is fine with that!
- 15-minute homemade biscuits
- bread machine sourdough bread
- spicy sweet potato fries
- roasted parsley and garlic potatoes
- grilled veggies in foil packets
- roasted sesame asparagus
- coconut milk rice
- rice cooker quinoa
Now it’s your turn to share… What’s on your menu this week or month? Share in the comments or leave a link to your menu plan post and you could win a Cottonelle prize package valued at $50!
Today, one lucky Deal Seeking Mom reader will win $50 in Cottonelle products!!! Follow the instructions in the widget below to be entered to win…
Be sure to check out the Pick Up The Values website for more valuable printable coupons, including savings on Cottonelle products!
This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Leigh Anne Borders
Spaghetti, chicken, tacos, and pizza so far are on the menu for this week. Chickfila was tonight!
Tim
Spaghetti, tacos and burgers!
Gina
BLT,s made with free bacon, cheap miracle whip and free tomatoes and lettuce from our garden!
Julia
This week we’ve had kebobs, and bowtie pasta with garlic & chicken. On the menu plan yet is stuffed peppers, smoked chicken salad and teriyaki pork roast
Eileen
Tonight was spinach and sausage orzo, tomorrow chicken and wild rice soup, Wed tacos, Thursday leftovers bc we have fencing that night and friday is our traditional pizza and salad
Amanda
More crockpot meals for us! Chili, pot roast, etc.
Tara
So great to have the whole month planned out like that! I need to do that.
Misty Swearingen
Zucchini quiche, taco soup, fajitas and stuffed peppers!
Michelle
Tacos and anything Mexican.
Jane
Anything with apples, like apple crisp.
Norb
Italian all the way. Lots of lasagna.
Sophie
Lots of oatmeal to warm up in the morning.
Scott
Pancakes and lots of breakfast food.
Kim
All things Italian, like spaghetti.
Erika
Definitely some yummy chili as the weather cools! Thanks!
Danielle M.
Wish I thought ahead that far! I hven’t done a menu plan in ages :( Feeling like nachos tomorrow though.
Melvin
Soups and Chicken
Tara Liebing
I will be making tacos, pizza and hamburgers this week for sure.
Maureen
I will be trying to eat more greens and healthy. Fruits and veggies.
Maureen
I’ll be eating more greens and fruit.
Terry
With fall in the air, we will be having soup and meals prepared in the crock pot.
melanie
Kids want burgers, pizza, chicken, and tacos so far for this week.
Melissa
I’m planning on making a lot soups with the colder weather coming.
shaunie
clam chowder soup and ham sandwiches
Carol
Lots of soups
Shawnda
Lots of slow cooker meals since we’re so busy!
Diane G
Crockpot or sandwiches. Easy meals are the best.
Monica Steele
Chicken noodle casserole – other than that, I don’t really come up with a menu plan.
Shirley
what I do is look what is on sale and any new recipes I have. This week I got a free rotisserie chicken so made that and potatoes and beans. tonight chicken rolls in a mushroom sauce and rice. tomorrow since I got chop meat on sale mini burgers and than pasta on Thursday. I try to change it up it keep the kids eating and also go by what the stores have on clearance from the meat department.
Courtney
Oh meal planning… love it yet I hate it at the same time!
Kid friendly foods – trying out some shepherds pie. Last night we did grilled cheese roll dippers w/ soup!