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!
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This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Kathy
With fall here it is time to start making more casseroles, soups and dishing using potatoes or potatoes as side dishes. Apples are abundant locally so it’s easy to make many dishes using apples whether it’s main meals or deserts!
julie
meatloaf and grilled chicken
Elaine
chili with fritos
Bridget Heiple Reich
My daughter dances most nights of the week, so I don’t have a menu plan! Usually something we can grab on the go! :)
wanda
Lucky for me….I’m staying at a hunting lodge in Texas and all the meals are prepared for me.
This is a PLAN I could get used to!
Kristy
Since it’s starting to cool down, I’m making Minestrone and beef stew! Yumm!!!
stacey k
white chicken chili
katie
Your menu looks delicious. Chili for us this evening
April
Soups and Chili.
Connie C.
Soup and roast, both made in the slow cooker.
Ashley
Chicken Pot Pie soup, baby! Yay, Fall!
Karen L
Pasta and noodle soup
jasmine Williams
I definitely plan to use the crock pot as much as possible combined with what is on sale or reduced price as we have a family of 5 and working long midnight shift hours cuts out a lot of my available time.
Rebecca D
Tonight we’re having breakfast for dinner, but as the weather cools, I will be making more soups in the crockpot.
Maralea
chili, burgers and pizza
brynne
Butternut squash soup. Yum for autumn!
Calli
spaghetti squash with meatballs!
laura v
king ranch casserole,chapulas,spinach salads,pork loin ribs,roasted corn
Mami2jcn
Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Tamara N
This week we are having some of our favorites like tacos, chili and beef stew.
Jaclyn Reynolds
Potatos and turkey with gravy!
Sandra U.
Spaghetti for us tonight, yummy!
YVONNE LOPEZ
MEATLOAF AND MASHED POTATOES
Gina M (Wild Orchid)
We are having tacos tonight!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Valerie L
making some thai food
Missy
Shrimp salads and quiche.
Julie
curried cauliflower soup, chili, chicken crescent squares, pizza!
Carmen Abdelnoor
Homemade beef stew and jambalaya.
Carrie Conley
Tuna salad sandwiches….tonite
amber
I plan to use my slow cooker at least once a week, either pot roast or chicken breast, and then use leftovers for beef veggie or chicken noodle soups