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5 Tips For Simplifying Weeknight Meals + $50 U by Kotex Giveaway!

September 16, 2014 by Tara Kuczykowski 50 Comments

Cilantro Lime Chicken

Weeknight dinners are my nemesis… Just when I think I’ve got it all under control, I sometimes find myself getting derailed, and you know what that means — I’m calling up our local pizzeria for delivery. So what’s a mom to do? Get right back in the saddle with an easy recipe like the One Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken With Corn & Black Beans pictured above, of course!

If you often find yourself in the same situation, here are five more tips that will help simplify your weeknight meals:

Meal Planning

Meal planning involves mapping out a plan for your meals on a weekly or monthly basis. It can be as detailed or loose as you’d like, but it allows you to plan meals around sales to save money at the same time. I’ll be completely honest, though — meal planning is not my strength. It definitely works if you’re disciplined enough to stick with it, though! I’ve shared some thoughts on meal planning on Unsophisticook, so you can get more info there.

Have A Go To Plan

I find that a “go to plan” is a better method for my family. We have some basic main dishes and sides that all pair well together, and we keep the ingredients for them stocked at all times. Our plan looks something like this: a main protein (burgers, veggie burgers, grilled chicken, grilled pork chops, etc.), a grilled or roasted veggie side (grilled veggies, roasted asparagus, roasted potatoes, grilled avocado, etc.), and a grain or pasta side like coconut milk rice, quinoa, or a fluffy couscous.

Use Your Slow Cooker

There are a number of tools in my kitchen that I consider essential to getting dinner on the table quickly on busy weeknights — my immersion blender, kitchen scissors, and Le Creuset French oven to name a few. But my slow cooker tops them all! here are six of my favorite tried and true slow cooker recipes to get you started.

Freezer Meals

I love the concept of preparing meals ahead of time that can be easily frozen and reheated or cooked upon thawing. Not all recipes are conducive to this treatment, but with a few substitutions, most can be adapted to become a freezer meal. The easiest way I’ve found to stock the freezer is to simply double all of my freezer compatible meals when I make them — one for that evening and one to be frozen for later use. Or if a freezer cooking day to stock your freezer for a month sounds appealing, check out Once A Month Meals, where my friend Tricia has put together an amazing resource for freezer cooking fanatics!

Healthy Snacks

When all else fails, it pays to have some healthy snacks on hand to tide the family over through homework and sports practices, allowing you more time to figure out the all important dinner menu. Find five of our favorite recipes here, including an amazing recipe for healthy homemade granola bars!

What is your favorite tip for getting dinner on the table in a hurry? Share in the comments and you could win a U by Kotex prize package valued at $50!

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This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: giveaway, giveaways, pick up the values, saving money, u by kotex coupons

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kat

    September 16, 2014 at 9:52 pm

    I often use the cook once eat twice method. I make twice as much and freeze what it leftover to be reheated for another meal.

    Reply
  2. Erika

    September 16, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    I just try to choose quick recipes and have meat defrosted ahead of time.

    Reply
  3. Rebecca D

    September 16, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    I make dinner in the crockpot earlier in the day when things aren’t so busy

    Reply
  4. Liz

    September 16, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    I prep as much as I can in the morning before everyone else is up. I also write down the menu for the week so I can just make sure I have everything I need and am not scrambling to get something pulled together at the last minute.

    Reply
  5. Shayna

    September 17, 2014 at 12:37 am

    I use freezer cooking to prepare stuff ahead of time :)

    Reply
  6. Melissa

    September 17, 2014 at 1:02 am

    I make meals ahead quite often and freeze them for days I know I am going to be too busy to cook.

    Reply
  7. Nicole Millheim

    September 17, 2014 at 3:31 am

    I prep the night before

    Reply
  8. Tamara N

    September 17, 2014 at 8:48 am

    My tip to getting dinner on the table quickly is to have things prepped the night before as much as possible. That way when I get home from work I have to assemble and cook.

    Reply
  9. Rebecca

    September 17, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Try to do some of the prep ahead of time.

    Reply
  10. Charity Shapiro

    September 17, 2014 at 9:59 am

    I try to double the recipe to have some leftover to freeze.

    Reply
  11. Patricia Wojnar Crowley

    September 17, 2014 at 10:34 am

    My tip is to grab one of my precooked dinners out of the freezer and just heat it up in the oven! Casseroles are great for a quick dinner!

    Reply
  12. Katy P

    September 17, 2014 at 10:36 am

    I try to make things ahead of time- like rolls and freeze them. Then, I can pull out sides for my meals quickly.

    Reply
  13. Kris I.

    September 17, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    If I know I’m not going to have a lot of time to make dinner, I will put my dinner in my crock pot in the morning.

    Reply
  14. wendy rozema

    September 17, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    I Like to get as much done the day before ( like chopping up stuff etc)

    Reply
  15. Serena S.

    September 17, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    heat up something from the freezer

    Reply
  16. brynne

    September 17, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    we prep as much as we can the night before and make sure we have plenty for leftovers.

    Reply
  17. Julia

    September 17, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    We often cook meat ahead of time that will be used in casserole type meals

    Reply
  18. shaunie

    September 18, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    Have it already prepared to go into the oven or heated up (like microwave food, but homemade food instead)

    Reply
  19. Leigh Anne Borders

    September 18, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    Crockpot and cook what you can over the weekend.

    Reply
  20. Jill

    September 20, 2014 at 8:32 am

    On busy days, I love coming home to a hot meal in my crock pot.

    Reply
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Hey there — nice to meet you!

I'm Tara: mom of 5 teens/tweens and one 80-lb. Weimaraner, who fancies herself a lap dog. Born and raised in Ohio (GO BUCKS!!!), my fave things include cooking + baking, my JEEP Rubicon, the 4x4 beaches at OBX, and checking out the local craft beer scene...
 
As you can imagine, all of this puts a good dent in my monthly budget. So I've learned how to save on the things I NEED, so I can spend on the things I WANT.
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