Meal planning can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and everything else life throws at you. But honestly, it doesn’t have to be a headache. With a few simple tips, you can take the pressure off and make mealtimes feel a bit more manageable. Here are my top 10 tips for stress-free meal planning.
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⭐ Tip 1. Start With What You Have
Before you do anything, have a quick rummage through the fridge, freezer, and cupboards.
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Using up what you’ve already got saves money and cuts down on waste. Got a pack of chicken that’s close to its use-by date? There’s your dinner sorted. A half-empty bag of pasta? That’s a good base for a meal.
⭐ Tip 2. Keep It Simple
Meal planning doesn’t mean every night has to involve a gourmet three-course meal! Stick to easy, family-friendly recipes that don’t take ages to prep.
Think one-pot dishes, traybakes, something in the slow cooker like this pulled BBQ beef brisket or air fryer. Meals that come together in 30 minutes or less are always a win too.
⭐ Tip 3. Plan Around Your Week
Take a quick look at what you’ve got on that week before planning your meals. If you’ve got a hectic evening with after-school clubs or late work meetings, plan something quick or make the most of leftovers.
If you’ve got a quieter day, it’s the perfect chance to try a new recipe or do a bit of batch cooking. It’s all about making your plan work for you.
⭐ Tip 4. Create a Weekly Template
A weekly meal template can save so much time and effort. For example, you could do pasta on Mondays, stir-fry on Tuesdays, and slow cooker meals on Wednesdays.
It gives you a framework, so you’re not starting from scratch every week, but still leaves room for a bit of variety.
⭐ Tip 5. Get the Family Involved
If you’ve got kids with opinions (don’t we all?), get them involved in the planning. Ask everyone to pick a meal for the week. That’s what we do, and it works a treat.
It means fewer complaints at the dinner table and takes some of the pressure off you to come up with ideas for every single meal.
⭐ Tip 6. Double Up When Cooking
When you’re making something like a casserole, soup, or Bolognese, make twice the amount you need. Pop the extra portions in the freezer, and you’ve got a ready-made meal for one of those days when you just can’t face cooking.
⭐ Tip 7. Keep a List of Go-To Meals
Having a list of your family’s favourite meals can be an absolute lifesaver. When you’re stuck for ideas, you can get some options from the list.
Whether it’s spaghetti Bolognese, sausage and mash, or jacket potatoes with all the toppings, having those go-to meals makes planning so much quicker.
⭐ Tip 8. Shop Smart
Once you’ve got your meals planned, write a proper shopping list. If you can, organise it by sections of the shop (fruit and veg, cupboard staples, etc.) so you’re not darting back and forth.
And try to stick to the list – it’ll save you money and help you avoid coming home with random bits you didn’t really need. (I’m talking to you Aldi middle aisle!)
⭐ Tip 9. Use Technology to Help
There are loads of apps and tools out there to make meal planning easier, but if you prefer old-school pen and paper like me, you can use that instead I’ve even got a printable meal planner you can use (check it out at the bottom of the page).
⭐ Tip 10. Be Flexible
Even with the best intentions, plans can change. And that’s OK. Some nights you won’t feel like cooking what you planned, or maybe something unexpected comes up. Just swap meals around or throw together something quick with what you’ve got or grab a meal from the freezer. The goal is to make life easier, not to add stress!
Do you have a meal planning tip you swear by? I’d love to hear it – let me know in the comments! And if you’re after a bit more help, check out my printable meal planner below for a simple way to get started!
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