Welcome to this week’s fresh, flavorful, budget conscious, family friendly meal plan! I’m continuing to prioritize fresh ingredients this spring! With Cinco de Mayo approaching, we’re spicing things up with a selection of festive recipes to celebrate the occasion. From zesty tacos to indulgent desserts, get ready to savor the flavors of Mexico (with a twist). Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your meals and join the culinary fiesta!
What to Expect:
Welcome to our family friendly meal plan! As a household of two parents and three growing boys, meal planning isn’t just helpful; it’s essential! I’ve tailored this plan to accommodate the needs of a family of five, drawing from personal experience. Meal planning is a cornerstone of our routine for three key reasons.
- #1: Firstly, it significantly reduces stress by eliminating the daily dinner dilemma—we always know what’s on the menu, and all the ingredients are ready and waiting.
- #2: It’s a budget-friendly approach, cutting down on takeout expenses and impromptu grocery runs.
- #3: It helps minimize food waste by ensuring we use what we have and plan meals around existing ingredients.
If you’re curious about how we execute our meal planning strategy, be sure to check out my family’s approach. I hope this plan not only simplifies your week but also brings joy to your table with delicious recipes!
What’s Included in Each Family Friendly Meal Plan:
Each weekly meal plan includes dinners for 6 out of 7 days (one day is for leftovers) and 2 breakfast options and a sweet treat to try. I don’t include a lot of breakfast and lunch options because we rely heavily one “One Month in One Day Meal Prep For Busy Parents” method and I prep all of those once a month! (find out how we do it here)
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This Week’s Plan:
Monday: Strawberry Salad with grilled chicken
Tuesday: Taco Bowls
Wednesday: Chana Masala
Thursday: Kitchen Sink Pad Thai
Friday: Orange Chicken
Saturday/Sunday (pick one day for leftovers): 10 taco recipes to try for Cinco De Mayo!
and for anyone celebrating Orthodox Easter this weekend, don’t forget these delicious Easter Recipes!
Breakfast Options: Huevos Rancheros and/or Protein Bagels
Dessert: Strawberry Sopapilla Cheesecake or Fried Ice cream Cake
Monday: Week 3 of salad on Monday and you’re not gonna be mad! I’ve been obsessed with Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad since college and it’s going to be extra delicious served with some grilled chicken! I specifically chose this salad because strawberries are on sale right now!
Tuesday: This taco salad is a little different since it’s layered. Starting with refried beans, cheese, meat, and then put some queso on there to make it even better! Top it with the fresh stuff like lettuce, pico, and avocado and wonder why you didn’t try it this way sooner! It’s also a great thing to make extra of and eat for lunch all week.
Wednesday: Light, flavorful, and made from pantry ingredients, this Chana Masala recipe is an inexpensive wonder! It’s a must try!
Thursday: I call this Kitchen Sink Pad Thai since it’s really best for anything you’ve got hanging around in your fridge. The original recipe is vegetarian but if you have leftover chicken from Monday, definitely chop it up and throw it in!
Friday: This slow cooker Orange Chicken Recipe is new to the blog this week and you’ll wish it was added sooner. It’s a great set and forget dish when you need dinner ready later but you have a few minutes now. I kind of think it’s better than takeout but you’ll have to try for yourself (and make sure to leave a review!).
Saturday or Sunday (one night is leftovers): It’s Cinco De Mayo on Sunday. I’d consider that a great excuse to make up some delicious tacos! Try one of these recipes here!
Get my my new favorite taco stands here!
For Breakfast:
Sticking with the Cinco De Mayo theme, Huevos Rancheros are super budget friendly an the perfect breakfast to make on Cinco De Mayo. Don’t forget, these actually make a delicious dinner too, when in a pinch!
These protein bagels are actually good for you! The picture shows the blueberry version but I actually prefer the savory version with an egg on top! Get the recipe here!
For a Sweet Treat: I’ve got two Cinco De Mayo desserts that are just begging to be made this weekend! Try Fried Ice Cream Cake that comes together so easily and really hits the spot. Or go with sopapilla cheesecake. This dish relies on store bought crescent roll dough and is basically what would happen if a curro and a cheesecake had a baby.
I hope you have the most magnificent week and eat well for less!
FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE FAMILY RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:
- 3 Delicious Pantry Friendly Meals
- 105 Meals for $115 – Feeding My Family For a week
- The Top 10 Secrets to saving big on food!
CHECK OUT THESE PREVIOUS MEAL PLANS:
- Meal Plan January 15th – January 21st
- Meal Plan January 22nd – January 28th
- Meal Plan January 29th – February 4th
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