Planning out a weekly menu for you, and your family can seem like daunting task. But, once you get the hang of it it can be quite fun, and, if you manage to make a weekly menu, and stick to it, you’ll thank yourself by the end of the week. Sticking to it is going to help you save you some money, time, and it will prevent you from making bad food choices.
This post is going to center around a vegetarian week of dinner meal planning. If you’re not a vegetarian just simply add an animal based protein to any of the meals.
I don’t make 5 different dinners! I make 3, at most. I just alternate what we are having throughout the week.
Quick Tips to Start Your Week of Meal Planning:
I tried to add as many repeat ingredients as possible. For instance, Olive oil, peppers, eggs, and chili powder appear more than once.
Dinner 1:
Vegetarian Chili: This is a budget friendly, healthy and easy vegetarian chili recipe.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/22919/insanely-easy-vegetarian-chili/
Here’s what you need to make this chili:
Vegetarian Lasagna: Who doesn’t like lasagna? This is an insanely tasty, healthy, lasagna. Give it a try!
https://www.inspiredtaste.net/22401/fresh-vegetable-lasagna-recipe/
Here’s what you need to make this lasagna:
· 1/2 large onion
· 3 garlic cloves
· Red Pepper Flakes
· 2 medium zucchini
· 2 medium yellow squash
· One (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers
· 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
· Basil leaves
· One (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
· 2 large eggs
· Parmesan cheese
· 8 ounces) low-moisture mozzarella cheese – I buy blocked cheese and shred it. It’s cheaper and better quality, most of the time.
· Salt and Pepper
Dinner 3:
Grilled Veggie and Black Bean Bowls: Not only does this look fairly easy, it looks delicious!
https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/grilled-veggie-black-bean-meal-prep-bowls/
This post is going to center around a vegetarian week of dinner meal planning. If you’re not a vegetarian just simply add an animal based protein to any of the meals.
I don’t make 5 different dinners! I make 3, at most. I just alternate what we are having throughout the week.
Quick Tips to Start Your Week of Meal Planning:
- Plan your menus first, make your shopping list, then shop. Don’t decide your menu when you’re at the store. Plan ahead!
- Meal Prep on the weekend. If you work weekends, meal prep on your days off. If you already have a busy day, and you’re exhausted you will be less likely to take on any additional tasks.
- Plan meals around one main dish. If you’re not a vegetarian plan your meals around your protein.
- Add a variety of tastes, colors and textures to your meals. Nobody wants a one colored, bland plate of mush for dinner!
I tried to add as many repeat ingredients as possible. For instance, Olive oil, peppers, eggs, and chili powder appear more than once.
Dinner 1:
Vegetarian Chili: This is a budget friendly, healthy and easy vegetarian chili recipe.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/22919/insanely-easy-vegetarian-chili/
Here’s what you need to make this chili:
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Green Pepper
- Red Pepper
- Celery
- Chili Powder
- Fresh Mushrooms
- 1 Can of Tomatoes – I prefer the fire roasted canned tomatoes when making chili
- 1 Can of Kidney Beans
- 1 Can of Corn
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Basil
Vegetarian Lasagna: Who doesn’t like lasagna? This is an insanely tasty, healthy, lasagna. Give it a try!
https://www.inspiredtaste.net/22401/fresh-vegetable-lasagna-recipe/
Here’s what you need to make this lasagna:
- 14 lasagna noodles (2 extra for filling in holes) – Go for whole grain if possible!
· 1/2 large onion
· 3 garlic cloves
· Red Pepper Flakes
· 2 medium zucchini
· 2 medium yellow squash
· One (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers
· 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
· Basil leaves
· One (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
· 2 large eggs
· Parmesan cheese
· 8 ounces) low-moisture mozzarella cheese – I buy blocked cheese and shred it. It’s cheaper and better quality, most of the time.
· Salt and Pepper
Dinner 3:
Grilled Veggie and Black Bean Bowls: Not only does this look fairly easy, it looks delicious!
https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/grilled-veggie-black-bean-meal-prep-bowls/
- White wine vinegar
- BBQ sauce
- Honey
- Lime juice
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Quinoa
- Olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
- 1 medium zucchini
- 2 bell peppers
- 1/2 red onion
- 19 oz can of black beans