The 30-Minute Meal Planning Routine That Saves My Week

As a busy working mom, I’ve learned it’s essential that I have a meal plan for the week. Sometimes, my husband asks what we’re going to eat, and I draw a blank.  Nothing’s worse than coming home and not knowing what you’re going to eat. You already had a long day at work, and for some, a long commute.  Now you are rushing to figure something out, and that something may not always be healthy.  Or you end up spending money on last-minute takeout, which can add up quickly. The best way to combat this situation is to have a meal plan.

Here’s how I plan a week of meal prep in less than 30 minutes.

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My 30-Minute Meal Planning Routine

Step 1: Make a Family Favorites List

First, I write out a list of meals my family and I like and that are easy to prepare. You can also get your family to participate by submitting some meals that they like.  I will ultimately use this list, along with the food we already have, to decide on the meals for the week.

Step 2: Check My Calendar Before Choosing Meals

Then, I look at my planner and see what activities we have scheduled for the week.  For instance, if my son has swim or soccer practice, I don’t want to plan an elaborate meal for that day.  On days when we have something planned for the evening, I may plan something simple, like hot dogs, or choose to make that day a takeout night.

I used to plan meals based on what sounded good, but experience has taught me to plan them around what our week actually looks like.

Step 3: Shop My Kitchen First

I also take inventory of my pantry, refrigerator, and freezer.  I try to use what I already have for meal planning. For example, if I have spaghetti noodles and hamburger meat, spaghetti is a contender for the menu.

Step 4: Make Grocery Shopping Easier

After deciding on the week’s menu based on my family’s favorites, our calendar, and food we already have at home, I shop for any additional items that we may need for the meals.  We do a combination of online and in-person shopping. I prefer online shopping, and my husband prefers in-person shopping.

Step 5: Do a Mini Meal Prep

Once we have everything we need, I like to prep some of the items.  I don’t spend my whole Sunday cooking meals.  My version of meal prep is doing the small things ahead of time that make cooking during the week easier.  This includes washing and chopping vegetables and portioning out fruit for snacks.  My son takes sandwiches to school for lunch, so I remove the crusts and place the bread in sandwich bags for the week.

It is so much easier when I can get these easy-but-tedious tasks done before the week starts.  Having my meal planning and prep done makes the transition from work to home so much easier. 

The Simple System That Keeps My Meal Planning Organized

I’ve tried keeping meal ideas on paper or memorizing what I wanted to cook for the week.  However, having a system makes a world of difference.  One tool that I found that helps organize this process is the Plan to Eat app. The Plan to Eat app has a calendar where you can save recipes and even make a shopping list. You can even export your shopping list to services like Instacart or your favorite grocery store to make purchases you are missing from your kitchen.

If you are interested in simplifying your own meal planning routine, you can check out the Plan to Eat app here and see if it’s a good fit for your family.  I also wrote a full Plan to Eat review that you can read here if you want a deeper look at how the app works.

Meal planning doesn’t mean you have to spend your whole weekend cooking. Having a simple system, like this 30-minute meal planning routine, can make the biggest difference during a busy week.