I finally did it – I planned our dinners for the entire month of October. I also created an ingredients shopping list for each meal. The recipes are easy to find online or in cookbooks, or just make them up as you go along. Specific vegetables are not always listed on the calendar because I try to buy what is in season and what is on sale. My rule of thumb for veggies is to always have something green + one other color on the plate. Even for meals like “Chicken Enchiladas” I smother them with shredded lettuce and tomatoes. My definition of “easy” is limiting the meal to one or two dishes and the cooking time to no more than one hour. It also means I can convert it easily to a dish for picky kids (leave out the spices/sauces).
Day 1: Beef stir fry and rice
- Beef strips (purchase already sliced or buy a piece of beef and slice into strips)
- Frozen broccoli, onion, and pepper medley
- Low sodium Teriyaki sauce
- Jasmine rice
Day 2: Ham and bean soup with biscuits 
- Ham steak (cut into cubes)
- Bag of 15 Bean Soup with Cajun seasoning
- Chicken stock
- Pillsbury frozen biscuits
Day 3: Brats, corn on the cob, broccoli
Day 4: Quiche and salad 
- Eggs
- Unbaked pie crust (in the cold section with the canned biscuits)
- Shredded cheeses
- Filling for quiche (choose bacon, ham, chopped veggies, etc.)
- Salad ingredients
Day 5: Baked tortellini or penne and garlic bread
- Cheese tortellinis (fresh or frozen)
- Ground beef/turkey/sausage (optional)
- Favorite spaghetti/tomato sauce
- Parmasan and/or mozzarella cheese
- Bread crumbs
- Garlic bread
Day 6: Homemade chicken tenders, potato wedges, fruit
Day 7: Meatloaf, gravy, peas, carrots, and rice
- Ground beef
- Tomato sauce
- Egg
- Milk
- Breadcrumbs
- Brown sugar
- Mustard
- Peas
- Carrots
- Rice
Day 8: Coconut chicken casserole 
- Boneless chicken breasts
- Coconut milk
- Thai red curry paste
- Chopped red bell peppers
- Green beans cut small
- Lemon juice
- Rice
Day 9: Grilled beef and shrimp kabobs, couscous
- Beef/steak cubes
- Large raw peeled shrimp
- Veggies (peppers, onions, etc. cut into large chunks)
- Couscous
Day 10: Burgers, salad, and fruit
- Beef/turkey burgers
- Whole wheat buns
- Burger toppings
- Salad ingredients
- Fruit
Day 11: Tandoori chicken legs, chick pea masala, Naan bread
- Chicken legs
- Tandoori rub
- Can of chick peas
- Can of chopped tomatoes
- Garam masala, curry power, cumin
- Chopped onion and garlic
- Naan bread
Day 12: Stuffed shells with Italian bread
- Fresh spinach chopped small
- Large pasta shells
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Minced garlic
- 1 pound ricotta cheese
- 4 ounces coarsely grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- Salt and pepper
- Favorite spaghetti sauce
- Italian bread
Day 13: Rosemary pork loin with potatoes and carrots, spinach salad with homemade croutons
- Pork (or beef) loin
- Small red or white potatoes
- Carrots cut into large chunks
- Rosemary
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Baguette cut into rounds
- Italian spices
- Fresh spinach
Day 14: Mexican lasagna, fiesta rice
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Taco cheese blend
- Onions
- Salsa
- Tortilla chips
- Rice
- Can of yellow corn
- Chopped tomatoes
- Chopped green chiles
- Cilantro
- Lime
Day 15: White chicken chili with pita chips
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and cut into pieces
- Chopped onion
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Coriander
- Can of chopped green chiles
- 2 (15.5-ounce) cans cannellini beans
- Fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
- Simply salted pita chips
Day 16: Grilled salmon, cous cous, asparagus
Day 17: Chicken enchiladas 
- Chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- Flour tortillas
- Can of chopped green chiles
- Salsa
- Bag of taco/Mexican cheese blend
- Onion
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes
Day 18: Thai chicken noodles and veggies
- Chicken legs or boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Thai rice noodles
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Red chiles
- Bean sprouts
- Onions
- Peanuts or cashews (optional)
- Mushrooms
- Chopped green onions
- Lime
- Lite Pad Thai sauce
- Mixed Asian medley veggies (frozen)
Day 19: Eggplant parmasean
- Eggplant
- Bread crumbs
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Spaghetti noodles
Day 20: Black bean burgers, sweet potato fries
- Gardenburger brand black bean burgers (frozen)
- Whole wheat buns (optional)
- Cheddar and pepper jack cheese
- Salsa
- Lettuce or sprouts
- Sour cream
- Sweet potato fries
Day 21: Artisan pizza, salad
- Pizza crust mix (or use Naan bread to save time)
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded or sliced)
- Tomato sauce
- Garlic
- Basil
- Toppings of choice (black olives, red peppers, spinach, other chopped veggies, and/or meat)
- Salad ingredients
Day 22: Chicken and dumplings
- Chicken, cooked and shredded
- Bisquick baking mix
- Half and half
- Chicken broth
- Peas
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Salt and pepper
- Bay leaf
- Thyme
- Turmeric
Day 23: Sesame soy shrimp tacos with cilantro-lime rice
- Large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Soy sauce
- Sesame seeds
- Ginger
- Green onion
- Shredded cabbage
- Chopped tomatoes
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Taco shells (hard or soft)
- Rice
Day 24: Twice baked potatoes stuffed with tuna and cheese, salad
- Large baking potatoes
- Canned albacore tuna
- Cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Salad ingredients
Day 25: Lemon chicken, orzo, broccoli
- Chicken (legs or breasts)
- Chicken stock
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Lemons
- Bay leaf
- Oregano
- Orzo
- Broccoli
Day 26: Grilled pork chops, mixed veggies
Day 27: Lite General Tso chicken with spicy green beans and rice
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks
- Chicken broth
- Cornstarch
- Brown sugar
- Hot chili sauce
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Green beans
- Rice
Day 28: Sausage rigatoni and garlic bread
- Spicy (or mild) Italian sausage links cut into chunks
- Rigatoni
- Spaghetti sauce
- Mushrooms
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic bread
Day 29: Pulled pork sandwiches, kettle chips, raw celery and carrots
- Pork roast
- Onions
- Garlic
- Paprika (or Butt Rub or other pork seasoning)
- BBQ sauce
- Whole wheat buns (optional)
- Celery
- Carrots
- Kettle chips
Day 30: Chicken paprikash, cucumber salad
- Chicken
- Paprika
- Chicken stock
- Sour cream
- Salt and pepper
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cucumbers
- Vinegar
- Box of spaetzle (usually found in “International Foods” section)
Day 31: TREAT YOURSELF TO A FUN PIZZA OR OTHER TAKE OUT!
