This template goes hand in hand with my How to: Plan a Menu for the Week post. It is designed to take some of the guesswork out of menu-planning, making your weeknight meal plans easier.

M e a t l e s s Monday

Veggies go from side-dish to superstar on Mondays. Think, veggie chili, pasta with roasted veggies, homemade pizza with veggie toppings, and so on. One of my favorite things about Meatless Monday is that it has forced me to be more creative with my cooking. It’s so much fun to have a list of vegetable centered recipes just waiting for Monday to roll around.

     T a c o Tuesday 

We all know where to get those $2 tacos on Tuesdays, but I’m talking about making some yourself. Fill your tacos with chili rubbed shrimp, grilled zucchini, or the classic ground meat taco combo. Don’t forget the chips and guac.

W o r l d l y Wednesday

Okay, so truthfully, I was just trying to find a word that worked with “Wednesday.” Ha! However, the prompt to take a worldly approach to dinner once a week isn’t a horrible idea. Might you discover a new spice? I ‘m currently obsessed with a spicy Bombay curry powder that I found at my local farmer’s market, so “Worldly” for me usually means Indian flavors. This could also be an Asian food night, Greek night (Falafel anyone?), or you could indulge in a classic French dish. There are a world of possibilities (pun intended).

O n e P o t Thursday

This one is pretty self-explanatory; whatever you make should be prepared in one pot. Soup works, but you could also try stir fry, roasted chicken with veggies along side, or use your slow cooker to make a lovely heap of chili. Hint: A fresh green salad usually offsets a one-pot meal nicely.

F r e e – f o r –a l l Friday

You made it through the week! You worked hard. You planned a menu, reduced food waste, and fed yourself and loved ones wholesome food all week. By all means, do whatever you want on Friday. Order a pizza, make it a BFD (breakfast for dinner) night, or my personal fave: Raid your fridge for leftovers and see what new combos you can make. Also, pat yourself on the back…you’re off the hook until it’s time to plan for the following week. I’m so proud of you!

(Note: My menus do not include weekends. Weekends can be hard to plan around eating at home with various activities going on. However, any leftovers from the week are perfect for a quick lunch at home on the weekends. Mix and match. No need to waste!)

Related Posts:

How to Plan a Menu for the Week

How to be a Better Home Cook (The P.R.I.M.E method)