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Want to know a secret? Ok, here it goes. My number one most dreaded question of the day is, “What’s for dinner?” Ok- maybe it’s not a secret. To clarify, I don’t mind cooking dinner; in fact, I find it relaxing in some ways. But, the mental effort that goes into deciding WHAT to cook? No, thank you. After a long day, the last thing I feel up to doing is being creative.
Unfortunately, I am not the only one at my house who feels this way. My husband is happy to cook dinner anytime I ask but wants to know what I want him to cook. It’s the age-old question — “What do you want to eat?” followed by “I dunno, what do you want to eat?”
So — My plan to conquer this challenge? I created a list of 39 meals our family likes, and now I’m asked, “What’s for dinner?” I consult my list to see what sounds good, fully confident that I will have all of the ingredients on hand to make it happen. Here’s how:
Step 1: The Master List
First things first, make a list of all your family’s favorite meals. Think back to those cozy Sunday dinners, those impromptu backyard barbecues, and those late-night snack attacks—what dishes bring a smile to your family’s faces every time?
- Get the Family Involved: Don’t be afraid to enlist the help of your family in brainstorming meal ideas. After all, they’re the ones who’ll be chowing down on the final product, so it’s essential to get their input!
- Mix It Up: Variety is the spice of life, so don’t be afraid to mix things up and experiment with new flavors and cuisines. Whether trying out a new recipe from a cookbook or putting a unique spin on an old favorite, let your culinary creativity run wild!
Step 2: Separate Your Grocery List Into Staples and Fresh Ingredients
Now that you’ve got your list of family favorites in hand, it’s time to categorize it! Or analyze it. Pick your favorite verb.
- Ingredient List: List out ALL of the ingredients you need for each recipe. Noodles, Chicken, Spaghetti Sauce, Garlic, Salt, etc. All of them. Every last little ingredient. This is the start of your grocery list.
- Staples vs. Fresh Ingredients: Now, separate your list into two categories: staples and fresh ingredients. Staples are those pantry or freezer items, such as rice, pasta, canned beans, and spices. Remember that your freezer is a valuable resource! Use it! Fresh ingredients are those perishable items that you’ll need to buy on a weekly basis, such as dairy products. If you do this right, fresh veggies, fruits and dairy should be the only thing you need to buy more than once a month.
- Shop Sales for Staples: Now that you have a list of staples, stock up and remember that timing is everything! Keep an eye out for sales and discounts at your local grocery store, and don’t be afraid to stock up when they’re on sale. This will save you money in the long run and ensure that you always have the essentials on hand when you need them.
- Buy in Bulk: Another way to stock up is to consider buying certain staple items in bulk to save even more money. Items like rice, pasta, beans, and flour are typically cheaper when purchased in larger quantities, and they’ll last for months in your pantry. If you know your family is going to want spaghetti at least once a week — buy the 6-pack of sauce! Save the $1 a jar! You know you will use it!
Your goal here is to have a master list of dinner ideas, along with all of the ingredients needed to make them happen. Now, there will be some ideas that require fresh ingredients that you may have to plan ahead for. BUT the goal is to utilize shelf stable, frozen or otherwise preserved foods to make sure that you have a full arsenal at your disposal every night.
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