When I had six kids under the age of eleven, my husband worked long days—often 12 to 14 hours—and many weeks he worked six days. That meant dinner was almost always up to me.
I needed meals that were quick, budget-friendly, and that everyone would actually eat. Finding recipes that checked all of those boxes without serving the same thing week after week was a challenge.
Back then, I was often cooking dinner with one baby in a sling, another in a high chair, and the rest running circles around the kitchen. Those days were loud, messy, and exhausting.
But if I'm being honest...I'd go back to them in a heartbeat.
Over the next several weeks I'll be sharing some of the meals that worked for our family. Some are exactly the way I made them years ago, while others have been tweaked as the kids have grown. But every one of these recipes earned a permanent spot on our dinner table—and even my picky eaters approved.
One thing you'll notice is that I rarely cook for just one meal.
I call them planned overs. Instead of simply making leftovers, I intentionally cook extra so part of tonight's dinner becomes the foundation for another meal later in the week. It saves money, reduces waste, and makes those busy evenings so much easier.
So don't be surprised if I tell you to "make extra" or "save some for later." Future you will be thankful!
Monday
Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs
I make both my spaghetti sauce and meatballs from scratch. I love knowing exactly what goes into our food, controlling the ingredients, and I've found it's usually less expensive than buying prepared sauces.
The sauce cooks all day in the slow cooker, making dinner time simple. I also make a double batch of meatballs and freeze the extras for another meal.
Planned Overs
- Save extra spaghetti sauce for Friday's baked ziti.
- Freeze extra meatballs for meatball sandwiches another night.
Tuesday
Pepper Steak, Pinto Beans, Cilantro Lime Rice & Flour Tortillas
The beans cook in the slow cooker while I'm busy with everything else, and making extra steak and rice takes almost no additional effort.
Planned Overs
- Save extra steak (or substitute chicken) for Saturday's fajita bowls.
- Save extra cilantro lime rice.
- Reserve extra beans for burrito bowls.
Wednesday
Grilled Hamburgers, Mac & Cheese and Fresh Fruit
Simple, filling, and always a family favorite.
Planned Overs
- Grill extra hamburger patties for Sunday's hamburger steaks with brown gravy.
Thursday
Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
This is one of those comfort meals that comes together quickly and always disappears fast.
Friday
Baked Ziti, Garlic Bread & Salad
One of my favorite time-saving dinners.
Instead of making sauce again, simply use the extra spaghetti sauce you made on Monday. Dinner comes together quickly with very little extra work.
Saturday
Steak Fajita Bowls
Remember those leftovers from Tuesday?
Layer the extra cilantro lime rice, steak, and beans in a bowl and top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, or whatever your family enjoys.
Dinner is ready in just minutes.
Sunday
Hamburger Steaks in Brown Gravy over Mashed Potatoes
Use the extra grilled hamburger patties from Wednesday to create a completely different meal. Serve with homemade mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable for an easy Sunday dinner.
These meals have carried our family through some very busy seasons of life.
They're simple, affordable, kid-approved, and easy enough for those evenings when everyone is hungry and you're running out of energy.
Be sure to check back because I'll be sharing my homemade spaghetti sauce, taco seasoning, and several other family favorites in the coming weeks.
And if you'd like any of these recipes sooner, just reach out. I'd be happy to share them with you!
0 comments