Tuesday’s Table: Family Favorites, Planned Overs & Freezer Meals
September 8–14
This week’s menu has some of our family favorites—the meals that tend to make their way onto our table at least once a month.
I have a couple of dinners that are pretty quick, a couple that take a little more time, and a few that I like to make a double batch of so I can put one in the freezer.
And, of course, we have some planned overs!
If you’re new to Tuesday’s Table, a planned over is simply when I intentionally make extra of something I’m already cooking so I can use it for another meal. It saves time, saves money, and makes those busy evenings a whole lot easier.
Cook once. Eat more than once.
Let’s get into this week’s menu!
Tuesday: Shredded Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Rice
I am a HUGE fan of the crock pot.
If I can throw everything in there in the morning and make dinner time easier, I’m going to do it.
Another reason I love the crock pot is that you can use a cheaper cut of meat and still end up with something tender and delicious. For shredded beef tacos, I buy whatever cut of beef is the most cost-effective that week. Tri-tip, chuck roast, round steak—it really doesn’t matter. When you let it slow cook all day, it will be amazing.
I season the beef all over with my house seasoning: salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder. Then I add my homemade taco seasoning, Mexican-style tomatoes and green chilies.
The tomatoes and chilies don’t add a lot of heat, but they add a TON of flavor and help tenderize the meat.
My homemade taco seasoning will be available for purchase soon, but I’ve linked the recipe for my subscribers so you can make your own at home!
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
Cook white rice according to the package directions. When it’s almost finished, add lime juice to taste. Of course, I recommend fresh lime juice, but use what you have! Once the rice is finished, stir in some chopped fresh cilantro.
That’s it.
It makes such a quick, light side for the tacos.
PLANNED OVER: Make extra rice! It’s great to have on hand for naked burrito bowls, nachos or leftover tacos.
And most importantly, make extra shredded beef. We’re going to need it for Saturday’s enchiladas!
Wednesday: Baked Ziti
Remember that extra spaghetti sauce we made last week?
Today is the day to pull it out!
I also like to cook extra pasta when I know baked ziti is coming up because it makes tonight’s dinner prep ridiculously easy.
But if you don’t have planned overs waiting for you, no big deal. Cook some pasta, toss it with your favorite sauce, add mozzarella cheese and whatever meat you have on hand.
I sometimes use ground sausage. Sometimes pepperoni. Sometimes chicken.
It really just depends on what I have.
I even have mozzarella left from our pizza night last week, so that’s one more ingredient already taken care of.
The key for tonight is EASY.
Between planned overs and using what’s already in the refrigerator or pantry, dinner should be a breeze.
And while you’re cooking pasta, you might as well make a little extra for another meal!
Thursday: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken & Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes
Fair warning:
Tonight’s dinner is NOT the healthy dinner of the week. 😂
It is, however, a REALLY good one.
I’ve been making this chicken for almost 20 years, and I’ve even made it for large catering orders and special occasions. It sounds fancy, but it is incredibly easy.
If your chicken breasts are large, cut them into smaller pieces or tenders. It makes them easier to wrap.
Take each piece of chicken, wrap it in bacon and then dredge the whole thing in brown sugar.
And when I say brown sugar...
The more, the better.
Place the chicken in a baking dish and bake at 350°F until the chicken is completely cooked through.
Seriously.
That’s it.
I usually serve this with twice-baked mashed potatoes. And if you have extra bacon, crisp some up and add it to the potatoes.
Because apparently we are fully committing to tonight’s dinner. 😂
If you try this one, let me know what your family thinks!
Friday: Beef & Broccoli with Fried Rice
Here’s another dinner you can make in the crock pot if you want to keep things easy.
If you go the crock-pot route, you can once again use a less expensive cut of beef. Just slice it before putting it into the crock pot and don’t let it cook too long or you’ll end up with shredded beef instead.
And here’s my confession:
I do NOT have a tried-and-true homemade beef and broccoli sauce.
So I cheat.
I buy the packet at the grocery store. 😂
Tuesday’s Table isn’t about making every single thing from scratch. It’s about feeding our families, working within our budgets and making dinner manageable.
I also steam my broccoli separately because I have family members who don’t like it. Everyone can add broccoli—or not—to their own plate.
PLANNED OVER: Make extra fried rice! We’re going to use it for one of next week’s dinners.
See? We’re already making next week easier.
Saturday: Beef Enchiladas
YAY FOR PLANNED OVERS!
Remember that extra shredded beef you made on Tuesday?
Dinner is halfway done.
You should already have beef and possibly some cheese left from taco night, so now all you need to do is assemble your enchiladas.
This is also one of those meals where, if I have enough meat, I’ll make an extra pan or two for the freezer.
You’re already assembling enchiladas. You already have everything out. You already have the mess.
Why not make two?
Another idea I love is making a smaller pan in a disposable baking dish and giving it to an elderly neighbor, a new mom, someone going through a difficult season, or anyone who could use a night off from cooking.
It doesn’t take much extra work when you’re already making dinner, but it can mean a whole lot to someone else.
Cook once. Bless twice. ❤️
Sunday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Brown Gravy
I know ground beef is a bit pricey right now, so this may not be the cheapest dinner on the menu.
But you don’t have to make meatloaf with only ground beef.
I frequently mix different ground meats together for both meatballs and meatloaf. Ground beef, turkey and pork all work well together.
I simply use whatever I can get on sale.
I have a really good meatloaf seasoning that will also be available for purchase soon, but until then, use whatever seasoning or recipe is your family’s favorite.
I serve ours with good old-fashioned mashed potatoes and brown gravy.
Nothing complicated.
Just a hearty Sunday dinner.
Monday: Cheeseburger Mac
We’re ending the week with another hearty family favorite.
And this one is SO easy.
Brown some ground beef, mix it with tomato sauce and tomato soup, add cheese and cooked elbow macaroni, and stir everything together.
That’s it!
It’s simple, filling, kid-friendly and delicious.
Even better?
It’s a great freezer meal.
If your budget allows, double the recipe. Put one on the table and one in the freezer for a night when life gets crazy.
Or put the second batch into a disposable pan and share it with a neighbor.
Future-you—or your neighbor—will be very glad you did.
This Week’s Planned-Over Game Plan
The goal isn’t to spend Sunday preparing every bite of food you’re going to eat for the next seven days. I know meal prepping works wonderfully for some people, but that has never been the way I cook.
Instead, I try to make the cooking I’m already doing work harder for me.
This week that looks like:
- Tuesday: Make extra shredded beef for Saturday’s enchiladas and extra cilantro lime rice for lunches, bowls or nachos.
- Wednesday: Use last week’s spaghetti sauce and leftover mozzarella, and cook extra pasta while you’re at it.
- Friday: Make extra fried rice for a meal next week.
- Saturday: Turn Tuesday’s shredded beef into enchiladas and, if you have enough, make an extra pan for the freezer.
- Monday: Double the Cheeseburger Mac for the freezer or share a meal with someone who could use one.
A little planning doesn’t mean spending hours meal prepping.
Sometimes it simply means looking at the pot in front of you and thinking:
“If I’m already cooking this...what can I do with it later?”
That little change has saved me time, money and stress more times than I can count.
Until next Tuesday,
Cook once. Eat more than once. ❤️
And remember—good food doesn’t have to be complicated to bring your family together.
I hope this week’s menu gives you a little inspiration, saves you a little time, and maybe even puts an extra meal in your freezer.
Until next Tuesday,
Cook once. Eat more than once. ❤️
Jennifer
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