We are in the thick of baseball season with late-night weekday games and busy weekends. It can feel impossible to get dinner on the table. Now more than ever I needed my weekly meal plan to work around our busy schedule
I plan and write a master grocery list for five dinners a month. This means I choose a different dinner idea for each night of the week Monday through Friday.
Why the Five Dinner Meal Plan?
I love this method of meal planning because it eliminates the decision fatigue of choosing meals and creating a grocery list each week and my family knows what is for dinner tonight
My April meal plan includes a mix of flavors from American comfort food to popular international cuisine all while minimizing food waste by incorporating common sides and ingredients across meals.
Planning only five meals a month also gives me the confidence to buy groceries like meat in bulk because I know when and how our family will eat it.
April Dinner Ideas for Busy Families
- Monday – Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Coleslaw and a Side of Fresh Veggies– Slow-cooked, flavorful pork served on soft buns with a creamy slaw.
- Lomo Saltado with Aji Verde, Salad and White Rice – A Peruvian stir-fry featuring beef, onions, tomatoes, and soy sauce, served with rice and a fresh salad. I use jalapenos in lieu of traditional aji peppers.
- Mediterranean Drumsticks with Salad and Rice – Drumsticks seasoned with warm spices roasted to perfection, paired with a refreshing Mediterranean-style salad and rice.
- Teriyaki Chicken with Broccoli and Yellow Rice – Sweet and savory teriyaki chicken with steamed broccoli over fluffy rice.
- Ravioli and Broccoli – A quick and satisfying pasta dish featuring cheese ravioli and tender broccoli with a simple sauce.
Meal Prep and Grocery List
Staple Ingredients Used Across Multiple Meals:
- Proteins: Pork shoulder, shabu shabu beef (thinly cut sirloin), chicken drumsticks,
- Vegetables: Red onion, tomatoes, lettuce, jalapenos, cilantro, garlic, broccoli, coleslaw mix, lime, lemon
- Grains: Rice, hoagies, ravioli
- Seasonings & Pantry Staples: Teriyaki sauce, bbq sauce, pasta sauce, olive oil, vinegar, 7 spice mix
Batch Cooking Tips:
- Cook a large batch of rice at the start of the week to use across multiple meals.
- Prep and marinate proteins in advance for quicker cooking times.
- Pre-cut vegetables for salads and stir-fries to save time.
Day-by-Day Grocery List and Cooking Guide
Day 1: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Coleslaw
Pulled Pork Sandwich– 2-3 lbs of pork shoulder, ground onion, ground garlic, smoked paprika, Kinder BBQ sauce, and hoagie roll
Coleslaw – finely shredded green and red cabbage, carrots, green onion, mayo, vinegar, and brown sugar
- Slow cook the pork shoulder with a simple spice rub.
- Prepare the coleslaw while the pork cooks.
- Broil shredded pork with BBQ sauce for about 5 minutes.
- Serve with sandwich buns and optional sides like pickles or chips.
Batch Cooking Tip: I buy pork butt in bull and portion and season the meat in gallon sized freezer bags for the rest of the month
Day 2: Lomo Saltado with Salad and Rice
Lomo Saltado – 1.5 lbs of shabu shabu beef, jalapenos, tomatoes, red onions, freshly prepared french fries, garlic, soy sauce, beef consume, sugar, and vinegar
Aji Verde – Cilantro, Jalapeno, Garlic, Lime, Mayo, and Salt
Salad – Romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and aji verde
Rice – White Rice
- Stir-fry beef with onions, tomatoes, and a soy sauce-based seasoning.
- Bake frozen French fries in the oven
- Serve over rice with a fresh salad and aji verde
Time-Saving Tip: Buy beef in bulk and portion in zip lock bags with marinade to freeze
Day 3: Mediterranean Drumsticks with Salad and Rice
Mediterranean Drumsticks – 3 lbs of drumsticks, lemon, garlic, 7 spice mix, salt and pepper
Salad – Cucumber, Tomato, Red Onion, fresh feta, mint, olive oil, lemon, vinegar, salt, and pepper
Rice – white rice
- Season drumsticks with 7 spice, salt, pepper, and lemon roast until crispy.
- Toss together a simple salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
- Serve with pre-cooked rice, hummus, and harissa for a fast and flavorful meal.
Optional: Make a flavorful yellow rice by browning the rice garlic, onion, turmeric, cumin, and coriander
Day 4: Teriyaki Chicken with Broccoli and Rice
Teriyaki Chicken – 3 lbs of Drumsticks and Japanese bbq sauce
Broccoli – Frozen Broccoli
Rice – White Rice
- Bake chicken in a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce.
- Steam broccoli and serve everything over rice.
Shortcut: Cook teriyaki chicken in the crockpot and brown under the broiler.
Day 5: Ravioli and Broccoli
Ravioli – Kirkland Herb and Cheese Ravioli and Organic Classico Pasta Sauce
Broccoli – Frozen Broccoli
- Boil cheese ravioli.
- Sauté broccoli with garlic and olive oil.
- Toss everything together with butter or a light sauce.
Frugal Tip: I reuse my 32 oz Classico jars for meal prepping soups, salads, and sauces
Customization Options
My April meal plan offers a variety of flavors from American comfort classics like smokey pulled pork to citrusy and refreshing Mediterranean chicken. Whether you’re craving simple cheese ravioli or a more exotic savory Peruvian stir fry, there is something for everyone at your table.
The simplest way to mix things up is to change the sides. Serve roasted vegetables instead of salad. Don’t have time to cook? Chopped vegetables and dip are veggies too.
Substitute the meat in saucy, slow cooked recipes like bbq pulled pork, teriyaki chicken, and Mediterranean chicken for beef chuck, pork shoulder, or another cut of chicken by adjusting the cook time.
Buying and seasoning meat in bulk at the beginning of the month will take a few extra minutes but saves a considerable amount of time when preparing the same meal later in the month.
Final Thoughts
I hope you find my five dinner meal plan helpful. Let me know in the comments, if you would like detailed recipes for any of the dinners listed or are interested in a budget breakdown for future meal plans or recipes.
More 5 Dinner Meal Plan Ideas
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