In the ongoing effort to make life run more smoothly, I’m sharing easy meals to prep for the week. As kids head back to school, it takes me a few weeks to get into a routine again. This prep ahead weekly meal plan is perfect for fall. Recipes are simple, easy to prep ahead of time, and come together quickly.

Prep Ahead Weekly Meal Plan

For some reason, making and sticking to a weekly meal plan is something I seem to struggle with most of the time. I’ve learned if I have several family favorites to rotate through it helps us stay on track.

Winging it doesn’t really work that well, am I right? Hopefully this make ahead weekly meal plan full of healthy meals will be as beneficial to you as it will be to me. 🙂

Benefits of a Fall Meal Plan

When I plan in advance, I’m more likely to have all the ingredients on hand. The plan reminds me to pull meat out of the freezer to thaw ahead of time. It also helps me save money by buying ingredients when they’re on sale.

I’ve also noticed we waste a lot less food when I stick to the weekly menu plan. I’m also reminded of quick tasks to complete in the afternoons or mornings which make meal prep time easier.

Below is a prep ahead weekly meal plan for this fall complete with comforting and nourishing foods. I’ve also made notes for things you can do in advance.

Monday:

One of my family’s all-time favorites is Ham and Potato Skillet. I serve it with a brussel sprouts, bacon & parmesan side dish.

Prep ahead tasks: Cut brussel sprouts in half and cook bacon. I usually use fresh potatoes for the ham and potato skillet, but if you’re short on time use a bag of frozen, diced potatoes.

Tuesday:

Taco Tuesday using our favorite freezer friendly taco meat recipe! My kids’ favorite meal of the week because they can add or subtract ingredients they chose. I try to give them a wide variety of toppings, including lots of vegetables.

Prep ahead tasks: Make beans in advance. Freeze anything extra to have on hand for next time. The beans help stretch the ground beef. Make taco seasoning if you don’t have any on hand. Wash / prep veggies & shred the cheese.

Wednesday:

Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup with Broccoli, Feta & Sunflower Salad and Crusty Artisan Bread. You can use your own homemade roasted tomato sauce for this recipe, or any of your favorite jarred sauces. Soups are easy to adapt to the slow cooker, too.

Prep ahead tasks: Cook chicken in the Instant Pot, chop veggies, make the artisan bread.

Thursday:

Salmon Street Tacos made using Homemade Blackening Seasoning & No Fuss Instant Pot Pinto Beans is one of our favorite fall recipes. It’s high in protein and uses simple ingredients.

Prep ahead tasks: Thaw salmon. Make seasoning if you don’t have any handy. Make pinto beans in the Instant Pot.

Friday:

Family Pizza and game night – try your hand at a DIY Pizza Bar or serve up these family favorite pizzadillas.

Prep ahead tasks: Chop any pizza toppings, shred cheese, make pizza dough.

Saturday:

Beef Laab – Spicy Thai Beef Salad with steamed rice.

Prep Ahead Tasks: cook rice in rice cooker or Instant Pot.

Sunday:

Pork Chops on the Grill with fried Apples-n-Onions. Use apples from a local orchard for ultimate flavor. Serve the chops with baked sweet potatoes to round out the meal.

Prep Ahead Tasks: Chop apples and onions and store in fridge. Make sure your pork is thawed and ready for the grill.

This is just one week’s worth of make ahead meals my family loves. I find if I do the prep work in advance, most meals come together quickly. What are your favorite week long menus?

 

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