For those nights when you don’t know what to make
Here is a week’s worth of easy, child-friendly, and budget-friendly dinner ideas for a family of four. It;s a classic meal plan that’s simple to prepare, delicious, and packed with ingredients that won’t break the bank.
Monday: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1lb Ground beef or turkey
- 1 C Italian Bread crumbs
- ½ C Parmesan cheese
- 1 Large egg
- Marinara sauce
- Spaghetti noodles
Directions:
- Make meatballs by combining ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Brown the meatballs in a pan and then simmer in marinara sauce.
- Cook the spaghetti and serve the meatballs and sauce over the noodles.
- Optional: Add a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad.
Why it’s kid-friendly:
Spaghetti and meatballs are a classic hit with kids, and the meatballs are great for picky eaters because they can be made soft and easy to chew.
Tuesday: Chicken Tenders with Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts or tenders
- Flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs (for breading)
- Sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Seasoning (salt, pepper, paprika)
Directions:
- Cut chicken into strips and coat with flour, dip in beaten egg, and then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Bake at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Cut sweet potatoes into fries, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika, and bake alongside the chicken.
- Serve with a simple dipping sauce like ketchup, ranch or honey mustard. My family saves extra dipping sauces from places like Zaxby’s or Chick fil a for these very moments.
Why it’s kid-friendly:
Kids love finger foods like chicken tenders and fries, plus the sweet potatoes are a healthy alternative to regular fries.
Wednesday: Taco Night
Ingredients:
- 1lb Ground beef or chicken
- Taco seasoning
- Soft tortillas
- Toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, etc.
Directions:
- Cook ground beef or chicken with taco seasoning and some water (as per package instructions).
- Set up a taco bar with tortillas and a variety of toppings for everyone to customize their tacos.
- Serve with a side of rice or beans for extra filling.
Why it’s kid-friendly:
Tacos are fun to assemble, and kids love being able to pick their own toppings. It’s customizable for even the pickiest eaters.
Thursday: Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice
Ingredients:
- Frozen mixed vegetables (like peas, carrots, and corn)
- Chicken or tofu (optional)
- Soy sauce, garlic, ginger
- Rice (white or brown)
Directions:
- Cook rice according to package instructions.
- In a large pan, sauté garlic and ginger in a little oil, then add mixed vegetables (and chicken or tofu if desired).
- Stir in soy sauce and cook until vegetables are tender.
- Serve the stir-fry over the rice.
Why it’s kid-friendly:
The colorful mix of veggies and savory soy sauce is usually a hit with kids, and you can even hide a few extra veggies in the mix. The dish is quick and easy, making it perfect for busy nights.
Friday: Homemade Pizza Night
Ingredients:
- Pre-made pizza dough (or use flatbreads for a quick option)
- Tomato sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings: pepperoni, bell peppers, olives, bacon, etc.
Directions:
- Roll out the pizza dough and top with sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings.
- Bake at 425°F for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve with a simple side salad or cut-up fruit.
Why it’s kid-friendly:
Kids love pizza, and they can personalize their own with their favorite toppings. Plus, it’s a fun and interactive meal to prepare together!
Saturday: Chicken Caesar Wraps
Ingredients:
- 1lb Chicken breast or thighs
- Caesar dressing
- Tortillas or wraps (burrito sized)
- Lettuce, croutons, and shredded parmesan
Directions:
- Grill or pan-cook the chicken, then cut it into cubes or strips and toss it with Caesar dressing .
- Warm the tortillas and assemble wraps with chicken, lettuce, tomato, and cheese.
- Serve with a side of corn on the cob or sliced veggies.
Why it’s kid-friendly:
Chicken flavors are generally a big hit with kids, and wraps are easy for little hands to hold. Plus, they’re customizable! I typically leave the croutons out of my toddler’s wrap and put them on the side for her to crunch on.
Sunday: One-Pan Baked Ziti
Ingredients:
- Ziti pasta (or penne)
- Marinara sauce
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Frozen garlic knots
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
Directions:
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- In a baking dish, combine the pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese.
- If using, brown ground beef or sausage and add to the mix.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Why it’s kid-friendly:
Baked pasta dishes like ziti are easy to make and very comforting for kids. Plus, it’s a one-pan meal, so clean-up is simple!
Grocery List for the Week:
- Ground beef or turkey (for meatballs, tacos, and ziti)
- Chicken breast or thighs (for chicken tenders, wraps, and stir-fry)
- Sweet potatoes
- Rice (white or brown)
- Frozen mixed vegetables
- Canned beans (for tacos)
- Soft tortillas (for tacos and wraps)
- Ziti pasta
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Garlic knots
- Taco seasoning
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Lettuce, tomatoes, and other taco toppings
- Flatbreads or pizza dough
- Pizza sauce
- Pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms (pizza toppings)
- Caesar dressing
- Optional: tofu for stir-fry, ground sausage for baked ziti
- Canned or frozen corn
- Basic seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika)
This meal plan keeps things simple, balanced, and affordable, while offering plenty of variety to keep everyone happy throughout the week. Let me know if you have more ideas or how you’d tweak anything!
