Eight ways to make meal planning easier

Meal planning can be a game changer for busy families, saving time and reducing stress around mealtime. If you’re looking to streamline your meal prep routine, here are eight simple strategies to make the process easier:

Set a schedule – choose a specific day each week for planning and shopping. On busy nights, opt for quick recipes like simple steak wraps or a quick beef bolognese, while keeping more elaborate meals for when you have more time. Display the menu on the fridge for the whole family to get excited about.

Create a master list – make a compilation of family favourites like family lamb stir-fry and meatball pizza and create a shopping list with the key ingredients. This can serve as a handy reference when planning meals, reducing time and decision fatigue.

Stock up on key staples – keep a well-stocked pantry with versatile staples like grains, canned beans, and frozen vegetables. This allows you to whip up meals on the fly, even when fresh ingredients are running low.

Use batch cooking – prepare larger quantities of meals that freeze well like spiced shepherd’s pie, chilli con carne and lamb and mushroom korma. Simply defrost and reheat to fuel those busy weeknights.

Embrace theme nights – establish fun theme nights like Taco Tuesday and Pizza Friday to create excitement and structure in your weekly menu.

Get everyone involved – whether it’s to help with the planning, shopping, chopping, or cooking, get everyone involved to share the load and make the process more enjoyable.

Get technical – utilise online shopping, recipes and apps to help streamline the meal planning process. Explore new recipes and save to a folder to try throughout the week.

Have a back-up plan – keep some simple options up your sleeve for when something pops up. Leftovers are great or check out the under 30-minute range for quick and easy meal ideas.