Food glorious food. I have a love/hate relationship with feeding my family. I adore cooking when I have time and the inclination but being responsible for providing a meal every night sucks the joy out of it. We have got a bit stuck in a rut when it comes to food and I have been sticking to tried and tested meals that I know everyone will eat. When I posted about this on Instagram so many people agreed with me and for me it is all about family meal planning.

So I decided to pull together a list of fabulous family meal planning ideas. An ever-growing resource for the hassled family cook. Somewhere that you can come and look when you want to change up meals or introduce something new.
Family Meal planning Ideas
There are a number of ace blogs that I visit that I always know will come up with the goods when it comes to meals that my family will eat and enjoy. These are meals that are simple to prepare and cook but really hit the spot.
Utterly Scrummy Food for Families – Michelle always inspired with her weekly menu plans and associated shopping lists.
My Fussy Eater – I know my kids’ are not fussy eaters at all, but Ciara
Thinly Spread – Full of vegan and vegetarian recipes that are perfect for families. I have always loved Chris’ food and her Leek Tart is a firm favorite here.
Today We Cooked – I love Claire’s Instagram account and that fact that her recipes are all about being inclusive and prepared and made by and for the family.

Vegetarian Family Friendly recipes
- Falafels
- Veggie chilli
- Baked Cheese & Tomato Risotto
- Quorn Stir Fry
- Butternut Squash Cobbler
- Baked Potatoes with Cheese and Beans
- Burritos
- Easy Cauliflower Cheese
- Lentil Shepards Pie
- Vegetable stuffed omelette
- Veggie Taco Bowls
- Veggie Quesadillas
- Veggie Sausage and mash
- Chana Masala
- Basil and tomato baked eggs
- Vegetable & Paneer Curry
- Broccoli Pesto Pasta
- Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff with Mustard Mash
- Veggie Enchiladas
- Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese
- Vegetable & Salsa Verde Scone Pizza
- Red Lentil Bolognese
- Spicy Squash Soup
- Fritta – we love pepper and potato
- Veggie Noodle Stir Fry
- Koshari
- Dhal and Nann bread
- Pizza Bites
- Tomato and courgette bruschetta

Meat
- Leek and Ham Pie
- Pizza
- Fakeaway slow cooker doner kebab
- Chicken Fajita Wraps
- Minestrone Soup
- Mama’s Simple Sausage Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce
- Bolognese
- Chilli
- Taco’s
- Enchiladas
- Chicken Sausages and Roasted Vegetable Traybake
- Curry
- Nasi Goreng – Indonesian Fried Rice
- Sausage, chips and beans
- Fridge Bottom Curry
- Chicken Burgers
- Pan-Fried Chicken Breast with Sweet Potato Mash & Peppercorn Sauce
- Sausage Casserole
- Homemade Burgers
- Chinese Chicken
- Grandma’s Chicken Soupy Stew
- Roast Chicken
Piri Piri Beef and Wedges- Sheppards Pie
- Bubble and Squeak Soup
- Peri Peri Chicken
- Hunters Chicken
- Szechuan Beef recipe
- Pulled Pork Buns
- Parmesan Chicken
- Tandoori chicken tray bake
- Toad in the hole
- Creamy Leek and Mustard Chicken
- Quesadillas
- Sweet and Sour Chicken or Pork
- Ramen
- Creamy Ham & Pea PastaEasy Minestrone Soup
- Meatballs and Pasta
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- 30 Minute Lasagne
- Ham, Egg and Chips
- Lamb Stir-Fry
- Braised Beef Cpobler
- Burritos
- Pea and Ham Risotto
- One pot wonder – Beef and ale with crispy dumplings
- Peuto Rican Empanadas
- Mexican
Lasange

Fish
- Fish and Chips
- Roasted Sea bass in a parcel
Fishfingers , Chips and Peas- Crab Cakes
- Tuna Pasta Bake
- Cinnamon Spiced Salmon
- Seabass, New Potatoes and Peas
- Garlic Butter Prawn Tagliatelle
- Cod and Potato Hash
- Fish Pie
- Thai Red Prawn Curry
- Classic kedgeree with green asparagus

For me, meal planning on a weekly basis is the only way I manage cooking for everyone. The
We tend to eat quite seasonally and usually make a plan on a Wednesday night for the following week. I ask the boys what they enjoyed and if there is anything they fancy and then plan my food shop accordingly. I also try and make sure that we use up leftovers, so if we are having meat then other meals that week will be able to use up any leftovers. So a roast chicken, can be chicken soup, chicken curry, risotto and much more.
Make sure you grab download one of our free meal planning resources.

I would love to keep updating this resource – so make sure you either leave a comment or get in touch with any of your favourite family meals.

I am determined to up my meal planning game this year – it makes so much financial sense and is far less wasteful. You’ve inspired me! Thanks for featuring two of mine 🙂 x
I save SOOOOOO much money when I meal plan plus we eat a lot healthier too, (no last minute takeaways because we haven’t got anything to eat) and we make use of leftovers too. This week I made double batches of my favourite meals and then froze half of it for another day which is so handy!
So many great ideas here. Thanks for sharing this. Now I won’t run out of things to cook x
This is brill, thanks.
Going to use this weekly and also your recipes.
Please keep them coming 👍