The first week of school is quickly approaching. Moms have a lot to take care of over the next few weeks to prepare ourselves and our children for the new school year. Among the many thoughts rattling around in my brain are: Do we have functional lunch boxes and backpacks? Do we have school shoes that fit? Do we have all the clothes (or uniforms) we need? Have the school supplies been purchased? Are there labels on all of our water bottles? Is there money in the school lunch account? Oh yeah, and everyone still needs to eat! Knowing that both moms and kids will be exhausted the first week of school, I’m going to do my best to take off one thing from your plate. Here is an easy meal plan for the first week of school.
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This year I will have a fourth grader, second grader, and kindergartener all starting with a full week of all day school. I already know that emotions will be high, and I’m going to want easy, filling, and comforting meals for my family. Here’s my plan:
Monday
The first day back, everyone is going to be amped up — even my kindergartener. We’ll have a lot to talk about, especially filling in Daddy on the day when he gets home from work.
My plan: baked salmon (I season with butter and Paul Prudhomme’s magic salmon seasoning), steamed broccoli, and a loaf of bakery bread.
Tuesday
Who doesn’t love a Taco Tuesday? I make my own taco seasoning using this recipe, and add it to browned ground beef. Slow cooker chicken tacos are even easier. Trim your chicken and pour a jar of salsa over the top and let it cook all day. Perfectly tender chicken tacos will be ready for you at dinner time. Have a variety of toppings available and everyone can make their own favorite.
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Wednesday
Have you gotten on board with sheet pan meals? The beauty is in the ease of cooking and super easy clean up!
Our favorite sheet pan meal is sliced sausage, diced potatoes, and whatever veggies I have on hand (likely peppers and yellow squash/zucchini). You can customize to your family’s taste.
Thursday
Thursday is typically the hardest day of the week in our house; it seems to be when the tired really hits. I expect my kindergartner to be having a hard time by now.
This will be our quickest and easiest dinner for the week because I’m going to want everyone in bed early! A surprising favorite in our house are these chicken caesar wraps. I can whip these up in no time (make dressing ahead) and know that everyone will be happy.
Friday
We made it! The first week of school is in the books! Friday is always pizza night in our house. This is my favorite pizza dough recipe (we double the honey), but for the first week of school we might take the easy route and order our favorite delivery (Domino’s). I will definitely be making some chocolate chip cookies, because there is nothing more comforting than that!
I hope this easy meal plan is helpful and can take a bit of the stress out of the first week of school. If these meals go over well, save this plan for busy weeks when you don’t have time to think about it!
