Meal Plan ideas

[helpneedshoes]

Inspired by another thread, I really want to crack meal planning in 2020. I spend far too much time & money not being organised in this regard.

Can I ask for some tips pls, how many meals do you do? Where do you get meal inspiration from? Do you batch cook or cook every night?

@Rosebud21
I got my daughter some Pyrex dishes with lids from Asda to take to university. They had several different sizes.

I'd like tips on batch cooking and freezing. For example I've tried making double bolognese for lasagne.
The first attempt reduced too much so we just ended up with a really meaty lasagne and a bit of bolognese leftover.
The second time it was way too runny and the lasagne was very watery.

My kids didn't eat the cottage pie I froze, they said the mash was weird

I have a weekly planner that's stuck to the fridge.
I start by working out where we all are every night and who needs dinner when, i.e. one night I have about 20 mins turnaround between getting in from work and getting DS to Scouts so he needs something quick then, and then DP and I will eat while he's out.

Then I look in the cupboards and freezers to see what we already have and to get some inspiration. I plan meals so that we have some variety in our meals (i.e. one fish dish a week, not having pasta two nights in a row etc) and I'll batch cook things like chili and curry. I freeze things in old takeaway containers labelled with masking tape. Masking tape is fab as you can write on it with a Sharpie and it stays stuck in the freezer but peels off really easily so you can re-use the container.

Usually one night in a week is leftovers night so either making something up based on what's in the fridge and needs eating, or raiding the freezer. Nights that I'm on my own are always a "eat what I can find" night.

I absolutely hate waste and manage to throw very little out. I freeze everything that can be frozen! Half tins of coconut milk, or chickpeas, ends of bread, bananas that are going soft etc etc. Tomato sauce or soups are a great way to use up odds and end of veg.

Thanks @Notso check out the batch lady thebatchlady.com/

Thanks @Rosebud21 I'll have a look