Ideas for being an efficient cook

[SMarie123]

Hello, I have two under 2 and I am going back to work in a few months. I feel like I spend a lot of time cooking and going to the supermarket. I waste more food than I should....

I was wondering if anyone has any good ideas on how to structure weekly meals so it slots together a bit more. I already do things like bulk cooking spag bol. Cooking mash for 2 days, doing a weekly casserole for left over veg. Any ideas that would save time would be appreciated!

I do hardcore menu planning two weeks at a time and have the same thing on certain days of the week and rotate a few standard recipes with new or interesting ideas. On my work days we always have something like baked beans and broccoli or veggie chilli I've made for the freezer. On my SAHM days I plan something fun to cook that everyone can get involved with. I find that by planning meals and sticking tightly to the shopping list I save loads of money and food. As soon as I deviate from the list my weekly shop doubles 😲
I got my menu planner at Wilkos for £1.50 and I pin it up in the kitchen. My toddler has started asking 'what's on the list!?' when she wakes up in the morning!
I also try not to use too much meat on a weekly basis, I buy meat in bulk at Costco and freeze it in serving size packs.
I rotate 3-4 standard breakfasts including pinhead oat porridge I cook in big batches.