Set your family up for easier meals this month with 4 weeks of healthy family meals to share with the kids. Each of these recipes is full of delicious and nutritious ingredients—and uses budget-friendly ingredients too.
Easy Family Meals
Here we are in a new month and I feel right on the line between excitement about all of my kids going back to school (YES!) later this month and also a little bit of sadness that summer is coming to an end. And since I know many of our afternoons—and likely yours—will be spent outside enjoying the weather, this meal plan is here to help.
My goal with my monthly meal plans is to help you use a simple system to plan meals so you are never standing in front of the fridge staring and wondering what to make.
And to offer recipe inspiration for seasonal, yet affordable, ingredients that are appropriate for everyone in the family. I can’t guarantee that each of these will be a hit with your kids, but if you plan to add 1-2 simple sides to most meals, you can approach feeding your family with a little more confidents. (I hope anyway!)
How to Use this Meal Plan
This plan is built on the idea of themes, so there are general categories that rotate throughout the month. This builds in familiarity for the kids and narrows down the decisions that we have to make. Which is so much easier for our brains!
You can use my plan, make your own, or pick and choose as you like. There’s no one right way!
TIP: My Happy Family Meals ebook is a full guidebook with grocery lists, tips, and schedules. Check that out if you need more guidance!
August: Week 1
Make good use of fresh summer produce in this week’s meals and add a side of Roasted Zucchini or boiled sweet corn to any meal.
Breakfast Ideas
Lunch Ideas
TIP: You can find all of my best lunches for school here, whether that’s daycare, preschool, or big kid school.
Snack Ideas
Dinners
- Sunday: Burgers and sweet corn
- Monday: Pasta with Summer Squash and Beef with a side of melon
- Tuesday: Breakfast Burritos with guacamole or salsa and a side of melon
- Wednesday: Mini Meatball Sandwiches (assembled or deconstructed) with frozen fries (we like the Alexia Sweet Potato Fries) or potatoes
- Thursday: Teriyaki Shrimp and Zucchini
- Friday: takeout or leftovers or Pizza Rolls
- Saturday: Easy Skillet Stuffed Peppers
Week 2
Breakfast Ideas
Easy Kids Lunches
- Ham and Cheese Wrap
- Mac and Cheese with Peas
Snack Ideas
Dinners
- Sunday: Instant Pot Butter Chicken and rice
- Monday: Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce with spaghetti and Parmesan (I like to make this on the weekend so it’s ready for the week.)
- Tuesday: Zucchini Quesadillas with a side of warmed black beans
- Wednesday: Easy Sloppy Joe Sandwich Pockets (this method is so genius!)
- Thursday: Cheesy Broccoli Rice with Tofu Nuggets
- Friday: takeout/leftovers/pizza
- Saturday: Zucchini Pancakes (with a side of bacon and fruit)
Week 3
Breakfast Recipes
Lunch Ideas
Snack Ideas
Dinner
Serve any of these with a simple side of fresh summer fruit to round things out.
- Sunday: Grilled Salmon Foil Packs with Veggies
- Monday: Pasta with Sausage and Green Beans
- Tuesday: Easy Taco Buffet
- Wednesday: Carrot Hummus Sandwiches with fruit and/or salad
- Thursday: Creamy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
- Friday: Pizza Bites
- Saturday: Italian Lentils with Tomatoes and Rice
Week 4
Breakfast Ideas
- Mini Banana Scones
- Overnight Oats with Applesauce
- Chocolate Smoothie with Hidden Veggies
- Banana Oatmeal
Lunch Ideas
Snack Ideas
Dinner Ideas
Try serving some of these meals family style to give the kids the chance to decide what to put onto their plates.
- Sunday: Hot dogs, Sauteed Carrots, fresh fruit
- Monday: Easy Ratatouille with Spaghetti with fruit
- Tuesday: Sheet Pan Potato Nachos
- Wednesday: Cobb Salads with whole grain bread
- Thursday: Baked Chicken Nuggets, sliced whole grain bread and berries
- Friday: takeout/leftovers/pizza
- Saturday: Apple Pancakes and fruit
This meal plan has been a serious game changer these last four weeks. Thank you for your easy, flavorful, and adaptable recipes!
I’m so glad!