Simplified Meal Planning for Busy Moms: A Conversation with Shelly Longenecker
The question that every mom hates to hear. Unless she’s feeling particularly motivated, shopped for, and implemented a full meal plan with recipes found on Pinterest. But realistically, why does dinner have to happen every night, anyway?
I’ve been there. I’ve tried the Pinterest meal planning route. It was nice to have dinners planned, and they were mostly good—but it was SO much effort. So many ingredients. So many moving parts. It just wasn’t sustainable.
I’d buy all the ingredients, then feel too overwhelmed after work to follow the recipe and get it made. Then, of course, there was the cleanup. So, many nights, I’d opt for pizza, and the food we bought would go to waste.
Or worse—I’d start cooking only to realize I’d forgotten a key ingredient. I’d run to the store, and since I was already out, I’d just pick something up. And then I’d hope I wasn’t too tired the next day to make the meal.
I’ve also done the aisle-to-aisle grocery shopping—just buying anything that looked good and hoping I could piece together something later.
But finally, I found a system that works. And today, I’m sharing that system, along with insights from Shelly Longenecker, author of Dinner for a Dollar. This super simple meal planning system can work for any family—no matter your size, work schedule, or dietary needs.
Our Simplified Meal Planning System
Over the years, I’ve learned that my family loves a handful of staple items. We keep it simple:
Proteins: Chicken, ground beef, steak, eggs.
Fruits & Veggies: We shop seasonally, preferring local grocers and farmers’ markets when possible. Supporting small businesses, getting seasonal quality, and sustainable foods is important to us.
Sides: Rice, breads, pastas, potatoes.
Seasonings: We’re huge fans of Mrs. Dash—so many options to switch up flavors!
With these basics, I can cook up quick and easy meals even when I’m tired. Here’s how it looks for us on a daily basis:
Burrito Bowls: Protein, veggies over rice or beans. Different seasonings and seasonal produce like peppers, tomatoes, or avocados keep things interesting.
Wraps: Protein and veggies with rice, beans, or cheese. Endless combinations!
Asian Bento Bowls: Protein, veggies, rice, or quinoa. A different sauce or seasoning makes it feel like a new dish every time.
Skillets: Diced potatoes or sweet potatoes with ham or steak and veggies like peppers or a side of fruit salad.
Grilled Anything: Chicken, steak, veggies—everything tastes better on the grill! We love kabobs with a side of rice.
It’s not fancy, but it’s balanced, healthy, and home-cooked. And when we want to switch things up, it’s easy to add variety or go out for a treat.
Shelly’s 15-Minute Meal Planning System
Shelly shares how she feeds her family of six for one dollar per person per meal using whole foods and allergy-friendly ingredients—and she spends just 15 minutes a day in the kitchen. Here’s how:
Batch Cook on Sundays
Spend 1-2 hours batch cooking basic core ingredients:Protein: Cook large batches of ground beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based proteins.
Starches: Prepare rice, beans, or pasta.
Veggies: Chop all your vegetables (except tomatoes and avocados) and store them in mason jars to keep them fresh all week.
Mix and Match Meals
Use prepped ingredients to create different meals:Tacos: Warm up pre-cooked meat, add veggies, and dinner is served.
Soups: Combine cooked protein, beans, and veggies with broth for a quick soup.
Salads: Use chopped greens and veggies, top with protein, and drizzle with dressing.
Skillets: Toss pre-cooked ingredients into a pan for a quick stir-fry or hash.
Prevent Boredom with Variety
Switch up proteins mid-week—use ground beef for the first half, pulled pork or chicken for the second.Theme Nights for Simplicity
Create a weekly meal plan based on themes:Monday: Tacos
Tuesday: Salad Night
Wednesday: Soup Night
Thursday: Skillet Meals
Friday: Loaded Baked Potatoes
Saturday/Sunday: Fun Food Nights (special meals that might take more time or cost more)
Weekly Meal Planning Template
To help you get started, here’s a simple meal planning template based on Shelly’s system:
| Day | Theme | Meal Idea | Ingredients Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tacos | Ground beef tacos with rice and beans | Ground beef, tortillas, rice, beans, veggies |
| Tuesday | Salad Night | Chicken Caesar Salad | Grilled chicken, romaine, Caesar dressing, croutons |
| Wednesday | Soup Night | Vegetable and beef soup | Ground beef, broth, mixed veggies |
| Thursday | Skillet Meals | Stir-fried veggies with rice and tofu | Mixed veggies, tofu, soy sauce, rice |
| Friday | Loaded Baked Potatoes | Baked potatoes with pulled pork and cheese | Potatoes, pulled pork, shredded cheese |
| Saturday | Fun Food Night | Homemade pizza | Pizza dough, sauce, toppings of choice |
| Sunday | Fun Food Night | BBQ night with grilled veggies | Chicken or ribs, corn, bell peppers |
Why Simplifying Your Meals Is Worth It
Just like decluttering your home frees you from chaos, simplifying your meals frees you from kitchen overwhelm. You’ll spend less time stressing about what’s for dinner, reduce food waste, and save money.
Shelly’s system isn’t just about food—it’s about time freedom, financial freedom, and energy freedom. Simplifying your food life lets you focus on what matters most.!
Final Thoughts
Simplifying your meals doesn’t mean sacrificing variety or nutrition. It’s about finding a meal planning system that works for your family and frees up your time, energy, and money. Whether you’re decluttering your home or simplifying your meals, the goal is the same: creating space for what matters most.
Let me know in the comments or on Instagram—what’s your biggest struggle with meal planning? I’d love to hear from you!
