Quick, Healthy, and Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas for Busy Family of 5

[premierparalegal]

@thedaughterofgod I have an I start pot too, wouldn’t be without it now.

 

[cathy4jesus1]

Drives me nuts thinking what to cook every night. Especially when everyone is coming in and out at different times …

 

[peachiemom22]

I batch cook, so make up lasagna, chilli, curry & put into the freezer so only have to take out on a morning & easy to warm up with rice or pasta you can do this with loads of meals x

 

[cuchallain]

Slow cooker meals are amazing

 

[srlewis]

I work out what days we have to have something quick because we are eating late or at different times and they are the days I get something out of the freezer I've previously batch cooked. I'd ask your teenagers to put it in the oven or prep potatoes etc bot the whole meal but just to help take the pressure off you. I'm sure they can afford 20 minutes when they get home from school

 

[4liceinwond3rland]

Get them to cook have they no arms

 

[jimdewolf11]

Stir fry, fajitas, chicken & broccoli pasta, chipolatas with mash, veg and yorkies.

 

[alexa127]

Slow cooker? Batch cook on a day off? Make meals the night before and warm up?

 

[callmelightning]

Slow cooker and take turns cooking. 5 people . One night each , one night left overs , one night cook together

 

[callmelightning]

I have 2 teenagers. They each have to cook one night a week.

 

[segzyboyz]

I try and batch cook things like Spag Bol, lasagna, chilli, shepherds pie so they just need heating up and quickly cook some veg

 

[samuel926]

Massively recommend Taming Twins blog/insta for tasty family meals... lots of slow cooker recipes, and her book is all 30min meals (inc shopping list for the week). You could meal plan for the week, but leave what actual meal to decide on the day?

 

[mikeygong]

Slow cooking is good...just put it ready the night before and turn it on when you leave for work....your amazing having to think what to cook is a pain in my life too

 

[resol]

I batch cook and freeze in individual portions. On activity days, it means everyone can pick a different meal if they wish and it just needs heating when they're ready for it.

 

[ticketwebsites]

Your husband definitely can help by cooking before he goes to work. He eats it for his lunch and the rest of you heat it up for dinner. (When it’s someone else’s turn to cook, he gets to heat it up for his lunch)

 

[sugarcookies]

Personal Chef...check out www.cooksathome.co.uk (different to a private chef)

 

[underthemercy]

Sorry only one idea but pretty useful…
I batch cook red pepper sauce in the slow cooker, then divide into family sized portions or individuals. Makes a great base for meatballs, chicken in breadcrumbs, sausages or roasted veg.
All of which can be cooked straight from freezer with pasta, rice chips etc.
2 or 3 large peppers (not green)
Large onion
3 garlic cloves
Chop and fry in large pan til soft
Add 2 tins tomatoes
Generous squirts of tomato purée and ketchup
Salt and pepper
Paprika
Cook on stove or put in slow cooker.
Makes a good sauce for pizza baguettes with ham and cheese too.
Good luck!
Cooking dinner is a rubbish adult job!!

 

[veretax]

If husband works afternoon he chucks it all in slow cooker before he goes! Casseroles, curries, spaghetti Bol, chilli…. Bored of lunch has good slow cooker recipe ideas. I don’t precook anything for slow cooker. It just goes in

 

[johnnythunder]

Slow cookers r a life saver for this .literally bung it all in and leave it on low .most supermarkets even do the "prep" side of things for u aswell like prepared fajita packs ,or chopped veg etc.
Other than that a cooked chicken or 2 would go along way for u , doesn't matter if u eat it cold or reheat in the microwave,use it in wraps or bung in with some sauces and microwave rice to make a curry ..the list is endless.
Another idea would be to batch cook on a morning/afternoon/eve u have free I'd cook up massive sheppards pies,lasagne,chilli's etc and then all u have to remember to do is get out of freezer and pop in oven when u get home . X

 

[tawnigraham]

I often cook the evening before once the kids are in bed