What the heck am I cooking this week?

Do you ask yourself this question regularly? The struggle is real. I used to scroll through Pinterest and try to figure out just what the heck I was going to make each week. That is hard enough in and of itself. Add in trying to find meals that everyone would eat and didn’t take all day to prepare and I was overwhelmed. Then I figured out how to fill your meal plan with meals your family will love.

It’s super easy — anyone can do it.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

I am a huge proponent of meal planning. If you don’t know where to start head over and read the Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning. It’s a complete step-by-step method on how to successfully meal plan.

One of the biggest challenges of meal planning is figuring out what to cook each week. And not just what to make but what is it that everyone will eat. It can be daunting. That’s why an anchor meal is the key to creating successful meal plans.

What is an anchor meal? Well, it’s a meal that is consistent within a theme each week.  We alternate between Pizza Fridays and Taco Tuesdays in this house. Each week as I plan, I know that I will make one meal within that realm.  That’s one less meal I have to think about each week. I plan for five dinners a week. One is leftovers, one is anchor meal. That leaves only three more to go. That’s doable!

Ready to pick your Anchor Meal? Here are some tips for how to fill your meal plan.

1. Choose something that your family loves. What meal is it that if you make you know everyone will eat. Pizza? Tacos? Breakfast for Dinner? You may not be able to create meals that everyone loves every night (like the vegetarian meals I serve my house of carnivores) but having one crowd-pleaser a week always helps!
2. This is by no means a rigid system. You can have multiple anchor meals that you switch between. You don’t want to get bored. Which leads me to the next tip.
3. Have fun with your theme! Change it up if you want. Taco Tuesday we have beef tacos, chicekn tacos, fish tacos, taco salad, etc. Pizza can be anything from pizza bagels to english muffin pizzas to traditional pizza (even take out). It’s just a jumping off point for you to get ideas.

Still at a loss for what your anchor meal should be? Check out this list of 25+ Anchor Meals.

1. Taco Tuesday
2. Pizza Night
3. Vegetarian Night
4. Breakfast for dinner
5. Grilling
6. Burger Night
7. International Night
8. Mexican Night
9. Italian Night
10. Middle Eastern Night
11. Fried Chicken
12. Rotisserie Chicken
13. Salad Night
14. Burrito Night
15. Appetizers for Dinner
16. Kebabs for Dinner
17. Budda Bowl Night
18. Meatball Night
19. Pasta Night
20. Stir-Fry Night
21. Sandwiches for Dinner
22. Crockpot
23. Fish for Dinner
24. Make Your Own Takeout
25. Family Member’s Choice
26. Casserole Night

So get to it! Plan your anchor meal today and spend less time wondering just what the heck to cook this week.

Want even more meal inspiration? Check out our Pinterest Boards and comment below with your family’s favorites. Happy Anchor Meal Planning!