03/10/2026
Letโs talk about those โoh sh*t itโs 5:30โ weeknight dinners.
You know the ones.
You look at the clock, everyoneโs hangry, and suddenly you realize the dinner plan isโฆ there is no plan. ๐ณ
Some weeks Iโm on my A-game. I meal plan, grocery shop, prep on the weekend, and things run smoothly.
But this post is about the other weeks.
The ones where Monday hits and youโre just trying to get dinner on the table.
Here are a few things that usually save me on those nights:
1. Default to โprotein + carb + something green.โ
I stop trying to be creative and instead just try to check these 3 boxes.
2. Check the freezer + pantry.
Between frozen meat, frozen veggies, quick rice, and canned beans - I can usually find something to check all the boxes.
PRO TIP โก๏ธ I am obsessed with using sauces to spice things up!! Buffalo, teriyaki, BBQ, salad dressings - these can all turn basic ingredients into a quick meal that seems fancier than it is.
4. Ask ChatGPT.
Sometimes I literally tell it a few things I have:
โI have ground beef, mushrooms, spinach and riceโฆ what can I make in 10 minutes?โ
And it comes to the rescue every time!
I hope these help - soon Iโll share what dinner looks like when I do manage to plan ahead. (Spoiler - I keep it quite simple then too.)๐งโ๐ณ
P.S. have any other hacks that save your bacon on those stressful nights? Please share below!