Simple "mix and match" meal planning

I posted on facebook today that I was meal planning, and a friend asked for help as her family eats the same thing over and over (her words).  I meal plan 5-6 days out at a time, and get ideas from previous meals, blogs, pinterest and cook books.  I try to keep it simple and low cost, but occasionally throw in a more elaborate dish.

However, for those new to meal planning, a simple "mix and match" type plan is easiest and makes for quite a bit of variety.  When life gets busy (such as right now, with a new baby and a young toddler) I often rely on this type of meal planning as well. The following is just a start for those that are out of ideas. Please feel free to expand it and add your favorites, too!

The basic idea is easy.  From below pick one main dish, one fruit/vegetable side, and one starchy/other type side.  For example a typical meal for us would be number 1 from main dishes (grilled chicken), number 3 from the veggie category (sauteed yellow squash) and number 2 from the starchy section (baked potato).  It's a very easy meal to make and is quick, too.  The mix and match possibilities are endless, and there are so many more in each category.  The ideas below are just a start.  I hope this helps make mealtime a little bit easier!

Main Dishes

1.  Grilled chicken thighs, legs, wings (spray with olive oil, shake on your fave seasoning, and throw on the grill)
2.  Grilled pork shoulder steaks (season with your fave seasoning and throw on the grill)
3.  Tri-tip (wrap in foil and grill until meat thermometer shows your desired doneness)
4.  Crunchy Fiesta Chicken
5.  Rib-eye steak (shake steak seasoning and garlic over it, and grill)
6.  French Dip Sandwiches
7.  Coca-cola Roast
8.  Ground beef pie
9.  Meat gravy pie
10.  Baked fiesta lime tilapia
11.  Sausage and cheese tortellini
12.  Easy spaghetti with meat sauce
13.  Italian baked tilapia
14.  Classic baked chicken
15.  Grilled fish (use your favorite type of fish fillet, season, and grill on foil until flaky)
16.  Polka kielbalsa (cooked on grill until hot)
17.  Rotisserie chicken (from the store...can't get easier than that!)

Fruit or Vegetable Side

1.  Roasted Brussels Sprouts (my absolute fave!)
2. Steamed (frozen) peas (or vegetable mix)
3. Yellow Squash (sliced thin and sauteed in olive oil and garlic seasoning...yum!)
4.  Roasted Peppers (Anaheim, Bell pepper, etc put on grill whole until done)
5.  Steamed corn on the cob
6.  Fruit salad (cut up your favorite fruit and mix together)
7.  Banana pudding with cut up bananas in it
8.  Sliced apples
9.  Canned apricots
10.  Canned mandarin oranges
11.  Green salad
12.  Steamed broccoli with cheese on top

Starchy/Bean/Other Side 

1.  Mashed potatoes (add garlic seasoning to make them extra good!)
2.  Baked potatoes
3.  Baked sweet potatoes (served with butter and brown sugar on top)
4.  Canned chili beans
5.  Canned baked beans
6.  French fries or tater tots (frozen and cooked in oven)
7.  Steamed brown or black rice (stir in butter and garlic seasoning when done)
8.  Garlic bread (spread butter on whole wheat bread slices, sprinkle with garlic seasoning, and broil)
9.  Cornbread (from a mix)
10.  Garlicky pinto beans
11.  Noodles from a packet (the chicken flavored are my favorite)
12.  Garlic noodles (boil noodles until done, stir in butter and favorite garlic or other seasoning)
13.  Rice from a packet (such as spanish rice)
14.  Idahoan mashed potato packets ($1 each at most stores and really yummy)

There are also some meals that are "one pot meals" and are pretty complete on their own.  I like to serve them with a side of fruit or a green salad.  Below are some of our favorites that we eat fairly often.

Complete meals that only require cut up fruit, a green salad or bread on the side (your choice)
1.  Super Simple Chicken Tacos
2.  Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup
3.  Chicken and White Bean Chili
4.  Overly Easy Chicken and Gravy
5.  BBQ Chicken Dinner Packets
6.  Simple BLTs
7.  Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper Made Better
8.  Savory Sliders
9.  Mom's Taco Salad (delicious with grilled chicken legs on the side)
10.  Easy crock pot roast
11.  Tara's split pea soup
12.  Easy beef stew
13.  Smoky bean soup with ham and bacon
14.  Frito Boats (partially fill a bowl with Fritos, spoon chili beans over it, top with shredded cheese,  diced tomatoes and onions)
15.  Tara's chili dogs (First spread mayo on a piece of wheat bread.  Cut two hot dogs in half lengthwise and lay across bread.  Spoon chili beans over it, then top with cheese, diced tomatoes and onions.  YUM!!)
16.  Breakfast for dinner (French toast, pancake or waffles served with scrambled or fried eggs and bacon and/or sausage)