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Katie Serbinski, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian and millennial mom, blogging about healthy recipes, child and mom nutrition, and motherhood.

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Home » Food & Recipes » Meal Planning » 15 Themed Dinner Ideas [My Favorite Way to Meal Plan]

15 Themed Dinner Ideas [My Favorite Way to Meal Plan]

Oct 16, 2016 13 Comments

These themed dinner ideas help bring structure to your family’s meal planning making dinners during the week a breeze!

Themed dinner nights make meal planning a breeze! By designating a certain theme to each night of the week, you can keep structure to your family's meal plan!

If you’re like me, then meal planning each week is just another to-do on the always-growing laundry list of things to get done. But let me tell you, as the CEO and executive chef in my house, if I don’t take time to meal plan, then our CFO [my husband] gives me the stink-eye when our VISA bill comes.

Why? Because I rely on takeout. Which is much more expensive than taking the time to plan and prepare meals at home. Or so that’s what he tells me…

We almost always have a pasta night! Mainly because I know the boys will eat anything drenched in marinara...
We almost always have a pasta night! Mainly because I know the boys will eat anything drenched in marinara…

So I’ve found a way to make meal planning a little more enjoyable, and much more structured. As I’ve shared time and time again, there ain’t much structure in the lives of toddlers. Or babies. And Mom needs all the structure she can get!

That’s why I’ve started relying on themed dinners, or giving each day of the week a specific theme for dinner. I now plan around a weekly theme dinner schedule Monday-Friday [Saturday’s are takeout night— hey, I guess that’s another themed dinner night] and Sunday’s we are usually at my parents.

Another night we like to have despite the cooler temps is grilling night! You can't beat the simplicity of a grilled "main" dish + simple sides.
Another night we like to have despite the cooler temps is grilling night! You can’t beat the simplicity of a grilled “main” dish + simple sides.

And let me tell you, I’ve found a sense of structure and ease with this type of meal planning.

Yep, I’m actually enjoying meal planning!!! And cooking.

Am I starting to get my groove back?! Who knows… but I’m here to share a few of my favorite themed dinner ideas with you! Feel free to print off this list or pin the image below so you can easily keep these ideas as a reference.

 

Themed dinner nights make meal planning a breeze! By designating a certain theme to each night of the week, you can keep structure to your family's meal plan!

 

I’ve also pulled together a few of our favorite “nights” with 1-2 recipes for each, just to give your meal plan a kick-start! Enjoy!

Pizza Night

Fig, Prosciutto, and Arugula Pizza

Pizza Kabobs

Pasta Night

One-Pot Pasta

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Soup Night

Chicken Noodle Soup 5 Ways

Lasagna Soup

Chicken Sausage Potato Soup

Grill Night

Perfectly Grilled Chicken Breasts

Taco Night

Oven-Baked Tacos

Taco Soup

Salad Night

Kale Caprese Salad [add chicken or fish]

Chicken Caesar Salad

Burger Night

Skillet Chicken Burgers

Stir-Fry Night

Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

20 Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Slow Cooker Night

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

And if I’m missing any themed dinner ideas, share below! I’d love to add a few more to the list!

 

Make the most of meal planning by having themed dinner nights! Here are 15 ideas to get you started! Click To Tweet

 

These themed dinner ideas help bring structure to your family's meal planning making dinners during the week a breeze! #themeddinnerideas #themeddinnerideasfamilies #toddlerfriendlyrecipes #toddlerfriendlydinnerideas #familyfriendlymeals

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Comments

  1. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says

    October 17, 2016 at 7:06 am

    I also love themed nights! One of my top meal planning tips- makes life more fun and easier too! Hope you’re doing well w the baby and the boys Katie!

    Reply
  2. Jessica Corwin says

    January 18, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    Yes! This is how I meal plan as well 🙂 so much easier!

    Salad night
    Mexican night
    Handheld night
    Breakfast night
    Pizza night
    And my wildcard night, because this mama loves to try new recipes 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 19, 2018 at 12:17 pm

      I love handheld night!

  3. Cindy A says

    July 28, 2018 at 11:00 am

    OH my goodness. I think I can actually wrap my brain around this one. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Bean Bytes 213 – wellpersonsblog says:
    October 25, 2016 at 12:30 am

    […] Chicken Roll-Ups Lighter Broccoli Beef One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta with Peas 15 Themed Dinner Ideas Creamy Mustard Beef […]

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  2. Bean Bytes 213 says:
    October 25, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    […] Stuffed Chicken Roll-Ups Lighter Broccoli Beef One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta with Peas 15 Themed Dinner Ideas Creamy Mustard Beef […]

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  3. 16 Tips to Reduce Food Waste This Holiday Season - Eating Made Easy says:
    November 28, 2016 at 7:06 pm

    […] 2-3 days in advance. “I swear by themed meal planning, and not planning too far in advance. I find if a plan for a whole week we end up wasting food […]

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  4. 16 tips to reduce food waste this holiday season – Cray News says:
    November 30, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    […] only 2-3 days in advance. “I swear by themed meal planning, and not planning too far in advance. I find if a plan for a whole week we end up wasting food due […]

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  5. Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    March 3, 2017 at 1:51 am

    […] it comes to weekly meal planning, we almost always have a taco-esc themed dinner night. So, whether that’s oven baked tacos, taco salads, taco lettuce wraps, or taco stuffed sweet […]

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  6. 16 Ways to Reduce Food Waste and Save Money – Eating Made Easy says:
    June 29, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    […] 2-3 days in advance. “I swear by themed meal planning, and not planning too far in advance. I find if a plan for a whole week we end up wasting food […]

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  7. 5 No-Recipe Meal Ideas for Fall - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    October 9, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    […] I’m all for themed meal planning and prepping ingredients for meals ahead of time [mainly produce prep], I like to wing-it when it […]

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  8. Themes Make Meal Planning Easy | Food Tidings Blog says:
    January 27, 2019 at 2:59 am

    […] (via https://momtomomnutrition.com/food-and-recipes/themed-dinner-ideas/) […]

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  9. 10 Ways To Encourage Family Eatings (Breakfast Or Dinner Time Together) says:
    September 18, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    […] let the gathering happen on its own by offering thrilling themed menus every day. If you want more options, you can simply dub Tuesday as Mexican food day, Wednesday as soup day, and Thursday as pasta day, […]

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Katie Serbinski at Mom to Mom Nutrition

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Hi, I’m Katie! Registered Dietitian, Mom, and Mealtime Negotiator. I’m on a mission to make mealtime happier, healthier, and easier with small children, despite what my 4 picky eaters have me believing. From family-friendly recipes to confessions about my unfiltered motherhood moments, I hope you grab a seat at my kitchen table!
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