Juggling work, family schedules, and personal goals can feel like an Olympic sport. Let’s be honest, no one wants to have to scramble to make dinner at the last minute on a weeknight. That’s where an intentional approach to grocery shopping and meal prep comes in. As you all know, Target (my partner for today’s post) is where I go to buy all my weekly essentials. And while I’m there, I also conveniently pick up some fall candles and a new mascara. What’s better than starting your week with a fridge full of nutritious ingredients and a delicious menu prepared? It may sound too good to be true, but trust me, it’s not.
Yes, I’m crazy about Sunday rituals. Romanticizing a routine that helps me prepare for the week goes a long way to getting me in shape before the week begins. (Not to mention avoiding the dread of Sunday.) I love starting my day off right by getting my groceries delivered. Target Circle 360 ​​Subscription Then it’s time to head to the kitchen and get meal prepping. While I make sure to include treats a few times a week, like pumpkin protein pancakes or PSL-inspired cookies, I also rely on healthy recipes to keep the whole family feeling their best.
Check out the video below where I share all of my grocery shopping trips from Target, then read on for this week’s meal plan.
Fall Meal Prep: How to Plan and Prepare a Week’s Worth of Meals
While I love a spontaneous Thursday night dinner, I find that a little time spent planning and preparing ahead of time sets me up for success. Mapping out your grocery shopping and identifying a few recipes you can’t wait to make helps build intention and mindfulness into the entire process. This way, Sunday fall meal prep won’t be stressful, but rather a fun routine you look forward to each week.
Below, I’ll share exactly how I plan to do it. From money-saving tips to ideas for reducing food waste, steal these fall meal prep ideas to make each week of the season go as smoothly as possible.
My Grocery Strategy
First, shop for your pantry and refrigerator. Take a moment to look through your pantry and refrigerator and see what you already have on hand. This simple step will help you utilize ingredients that you often forget, reduce food waste, and make your shopping more efficient. By creating a list based on what you already have in your kitchen, you can cut down on unnecessary purchases and make meal prep more organized and budget-friendly.
Buy what’s in season. Buying seasonal produce is a smart way to maximize both flavor and savings. Not only are seasonal fruits and vegetables fresher and more nutritious, they’re also often less expensive than their out-of-season counterparts. By focusing on seasonal produce, you can enjoy a variety of vibrant, budget-friendly options that will enhance your protein-rich meals while supporting local farmers. (A win-win!)
Stock up in bulk. Buying staples like grains, nuts, and beans in bulk is a cost-effective way to keep your pantry well-stocked. Buying in bulk often gives you better value for your money and ensures you always have the essentials on hand. Plus, you can avoid having to make frequent shopping trips, saving you time and helping you stay on track with your meal planning.
Now, here’s the best part: When deciding on my weekly menu, I always think about my family’s needs and schedule first. I know that with busy work days, after-school activities, get-togethers, and more, flexibility is key. I choose meals that can be easily adapted or repurposed throughout the week. For example, roast chicken that can be the centerpiece for one dinner might be transformed into a hearty salad or soup for another. Planning ahead ensures that each meal fits seamlessly into my weekly schedule, making life a little easier and a lot more delicious.
This week I’ll be eating a variety of meals centered around both plant and animal proteins to fill my plate with color (and, as a result, nutrition).
My Shopping List
When I sit down to make my shopping list for the week, I start by writing down all the ingredients I’ll need for each recipe. I’m making Sheet Pan Harvest Hash on Monday, so I’ll need hearty root veggies like sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and carrots, as well as fresh herbs to tie it all together. For Tuesday Night Chicken, I’ll add chicken breasts, a variety of spices like smoked paprika and cumin, and a bright citrus finish. Shrimp tacos are on the menu Wednesday, so I’ll buy shrimp, avocado, fresh cilantro, and corn tortillas. I want to add a little crunch to my coleslaw, so I’ll also grab some cabbage and lime.
For the rest of the week, I try to organize my shopping list into sections. This makes grocery shopping much easier. For Thursday’s Mediterranean Kale Salad, I stock up on kale, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, and whole wheat pita bread as a side dish. Friday’s Sweet Potato and Chickpea Bowl is one of my favorites, packed with flavor and nutrients. I finish it off with chickpeas, sweet potatoes, tahini, and greens. I also check my pantry and fridge mid-way through the shopping trip and mark the ingredients I already have on hand. This not only saves me time while shopping, but it also reduces food waste, which is always a win-win for me.
Get out your shopping list and check off all the essentials below.
A note about breakfast and lunch
I once all I used to meal prep for the week. I had all my breakfasts perfectly prepared, and lunch salads, sandwiches, and entrees piled high in Tupperware and stuffed in the fridge. But after ages, I just didn’t want to eat chia pudding Monday through Friday. My solution? mealI stock up on ingredients that give me the flexibility to mix and match however I like.
This way, you’ll have everything you need for a yogurt bowl, a quick scramble, or some extra crunch on toast. Plus, you can use the leftovers for lunch when you need something quick and nutritious.
Stocking my pantry with staple ingredients from Target is one of my favorite ways to make meal planning and prep easier. I love knowing I always have the go-to staples that are simple but make any dish taste better. Target’s Good & Gather brand is my go-to for quality staples at affordable prices. With canned beans, tomatoes, and soups on hand, I can whip up soups, stews, and grain bowls in no time. And of course, I always stock up on olive oil, vinegar, and spices. A drizzle or splash of these instantly elevates any dish.
Keeping these pantry staples on hand means you can whip up nutritious meals with just a few ingredients, even on the busiest days. It also gives you the flexibility to improvise and change up your menu if you find something interesting at the market or your plans change. Plus, having a well-stocked pantry means fewer last-minute grocery trips, saving you both time and money. Whether you’re whipping up a quick dinner or adding the finishing touches to a recipe you’ve had planned, you’ll be glad to know that Target’s pantry essentials can help you make it happen.
How to create a meal plan
Think of meal prep as self-care
I prepare the meal. Have With more things on my plate, I’ve started thinking about meal prep as a form of self-care. I now see meal prep not just as a task on my to-do list, but as a way to nourish myself and my family throughout the week. I’ve found that meal prep is a simple yet powerful form of self-care, and approaching meal prep with this mindset actually makes it a ritual that I look forward to.
Keep it simple
As I said above, I like to spend a few days time I’m meal prepping for fall in my kitchen, but that doesn’t mean every recipe has to be complicated and time-consuming. In fact, some of my favorite meals require just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort. I’ve learned that the key to staying consistent with meal prep is to keep things simple. Choose recipes that are easy to cook in bulk, use overlapping ingredients between meals, and don’t be afraid to make repeat dishes that your family loves. Simplifying not only saves me time, it makes the whole process more enjoyable and sustainable in the long run.
Batch Cook Versatile Proteins
I keep chicken breasts, tofu, and beans in bulk so they can be easily seasoned and added to salads, wraps, and grain bowls. Having these proteins on hand allows me to whip up meals quickly without having to make them from scratch every time. Not only does this save me time, it also makes weeknight cooking easier by ensuring I have a nutritious base for a variety of meals.
For more of my favorite entertainment, food, home decor, and fashion, find and shop them in-store at Target..
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Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
