Meal Plan 95

Meal Plan 95 is all about keeping dinner simple, affordable, and stress-free while still serving meals your family will actually look forward to eating. Every recipe in this plan is family-tested, kid-approved, and made with easy-to-find pantry ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeks when time and budgets are tight.

This plan includes a mix of slow cooker meals, quick stovetop dinners, and fun flavor twists to keep things interesting—without adding extra dishes or complicated prep. We even show you how to turn your leftovers into another meal that the entire family will actually eat.

Looking for even more kid-approved, budget-friendly meals? Don’t miss our Comfort Food Dinners on a Budget and Easy One Pot Dinners for Busy Families Series.

Why This Meal Plan Works

• Low-Stress Prep – With crockpot meals, skillet dinners, and quick recipes, dinner gets on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Budget-Friendly – These meals use affordable proteins, pantry staples, and ingredients you can easily stretch across multiple meals. Many recipes rely on items you likely already have in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. Using your leftovers will stretch this meal plan even further.
• Kid-Approved – From sloppy joes to potato soup and tacos, these are familiar, comforting meals with flavors kids love—nothing overly fancy or intimidating.
• Pantry-Based Ingredients – This plan minimizes specialty ingredients, helping you avoid extra grocery trips and making it easier to stick to your budget.

Print Shopping List

Before heading to the store, be sure to print this week’s shopping list. Check your pantry first — many of these meals use simple, everyday ingredients you may already have, which can help keep your grocery bill low.

These meals are flexible — use what’s in your fridge first to reduce food waste and save money.

Monday – Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes

Spicy, saucy, and totally messy in the best way, these Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes will make dinner feel like a flavor party. Pair them with crispy Baked French Fries for the ultimate comfort combo.

Tuesday – Crock Pot Italian Meatball Soup

Crock Pot Italian Meatball Soup hides a cozy and hearty flavor surprise in every spoonful. Serve it with sweet Homemade Cornbread to soak up every flavorful drop.

Wednesday – Crock Pot Potato Soup with Hashbrowns

Crock Pot Potato Soup with Hashbrowns isn’t your average soup — it’s creamy, cheesy, and kind of addicting. Crunchy Garlic Bread Cheese Sticks make every bite even better.

Thursday – Baja Shrimp Tacos

Crispy shrimp, tangy sauce, and a hint of lime make every bite of these Baja Shrimp Tacos a mini vacation for your taste buds.

Friday – Barbecue Pork Chops

Barbecue Pork Chops cooked in a skillet? Yes, please. They’re smoky, saucy, and so easy that you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them before. Oven-Roasted Green Beans add the perfect little crunch on the side.

Breakfast – Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Ever wondered what happens when a cinnamon roll meets a waffle iron? Cinnamon Roll Waffles are soft, gooey, and slightly crispy in all the right spots — breakfast just got way more exciting.

Dessert – Jello Poke Cake

Jello Poke Cake is bright, fun, and just a little magical — each poke turns it into a juicy, colorful treat that everyone will talk about.

We make meal planning even easier with the Lazy Day Cooking Club. These plans let you spend just a couple of minutes loading the slow cooker, then come home to a hot, ready-to-eat dinner.

Tips for Success

• Prep ahead – Chop veggies or portion meat early to make weeknights even faster.
• Use leftovers wisely – Many of these meals reheat well for lunches or second dinners.
• Swap proteins if needed – Ground turkey, chicken thighs, or whatever’s on sale can often be substituted.
• Stick to the plan – Using the included recipes together helps reduce food waste and grocery overspending. Plus, it is a great way to try a new recipe!

Storage Tips

Most of the dinners in this roundup store well, making them great for leftovers and meal planning. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. Many of these meals are also freezer-friendly—check each individual recipe for specific freezing instructions.

Ways to Use Leftovers

• Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes – Even with my large family, I always have leftovers. We like to use them to make these Sloppy Joe Sliders for a quick lunch the next day.
• Italian Meatball Soup – Turn your leftovers into Pasta Night! Cook some Homemade Egg Noodles Recipe or use store bought, then drain some of the broth and toss the meatballs and veggies with the pasta. My entire family loves when we have meatball soup leftovers!
• Potato Soup – You can easily turn these leftovers into Cheesy Potato Casserole. Place the leftovers into a baking dish, mix in some freshly shredded cheese, toss in some diced ham or cooked sausage for a quick meal the next day.
• Shrimp Tacos – I love taking my leftover shrimp mixture and making Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe for a meal that the kids clean their plates.

Easy Side Dish Ideas

Easy Side Dishes

Easy Homemade French Fries

Easy Salad

Easy Caesar Salad Recipe

Easy Side Dishes

Jasmine Rice Recipe

If you give this week’s meal plan a try, we’d love to hear how it went! Leave a comment or star review on any recipe—your feedback helps other families and lets us know how these meals are saving you time and money.