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Meal Planning for my family has really become one of my favorite things that I do to keep my family organized and keep our life less chaotic. It has allowed us to have fewer frustrated “what do you want to eat tonight” conversations. I previously did a whole post with my best tips for meal planning, and in that process, I asked for feedback from my followers about their pain points when doing their own meal planning. And you know what they said?

Meal ideas! The overwhelming feedback that I received was the lack of ideas and inspiration for what to make. In my family, planning our meals out by the month before focusing on the details of our weekly meal planning has been such a game-changer for our sanity! So I’m sharing an entire year’s worth of meal ideas to help you with your meal planning.

In our house, my husband does most of the cooking and I often remind him that just because I linked a specific recipe, doesn’t mean that he needs to follow the recipe exactly as it is - we often use recipes that we find online to give us inspiration towards an overall idea for a meal or to showcase new sides or veggies to add into our meal. Hope the following recipes bring great inspiration to you and your family!

Meal Ideas for an Entire Year

jump to a specific month of recipes:

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

january meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for January, The Best Winter Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes

Chicken Tortilla Salsa Soup Recipe (Copy)

Pot Roast & Baby Vegetables Recipe (Copy)

Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Chicken Skillet (Copy)

chicken tortilla soup | pot roast & veggies | creamy spinach-artichoke chicken skillet | shepherd’s pie

Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken Recipe (Copy)

stuffed shells bolognese | skillet lemon chicken | ham & potato soup | chicken carbonara

Honey-Mustard Chicken & Brussels Sprouts Recipe (Copy)

Pulled Pork Carnitas Tacos Recipes (Copy)

tuna noodle dump dinner | honey-mustard chicken & brussels sprouts | easy pulled pork carnitas tacos | ultimate chili

Chicken Teriyaki Dump Dinner Recipe (Copy)

chicken teriyaki dump dinner | baked potatoes | baked feta pasta | turkey egg roll in a bowl

february meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for February, The Best Winter Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe (Copy)

Parmesan-Crusted Steak and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe (Copy)

BBQ Slow-Cooker Country-Style Ribs (Copy)

grilled cheese + tomato soup | one-pot chicken alfredo | parm-crusted steak & potatoes | bbq slow cooker ribs

Honey-Lime Baked Chicken Fajita Recipe (Copy)

Rosemary-Garlic Pork Chops with Chickpeas (Copy)

meatloaf muffins | honey-lime baked chicken fajitas | rosemary-garlic pork chops & chickpeas | heart-shaped pizza

Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken with Tomato and Basil Recipe (Copy)

Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Shrimp Recipe (Copy)

mozzarella-stuffed chicken | burgers + fries | garlic-parmesan roasted shrimp | white baked ziti

Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe (Copy)

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup Recipe (Copy)

chicken & rice casserole | maple-bacon pork chops | butternut squash mac & cheese | maple sweet potato carrot soup

march meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for January, The Best Recipes for Winter & Spring, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes

Creamy Red Pepper and Tomato Pasta (Copy)

sheet pan sausage, potato & green beans | creamy red pepper & tomato pasta | philly cheesesteaks | chicken noodle soup

beef tacos | creamy tuscan ravioli | balsamic steak & zucchini | chili-lime mango chicken

cheesy baked tortellini | sheet pan caprese chicken | poppyseed chicken casserole | beef & broccoli

creamy white chicken chili | parmesan-crusted pork chops | sheet pan italian chicken | italian seared beef

garlic butter herb steak bites & potatoes | sheet pan chicken fajitas | steak burrito bowls | coconut lime chicken & broccoli

april meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for April, The Best Spring Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes

sheet pan chicken quesadillas | brown butter salmon | sheet pan chicken & waffles | steak & smashed potatoes

brussels sprouts and bacon frittata (Copy)

north african chicken and chickpeas sheet pan dinner (Copy)

brussels sprouts & bacon frittata | easy lemon pepper chicken & lemon parsley pasta | salsa verde steak soup | north african chicken & chickpeas

barbecue beef sandwiches | sheet pan sausage supper | grilled chicken caesar salad | pineapple pork hawaiian burgers

chicken & kale pasta bake | blackened salmon & zucchini | beer can chicken & baked potatoes | pork stir-fry & green onions

may meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for May, The Best Spring Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes

Rosemary Chicken Avocado Bacon Pitas (Copy)

Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tots (Copy)

rosemary chicken avocado bacon pitas | creamy taco soup | breakfast casserole w/ tater tots | sweet & sour baked chicken

Lemon Chicken Skewers with Creamy Feta Sauce (Copy)

Chile-Rubbed Beef Tenderloin with Garlic-Herb Oil (Copy)

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole (Copy)

slow cooker beef & broccoli | lemon chicken skewers w/ creamy feta sauce | chile-rubbed beef tenderloin | creamy chicken broccoli casserole

One-Pot Creamy Penne Alfredo with Spicy Arugula (Copy)

Sheet Pan 30 Minute Sticky Apricot Chicken (Copy)

buffalo chicken enchiladas | one-pot creamy penne alfredo | easy grilled pork chops | sheet pan sticky apricot chicken

Beef Stroganoff over Buttered Noodles (Copy)

Ravioli with Lemon, Peas and Pancetta (Copy)

beef stroganoff w/ buttered noodles | ravioli with lemon, peas & pancetta | creamy garlic parmesan chicken | coconut & lime pork kebabs

june meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for June, The Best Summer Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes, Meal Ideas for Father’s Day, Grilling Recipes

Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls (Copy)

pesto chicken & broccoli pasta | steamed salmon & couscous | strawberry kale salad | korean ground beef & rice

Grilled Steak with Greek Corn Salad (Copy)

Spicy Beer BBQ Chicken Skewers with Avocado Corn and Feta Salsa (Copy)

grilled steak & greek corn salad | baked chicken nuggets | baked fish & chips | spicy beer bbq chicken skewers

Whiskey Glazed Flat Iron Steaks and Grilled Potatoes (Copy)

Sheet Pan Cheesy Poblano Corn Enchiladas (Copy)

whiskey glazed steaks & grilled potatoes | cheesy poblano corn enchiladas | grilled zucchini pasta salad | slow cooker mongolian beef

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner (Copy)

chicken salad croissants | parmesan crusted chicken sheet pan dinner | grilled salad pizza | braised lamb tacos

july meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for July, The Best Summer Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes, Meal Ideas for the 4th of July, Backyard Barbecue Meal Ideas, Grilling Recipes

Honey, Lime & Sriracha Chicken Skewers (Copy)

Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes, Burrata and Basil (Copy)

honey lime sriracha chicken skewers | tomatoes, burrata & basil pasta | orange maple glazed salmon | herb-butter stuffed burgers, patriotic potato salad & fresh corn salad

Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli (Copy)

Crispy Braised Chipotle Beef Tacos (Copy)

Easy Skillet Neapolitan Margherita Pizza (Copy)

orecchiette with sausage and broccoli | california avocado chicken | crispy braised chipotle beef tacos | easy skillet neapolitan margherita pizza

Pesto Peach Chicken in White Wine with Burrata (Copy)

barbecue chicken nachos | blt pasta salad | pesto peach chicken in white wine w/ burrata | sticky honey garlic meatballs

Grilled Chimichurri Marinated Skirt Steak (Copy)

Street-Style Shrimp Tacos with Corn, Bacon and Lime Crema (Copy)

Slow-Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork Barbecue (Copy)

pan-fried lemongrass chicken | grilled chimichurri marinated skirt steak | street-style shrimp tacos with corn, bacon and lime crema | slow-cooker carolina pulled pork barbecue

august meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for August, The Best Summer Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes, Meal Ideas for the End of Summer, Dinner Ideas for August

Creamy Corn, Zucchini, and Bacon Chowder (Copy)

caprese chicken pasta salad | mediterranean turkey burgers | creamy corn, zucchini & bacon chowder | taco lettuce wraps

30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice (Copy)

Sausage and Pepper Ravioli Skillet (Copy)

Brown Sugar Skirt Steak with Succotash (Copy)

Herby Chicken and Spinach Baked Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella (Copy)

pineapple chicken & coconut rice | sausage & pepper ravioli skillet | brown sugar steak & succotash | chicken & spinach baked pasta

Herb-and-Mustard Sirloin with Baked Potatoes (Copy)

Barbecued Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Copy)

Tagliatelle with Smashed Peas, Sausage and Ricotta Cheese (Copy)

creamy tuscan garlic chicken | mustard sirloin + baked potato | barbecue chinese chicken lettuce wraps | tagliatelle with sausage & peas

Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa (Copy)

chicken & garlic break kebabs | grilled thai beef salad | pesto penne pasta | chipotle chicken tacos w/ pineapple salsa

september meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for September, Back-to-School Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes, Meal Ideas for Back-to-School, Dinner Ideas for September

buttermilk fried chicken tenders + creamy mashed potatoes / sausage sheet pan dinner / rosemary steak + rosemary fries / cheesy beef & shells

Sheet Pan Sticky Pomegranate Chicken and Honey Roasted Squash (Copy)

pulled pork + baked mac & cheese / sticky pomegranate chicken & roasted squash / arugula tomato cheese pizza / chicken ranch wraps

Brown Butter Cherry Tomato Fettuccine Alfredo (Copy)

Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Chicken In White Wine Pan Sauce (Copy)

brown butter cherry tomato fettuccine alfredo / herbed ricotta stuffed chicken in white wine pan sauce / baked broccoli tots / spicy muffin tin tacos

Cool Ranch Chicken Tostadadillas with Honey Lime Crema (Copy)

Creamy Bacon Tortellini with Charred Broccoli (Copy)

Chipotle’s Chicken Burrito Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice (Copy)

cool ranch chicken tostadadillas with honey-lime crema / creamy bacon tortellini with charred broccoli / toasted cheeseburgers / chipotle’s chicken burrito bowl with cilantro lime rice

Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas (Copy)

Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Vinaigrette (Copy)

sheet pan chipotle cheddar corn chicken enchiladas / baby lamb chops with lemon / black bean corn salad / roasted chicken with balsamic vinaigrette

october meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for October, Fall Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes, Meal Ideas for Fall, Dinner Ideas for October, Autumn-Inspired Meal Ideas

4 Cheese Roasted Garlic Alfredo Stuffed Spaghetti Squash (Copy)

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole (Copy)

4-cheese roasted garlic alfredo stuffed spaghetti squash / chickpea chard pork / sweet potato chili / broccoli cheddar chicken & rice

Rosemary Roasted Butternut Squash Pizza (Copy)

one skillet apple cider chicken / ham & potato cheddar soup / asian steak bites & potatoes / rosemary butternut squash pizza

Brown Butter Tortellini with Peas (Copy)

Sheet Pan Maple-Dijon Chicken with Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts (Copy)

Slow Cooker Red Wine Sunday Ragù Pasta (Copy)

easy pumpkin soup / brown butter tortellini / sheet pan maple-dijon chicken w/ butternut squash & brussels sprouts / slow cooker red wine sunday ragù pasta

Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper (Copy)

Slow Cooker Pot Roast & Mashed Potatoes (Copy)

Cheesy Pumpkin Ricotta Pasta Bake (Copy)

sweet potato shepherd’s pie / homemade hamburger helper / slow cooker pot roast & mashed potatoes / cheesy pumpkin ricotta pasta bake

november meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for November, Fall Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes, Meal Ideas for Fall, Dinner Ideas for November, Autumn-Inspired Meal Ideas

saucy asian meatballs / easy chicken pot pie / barbecue ribs & tornado potatoes / pork roast

Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions (Copy)

creamy white lasagna soup / skillet taco pizza / honey garlic chicken thighs / cider braised short ribs w/ caramelized onions

Skillet Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes (Copy)

skillet chicken parmesan w/ artichokes / quick and easy pepperoni rolls / broccoli cheddar soup / beer-braised bratwurst w/ onions

Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta (Copy)

Simple Baked Cheesy Italian Chicken Meatballs (Copy)

Perfect Roast Turkey & Baked Apple Cranberry Stuffing (Copy)

creamy roasted garlic butternut squash pasta / sausage gnocchi soup / simple baked cheesy italian chicken meatballs / perfect roast turkey & baked apple cranberry stuffing

december meals

Meal Ideas and Recipes for December, Winter Recipes, Family-Friendly Meal Ideas, Easy Dinner Recipes, Meal Ideas for Winter, Dinner Ideas for December, Holiday-Inspired Meal Ideas