By Brooks Halliday
As a working mom and wife, stopping to enjoy time with the family can require a little bit of planning, especially around dinnertime. Between two kids, two schools, and four different schedules, there’s always something on the to-do list. During those precious hours that the whole family is together and having fun, the last thing I want to do is spend extra time in the kitchen. That’s why I came up with a winning, two-day meal planning strategy to keep my family fed and help keep my sanity. It starts with a sheet pan and a slow cooker.
On Wednesdays, we make sheet pan dinners
Wednesdays happen to be our family’s busiest day with work, sports, and activities. That’s when it’s sheet pan dinner to the rescue. I’ve had a few sheet pan recipes up my sleeve since college (hello, nachos for dinner), but it wasn’t until the kids came along that I realized what a game-changer sheet pan dinners are. No babysitting the stove and just one pan to clean makes them a win-win in my book. On Wednesdays, I have about 30 minutes between my last work obligation and pickup time for the boys. My meal planning strategy is I’ll use that to prep everything for the sheet pan meal, which I can usually do with a few minutes to spare. Rather than dreading the dinner and nighttime rush, I relish this as “me time.” I listen to a podcast or put the TV on in the background, and it helps me unwind at the end of the day. Then, all I have to do is pop the sheet tray in the oven while I oversee homework and bath time later. In addition to the ease factor, sheet pan dinners have helped my kids eat more veggies, especially ones that sweeten as they roast, like squash and sweet potatoes.
Sundays are for family and slow cookers
After a frenzy of activity during the week, we try to dedicate Sundays to family time. We’ll usually plan some kind of outdoor adventure, like a hike or beach day, then head home for some downtime with a board game or movie. My meal planning strategy is I’ll rely on slow cooker recipes these days so I can set it, forget it, and stay present with the family. My husband is not much of a cook, but the slow cooker makes it easy enough for him to take care of dinner some nights, too. Slow cooker Sundays also let me prepare a large batch of something – I’ll often double a recipe – so I can stretch it out into the week. I can pack leftovers for lunch or repurpose what I’ve made into a different quick and easy dinner. It’s also a smart way to stretch a buck when it comes to protein, which is typically one of the pricier items on my shopping list. I can opt for more affordable cuts, like pork shoulder or beef chuck, and they turn out tender and delicious after a few hours in the slow cooker.
No matter what your schedule, letting a sheet pan or slow cooker take care of dinner is always a winning strategy. These are some of my family’s favorites.
Meal Planning Strategy: Sheet Pan Meals
Sheet Pan Lasagna
Lasagna is one of my family’s most loved meals (we are Italian-American, after all). I was thrilled the first time I tried making it sheet pan-style, because it’s a much more manageable weeknight dinner. When my oldest comes home starving, this recipe is ready in no time. It’s easy, filling, and he’s always happy to eat it.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Lasagna
Sheet Pan Paella
If I close my eyes (and drink some red wine) this one takes me back to our honeymoon in Barcelona. It’s a five-minute vacation in the middle of a busy weeknight. I find both shrimp and rice can be finicky to cook on the stovetop, but they always come out perfectly with this recipe.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Paella
Sheet Pan Steak, Chicken, Shrimp Fajitas
When a platter of fajitas arrives at the table, it feels like a party, especially when both steak and seafood are involved. This recipe makes it easy to cook three different kinds of protein at the same time. Everyone can have what they want, and you can mix and match the fixings so you’re never eating the exact meal twice.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Steak, Chicken, Shrimp Fajitas
Sheet Pan Roasted Shrimp and Gnocchi with Avocado Lime Sauce
I always keep shelf-stable gnocchi in the pantry. But cooking it sheet pan-style is my favorite; the slightly chewy texture is so satisfying. Of all the variations I’ve made, this one is probably the most memorable. The sauce is creamy while still staying light and fresh.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Shrimp and Gnocchi with Avocado Lime Sauce
Sheet Pan Sausage with Peppers, Onions, and Cheese Bread
This one falls under the category of “so easy I could make it in my sleep,” but it’s always satisfying. I switch it up with different kinds of sausages, and I’ve also made it with potatoes. The cheesy bread makes it an easy sell for the kids.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage with Peppers, Onions, and Cheese Bread
Sheet Pan Teriyaki Chicken with Ramen
The intrigue factor of this recipe makes it a winner, and it’s absolutely delicious. My son’s mind was blown the first time he saw ramen noodles cooked on a sheet tray. The noodles become crispy, almost like chips. It makes the broccoli and carrots go down a lot easier. Sometimes I’ll switch it up with asparagus or green beans.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Teriyaki Chicken with Ramen
Crunchy Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Veggies
This recipe has basically replaced frozen chicken nuggets in our house. It’s almost as easy to make, and it’s more nutritious. I use any leftover crispy pork chops in a wrap for lunch or chopped up over salad the next day.
Get the recipe: Crunchy Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Veggies
Meal Planning Strategy: Slow Cooker Favorites
Spicy Pulled Pork Tostadas
This recipe makes a large amount of pulled pork, so it’s my go-to for parties, potlucks, and easy Sunday dinners when I want leftovers. The tostadas give you all the crunch of a taco shell, but it’s easier to layer ingredients for that perfect bite. Leftovers are never a problem because there’s no wrong way to use them: burritos, rice bowls, nachos, sandwiches, or just by the forkful.
Get the recipe: Spicy Pulled Pork Tostadas
BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf
This one is often requested by both my oldest son and my husband. It tastes like meatloaf meets cheeseburger, comes together easily in a slow cooker, and the leftovers make a dynamite patty melt.
Get the recipe: BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf
Faux Chicken Pho
There’s nothing better than a warm bowl of pho when it’s freezing outside. The flavor is so complex, but this recipe is surprisingly easy to make. My husband spent some time in Vietnam, where it’s commonly eaten for breakfast, so he’ll sometimes have it in the morning.
Get the recipe: Faux Chicken Pho
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
This is the definition of a back-pocket slow cooker recipe. When I’m short on dinner inspiration, it’s always reliable and flexible. The chicken from this five-ingredient dinner can be used in basically any Tex-Mex dish you can think of. I’ve made it countless times, so I can just throw it together without thinking about it.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Mac and Cheese
My littlest guy is a bean-lover, so this is one of his favorites. Everyone is happy to eat mac and cheese in my house, and I like that this version is as easy as making it from a box, but much more nutritious. I’ll sometimes use whole wheat macaroni for extra fiber, too.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Cajun Red Rice and Beans
When the weekend is especially busy or I really can’t think of anything to cook, I’ll usually make this easy dinner. It’s just simple, delicious, and comforting. It works just as well as a main course as it does as a side dish later in the week. You can use any kind of sausage you like, but we’re fans of roasted garlic chicken sausage.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Red Rice and Beans
Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
Pot roast is another easy and affordable, big-batch go-to for the slow cooker. This one packs more flavor than the average because of the pepperoncini brine, bringing a nice zing to the sauce. Plus, the envelope of dry onion soup mix is a great hack to bring a ton of flavor with just one ingredient.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
Brooks Halliday is a writer, recipe developer, food stylist, and mom based in New York City. In addition to writing for Savory and Hannaford Fresh magazine, she’s created delicious dishes for The Barefoot Contessa TV series, the James Beard Award-nominated special “Barefoot in Washington,” as well as numerous cookbooks and product brands, including Coca-Cola, Tyson, and Pepsi.
