A Whole Week, Planned 7 dinners your kids will actually eat + one grocery list

You need

• 1 lb ground beef (from the 2 lb pack)
• 12 slider buns
• 6 slices cheddar, halved
• Salt + pepper
• Ketchup, mustard, pickles
• Apple slices on the side

Do this

1. Split the beef into 12 small balls. Smash each into a thin patty and season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook in a hot skillet 2 to 3 minutes per side, in batches, until browned and cooked through (160°F).
3. Top each with half a cheese slice for the last minute so it melts.
4. Everyone builds their own slider. Apple slices on the side.

You need

• 1 lb ziti or penne
• 1 lb ground beef (the rest of the pack)
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup grated parmesan (optional)
• Ricotta, optional (many kids skip it)

Do this

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Boil the pasta 2 minutes less than the box says. Drain.
2. Brown the beef in a big pan, drain the fat, stir in the marinara.
3. Mix the pasta into the sauce. Spread half in a 9x13 dish, add half the cheese, then the rest of the pasta and cheese.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly. Put it in the oven, then do the Sunday reset. Save half for Wednesday.

You need

• 2½ lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs, in bites
• 2 heads broccoli, in florets
• 2 Tbsp oil + 1 Tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp salt + ¼ tsp pepper
• Rice (cook a double batch)

Do this

1. Heat the oven to 425°F. Start a double batch of rice.
2. Toss the chicken and broccoli with oil, butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper on a big sheet pan. Spread it out.
3. Roast 18 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F) and the broccoli has crispy edges.
4. Save 2 cups of chicken and half the rice for Tuesday.

You need

• 2 cups chicken from Monday, chopped
• Rice from Monday
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 tsp taco seasoning
• Salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips

Do this

1. Warm the chicken in a skillet with the taco seasoning and a splash of water, 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Warm the rice and beans (microwave is fine).
3. Set everything out in little bowls.
4. Everyone builds their own: rice, beans, chicken, cheese, toppings.

You need

• The saved half of Sunday's ziti
• Baby carrots or a bagged salad

Do this

1. Cover the ziti with foil and warm it at 350°F for 20 minutes, or microwave single portions 2 minutes.
2. Carrots or salad on the side.
3. That's it. Sit down.

You need

• 6 slices sandwich bread, cut in 3 sticks each
• 4 eggs for the French toast + 4 to scramble
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Butter + syrup
• Berries or bananas

Do this

1. Whisk 4 eggs, the milk and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
2. Dip the bread sticks and cook in a buttered skillet 2 minutes per side until golden.
3. Scramble the other 4 eggs in the same pan.
4. Syrup for dipping, fruit on the side. Save a few sticks for Friday's lunchbox.

You need

• 6 pitas
• The rest of the marinara (or pizza sauce)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Pepperoni + any toppings they like

Do this

1. Heat the oven to 425°F. Put the pitas on a sheet pan.
2. Everyone spreads sauce, adds cheese and toppings. Faces encouraged.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese bubbles.
4. Cut into triangles. Week done.