Saving Time on Busy Weeknights

Save Time on Busy Weeknights

 

There are many ways to save time on meal preparation during the week! Meal planning can help you save money, and help you and your family eat better. Use these ideas to save time on busy weeknights:

Stay Organized

• Organize your kitchen. Know where to find the ingredients and cooking tools you need.
• Read the recipe all the way through at least twice. Make sure you have all the ingredients and supplies you will need.
• Prep all ingredients – such as rinsing and chopping all of the vegetables – before you start cooking. Everything should be ready to use as soon as the recipe calls for it. If you can, prep some ingredients the night before.

Use the Freezer

• Cut up large amounts of onions, carrots, celery, and peppers. Freeze in large, zip-top plastic bags. Use as needed.
• Double the recipe and freeze the extra portion. Serve it later in the month when you don’t have time to cook.

Make Cleanup Easy

• Wipe up spills as they happen.
• Line baking sheets with tin foil. Then use it to cover leftovers.
• Presoak pots, pans, and dishes as soon as they are used.
• Clean as you cook. Don’t save it all for the end.
• Use plastic dishes for easier cleanup and fewer accidents with kids.
• Organize a family cleanup team. Sing when you’re working together.

The Cooking Matters campaign knows that kids need good food to grow up healthy. That’s why we’re here to help you learn to shop for and cook healthy, affordable meals for your entire family. For more information, including additional tips and recipes, visit co.cookingmatters.org.

 

Related Resources

Recipes: Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie ; Broccoli Soup ; Bean and Veggie Soup

The new Cooking Matters app for Android makes it simple to feed your family healthy foods, on any budget! Visit CookingMatters.org/app to plan meals with the touch of a button.

 

Exploring Food Together is a Cooking Matters toolkit of simple activities that adults can use to help kids learn about new foods and start building the skills to make healthy food choices.