This Week’s Meal Plan | Comfort Foods, Community, & God’s Provision

If you know me, you know I love starting off my week with a plan. While I focus mainly on what we’re eating every week, I also like to have a clear picture of what’s generally happening every day before a week begins. The meals are always the most fun part of the planning process, though. ;)

God’s provision always stretches further than I expect, and that’s never more evident in this season than looking at my pantry shelves and freezer drawers. I’m reminded that simple stewardship, like choosing meals made with simple, whole ingredients with what I have on hand, is an act of trust. As Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” In our modern-day kitchens, that can look like taking stock of what’s already there and planning with intentionality.

So with those encouragements in mind, here’s what we’re eating this week:

This Week’s Menu

Sunday – Small Group Dinner (Greek Orzo Salad)

We’ve missed our small group all summer and we’re excited to get back into a rhythm of consistent fellowship. We always have a potluck dinner together and this week, it’s Mediterranean style. I’m making a simple Greek orzo salad, with olives, feta cheese, and a dash of lemon. I might even toss some roasted red peppers in there - I found half a jar in my fridge that needs using up!

From the store, I needed orzo and feta cheese. The rest I found in my freezer/pantry!

Monday – Chicken Pot Pie

Classic comfort food! We received our Good Ranchers delivery for September just a few days ago, so we’re fully stocked on chicken. I’ve also got a few bags of frozen mixed veggies and plenty of ingredients for the pie crust. The only two things I needed from the store were chicken broth and heavy cream for the filling. Such an easy, warm meal for these new September days!

Tuesday – Shepherd’s Pie

Another cozy meal that stretches simple ingredients. Mashed potatoes from the pantry, ground beef from the freezer, and a handful of veggies come together beautifully. I did need a few extra potatoes, some beef broth, and shredded cheese from the store, but these were such cheap staples that the meal always ends up being frugal and delicious at the same time.

Wednesday – Dinner at Church

I’m grateful for this weekly rhythm of gathering around the table with our church family. It’s a night I don’t have to cook, but I always come home filled. This meal does cost us $16 every week, which is a little more expensive than what I typically spend on a homemade meal, but it’s worth it to be around such a wonderful community!

Thursday – Leftovers

A built-in night of rest. We’ll clean out the fridge and make sure nothing goes to waste. With both Shepherd’s Pie and Chicken Pot Pie on the menu, I know we’ll have plenty to eat. And if for some reason we don’t, I’m eager to have one “make do” day in our week. It’s a great way to practice thankfulness, resourcefulness, and plain-ole scrap cooking by making do with what we have. The Lord always surprises me with the abundance already present in our home and the wisdom to use it well.

Friday – Homemade Chick-fil-A & Brussels Sprouts

We always have a Chick-fil-A night, even if it’s homemade. Since we got our Good Ranchers delivery a few days ago, we’re stocked up on seed-oil free chicken nuggets. Of course, they aren’t as good as Chick-fil-A, but they’re still delicious and so much better for us! A fun family night meal! To make this meal even healthier (and combat the frozen French fries we’ll have too), I’m also going to make some crispy Brussel sprouts on the side.

Saturday – Homemade Pizza

A weekend tradition in our house. I’ll be honest though - I tried making homemade cauliflower crust for the first time this last week and it didn’t turn out great. BUT, I’m determined to find a recipe that works. So I’ll be trying again this week. ;)

Grocery Notes

This week’s list is light since so much comes from the pantry and freezer. Fresh produce for salads, Brussels sprouts, and a few items for the orzo salad round it out. Check out the images below to see my full list! This week, I spent a total of $56.69 on groceries!!

Happy Stewarding

When I pause to look at the meals laid out and how I was able to save and steward, I see more than just dinners. I see the incredible evidence of God’s faithfulness. He’s provided through stocked shelves, shared meals with friends, and even leftover nights that remind me nothing needs to be wasted. It’s a small picture of the bigger truth that “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.” (Psalm 145:15)

Happy stewarding!