Happy Wednesday, y’all!  Welcome to the first week of a brand new Weekly Meal Plan!  I’m changing it up a bit, bringing in recipes from some new food bloggers, and will be changing the format a little bit.  Stay tuned for some delicious recipes, kitchen inspiration, and family meal talk!

I’m so excited to kick off this new weekly meal plan!  There are going to be recipes from lots of different food bloggers, woven in with my own recipes, I’m going to be growing it to include sides and leftover suggestions, and even eventually…. a printable!  But for now, baby steps, y’all.

Welcome to the NEW family friendly Weekly Meal Plans!

Brinner is one of my family’s favorite meals, and since Mondays are consistently our only night without sports, church, school events etc… Brinner is how we celebrate, and I can’t wait to make this incredible Baked Multigrain Blackberry French Toast from Life is But A Dish

Tuesdays are long with baseball and cheer, so Tuesdays are usually my slow cooker day.  Having my slow cooker day early in the week sets me up with delicious and easy leftovers for the rest of the week, while ensuring that there’s a hot meal ready for us no matter when we get home.  This Slow Cooker Roasted Chicken is one of my go -to meals, I make it at least 2-3 times a month.

Hump Day time.  What’s your favorite Hump Day Meal?  The meal that gets you through the slump?  Mac and Cheese is always a home run (yep, it’s baseball season here) for our family, and I love that with this Butternut Baked Mac N Cheese recipe from Taste, Love, and Nourish, I can include a delicious veggie in one of their favorite dishes.  Plus, it’s baked! BONUS! This is also a great dish to make for a new mom, a church potluck, or the next school lunch. 

If your fridge is like mine, there are bits and pieces from previous dinners, breakfasts, lunches, and more that need to be finished, and Leftover night/Clean Out The Fridge Night/YOYO night.. is the perfect night for this!  Use your imagination, place everything out buffet style and let everyone make their own plates.  Not only does this clean out the fridge, it helps you to see everyone’s style, food preferences, flavor profiles, and lets everyone in the family be a little creative and have fun with their meals.

Fridays are often game days, sleepover nights, or holy cow I just want something fun and easy in the kitchen nights.  Resist the urge to drive through! Instead, make these yummy Copy Cat Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches from Snappy Gourmet at home!  Imagine the possibilities, y’all!  Spicy, Mild, Pickles, No Pickles, Cheese, Bacon… the possibilities for this southern family favorite are limited only by your imagination. 

I keep peeled and de-veined shrimp in my freezer at all times because it’s quick to thaw, easy to cook, and it’s so versatile.  This Szechuan Shrimp and Broccoli recipe from Peas and Crayons can be made for a lazy Saturday lunch, cooked quickly for a hasty meal in between games, or made in large portions for your Saturday block party. 

Sundays find us gathered with friends and family; watching football, talking football, playing ball in the street, spending time with multiple families and kids of all ages mingling, laughing, talking, and sharing.  Every grill on the street becomes community property, every dish is shared family style, and there’s no shortage of love and sharing.  The memories made will last a lifetime.  These Street Tacos are easy to make, feed a crowd, and everyone can make them their own.  

What’s your favorite sweet treat?  One of my favorites is my Granny’s Southern Banana Pudding, and while I haven’t shared the recipe with y’all yet… it’s only because it doesn’t last long enough for me to photograph it!  

This week’s Sweet Treat is this Banana Pudding Dream Bars recipe from 365 Days of Baking and More 

What are your meal planning struggles?  What can I do to help you get through the week?  What kinds of meals do you want to see on A Southern Fairytale, and in these weekly meal plan posts?

Share your struggles, comments, wins, loves, needs, and favorite recipes in the comments!  If you’re a food blogger and you’d like to have your recipes considered for the Weekly Meal Plans please e-mail me ASouthernFairytale@gmail.com