Wow! Have the last couple of weeks felt like months to anyone else? This is a crazy and unpredictable time we’re experiencing right now. I went back and forth as to whether or not I should make a monthly dinner meal plan for April. For me personally, I need something to keep me on track, especially during this stressful time. I figured some of you Trim Healthy Mamas could benefit from the menu too. I tried to pick meals that were made with mostly pantry and freezer ingredients, that were also budget-friendly and could stretch for leftovers for lunch the next day. None of these dinner meals require any type of special ingredient, other than an on-plan sweetener.
We have not had a hard time getting the food we need for our family, but I have heard from some of you that have said finding even basic recipe ingredients is difficult right now. I’ve been praying that the food supply chain will level out soon so we can all go back to the ways we are used to eating. Hang in there, friends! We’re going to make it through this!
If you were able to get some beans at the store these last few weeks, then you’ll want to check out this recipe round-up I did of 25 THM bean recipes. There are so very good recipes, and no they aren’t all soup!
I’ve gotten a few messages and seen a few posts from friends around the country that meat is hard to come by in some places. If that is the case in your area then this list of 20 Meatless THM meals may come in handy. Also, check with local farmers in your area if they have any meat for sale. If you need help finding local farmers, check out Eat Wild.
For the month of April, I’ll be using two cookbooks – Trim Healthy Table and the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook. I also have quite a few online recipes mixed in as well.
In addition to this month of dinner meals, each Monday I come out with a full meal plan for the week. By full meal plan, I mean that I plan out all meals, snacks and drinks.
All of these meal plans are FREE, printable and come with a printable shopping list too. If you’d like to see some samples of my full meal plans, you can find them here. To ensure that you never miss a post you can sign-up to be on my e-mail subscriber list too. See the picture below on how to find out where to subscribe.
As always, a shopping list is included with these dinner meal plans. My goal is to make it as easy as possible for you and your family to stay on plan.
This meal plan covers five weeks. I find that it helps me to have five full weeks planned out, that way if I don’t get my meal plan done before the first of the month I have a couple of days of leeway in there.
***I have a family of 7 so these meals all serve at least 7. Many of the meals leave leftovers even for my size family.***
Printable Week by Week Meal Plan
Printable Week by Week Shopping List
Here’s what’s on the menu for April:
Week #1: March 29 – April 4
S – Black-Eyed Pea “Gumbo” (E)
M – Cabb & Saus Skillet with broccoli (S) pg. 58 in THM Cookbook
T – Instant Pot Paprika Chicken with green beans on the side (S) ***I’m using two cans of green beans and the chicken can be made in a slow cooker as well.
W – Italian White Bean and Spinach Soup (E)
Th – Slow Cooker Italian Beef & Cabbage with broccoli on the side (S)
F – Cowboy Grub (E) pg. 59 in THM Cookbook
Sat – Fathead Pizza (S) ***I double the recipe for my family to make 2 pizzas. I use pepperoni, mozzarella, onion and green pepper for the toppings.
Week #2: April 5-11
S – Taste of Home Casserole with a side salad (S) pg. 144 in Trim Healthy Table
M – Hearty Two Bean and Lentil Chili (E)
T – Taco Salad – ground beef over lettuce and topped with cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream (S)
W – Cabbage Roll Soup (E)
Th – Sweet & Spicy Stir-fry over brown rice (E) ***I’ll be using frozen broccoli instead of fresh.
F – Chicken Thighs with Tomato Spinach Sauce over cauliflower rice and green beans on the side (S) ***I’m using tomato sauce instead of marinara sauce, oil in place of the butter and serving with two cans of green beans.
Sat – Fathead Pizza (S) ***I double the recipe for my family to make 2 pizzas. I use pepperoni, mozzarella, onion and green pepper for the toppings.
Week #3: April 12-18
S – Burrito Bowls – (2) cans of black beans with Spanish Brown Rice, lettuce and salsa (E)
M – Smoked Sausage Salad (S) pg. 203 in Trim Healthy Table
T – Little Sweet Little Spicy Drumsticks with broccoli and a side salad (S) pg. 221 in Trim Healthy Table
W – Lovin’ TexMex Skillet with lettuce on the side (E)
Th – Spaghetti with meat sauce over cauli rice and with a side salad (S) ***My family will eat their spaghetti over regular pasta. This is NOT reflected on the shopping list.
F – Cabbage Roll in a Bowl with broccoli on the side (FP) pg. 57 in Trim Healthy Table
Sat – Fathead Pizza (S) ***I double the recipe for my family to make 2 pizzas. I use pepperoni, mozzarella, onion and green pepper for the toppings.
Week #4: April 19-25
S – Cabbage Roll Soup (E)
M – Cowboy Grub (E) pg. 59 in THM Cookbook
T – Cabb & Saus Skillet with broccoli (S) pg. 58 in THM Cookbook
W – Hearty Two Bean and Lentil Chili (E)
Th – Chicken Thighs with Tomato Spinach Sauce over cauliflower rice and green beans on the side (S) ***I’m using tomato sauce instead of marinara sauce, oil in place of the butter and serving with two cans of green beans.
F – Sweet & Spicy Stir-fry over brown rice (E) ***I’ll be using frozen broccoli instead of fresh.
Sat – Fathead Pizza (S) ***I double the recipe for my family to make 2 pizzas. I use pepperoni, mozzarella, onion and green pepper for the toppings.
Week #5: April 26 – May 2
S – Spaghetti with meat sauce over cauli rice and with a side salad (S) ***My family will eat their spaghetti over regular pasta. This is NOT reflected on the shopping list.
M – Lovin’ TexMex Skillet with lettuce on the side (E)
T – Little Sweet Little Spicy Drumsticks with broccoli and a side salad (S) pg. 221 in Trim Healthy Table
W – Italian White Bean and Spinach Soup (E)
Th – Taco Salad – ground beef over lettuce and topped with cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream (S)
F – Chicken Fried Double Rice (E) pg. 53 in Trim Healthy Table
Sat – Fathead Pizza (S) ***I double the recipe for my family to make 2 pizzas. I use pepperoni, mozzarella, onion and green pepper for the toppings.
Just started this week with your weekly meal plan! What a great service. Thanks so much, it is very helpful!
I’m so happy to hear that it is helpful to you!