10 Quick and Easy Meal Planning Tips for Teachers

When I first started teaching, I lived at home, and my mom made all of my meals. It was perfect! I could come home from school and spend my night planning and grading. As a first year teacher, I needed as much time as I could get to keep from drowning.

Then, I got married and suddenly, I was responsible for making dinner. I actually love to cook, but after a long day at school, it’s the last thing I feel like doing. My husband and I ended up going out to eat at least two or three time a week.

That was fine until we had children. When my son was born, it was a pain dragging everything he needed to a restaurant. Instead, we stopped at the drive-thru or got take-out on the way home. This was expensive and not very healthy.

I knew something had to change, and that’s when I started meal planning. It has completely changed the way I cook and the way I spend my evenings after school.

Here are my 10 best meal planning tips for teachers.

#1 – Choose a time for meal planning.

Building a time for meal planning into your weekly schedule is so important. If you don’t make it a priority, it won’t happen.

I set aside an hour every Thursday night to find recipes and make my grocery list. Then, I get up early on Saturday morning to go to the grocery store and spend the next 2 hours preparing all of our dinners for the week. By noon, all of my cooking for the week is finished, and I can enjoy the rest of my weekend.

#2 – Set out all of your ingredients.

One of the ways I always waste the most time is looking for ingredients. I know I bought it, but I can’t find it when I need it. That’s why I set out all of my ingredients before I even start cooking.

Before I go to the grocery store, I go through my pantry to see what I already have. I put those items on the kitchen counter. When I get home from the grocery store, I unpack the bags and leave anything I need out on the counter.

That way, all I have to do is grab the ingredients I need for the recipe I’m making.

#3 – Start by cooking your proteins.

You probably need some cooked chicken or beef for some of your meals. Start by baking your chicken in the oven and browning your ground beef. Once your proteins are cooked, it’s really easy to put the rest of the meals together.

While the proteins are cooking, you can boil the water for pasta and assemble any meals that don’t require a cooked protein.

#4 – Multitask and work on more than one meal at a time.

If you make one meal at a time, it’s probably going to take longer than 2 hours. It’s a good idea to look at all of your recipes and plan out what you’ll do first, second, and so on.

While the pasta for one meal is cooking, you can cut the veggies for another meal. You want to use your time wisely so your meals are finished as quickly as possible.

#5 – Don’t forget about breakfast and lunch.

You should think about breakfast and lunch when you’re meal planning, too. Each week, I make a breakfast that will last my family the whole week. That way, I don’t have to think about what we’re eating on those busy mornings before school.

I always make extra of the dinners so I don’t have to worry about lunch. My husband and I take leftovers each day. That way, I only have to worry about making sandwiches for the kids when they’re not buying the school lunches.

Dessert is also part of my weekly meal planning. I like to have something sweet to take for a snack at school. Of course my kids love dessert, too!

#6 – Label the meals with the cooking instructions.

When you’re finished making a meal, cover it with aluminum foil. Then, use a Sharpie to write the cooking instructions.

When I first started meal planning, I didn’t do this, and each night, I had to look up the directions for the oven temperature and cooking time. Now, I just pull a meal out of the refrigerator when I get home from work and look at the top to see how to cook it.

#7 – Write your meals on your calendar.

This is another tip I learned the hard way. I would just make all my meals and put them in the refrigerator without thinking about when we would eat each one.

One week, Friday rolled around, and the only meal left in the refrigerator was a chicken pot pie that had to cook for an hour. We had to be at my son’s school for an event at 6:00, so there was no way it would cook in time.

Since then, I write my meals on my calendar, so I can see what’s going on each night of the week. I know I need a quick-cooking meal on the nights my son has soccer practice.

#8 – Prepare some freezer meals for weeks you don’t have time to meal plan.

It’s inevitable that there will be weekends when you can’t meal plan. You have things planned for both Saturday and Sunday, and there won’t be two hours to set aside to prepare food.

I avoid this problem by making some freezer meals. There are 2 ways to do this. You could take a day to prepare a bunch of freezer meals all at once. I do this before school starts and over long breaks, like Christmas.

If you don’t want to spend a day making freezer meals, you can simply double a recipe during your meal preparation each week and freeze it. That way, freezer meals will build up for those weeks when you can’t meal plan.

Check out some of my favorite freezer meals.

#9 – Don’t worry about the weekends.

I don’t make meals for the weekends. We usually go out to eat one night and have leftovers the other night. The only way I cook dinner is if we’re having guests at our house.

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Slow Cooker Meals for Busy Teachers

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On busy school nights, my slow cooker is my best friend. I throw the ingredients into it in the morning before rushing out the door to school. When I get home, dinner is ready.

This year, my slow cooker is getting used more often than it ever has before. My husband stopped teaching 5th grade this year and is home during the day. Since he doesn’t cook, I throw the ingredients in the slow cooker, and he turns it on around 9 or 10, so dinner is ready when I get home.

This solves the main problem I had with slow cooker meals in the past – overcooked, dry food. When I started the slow cooker at 6 in the morning when I leave for school the food cooked for 11 to 12 hours, when it was only supposed to cook about 8 hours. Many meals were ruined this way.

Another way to solve this problem is to purchase a slow cooker with a built-in timer, like the Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker. Then, you can choose when it starts to avoid overcooking.

These are some of my family’s favorite slow cooker meals.

Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken from Dinner at the Zoo

Honey Garlic Chicken from Tip Buzz

Lemon Garlic Chicken from Magic Skillet

Cheesy Chicken and Potatoes from White Lights on Wednesday

Chicken Marsala from Moms with Crockpots

Beef

Mississippi Pot Roast from The Country Cook

Beef Tips and Gravy from Carlsbad Cravings

Chili-Lime Shredded Beef from The Stay at Home Chef

Korean Beef  from Jodeze Home and Garden

Pot Roast from Don’t Waste the Crumbs

Sandwiches

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches from Six Sisters’ Stuff

Pulled Pork from Lauren Greutman

French Dip Sandwiches from Chef Savvy

Meatball Subs from Rick on the Rocks

Soup

Creamy Bacon Corn Chowder from Spend With Pennies

Chicken Rice Soup from Fav Family Recipes

Vegetable Beef Soup from Cincy Shopper

Slow Cooker Chili with Black Beans and Corn from Amy at Chew Out Loud

Other

Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa from Daily DIY Life

Easy Meal and Easy Clean-Up

Slow cooker meals are definitely some of the easiest meals you can make. Just dump everything in and let it cook. However, when I first started using my slow cooker, I remember spending so much time scrubbing it after the meal was done. The sauces would get stuck to the inside of it.

Then, I discovered Slow Cooker Liners, and now clean-up is even easier than making the meal. Just pull the bag out and throw it in the garbage. The inside of your slow cooker is spotless. These are definitely one of my favorite kitchen products!

Want even more recipes? Check out these quick and easy meals to make on school nights.

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What are your favorite slow cooker recipes?

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Quick and Easy School Night Meals

I get home from school at 4:30 at the earliest. That doesn’t leave much time to prepare a meal – especially on nights the kids have soccer practice or dance rehearsal. I started making my meals over the weekend. That way, all I have to do is pop one in the oven when I get home, and dinner is on the table in under 30 minutes.

I’ve found lots of great recipes, and I was trying to organize them so I can find them again. They are all pinned to my Pinterest boards, but sometimes it’s hard to find the one I want. I decided to create this post so I have somewhere to locate the recipes, and hopefully it will help other busy teachers, too.

Just a quick note: Some of these recipes take longer than 30 minutes to cook. I usually bake those items over the weekend and just reheat them during the school week.

Fish

Roasted Cod on Spinach with Feta, Lemon, and Dill from Seasoned Kitchen

Grilled Cod with Spinach and Tomatoes from Allrecipes 

Cod with Zucchini Noodles from Mary Ellen at Recipes, Food, and Cooking

Herb Butter Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packets from Tiffany at Creme de la Crumb

Salmon and Summer Veggies in Foil from Jaclyn at Cooking Classy

One Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Salmon with Roasted Broccoli from Jaclyn at Cooking Classy

Meat

Turkey Meatloaf with Zucchini and Feta from Tammy at Organize Yourself Skinny

One Pan Healthy Sausage and Veggies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Best Ever (Easy) Baked Meatballs from Jen at Yummy Healthy Easy

One Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken from Danya at Love and Cilantro

Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets from Sara at Dinner at the Zoo

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Foil Packets from Amanda at The Wholesome Dish

Smothered Chicken from Cindy at Bacon, Butter, Cheese, and Garlic

Foil Pack Italian Sausage and Veggies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Mini Garden Turkey Loaves from Beth at Budget Bytes

Pasta

Chicken Tetrazzini from Kristyn at Lil’ Luna

Mac and Cheese from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa

Chicken Parmesan Baked Pasta from Sara at Budget Savvy Diva

Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells from Mindy at Coco and Ash

Easy Chicken Alfredo Lasagna from Stephanie at Back for Seconds

The Garlic Parmesan Chicken Lasagna Bake from Lindsay at Pinch of Yum

One-Pot Pizza Pasta from Amanda at Fake Ginger

Creamy Chicken Rosa Bake from Steph at Plain Chicken

One Pan Garlic Chicken Pesto Pasta from BuzzFeed

Easy Baked Tortellini from Passion for Savings

Chicken Yakisoba from Beth at Budget Bytes

Chicken Parm Lasagna from Buzzfeed

Casseroles

French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake from Steph at Plain Chicken.

Eggplant and Ground Turkey Casserole from Smart Balance

Dump-and-Bake Cool Ranch Chicken Casserole from Blair at The Seasoned Mom

Ranch Cheddar Chicken Bake from Pillsbury

Tuna Noodle Casserole from Scratch from All Recipes

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake from Jessica at How Sweet It Is

One Pot Pizza Pasta Bake from Chungah at Damn Delicious

Pizza

Barbecue Chicken Pizza from Jamie at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Julia Child’s Eggplant Pizzas from Kalyn at Kalyn’s Kitchen

Grilled Chicken Flatbread from Kraft

Sandwiches

Juciest Turkey Burgers from Lauren’s Latest

Grands Unsloppy Joes from Pillsbury

Garlic Bread Meatball Subs from Ashley at Center Cut Cook

Reuben Sandwich recipe from Holly at Spend with Pennies

Vegetarian

Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe from Whole Foods Market

Ratatouille from Jamie Oliver

Broccoli Cheese Quiche from Lauren at Tastes Better from Scratch

Other Meals

Taco Ring from Christin at Spicy Southern Kitchen

One Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls from Corey at Family Fresh Meals

Southwest Chili with Black Beans and Corn from Lisa at Cooking with Curls

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos from Sara at Our Best Bites

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas from Six Sisters’ Stuff

Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan from Kalyn’s Kitchen

Ranch Chicken Rollup Bake from Pillsbury

Taco Zucchini Boats from Gina at Skinny Taste

Desserts

M&M’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Averie at Averie Cooks

Fresh Peach Crumb Bars from Tricia at Saving Room for Dessert

Strawberries and Cream Gooey Butter Cakes from Amanda at A Few Shortcuts

Smore Banana Boats from Michelle at Crafty Recipes

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake from Tip Hero

Chantal’s New York Cheesecake from All Recipes

Chocolate Chip Brownie Tarts from Jess and Frank at Inquiring Chef

Christmas Cookie Sandwiches from Dana at This Silly Girl’s Kitchen

Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars from Ashton at Something Swanky

Lady Bird Johnson’s Lemon Cake from Estelle at The Maine House

Mixed Berry Crumble Bars from Allison at Celebrating Sweets

Aunt Holly’s Banana Bread at Epicurious

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe EVER from Katrina at Katrina’s Kitchen

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Muffins from Amanda at The Wholesome Dish

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake from Lindsay at Pinch of Yum

Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes from Jessica at The Novice Chef

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Freezer meals are another great way to get dinner on the table on a busy school night. Here are some of my favorite freezer meal recipes.

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Summer is going by so fast! I’m not ready for it to end, but I know I need to start preparing to go back to school. In addition to working in my classroom, I also started working in the kitchen.

When I get home from school, it’s already 4:30. I’m exhausted after spending the day with 25 energetic 3rd graders. The last thing I want to do is spend an hour cooking dinner.

One solution to this problem is my make ahead meals. However, that requires an empty Saturday morning. I need to be able to go to the grocery store and spend at least an hour making the week’s meals.

Sometimes that’s just not possible!

Enter freezer cooking. I spend a day in the kitchen and end up with a freezer full of delicious food. That way, when I have a busy Saturday, my family doesn’t starve. I just pull some make ahead freezer meals out on Sunday and thaw them for the busy week.

Once the school year starts, I won’t have a whole day for freezer cooking. That doesn’t mean I forget about freezer meals. Instead, I just double my regular make ahead meal recipes. One is for dinner that week, and the other goes in the freezer for a later date.

Here are some of my favorite freezer meals.

Make Ahead Freezer Meals

1. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken from Love and Cilantro

Quick Tip: Danya from Love and Cilanto suggests cooking the chicken before freezing it. Then, just thaw it the night before and pop it in the microwave. Doesn’t get easier than that!

2. Baked Eggplant Parmesan from Whole Foods Market

Quick Tip: Buy eggplant during the summer when it is fresh and beautiful. Then, you can enjoy it when it’s out of season.

3. Chicken Tetrazzini from Lil Luna

Quick Tip: Go to the Dollar Store and get some aluminum pans that are 2 for $1. Put your make ahead freezer meals in them, so you can still use your regular baking dishes.

4. Honey Garlic Pork Chops from Food.com

Quick Tip: Write the date on your make ahead freezer meals. Then, try to eat them in the order you made them. That way you’re not pulling bags from the back of the freezer that are 5 years old (or at least you know they’re 5 years old if the date is there).

5. Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta with Chicken from Yellow Bliss Road

Quick Tip: Cover your casserole dishes with plastic wrap and aluminum foil before putting them in the freezer to keep them fresh longer.

6. Blue Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Burgers from Andie Mitchell

Quick Tip: Put parchment paper between the burgers so they don’t stick together when they freeze.

7. Creamy Pepperjack Chicken Enchiladas from the Sugar n Spice Gals

Quick Tip: You can cook a whole batch of chicken in the slow cooker. Use some of it for this casserole and freeze the rest to use for recipes later.

8. Copy Cat Pizza Hut Sauce from Budget Savvy Diva and Baked Meatballs from Cook with Honey

Serving Suggestions: Cook up a pot of spaghetti and serve spaghetti and meatballs or make some yummy meatball subs!

Quick Tip: Freeze the sauce in gallon bags and lay them flat in the freezer. That will take up a lot less space than plastic containers!

9. Blueberry Pancakes from AllRecipes

Quick Tip: Freeze the pancakes on a baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. That way, they won’t stick together.

10. Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Squares from Simply Happy Foodie

Quick Tip: Yes, you can even freeze dessert. You can freeze it whole. Then, just pull dessert from the freezer when guests are coming for dinner. If you don’t want to share, cut it into squares, and freeze them individually. Then, you can pull one out whenever you’re craving something sweet.

A Full Freezer

Even though I’m not quite ready for summer break to be over, at least I know I won’t have to worry about what to feed my family. My freezer is stocked with delicious foods for breakfast, lunch (leftovers), dinner, and dessert.

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What Do You Think?

What is your favorite freezer meal?

Let me know in the comments below.

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The post 10 Delicious and Easy Make Ahead Freezer Meals appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

My kids, Maddy and Jamison, look forward to a visit from the leprechaun each year on St. Patrick’s Day. That little rascal always makes a mess and leaves the kids some treats. We try to trap him every year, but he always gets away. We’ve tried many different traps over the years. This year I think we’re going to test out this awesome leprechaun trap from Fun Money Mom. Maybe we’ll actually catch him!

A few years ago, Jamison made a leprechaun trap in preschool. He spent an hour setting it up perfectly before bed. When he woke up, he was so disappointed that there wasn’t a leprechaun in his trap. Yes, there were tears. Only one thing turned off those tears – St. Patrick’s Day pancakes.

I told Jamison the leprechaun left us a very special surprise in the refrigerator. He opened the refrigerator door to find a blender filled with a green liquid and a note from the leprechaun. The leprechaun mixed some batter for green pancakes. He even left us a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter. Jamison was so excited to make green pancakes that he forgot all about the missing leprechaun. We’ve had green pancakes and a fruit rainbow every year since then.

St. Patrick’s Day Pancakes

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The recipe for my St. Patrick’s Day green pancakes is super easy. I even mixed up the batter in my blender the night before to cut down on prep time in the morning. When I was planning my green pancakes, I knew I didn’t want to use food coloring to get the green color. I prefer finding healthier ways to color foods. I wanted something that wouldn’t change the flavor too much, but I wanted the bright green color. Spinach was just what I needed. The blender pureed the spinach so much you couldn’t tell what it had been. It also gave it a beautiful green color. Plus, I knew the kids would eat it, since the leprechaun made it. If mommy made green food, it would be disgusting. However, the leprechaun can do no wrong.

First, put a handful of spinach, a cup and a half of flour, 3 tablespoons of sugar, one teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in the blender. Then, add one egg, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 cup of buttermilk to the blender. Blend until all of the ingredients are combined. At this point, you can refrigerate the batter overnight.

In the morning, you might need to pulse the mixture a few times to evenly distribute everything. Then, you’re ready to make the pancakes. Grease your griddle or pan. Heat it over medium-low heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the pan. Wait until bubbles start to form on the surface of the pancake. Then, flip the pancake to the other side and cook for one more minute.

You can serve the pancakes just like this. Since the leprechaun brought us a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter, I use it to make shamrock-shaped pancakes. With a little bit of syrup on the side, these are a delicious breakfast.

And a Fruit Rainbow

If you want to take your St. Patrick’s Day breakfast to the next level, you can add a fruit rainbow to the plate. As I was grocery shopping for the ingredients, I had to sing the Cat in the Hat rainbow song to make sure I had something for every color. Red (strawberries), orange (clementines), yellow (pineapple), then green (green grapes) followed by blue (blueberries), indigo and violet (purple grapes for both of these) – That’s a rainbow song for you! Jamison and I always used to sing that song together. To assemble your fruit rainbow, just cut the fruit and arrange it in a rainbow shape.

This delicious breakfast of St. Patrick’s Day pancakes and fruit rainbow will set the stage for the rest of your St. Patrick’s Day fun. I’m so excited that St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday this year. We don’t have to rush to eat our yummy breakfast before heading out the door to school. 

Check out my St. Patrick’s Day Unlock the Box Mystery to get your students excited, too. Find out more about using Unlock the Box Mysteries to engage your students.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

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What Do You Think?

What special treats to do you make for St. Patrick’s Day?

Let me know in the comments below.

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The post St. Patrick’s Day Pancakes with a Fruit Rainbow appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

Superbowl Make Ahead Meals

Normally, I have no interest in football. Usually, I just go to Super Bowl parties for the food. However, this year, we’re having a party at our house because the Eagles are playing. My father-in-law has been waiting 70 years for them to win a Super Bowl. We’ll see if they can finally pull it off.

These easy and delicious make ahead meals will get us through the school week leading up to Sunday. That way, I will have time during the evenings to clean my house and decorate for the party.

Monday – Turkey Stroganoff

Ground turkey was on sale at the grocery store this weekend, so I picked up a 3-pound pack. I used half of it to make the Turkey Stroganoff from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I added some frozen peas to this recipe and put it over egg noodles. It was so easy to make, and it smells delicious! Now, I just need to pop it in the oven when I get home from work on Monday.

Tuesday – Chicken Tetrazzini

My kids love spaghetti, but I get tired of it with pasta sauce. I decided to try the Chicken Tetrazzini from Lil’ Luna. The only thing I didn’t like about the recipe was the use of canned cream of chicken soup. I don’t like canned soups, so I made my own using the Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup recipe from Pinch of Yum. I make a big batch of it and freeze it. That way, I can just pull one out, thaw it, and use it in any casserole.

Wednesday – Unstuffed Green Peppers

I needed to find another recipe to use the rest of the ground turkey. I discovered the Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan from Kalyn’s Kitchen. The recipe sounded great, but I changed it a little bit to make it easier to make ahead of time. I cut the peppers and just threw them into the turkey mixture. I sprinkled the mozzarella cheese over the top so it will melt when I bake it Wednesday night.

I popped a little bit into the microwave to take a picture today, and I couldn’t resist trying it. Yum! I can’t wait to eat more Wednesday night!

Thursday – Teriyaki Chicken Casserole

My family loves Chinese food, but we’ve been trying to cut back on going out to eat. Eating at a restaurant and even getting take out gets really expensive. That’s why I’ve been experimenting with different Chinese recipes. The Teriyaki Chicken Casserole from Life in the Lofthouse looked just like a stir-fry I would order at the Chinese restaurant. It came together in less than 30 minutes, and it looks and tastes even better than takeout.

Friday – Bagel Pizzas

Bagels were buy one, get one free at the grocery store this weekend. Frozen bagel bites are so unhealthy, but my kids love them. I decided that Friday night we will make our own pizza bagels by topping them with sauce, cheese, and toppings. Hopefully, these will be healthier and yummier than the boxed kind.

Dessert – Football Whoopie Pies

This week’s dessert is perfect for the Superbowl! These little Football Whoopie Pies from The Baker Mama are so cute. I couldn’t make them yet, though. There’s no way they would last until next weekend! I’ll add a picture as soon as they are ready. Every guest at your Superbowl party will love them!

Sunday – Superbowl Party Recipes

I don’t have pictures of any of these recipes, because I’ll only be making them next weekend. However, I’ve make all of them before and can promise that they are delicious. Your Superbowl party will definitely be a success with these yummy treats!

Black Bean Chicken Chili from Just a Little Bite

Football Field Party Dip from Everyday Good Thinking

Buffalo Chicken Dip from Frank’s RedHot

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite foods to serve at a Super Bowl party?

Let me know in the comments below.

Check out some other make ahead meals:

Cold Weather Make Ahead Meals 

Snow Day Make Ahead Meals

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Snow Day Make Ahead Meals

The weather has been so cold and snowy lately. My kids spent an hour outside playing in the snow on Tuesday and Wednesday. Of course, they needed some hot chocolate with marshmallows when they came inside. They also needed some warm dinners to defrost after sledding, building snowmen, and throwing snowballs.

Monday – Baby Back Ribs and Baked Potatoes

Even though I didn’t make this meal ahead of time, you could. Just bake the ribs in the oven over the weekend and heat them up on Monday night. I can attest to the fact that they are equally delicious as leftovers. The only problem is the smell will make you want to eat them right away.

I bought baby back ribs when they were on sale and froze them. I thawed them in the refrigerator and found a recipe for One-Pan Baby Back Ribs on Buzzfeed. The prep was really easy, and I got a lot of work done while they were in the oven.  I also put a tray of baked potatoes drizzled with olive oil and salt in the oven at the same time.

When the ribs came out of the oven, they were juicy and falling off the bone. The potatoes were tender and perfect. Served with some green beans and dinner rolls, this was a delicious meal for Monday night.

Tuesday – Ham and Potato Corn Chowder

I had some ham broth frozen from our Christmas ham. I’ve never made ham broth before, but it was super easy and turned out delicious. All I did was put the ham bone in the slow cooker, cover it with water, and put it on high for about 6 hours.

Making it was easy, but then I needed to find a way to use it. I found the Ham and Potato Corn Chowder from Closet Cooking, and it sounded like something the whole family would like. I made it over the weekend and heated it up when the kids came in from playing in the snow. Everyone loved it, and both kids had seconds. If you don’t have ham broth, you can use chicken broth, and it will be equally delicious.

Wednesday – Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is one of my kids’ favorite meals. My go-to Mac and Cheese recipe is from Ina Garten on the Food Network website. It is so cheesy and good. I cooked it at 400 degrees for 30 minutes and threw some baby carrots in the oven for the same amount of time. While the food was cooking, I got all my math tests graded. Plus, the leftovers made amazing lunches.

Thursday – Black Bean Burgers

I like to try different burger recipes. Usually, they include some sort of meat, but when I found the recipe for The Best Black Bean Burgers from Tastes Better from Scratch, I knew I had to try them. The problem I’ve had with veggie burgers in the past is that they don’t hold together. Usually, I form them into patties, put them into the pan, and they immediately crumble. I was very happy when these stuck together. With the Chipotle Mayo, these were delicious!

Friday – Cheese Quesadilla

My kids lucked out this week, because we had two of their favorite foods. If you can’t tell, they like cheese. Usually, Friday is pizza night, but this week my son, Jamison, requested quesadillas. They are just as easy as pizza, so I said yes. I just throw a tortilla into a pan over low heat, top it with some cheese, and throw another tortilla on top. You can experiment with other toppings, like chicken, but my kids like them with just cheese. They love dipping the quesadillas into sour cream and salsa.

Dessert – Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

When I was baking Christmas cookies this year, I didn’t have time to make thumbprint cookies. I’ve been craving them ever since, so I decided to bake a batch over the weekend. This recipe for Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction is perfect! The cookies come out so buttery and delicious, and the jam adds just the right amount of sweetness. I can’t wait to pack them in my lunches for the week!

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

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What Do You Think?

Which of these snow day make ahead meals do you want to try this week?

Let me know in the comments below.

Get more ideas for make ahead meals – Cold Weather Make Ahead Meals

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Cold Weather Make Ahead Meals

“What’s for dinner?” Those are the first words out of my son’s mouth every day when I pick him up after school. My response used to be, “I don’t know.” When we got home, I would dig through the refrigerator and pantry for 2o minutes looking for something to make. It usually ended up being a processed meal, like Kraft Mac and Cheese or a frozen “heat and eat” meal.

Some nights, I couldn’t find anything in my kitchen, and we ended up going out to eat. That was usually at least 2 times a week. Eating out with 2 kids and 2 adults gets expensive fast! Plus, it’s not as healthy as eating homemade meals.

Something had to change, but I didn’t want to cook after teaching all day. That’s when I decided to start making meals over the weekend. I go grocery shopping Saturday morning and spend an hour or two in the kitchen making all of our meals for the week. By noon, my refrigerator is stocked, and I have the rest of the weekend to enjoy with my family.

This week, the weather has been freezing. That always makes me crave hearty foods that are going to keep me warm. These are the cold weather make ahead meals I chose.

Monday – Chicken Taco Grande

Mexican foods are a favorite at my house. My kids love tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas. I decided to try a different type of taco when I found the recipe for Chicken Taco Grande from Pillsbury. The crescent rolls are really easy to use, and this was ready in about 10 minutes. Now, I just have to pop it in the oven for 25 minutes after work, and dinner will be ready. With some sour cream and salsa, this will be a delicious dinner on Monday.

Tuesday – Fettuccini Alfredo and Chicken Parmesan Mini Meatloaves

We don’t go out to eat nearly as often anymore. However, I still crave foods from my favorite restaurants. The Olive Garden’s Fettuccini Alfredo is one food I miss. I found a copycat recipe from Genius Kitchen, and it tastes just like the original! I made it with the Chicken Parmesan Mini Meatloaves from Once a Month Meals. Served with a bag of Steamfresh veggies, this is a delicious homemade version of my Olive Garden favorite.

Wednesday – Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Spinach

Soup is necessary for cold weather, and the Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Spinach from Yellow Bliss Road sounded delicious! Plus, it was really easy to make. I just threw everything into the pot and let it boil while I made the rest of the food. We sampled the soup, and it’s so yummy! Wednesday night I will make the little toasts to go it, and this will be the perfect dinner.

Thursday – Butternut Squash Chili

I love trying new chili recipes, and it’s another great meal for cold weather. I found the recipe for Butternut Squash Chili from Add a Pinch and decided to try it. The grocery store had some pre-cut butternut squash. Normally, I try to buy whole fruits and veggies at the grocery store instead of having them prepared. That saves some money. However, cutting squash isn’t my forte. I tried it once and it took forever. With my pre-cut squash, this recipe was ready in about 20 minutes.

Friday – Italian Bread Pizza

Friday night is pizza night at my house. We used to order delivery every week, but now I try to make it at home most of the time. This week, I got a loaf of Italian bread for ninety-nine cents. The kids will help me top it with sauce, cheese, and toppings. Yes, mushrooms are their topping of choice, but you can choose anything your family likes. After broiling in the oven for 5 minutes, dinner is ready.

Dessert – Banana S’mores

Ok, so this dessert isn’t really make ahead, but it takes less than 5 minutes. Plus, it can help you stay warm on these cold nights. We love eating s’mores on chilly evenings around the campfire, so I decided to make a different version of them in the oven. Just peel a banana and cut it down the middle without cutting it all the way through. Put it on a piece of aluminum foil and fill it with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Broil it for about three minutes. Keep your eye on it so it doesn’t burn. I like my marshmallows a little bit charred, though. You can sprinkle it with graham cracker crumbs when it’s ready. These are so good!

Ready for the Week Ahead

Now that my refrigerator is full, I can sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the weekend. When I get home from work, all I have to do is put a dish in the oven and let it cook while I play with the kids and get some grading done. I don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner anymore.

Try these cold weather make ahead meals to make your week less stressful. You can even download a my grocery list at the bottom of this post. Just make a copy, and you can edit it to make it your own.

I also like to make snacks for school ahead of time. Find out how to prepare your own snack packs.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite meals to make for the busy school week?

Let me know in the comments below.

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The post Cold Weather Make Ahead Meals appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

My lunch usually consists of leftovers from one of my dinners for the week. Like I said, I get to grab a few bites and then it’s back to work. That tiny bit of lunch doesn’t hold me over for the whole day. Plus, this year, my lunch isn’t until 12:30. My stomach starts rumbling around 10:00, and I need something to hold me over.

A trip to the faculty room usually provides some sort of treat – cookies, candy, donuts. However, those aren’t the healthiest snacks. I wanted something that would keep my energy up for the rest of the day, not give me a sugar rush and make me want to take a nap.

During my recent grocery store trips, I’ve noticed a huge number of snack packs on the shelves. They are filled with healthy, protein-rich foods. They were exactly what I needed!

Until I looked at the price tag. . .

Ranging from $2.99 to 4.99 in price, these snack packs are too expensive for me to buy for every day of the week. Plus, I know if they are in the refrigerator, my kids will want them, too. That means I need to buy at least 10 packs a week, and I don’t have an extra $30 for snacks.

That’s when I decided to try to make my own snack packs.

School Snack Packs

When I was at the grocery store, I picked up a few packaged snacks as inspiration.  The Giant brand snack pack had a $1.00 off coupon attached, so I picked up one of those.  It was originally $2.99, and I got it for $1.99.  It contains apples, caramel sauce, cheese, and pretzels.

I had a coupon for $1.00 off a Ready, Egg, Go! snack pack.  They were originally $3.99, so I paid $2.99.  It contains a hard boiled egg, pistachios, and cheddar cheese.

I bought the ingredients at the grocery store:

• Eggs
• Cracker Barrel Cheese
• Pistachios
• Apples
• Pretzels
• Peanut Butter (I prefer dipping apples in peanut butter instead of caramel)

Assembly

Once all the ingredients were gathered, it was time to start making the snack packs.  I put water on the stove to boil the eggs.  During the 15 minutes it took to hard boil the eggs, I prepared the rest of the ingredients.  I cut the block of cheese into cubes, shelled the pistachios, sliced the apple, and soaked it in some lemon juice.

Since I wanted my snack packs to be portable just like the ones at the grocery store, I picked up some cute containers at The Dollar Tree.  They are perfect for these little snacks.

By the time the eggs were boiled, all the other snacks were packaged and ready.  After cooling and peeling the eggs, I added them to the containers and put them in the refrigerator until I needed them.

In under 30 minutes and for about $10.00, I was able to make 10 of each type of snack pack.  That even allows my husband and kids to have a few snacks this week.

Endless Possibilities

You can really put anything into your snack packs. I’ve seen them with meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, veggies, and chocolate. You can make hundreds of different combinations and never get bored with them.

I created a list of 50 different foods I can put into my snack packs and hung it on the refrigerator. That way, I just have to glance at it to get new ideas for the week’s snacks. You can download my snack pack ideas at the bottom of this post.

Discover other ways I balance life and teaching.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite school snacks?

Let me know in the comments below.

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The post Make Your Own School Snack Packs appeared first on Teach Without Tears.