If there is one universal common complaint from moms, it’s that stress-inducing question “what’s for dinner tonight?” How are you supposed to figure that out, every single day, for the rest of your life? Well, I have a potential solution – incorporating theme nights to help decrease the mental load.
If each night has a “theme”, not only will your family stop asking you that question but it limits the choices or options of what is actually for dinner. The best part is that it’s easily customizable.
This strategy is flexible with no concrete rules – make it make sense for your family and lifestyle. In this post, I will go over some example theme nights and with recipes to get you started. If you just save this post, you could potentially have your meals planned out for you for months!
Plus, I have included a free weekly meal planner to download for your own personal use. Fill in each night’s theme and what dish you plan to prepare.
Benefits of Theme Nights
It might sound a little corny, but incorporating a “theme” each night of the week can simplify meal planning. Like I mentioned earlier, it decreases the list of options to choose from for that specific day. Yes, you still have to figure out recipes for each week but at least you will have your choices narrowed down.
Theme nights introduce variety while also adding structure and routine. You can explore different recipes within the same category—like trying different taco fillings or pasta dishes—without straying too far from the theme. If some selected themes are health-focused, it will help to prioritize nutrients that you might not have otherwise.
You could even take it one step further and batch cook ingredients for the next day or two’s meals so it’s easier to prepare.
Theme Night Ideas with Recipes
The best part about this strategy is that you can customize your themes based on your family’s preferences. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, I’ve listed over 15 below. Some of these themes are aimed to prioritize your health by consuming more plant-based meals and oily fish.
Scroll down for the blank template you can download!
Meatless Monday
Consuming meatless meals offers many advantages to both our health and the environment – even if it’s just one night a week! Research has shown consuming more plant-based meals is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and obesity.
Recipes to Try
Taco Tuesday
Not the most original theme but there is no denying that tacos are a huge hit for the whole family and usually super easy to make. It doesn’t have to always be tacos, either – taco salads, burritos, bowls or enchiladas are great options as well.
Take shortcuts by using canned ingredients for the toppings and add-ons. Switch up the protein and flavor profile to increase the variety each week!
Recipes to Try
Sheet Pan Wednesday
Select your busiest day of the week to make an easy sheet pan dinner. Less dishes to clean and typically very little prep time.
Recipes to Try
Pasta or Pizza Night
Making a homemade pizza with the family can be a fun bonding experience. Plus, pizza can be thrown together easily for those busy nights. For more variety, switch up some weeks with a delicious pasta dish.
Recipes to Try
Fish Friday
Oily fish, like salmon, tuna and mackerel, are excellent sources of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Consuming fish twice weekly can lower inflammation, improve immunity and even boost our mental health! Research has shown that those who prioritize fish may have less symptoms of depression and lower risk of cognitive decline.
Recipes to Try
Takeout Saturday
You’ve cooked all week long and now it’s time to rely on the convenience of a takeout meal. I like to cook 5 out of 7 days of the week – and the other two I eat out or at a family member’s house. Therefore, you might only need to pick 5 themes per week – depending on your lifestyle.
Slow Cooker Sunday
Enjoy a lazy Sunday with an effortless, easy crockpot meal! Just take a little bit of time in the morning prepping the meal and it’ll be ready for dinner. Or, if you would rather cook your most elaborate meal on a weekend, save this theme for one of the days during the week.
Double the recipe or ensure there are leftovers for lunch the next day! Some crockpot meals can be repurposed for another dinner the next day, too.
Recipes to Try
Mediterranean Monday
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been widely researched – so the hype is real and backed up by evidence. What most people don’t understand is that the recipes don’t have to be “Mediterranean” or have any specific flavor profile.
Essentially, it’s just prioritizing a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based protein or leaner animal protein sources, and fish. Therefore, a wide variety of recipes can fit into this theme.
Recipes to Try
Leftovers Day
If you plan appropriately and are someone who likes to eat the same thing twice in a row, then a leftovers day could make some nights easier. Or, if you make extra chicken and/or vegetables the night before you can simply repurpose it into a new dish with a different flavor profile.
Power Bowl Night
Power bowl are my go-to dinner when I just don’t feel like meal planning or coming up with a new recipe. Pick a grain, a protein source, and 1-3 vegetables. Then, utilize a homemade or store-bought sauce and voila! A well-balanced meal comes together easily.
Recipes to Try
Soup and Salad Theme Night
A cozy soup night might be just what you need after a long day of work or a lazy, cold winter night. Make a small salad to accompany it, or just omit.
Salad Bar
If you have some picky eaters, a create your own salad bar could be fun and easy – especially if you pre-chop some vegetables earlier in the week. You could also batch cook some chicken, use a rotisserie chicken, or pull from cooked chicken from the freezer for convenience.
Sandwich or Panini Night
Not only are sandwiches quick and easy, but they also offer endless possibilities for flavor and creativity. Whether you want to assemble a classic grilled cheese or a gourmet panini packed with your favorite fillings, sandwich nights are a great way to feed the family with minimal effort while keeping everyone satisfied.
Recipes to Try
Breakfast for Dinner
Since busy mornings are often too difficult to prepare a big breakfast, why not have breakfast for dinner nights? With endless options like baked oatmeal, burritos, frittata, breakfast casseroles, pancakes or waffles. Leftovers can be an already prepared breakfast the next day!
Recipes to Try
Fiber Friday
Most people are NOT prioritizing fiber and meeting the recommended 25-38 grams per day. It’s a shame, too, because fiber can improve our gut microbiome, reduce cholesterol, help stabilize blood sugars, and promote better digestive health.
This is a theme that will help you remember to select dinner recipes with at least 7 grams of fiber – with foods like beans, legumes, vegetables, fruits, ancient grains, high fiber pasta or chia seeds.
Recipes to Try
Free Meal Planner for Theme Nights
To download a blank template to write in your own theme nights and recipes for the week: Click Here to Download. Print it out each week and keep it on your fridge so your whole family will know what’s for dinner each night!
For more easy dinner options, read:
— Easy, Low Prep Dinner Ideas for Busy Nights
— High Protein Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Dinner Recipes
This is a fun way to get the whole family involved with picking the themes and the recipes each week, too. If you try this, let me know: did this post help decrease the mental load a little bit?
