Listen, $70 at @chickfila is basically fine dining Listen, $70 at @chickfila is basically fine dining when you’ve got 5 kids. 🍗💸😂 

#momlife #boymom #girlmom #bigfamily
#AD Date Night At The Shoe 🫶🏽🏟️🎉 We #AD Date Night At The Shoe 🫶🏽🏟️🎉 We kicked things off with a simple tailgate because game day starts at @gianteagle. Good food, good music, and good friends is all you need to have a good time! Make @gianteagle your destination for moments like this ✨🛒🏈❤️ #GiantEaglePartner #GoBucks
To feel appreciated and seen by the brands we love To feel appreciated and seen by the brands we love is such an incredible feeling. Huge thanks to @gianteagle for making my day with these thoughtful gifts 🥹❤️ Stay tuned! 
#GiantEaglePartner
I can’t even pull out the drive-thru 🙄😂 I can’t even pull out the drive-thru 🙄😂 

#momlife #babies #toddler #girlmom #stayathomemom
sometimes I forget that I’m living in an answere sometimes I forget that I’m living in an answered prayer. This week reminded me of just that ❤️
The kids requested BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches l The kids requested BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches last night with mac n cheese and baked beans. Ain’t nothing like tender, slow-cooked chicken smothered in a smoky barbecue sauce piled high on a soft brioche bun 😋

1️⃣ Place 3 boneless chicken breasts in your crockpot. Season with smoky mesquite, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour 1 bottle of favorite barbecue sauce over chicken. 
2️⃣ Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. 
3️⃣ When chicken is done, shred with two forks. Serve on a brioche bun with your favorite toppings! 

#momlife #family #dinner #dinnerideas #kidfriendly
This easy Crockpot Ravioli recipe requires just fo This easy Crockpot Ravioli recipe requires just four simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights! Just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it simmer, and get ready to indulge in creamy, cheesy goodness that everyone will love. 

🛒Ingredients: 
25 oz bag of frozen cheese ravioli pasta
2 - 23oz jars of marinara pasta sauce
1 lb ground Italian sausage
2 cups shredded cheese, either mozzarella or Italian style blend
1-2 tsp Italian seasoning 
Parsley flakes, for garnish 

Directions: 
1️⃣ Cook sausage over medium/high heat in a skillet until brown and there is no pink. Drain fat and set aside. 
2️⃣Lightly grease your slow cooker. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Dump frozen ravioli pasta. Pour ground sausage. Add remaining pasta sauce making sure ravioli is completely covered. Top with shredded cheese and 1-2 tsp of Italian seasoning. 
3️⃣Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours. Garnish with parsley flakes and serve!

Comment “link” and I’ll send the recipe to your inbox! ❤️

We barely had any leftovers, which means this meal was a hit!! 😋🎯 #dinnerideas #cookingathome #family #kidfriendly #momlife
just a proud mom & dad 🥹🏈❤️ #boymom #tou just a proud mom & dad 🥹🏈❤️ #boymom #touchdown #footballsaturdays
CREAMY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI RICE CASSEROLE 🥦💛 CREAMY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI RICE CASSEROLE 🥦💛 This dinner was a win-win! Cheesy, comforting, and my kids never complain about eating broccoli. That’s why it will always be on rotation!

Comment ‘CASSEROLE’ for the recipe.” 

#recipe #dinnerideas #cookingathome #foodie #kidfriendly #whatsfordinner #homecook #momlife
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop My Favorites
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Mom Life
    • Life At Home
    • Simple Meals
    • Things I’m Loving
  • Shop My Favorites
  • About
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Icons

Danielle Skeaton

Food + Family

  • Simple Meals
  • Meal Planning
  • Mom Life
  • Life At Home
  • Free Printables
  • Nav Social Icons

By: Danielle Skeaton

Sick of Taco Tuesday? Here Are 30 Theme Dinner Ideas You Need To Know About

Before I started getting serious about meal planning, I was already making tacos on Tuesdays. It gave us something to look forward to for dinner every week. 

But what comes after Tuesday?

This is where I’d always get stuck because I didn’t have any other dinner ideas. Then, I researched and found more themed meal planning days that I could add to our meal plan that goes beyond Taco Tuesday! 

The idea of using a themed dinner menu is simple.

You are assigning a food theme for each night of the week. 

In fact, using themed meal planning days makes it really easy to plan a month’s worth of meals in advance, which will save you more time and stress throughout the week. Once you’ve selected your themes, then it’s time to find recipes to match your menu!

At the end of each month, you can keep with the same theme or change it up a bit so you can try new recipes by adding different themes to your menu.

Here are 30 themed menu ideas you need to know about:

1. Pasta Night

This is our favorite because pasta goes a long way and there are so many options.

  • One Pan Creamy Sausage And Mushroom Bake
  • Simple, Cheesy Ranch Chicken Alfredo To Make This Week
  • The Baked Ziti Recipe That My Picky Kids Approved
  • Easy Lasagna

2. Meatless Night

You can make your grocery budget stretch further by incorporating a meatless meal or two on your menu.

  • Veggie fried rice
  • Black Bean Burgers

3. Stir-fry Night

Meat is optional when it comes to stir-fry, and most recipes are really easy to make!

  • Easy Shrimp And Veggie Stir-fry Dinner Idea
  • Chicken Stir-Fry
  • Quick Beef Stir-Fry

4. Soup Night

Hearty and great for those cold winter nights.

  • 30-minute Checkin Noodle Soup
  • Taco Soup
  • Classic Chili
30 Themed Menu Planning Days for Every Night of The Week

5. New Recipe Night

If you’re only planning meals that you’re familiar with, add a day each week when you get to try a new recipe!

6. Breakfast for Dinner Night

If you ask my kids, they would live off of pancakes for the rest of their lives! So breakfast is always an easy dinner option.

  • Easy Shredded Hash Brown & Ham Casserole
  • Easy Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
  • Homemade Old Fashioned Pancakes

7. Homemade Takeout

You can recreate dishes from your favorite restaurants and eat takeout in your kitchen.

  • Copycat Chipotle Chicken
  • Olive Garden’s Pasta e Fagioli
  • Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap Supreme

8. Sandwich Night

I love pairing sandwiches with french fries! Burgers are a favorite in our house.

  • Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Ultimate Sloppy Joes
  • Easy Meatball Subs

9. Slow Cooker Night

If you have a slow cooker that you’re not using, add this theme to your menu. You will LOVE how much time you’ll save on dinner because you get to just throw ingredients inside, set it, and forget about it!

10. Leftovers Night

I recommend everyone set a day aside later in the week on their menu where they plan to eat leftovers—either from dinner the night before or from dinner all week long. You’ll cut down on food waste and it’ll give you a much-needed break from the kitchen!

11. Takeout Night

I know this one may surprise you since we’re talking about meal planning here. But the thing is, just because you’re meal planning doesn’t mean you can’t PLAN to eat takeout meals.

You’ll save more money if you plan to eat takeout 1-2 nights a week than you would if you plan an extravagant menu, buy a ton of groceries for it, but eat out anyway because you don’t feel like cooking.

So if eating takeout is important to you, choose one night where you get to order pizza, Chinese food, or have a sit-down meal at your favorite restaurant!

12. Kids Choice Night

If your kids are old enough, ask them what meals they’d like to see on the menu! You’ll only need four ideas if you’re planning meals for the entire month.

13. Mexican Night

Yup, that means you don’t have to eat tacos only on Tuesdays, and you can try other Mexican dishes too!

  • Chicken Quesadillas
  • Chicken Enchiladas
  • Easy Chicken Fajitas

14. Chicken Night

I cook with chicken A LOT because it’s one of the cheapest cuts of meats you can buy to save money on groceries.

  • Garlic Butter Roast Chicken
  • Grilled Chicken Street Tacos
  • Oven-Fried Chicken

15. Pizza Night

Skip delivery and learn how to make your own pizza at home! Plus, it’s a fun way to get the whole family involved.

  • BBQ Chicken Pizza
  • Veggie Pizza
  • Oven-ready Pizza

16. Sheet Pan Dinner Night

Sheet pan dinners are easy to make and even easier to clean up!

  • Sheet Pan Chicken and Waffles
  • Sheet Pan Mac-and-Cheese
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Pot Pie

17. Fish Night

You can’t go wrong with salmon, shrimp, or fried whiting (yum!).

  • Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
  • Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

18. Salad Night

You could even make extra to pack for lunch the next day.

  • Easy Pasta Salad
  • Taco Salad
  • Chicken Salad

19. Asian Night

  • Easy Chow Mein
  • Easy General Tso’s Chicken
  • Easy Chicken Fried Rice

20. Casserole Night

I talk a lot about making Stretch Meals that stretch your budget and give you a break from cooking. Adding casserole nights to your menu will help you do just that because it makes planning to eat leftovers easy!

  • Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole
  • Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole

21. Game Food Night

Why wait for the Super Bowl when you can enjoy yummy finger food all football season?

  • Seriously Good Cheeseburger Sliders
  • Baked Potato Skins

22. Grill Night

When the weather heats up, it’s time to take the cooking outside!

  • BBQ & Grilled Chicken
  • Grilled Hot dogs and Hamburgers
  • BBQ Ribs

23. Throwback Night

Bring back a meal that your family loves! Every time you try a new recipe and it’s a hit, write it down so you can cook again on nights like this.

24. Freezer Meal Night

Freezer cooking is a great way to cut your cooking time in HALF since you’re doing a lot of it ahead. You can dump your freezer meals in your slow cooker or in your oven.

  • Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake
  • Make-Ahead Beef Enchiladas
  • Homemade Frozen Pizzas

25. BBQ Night

Any dish that’s smothered in barbeque sauce! From pulled pork to BBQ chicken pizza.

26. Comfort Food Night

  • Loaded Nachos
  • Mini Italian Club Sandwiches
  • Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

27. All-American Night

American classics that everyone knows and loves!

  • Diner Burger
  • Chicken-Fried Steak
  • Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

28. Southern Food Night

Also known as Soul Food because it doesn’t just hit your tummy. It’s comfort food that reaches down into your soul!

  • Southern Fried Chicken
  • Bacon Shrimp & Cheddar Grits
  • Smothered Pork Chops

29. 15-Minute Meal Night

When you need to save time, choose quick and easy meals for your busy weeknights so you can get dinner on the table in a flash!

  • Chicago-Style Hot Dog
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
  • Bacon and Egg Spaghetti

30. Pantry Meal Night

When all else fails, cook from your pantry! Plan a backup meal that you can make for dinner using what you have.

Welp, there you have it—30 amazing themed meal planning days for every night of the week to add to your calendar that goes beyond Taco Tuesday! Plus, you’ve got simple dinner ideas to give you a quick start on your planning.

More Meal Planning Tips:

  • How to Simplify Dinner Planning With A Rotating Menu
  • How to Plan Family Meals On A Budget
  • Overcoming My Grocery Shopping Anxiety

Share & Save On Pinterest!

121 shares
  • Share
  • Email

In: Meal Planning

Never Miss A Post!

Sign up and get the latest recipes, tips, and more each week — straight to your inbox!

You’ll Also Love

How to Simplify Dinner Planning With A Rotating Menu
Overcoming My Grocery Shopping Anxiety
Our Cheap $50/Week Meal Plan For A Family of 5

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claire says

    November 28, 2020 at

    This is a really great post! It helped me plan a monthly meal plan that reduces our cost by almost $50 a week!
    Thank you so much!!

    Reply
    • Danielle Skeaton says

      November 28, 2020 at

      That’s amazing Claire! I’m so glad our cheap meal plan strategy is helping you too! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

How to Make Your House Smell Like Christmas (Without Candles!)

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Danielle — wife, mama of 5, and believer that feeding your family doesn't have to be overwhelming. I've learned to simplify meal planning so I can spend less time stressing and more time gathered around the table, and I can help you too! Learn More About Me→
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • YouTube

Browse by Topic

  • Simple Meals
  • Meal Planning
  • Mom Life
  • Life At Home
  • Shop My Favorites

Stay In Touch

Get recipes, reflections, and a peek inside our everyday life—straight to your inbox!

search the blog

Amazon Affiliate

WE ARE A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

instagram

Follow @danielleskeaton

Listen, $70 at @chickfila is basically fine dining Listen, $70 at @chickfila is basically fine dining when you’ve got 5 kids. 🍗💸😂 

#momlife #boymom #girlmom #bigfamily
#AD Date Night At The Shoe 🫶🏽🏟️🎉 We #AD Date Night At The Shoe 🫶🏽🏟️🎉 We kicked things off with a simple tailgate because game day starts at @gianteagle. Good food, good music, and good friends is all you need to have a good time! Make @gianteagle your destination for moments like this ✨🛒🏈❤️ #GiantEaglePartner #GoBucks
To feel appreciated and seen by the brands we love To feel appreciated and seen by the brands we love is such an incredible feeling. Huge thanks to @gianteagle for making my day with these thoughtful gifts 🥹❤️ Stay tuned! 
#GiantEaglePartner
I can’t even pull out the drive-thru 🙄😂 I can’t even pull out the drive-thru 🙄😂 

#momlife #babies #toddler #girlmom #stayathomemom
sometimes I forget that I’m living in an answere sometimes I forget that I’m living in an answered prayer. This week reminded me of just that ❤️
The kids requested BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches l The kids requested BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches last night with mac n cheese and baked beans. Ain’t nothing like tender, slow-cooked chicken smothered in a smoky barbecue sauce piled high on a soft brioche bun 😋

1️⃣ Place 3 boneless chicken breasts in your crockpot. Season with smoky mesquite, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour 1 bottle of favorite barbecue sauce over chicken. 
2️⃣ Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. 
3️⃣ When chicken is done, shred with two forks. Serve on a brioche bun with your favorite toppings! 

#momlife #family #dinner #dinnerideas #kidfriendly
This easy Crockpot Ravioli recipe requires just fo This easy Crockpot Ravioli recipe requires just four simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights! Just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it simmer, and get ready to indulge in creamy, cheesy goodness that everyone will love. 

🛒Ingredients: 
25 oz bag of frozen cheese ravioli pasta
2 - 23oz jars of marinara pasta sauce
1 lb ground Italian sausage
2 cups shredded cheese, either mozzarella or Italian style blend
1-2 tsp Italian seasoning 
Parsley flakes, for garnish 

Directions: 
1️⃣ Cook sausage over medium/high heat in a skillet until brown and there is no pink. Drain fat and set aside. 
2️⃣Lightly grease your slow cooker. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Dump frozen ravioli pasta. Pour ground sausage. Add remaining pasta sauce making sure ravioli is completely covered. Top with shredded cheese and 1-2 tsp of Italian seasoning. 
3️⃣Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours. Garnish with parsley flakes and serve!

Comment “link” and I’ll send the recipe to your inbox! ❤️

We barely had any leftovers, which means this meal was a hit!! 😋🎯 #dinnerideas #cookingathome #family #kidfriendly #momlife
just a proud mom & dad 🥹🏈❤️ #boymom #tou just a proud mom & dad 🥹🏈❤️ #boymom #touchdown #footballsaturdays
CREAMY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI RICE CASSEROLE 🥦💛 CREAMY CHICKEN & BROCCOLI RICE CASSEROLE 🥦💛 This dinner was a win-win! Cheesy, comforting, and my kids never complain about eating broccoli. That’s why it will always be on rotation!

Comment ‘CASSEROLE’ for the recipe.” 

#recipe #dinnerideas #cookingathome #foodie #kidfriendly #whatsfordinner #homecook #momlife
Football season is baaaaack babyyyy!!! & these sli Football season is baaaaack babyyyy!!! & these sliders turned out soooo good 🤤😆🏈 #gameday #foodie #sliders #steelers #sundaydinner #cookingathome #momlife

Footer

On The Blog

  • Simple Meals
  • Meal Planning
  • Mom Life
  • Life At Home

Join the List

Sign up and never miss a post!

Info

  • Shop My Favorites
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Danielle Skeaton · Theme by 17th Avenue

[elementor-template id=”34752″]

[elementor-template id=”34728″]

[elementor-template id=”34692″]

[elementor-template id=”34217″]

[INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”28325″]

[INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”28113″]

 

Loading Comments...