Winter Weekend Cooking Ideas – Cook for the Whole Week

After spending summer days steering clear of the kitchen, winter’s arrival makes cozying up to a warm stove incredibly inviting. Why not take advantage of those chilly weekends by preparing meals for the entire week ahead? That way, when the workweek gets hectic, and you’d rather relax than cook, you won’t need to ask, “What’s for dinner?”

You’ll already know—because it’s ready and waiting!

There’s no right or wrong way to tackle weekend cooking. Some people like to fully prepare their meals so they’re ready to reheat. Others prefer to shop at the farmer's market and prepping ingredients for a fresher dinner experience later in the week. You can even do a combination of both. It’s all about what works best for you.

A Few Tips to Get You Started

• Pick a day where you can dedicate yourself fully to cooking.
• Plan your meals a few days in advance, then make your grocery list.
• If you’re on a budget, check local store flyers for deals before finalizing your meal plan.
• Do your grocery shopping a day or two before your cooking day so you’re fully prepped and ready to go?
• Invest in quality storage containers for the fridge and freezer.

Your Cooking Day Approach

There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to weekend cooking. Your approach depends on your family’s preferences, your kitchen space, and how much time you have. Here are a few ideas to incorporate into your plan:

• Pre-cook meals entirely: If you want a no-fuss week, fully prepare meals like baked mac and cheese, lasagna, or shepherd’s pie. Then, just reheat and enjoy.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time: Chopping veggies, prepping meats, and cooking staples like rice and pasta in advance can save you loads of time. When mealtime rolls around, all the hard work is already done.
• Encourage healthy snacking: Pre-cut raw veggies, cheeses, and lean meats to keep healthy snacks within easy reach. When good options are ready to grab, they’re easier to choose over packaged alternatives.
• Transform one meal into many: Roast a chicken on Sunday, then turn the leftovers into Monday’s chicken pot pie or Tuesday’s chicken soup. You could even roast two chickens to stretch your efforts across more meals.

No matter how you choose to approach it, weekend cooking is a great way to save time during the week. Plan ahead, dedicate a day, and you’ll breeze through weekday meals with ease.