Easy, Comforting & Instant Pot Approved!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes/day
- Total Time: 20–30 minutes per dinner
- Meals: 5 Dinners + Sides + Dessert Ideas
- For: Busy moms, picky kids, real-life family life
Looking for a way to simplify your weeknights without sacrificing comfort or flavor? This 5 Day Family Friendly Dinner Plan is filled with warm, satisfying recipes your kids will love — and you’ll actually have time to make them. Every meal is quick, one-pot friendly, and made for real-life schedules.
Why This Meal Plan Works (For Real Moms Like Us)
Let’s be honest: when you’ve been working, running errands, managing homework, and juggling everything else, dinner can feel like the final boss of the day That’s why I created this 5-Day Meal Plan using recipes already tested and loved on SavorAtHome.com.
Every recipe here is:
- Quick and practical (30 minutes or less!)
- Made with real, family-friendly ingredients
- Comforting, cozy, and picky-eater approved
- Centered around Instant Pot & one-pot meals for easy clean-up
And most importantly — it’s real-life doable. No perfection, just warm meals that bring everyone to the table (and leave you with fewer dishes).
Let’s dive in!
5 Day Family Dinner Plan (From Our Kitchen to Yours)
Day 1: Creamy & Cozy Monday
Main: Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
A rich and creamy penne pasta dish with parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken. My girls love this one — and I love that it tastes like something from my childhood, only faster.
Side: Quick green salad (romaine + cucumber + olive oil & lemon juice)
Dessert: Mocha Chocolate Mousse Cupcake — fancy enough to impress, easy enough to prep ahead
Day 2: Classic Comfort Tuesday
Main: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Instant Pot
Zesty, cheesy, creamy, and all cooked in one pot. This dish is always a hit — it reminds me of those Olive Garden dinners I couldn’t afford in college but recreated at home
Side: Garlic toast or frozen roasted veggies
Bonus starter: Lemon Spinach Ginger Chicken Soup — light, bright, and immune-boosting
Day 3: Soup Night Wednesday
Main: Crockpot Green Enchilada Chicken Soup
Perfect for a throw-it-in-the-pot morning. Full of Tex-Mex flavor, and your house smells amazing by dinner.
Side: Keto Cloud Bread – light, fluffy, and perfect for dipping
Dessert: Chocolate Truffle Mousse Cake – rich, elegant, but secretly low-effort
Day 4: Nourishing & Light Thursday
Main: Kale Lentil Sweet Potato Soup
This soup is filling, earthy, and perfect when you want something healthy but still cozy. Even my picky one goes for the sweet potatoes.
Side: Crusty toast or leftover Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread
Snack/Make-ahead idea: Blueberry Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bake
Day 5: Pasta Friday – Family Style
Main: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
So simple. So good. The chicken is buttery, the pasta is cheesy, and it feels like a hug in a bowl. This one is always a Friday fave at our house.
Side: Steamed broccoli or sautéed green beans
Dessert: Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread – great warm or cold, and makes breakfast for Saturday morning too
Tips for Making This Meal Plan Work for You
- Meal prep basics: Pre-chop garlic, greens, and veggies at the start of the week
- Leftover magic: Save soup or pasta for lunch the next day — thermos-friendly!
- Theme it up: Make Wednesdays “Soup Night” or Fridays “Pasta Night” to make meal planning easier
- Double when you can: If your kids love it, double it and freeze a batch
- Cook once, rest later: Let your Instant Pot or slow cooker do the work while you take a break (or fold that laundry pile)
Why Moms Love This Plan
What I love most about this plan is that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. You don’t need to be a pro. You just need a few simple recipes that you can count on — the kind that make your house smell amazing and fill up your people without stress.
I grew up with dinners that brought everyone to the table, even if the day was chaotic. That’s the feeling I wanted to recreate here — comforting, homey, and totally doable on a school night.
Download Your Printable Meal Plan
Coming soon: Grab the free printable version of this 5-Day Dinner Plan for Busy Moms, with a matching grocery list you can check off!
Want it early? Drop your email and I’ll send it to you before it hits the blog
To make things even easier, here are a few of my favorite kitchen tools that save me time every single week:
- This 6-quart Instant Pot Duo – it’s the MVP of my kitchen (and worth every penny!)
- Stackable glass storage containers – perfect for leftovers and meal prep days
Whether you’re planning a week of Instant Pot meals or just want a few cozy dinner ideas, this plan has you covered. Let’s make dinner simple again — and a little more joyful too
Final Thoughts
If this meal plan made your week easier, or if one of these recipes became a new favorite at your table, I’d love to hear it. Tag me on Instagram @SavorAtHome or leave a comment under any recipe.
Here’s to less stress, more flavor, and dinners that actually bring us together