So...DINNER TIME...Big Family and a Full-Time Job?
MEAL PREP FOR BIG FAMILIES
I've been asked numerous times what I do with meal times and a large family — especially since I currently work full-time. How do I manage it all without completely losing my mind? What are my secrets to having nice, fully balanced meals for the kids most of the time?
The truth is, there’s no magic formula. Some days feel organized and smooth, and other days feel like total chaos. But over time, I’ve learned a few things that make feeding a big family a lot less stressful.
I keep meals simple, realistic, and flexible. I plan ahead when I can, rely on easy staples, and remind myself that every meal does not have to be perfect to still be good for my family. Sometimes dinner is homemade and well-balanced, and other nights it’s quick and thrown together between homework, laundry, sports, and exhaustion — and honestly, that’s okay too.
I’ve also learned that preparation helps tremendously. Meal planning, grocery pickup orders, freezer meals, crockpot dinners, and even repeating favorite meals during the week can save so much time and mental energy. And with a large family, I’ve found that keeping things practical works better than trying to make elaborate Pinterest-worthy dinners every night.
Most importantly, I’ve stopped putting pressure on myself to “do it all perfectly.” Feeding a family while working full-time is a huge job on its own. Sometimes success simply looks like everyone sitting down together, eating, laughing, and leaving the table full and happy.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a chef, nor do I aspire to be one. I am not even a real fan of cooking. But I am a big fan of feeding my children good home cooked food. Or at least edible food. LOL
It takes planning, but I make it work — meal prep, simple healthy options, and flexibility. I’ve learned that balance matters so much more than trying to do everything from scratch all the time.
I like to joke that I make enough food to feed an army, because honestly, it feels like I have one some days. Between busy schedules, growing kids, snacks disappearing five minutes after grocery shopping, and everyone being hungry at completely different times, meal time can feel like a full-time job on its own. (And yes, I know there are families much bigger than mine, but sometimes our house feels like organized chaos.)
Over time, I’ve realized that having systems in place makes all the difference. Not perfect systems — realistic ones. Things that save time, lower stress, and make it easier to get healthy meals on the table without feeling completely burnt out by the end of the week.
So… You are probably wondering what I do to accomplish this???
You could use your own Tupperware containers, or use this link for disposable ones you can buy on Amazon.
Let’s say I’m making my mother’s chicken soup recipe — one of our family favorites. Whenever I make it, I don’t just make enough for one dinner. I make a large batch so we can enjoy it that night and still have plenty left over for future meals.
From there, I usually do two things.
First, I put a large portion into a family-size container and freeze it for another dinner later on. On a busy night when I’m exhausted from work or running around with the kids, having a homemade meal already prepared is a lifesaver. All I have to do is thaw it out, heat it up, and dinner is basically done. Easy for me.
Second, I portion the remaining soup into several single-serving containers that I purchased from Amazon (the link for the soup containers is right here). I keep those stocked in the freezer so the kids can grab one whenever they need something quick, comforting, or easy to heat up — especially on nights when everyone is eating at different times because of activities, sports, homework, or crazy schedules. It gives them a little independence, and it saves me from constantly having to make separate meals throughout the week. Easy for them.
Honestly, this one habit alone has helped me so much. Cooking in larger batches takes a little more effort upfront, but it saves me an incredible amount of time, stress, dishes, and last-minute scrambling later on.
This method honestly works for almost any dinner I’m making. I often freeze individual portions of lasagna, shepherd’s pie, casseroles, chicken dishes with vegetables and potatoes, pasta meals, and soups using these containers. Having homemade meals already portioned out and ready to go makes life so much easier on busy days.
With how expensive it is to feed families — big or small — these days, I truly feel like extra food shouldn’t go to waste. If possible, it should either be shared with someone who needs it or saved for another day when life gets hectic.
So whenever I know there will be a lot of leftovers — especially after holidays, birthdays, or big family dinners — I make it a point to package everything properly into individual meals and freeze it. That way, nothing gets forgotten in the back of the refrigerator and thrown away a few days later. Instead, those leftovers turn into quick lunches, easy dinners, or meals for nights when I simply don’t have the energy to cook.
It also helps cut down on the temptation to order takeout because we already have homemade food ready to heat up. For our family, it saves both time and money, while also making sure the food we worked hard to prepare actually gets used and appreciated.
Make A Large Portion
FAMILY-SIZE
Enjoy With Family
Pack Up Half In The Freezer To Serve Later For When The Family Will All Eat Together
