Week 2: The Simply Sunday Supper Plan

Five Easy Gluten-Free Family Dinners (Plus a Grocery List!)

 

Week 2: Finding Joy in the Everyday

Every Sunday, I sit down with my planner, our family calendar, and a cup of coffee before I ever start thinking about what’s for dinner.

The first thing I do isn’t write a grocery list, I head to the pantry, the refrigerator, and the freezer.

Over the years, I’ve learned that meal planning starts with using what we already have. Sometimes that means a bag of frozen vegetables I forgot about, chicken that’s been waiting in the freezer, or half a block of cheese that needs to be used before my next grocery trip.

From there, I look at our schedule for the week. Piano lessons, gymnastics, karate, church, play dates…every week has its own thing going on, and I try to choose meals that fit right into it.

This week is a good mix of busy evenings and slower ones. We’ll be grilling after piano on Monday, relying on a make-ahead dinner for our busiest night, keeping things simple before church, and wrapping up the week with an easy dinner on the grill while we enjoy another summer evening at home.

Before you head to the store, take a few minutes to shop your own kitchen first. You might already have more than you think.

Then make a list of only what you need, and let’s make this week a little easier—one meal at a time.

Monday: Fresh and easy
Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday: Hearty make-ahead comfort food

Stuffed Banana Peppers

Wednesday: One-pan meal before church
One Pan Tomato Spinach Chicken

Thursday: Roast chicken while I’m at karate
Bouillon Roast Chicken

Friday: Back on the grill with BBQ chicken, a crisp Caesar salad

BBQ Chicken Thighs with Caesar Salad

 

Before We Fill the Cart:

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that grocery shopping gets a whole lot easier when the meals work together. You’ll notice I have listed onions, garlic, cheese, and chicken to be used throughout this week’s menu. That’s intentional.

Reusing ingredients helps stretch the grocery budget, reduces food waste, and means fewer last-minute trips to the store.

Whether you’re shopping at Aldi, Kroger, or a combination of both, here’s everything you’ll need for this week’s meals.

This Week’s Grocery Budget

Shopping Only at Kroger:

Estimated Total: $135–170

Shopping at Aldi + Kroger:

(Buying the basics at Aldi and the specialty gluten-free items at Kroger helps keep costs down)

Estimated Total: $100–130

If your pantry is already stocked with olive oil, spices, and pantry staples, your grocery bill may be closer to $85–110.

Aldi vs. Kroger Shopping Guide

Buy at Aldi

• Chicken breasts
• 6 chicken thighs
• Whole chicken
• Ground mild Italian sausage
• Bell peppers
• Yellow onions
• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Baby spinach
• Romaine lettuce
• Lemon
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh thyme
• Butter
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Shredded Mexican cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Bacon
• Olive oil
• Most spices

Buy at Kroger

• Gluten-free tortillas
• McCormick Gluten-Free Fajita Seasoning
• Gluten-free A1 Sauce
• Gluten-free Caesar dressing
• Gluten-free chicken bouillon cubes
• Gluten-free chicken stock
• Banana peppers
• Hot sauce
• Guacamole (if purchasing prepared)
• Gluten-free BBQ sauce

Complete Gluten-Free Grocery List

Meat

• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• 6 chicken thighs
• 1 whole chicken
• 1½ pounds ground mild Italian sausage
• ½ pound bacon

Produce

• 3 bell peppers
• 4–5 yellow onions
• 1 head garlic
• 5 medium tomatoes
• 1 lemon
• 10 banana peppers
• 3–4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh thyme

Dairy

• Sour cream
• Shredded Mexican cheese
• Provolone cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Butter
• Milk

Pantry

• Olive oil
• Orange juice
• Gluten-free A1 Sauce
• Gluten-free chicken stock
• Gluten-free chicken bouillon cubes
• 2 packets gluten-free fajita seasoning
• Gluten-free Caesar dressing
• Gluten-free BBQ sauce

Toppings

• Gluten-free tortillas
• Guacamole
• Hot sauce

Herbs & Seasonings

• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Garlic salt
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

A Little Sunday Prep Goes a Long Way

If you have an hour on Sunday afternoon, you’ll thank yourself all week long.

Prep the Meat

• Slice the chicken for Monday’s fajitas and mix the marinade.
• Stuff the Hungarian peppers and refrigerate until Tuesday.
• Season Thursday’s whole chicken and refrigerate overnight.
• Trim and season the chicken thighs for Friday so they’re ready for the grill.

Prep the Vegetables

• Slice all of the onions.
• Chop the bell peppers.
• Mince the garlic.
• Dice the tomatoes.
• Chop the parsley.
• Wash and chop the romaine lettuce.
• Remove stems from the spinach.

Prep the Cheese

• Shred your cheeses if buying blocks.
• Portion the fajita toppings.
• Grate the Parmesan for Friday’s Caesar salad.

Organize the Week

Store everything in labeled containers so dinner comes together with as little stress as possible.

One hour of prep now means less rushing and more time around the table later this week.

Monday Around Our Table

Monday mornings start with piano lessons, but after that our schedule is usually pretty open. During the summer, we’ll often spend the afternoon swimming, working outside, or just enjoying being home before the busier part of the week begins.

Since we’re already planning to be outside, grilling chicken fajitas just makes sense. I can get the chicken marinating earlier in the day, and by dinner all that’s left is throwing everything on the grill.

It’s an easy meal, everyone can build their own fajitas, and it lets me spend more time outside with the kids instead of standing in the kitchen.

What’s for Dinner

Chicken Fajitas

Why This Meal Works Today

• The chicken marinates while we’re enjoying the afternoon.
• Grilling keeps the kitchen cool.
• Everyone can build their own fajitas.
• Leftovers make great lunches the next day.

What We Serve It With

• Mexican rice
• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Fresh salsa
• Tortilla chips and salsa

Tuesday Around Our Table

Tuesday is one of our busiest days.

One child has gymnastics while another has karate, which usually means my husband and I are heading in different directions for the evening. By the time everyone gets home, no one wants to wait an hour for dinner.

That’s exactly why I planned these Stuffed Banana Peppers. I can put them together earlier in the day and have them ready to bake when we get home. Knowing dinner is already taken care of makes those busy evenings feel a whole lot less stressful.

What’s for Dinner

Stuffed Banana Peppers

Why This Meal Works Today

• Easy to prepare ahead of time.
• Ready to bake when we get home.
• Makes great leftovers.
• A hearty meal after a busy evening.

What We Serve It With

• Buttered mashed potatoes
• Garden salad
• Steamed green beans
• Crusty gluten-free bread
• Fresh fruit

Wednesday Around Our Table

Wednesday mornings are usually spent with my grandma. I’ll head over to help around the house or spend some time visiting before coming home to finish up our afternoon.

Since we also have church in the evening, I wanted something that didn’t leave me with a sink full of dishes or a long list of steps.

This One Pan Tomato Spinach Chicken comes together quickly, uses ingredients I usually have on hand, and gives us plenty of time to eat before heading out the door.

What’s for Dinner

One Pan Tomato Spinach Chicken

Why This Meal Works Today

• One pan means less cleanup.
• Ready in about 30 minutes.
• Fresh ingredients make it feel light for summer.
• Plenty of time to eat before church.

What We Serve It With

• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Buttered gluten-free pasta
• Roasted asparagus
• Caesar salad
• Fresh fruit

Thursday Around Our Table

Thursday is another full day for us. We usually have a play date during the day, and then it’s back to karate that evening.

I’ve learned that if I can spend just a few minutes getting dinner ready before we leave, the whole evening goes a lot smoother.

For this roasted chicken, I’ll season everything ahead of time so it’s ready to go into the oven when we get home. While it roasts, everyone can get cleaned up from the day, and I don’t feel like I’m trying to do everything at once.

Sometimes a little prep ahead of time makes all the difference.

What’s for Dinner

Bouillon Roasted Chicken

Why This Meal Works Today

• Prep ahead saves time later.
• Roasts while everyone unwinds after karate.
• Makes enough for leftovers.
• Great recipe for busy families.

What We Serve It With

• Roasted potatoes
• Green beans
• Dinner rolls or gluten-free bread
• Applesauce

Friday Around Our Table

Friday is one of my favorite days because we don’t have anywhere we need to be.

After piano lessons, karate, gymnastics, church, and everything else that fills our week, it’s nice knowing we can just be home.

During the summer, that usually means the kids are outside swimming, riding bikes, or finding something to do in the backyard while dinner cooks.

If the weather is nice, there’s a good chance we’re grilling.

Barbecue chicken thighs are one of those meals that don’t require much work. I can season the chicken with BBQ sauce ahead of time, throw together a Caesar salad in just a few minutes, and still have plenty of time to enjoy being outside with everyone else.

Some of my favorite family memories have happened on evenings that looked just like this.

Nothing fancy. Just good food, dirty feet from being outside all day, and everyone together around the table.

What’s for Dinner

BBQ Chicken Thighs with Caesar Salad

Simple grilled barbecue chicken served with a crisp Caesar salad, plenty of Parmesan cheese, crispy bacon, and all the fresh flavors of summer.

Why This Meal Works Today

• Most of the prep can be done ahead of time.
• The grill keeps the kitchen cool.
• Dinner comes together quickly.
• It’s an easy way to end the week without spending all evening cooking.

What We Serve With It

• Fresh watermelon
• Corn on the cob
• Sliced cucumbers and ranch
• Lemonade
• Baked Beans

Thanks for spending another week around our table.

I hope this meal plan takes a little of the guesswork out of your week and gives you a few ideas that fit your family’s schedule. Remember, meal plans aren’t meant to be followed perfectly. Swap meals around, use what you already have, and don’t be afraid to make each recipe your own. If you make one of these dinners this week, I’d love to hear which one was your family’s favorite.

I’ll be back next Sunday with another Simply Sunday Supper Plan. Until then, I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Jess