Week 3: The Simply Sunday Supper Plan

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

 

Before We Fill the Cart…

Every Sunday, before I even think about heading to the grocery store, I take a few minutes to look through my pantry, refrigerator, and freezer.

You’d be surprised how often I already have a bag of shredded cheese tucked away, a package of chicken in the freezer, or canned tomatoes waiting to be used. Shopping what you already have is one of the easiest ways to save money and cut down on food waste.

Once I know what I have, I make a list of only what I need.

Here’s everything you’ll need for this week’s Simply Sunday Supper Plan.

This Week’s Menu

Here’s what’s on the menu around our table this week:

Monday: Family Taco Night

An easy dinner that’s always a hit and the perfect way to start the week.

Tuesday: Lunch Lady Chicken

A comforting, make-ahead meal that’s ready after an evening of gymnastics and karate.

Wednesday: Chicken Fried Rice

A quick one-skillet dinner that’s perfect before heading to church.

Thursday: Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan

Bread the chicken ahead of time, then bake it while you cook the gnocchi for an easy weeknight meal.

Friday: Smash Burgers & Homemade Oven Fries

A fun Friday dinner that’s perfect for enjoying outside on a warm summer evening.

Saturday: Leftovers

One less night to cook and a chance to use up the week’s leftovers before grocery shopping again.

This Week’s Grocery Budget

Shopping Only at Kroger

Estimated Total: $125–155

Shopping at Aldi + Kroger

Buying pantry staples, produce, dairy, and meat at Aldi while picking up specialty gluten-free items at Kroger helps keep costs down.

Estimated Total: $95–120

If your pantry is already stocked with olive oil, spices, canned tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, your grocery bill could be closer to $75–95.

Shopping Only at Kroger

Estimated Total: $120–150

Shopping at Aldi + Kroger

Buying pantry staples, produce, dairy, and meat at Aldi while picking up specialty gluten-free items at Kroger helps keep costs down.

Estimated Total: $90–115

If your pantry is already stocked with olive oil, spices, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, your grocery bill could be closer to $70–90.

Aldi vs. Kroger Shopping Guide

Buy at Aldi

Ground beef

Chicken breasts

Chicken thighs

Yellow onions

Bell peppers

Iceberg lettuce

Tomatoes

Carrots

Celery

Garlic

Green onions

Russet potatoes

Milk

Butter

Sour cream

Parmesan cheese

Shredded Mexican cheese

Cheddar cheese (slices or shredded)

Eggs

Olive oil

Frozen peas

White rice

Chicken stock

Most spices

Buy at Kroger

Gluten-free taco seasoning

Gluten-free tortillas

Gluten-free breadcrumbs

Gluten-free marinara sauce

Gluten-free potato gnocchi

Gluten-free hamburger buns

Coconut aminos

Toasted sesame oil

Hot sauce

Guacamole

Salsa

Mayonnaise (if needed for burger sauce)

Ketchup

Mustard

Pickles

Complete Gluten-Free Grocery List

Meat

• 4 pounds ground beef (2 pounds for tacos, 2 pounds for smash burgers)
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 4–5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Produce

• 4–5 yellow onions
• 4 bell peppers
• 1 head iceberg lettuce
• 5 tomatoes
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1 head garlic
• 1 cup carrots
• 1 celery stalk
• 5–6 russet potatoes

Dairy

• Eggs
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cheddar cheese slices
• Shredded Mexican cheese

Frozen

• 1 cup frozen peas

Pantry

• Olive oil
• White rice
• Chicken stock
• Gluten-free marinara sauce
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs
• Gluten-free taco seasoning (2 packets)
• Coconut aminos
• Toasted sesame oil
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise

Bread & Grains

• Gluten-free tortillas
• Gluten-free potato gnocchi
• Gluten-free hamburger buns

Toppings

• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Hot sauce
• Pickles

Herbs & Seasonings

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic salt
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika

A Little Sunday Prep Goes a Long Way

If you have about an hour on Sunday, you can make the rest of the week feel much easier.

Prep the Meat

• Brown the ground beef for Monday’s tacos if you like getting ahead.
• Dice the chicken for Wednesday’s fried rice.
• Bread Thursday’s chicken Parmesan and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

Prep the Vegetables

• Chop all of the onions.
• Dice the tomatoes.
• Shred the lettuce.
• Dice the carrots and celery.
• Slice the green onions.
• Mince the garlic.

Pantry Prep

• If you don’t already have cooked rice, make a batch on Sunday and refrigerate it. Day-old rice makes the best fried rice.
• Drain and rinse the beans for Friday’s chili if you’d like to save a few extra minutes.

Organize the Week

Store prepped ingredients in airtight containers and label them by recipe if that’s helpful. Spending a little time prepping now makes busy weeknights feel much more manageable.

Monday Around Our Table

Monday mornings start with piano lessons, but once we’re home, we usually have the rest of the day to ourselves. During the summer, that usually means being outside as much as possible. Whether we’re working in the garden, swimming, or just letting the kids enjoy another day of summer break, I like keeping dinner simple.

Taco night is one of those meals that everyone gets excited about, and it’s on the table in about 30 minutes. I can have all of the toppings chopped ahead of time, brown the beef, and dinner is ready before anyone has a chance to ask what’s for supper.

What’s for Dinner

Family Taco Night

Why This Meal Works Today

• Dinner is ready in about 30 minutes.
• The toppings can be prepped ahead of time.
• Everyone gets to build their own tacos.
• Leftover taco meat makes an easy lunch or taco salad.

What We Serve It With

• Spanish rice
• Tortilla chips and salsa
• Fresh watermelon
• Guacamole and sour cream

Tuesday Around Our Table

Tuesday is another one of our busy evenings with gymnastics and karate. By the time everyone gets home, I’m always thankful for a dinner that doesn’t require much last-minute work.

The chicken filling for this recipe can be made earlier in the day, and the mashed potatoes are easy to keep warm until it’s time to eat. It’s one of those meals that feels like comfort food after a busy evening.

What’s for Dinner

Lunch Lady Chicken

Why This Meal Works Today

• The filling can be made ahead.
• It’s hearty enough after an active evening.
• Leftovers reheat well for lunch.

What We Serve It With

• Steamed green beans
• Garden salad
• Applesauce
• Gluten-free dinner rolls

Wednesday Around Our Table

Wednesdays are usually a little full around here. After spending time helping my grandma, I like having something that’s quick to make before we head to church.

Chicken fried rice is perfect because it comes together fast, especially if the rice was cooked ahead of time. Everything cooks in one skillet, cleanup is easy, and we still have plenty of time to get ready for church.

What’s for Dinner

Chicken Fried Rice

Why This Meal Works Today

• Ready in about 30 minutes.
• Uses leftover rice.
• One skillet means fewer dishes.
• Easy to customize with vegetables you already have.

What We Serve It With

• Steamed broccoli
• Fresh pineapple
• Asian Cucumber Salas
• Extra coconut aminos
• Gluten-free egg rolls if I have them on hand

Thursday Around Our Table

Thursday usually includes a play date during the day and karate in the evening, so I try to do as much as I can before we leave the house.

I’ll slice and tenderize the chicken earlier in the day and keep it in the refrigerator until we’re ready to bread and fry it. While it’s frying, I can cook the gnocchi and warm the marinara sauce without feeling rushed.

Doing a little prep ahead of time makes the evening go much more smoothly.

What’s for Dinner

Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan

Why This Meal Works Today

• Easy enough for a weeknight.
• Feels a little special without a lot of extra work.

What We Serve It With

• Gluten-free gnocchi
• Caesar salad
• Roasted broccoli
• Fresh fruit

Friday Around Our Table

Friday is one of my favorite days because we don’t have anywhere we need to be. After a week of piano lessons, gymnastics, karate, church, and everything else on the calendar, it’s nice to slow down and enjoy an evening at home. During the summer, that usually means we’re outside. The kids are swimming, riding bikes, or playing in the yard while dinner is cooking.

Smash burgers are one of those meals everyone gets excited about. They’re quick to make, the burgers get those crispy edges from the hot griddle, and homemade oven fries are always worth the little bit of extra time. It’s a simple way to end the week and kick off the weekend together.

What’s for Dinner

Smash Burgers & Oven Fries

Why This Meal Works Today

• A fun way to start the weekend.
• The fries roast while the burgers cook.
• Easy to customize with everyone’s favorite toppings.
• Great for eating outside on a summer evening.

What We Serve It With

• Homemade oven fries
• Sliced watermelon
• Fresh fruit
• Pickles
• Coleslaw or a simple garden salad
• Homemade burger sauce

 

Thanks for spending another week around our table!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated to be helpful. Some weeks everything goes according to plan, and other weeks we swap meals around, eat leftovers two nights in a row, or make breakfast for dinner. That’s just real life. Use these meal plans in whatever way works best for your family. Skip a recipe, substitute ingredients you already have, or move meals around to fit your own schedule. They’re meant to make life a little easier, not give you another list to keep up with.

I hope these recipes help take one thing off your plate this week so you can spend a little more time enjoying the people gathered around your table. I’ll be back next Sunday with another Simply Sunday Supper Plan. Until then, I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Jess