Midweek Meal Planning 1/28 -- What's for dinner? in 2026

If you care about midweek meal planning dinner, this guide gets straight to the point. We break down what actually matters, skip the fluff, and show you how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:64.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;} Welcome back to Midweek Meal Planning!
• Here’s how my week is going , how about yours?
• Tuesday: Perfect Pot Roast in the Dutch Oven.
• Wednesday: We'll have leftover pot roast, salad + the last of the soup that keeps on giving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I know it’s more traditional to meal plan on the weekend, but since our grocery ads here in Chicago flip midweek, and since Wednesday hump day is when numerous of us begin running out of steam, I’m going to buck the trend and begin standardizing these meal planning posts on Wednesdays. Saturday: Kale & Polska Kielbasa Soup. (I'd planned to make this last Thursday, but we had more leftovers than expected and then evening school events, so it got pushed to Saturday.) Sunday: Carryout (bad us).

• Worth noting: monday: Leftover soup, and since MashupDad picked most of the hearty carbalicious stuff out of his, he supplemented his with a sandwich on one of his Low Carb Cauliflower Rolls.
• I stopped by one of the Jewels that had them $3.77/lb last week and picked one up for $7-something -- it's been forever since we had pot roast!
• More importantly, thursday: I may punt with Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, unless inspiration strikes -- I have some clearance guacamole from ALDI to apply up.

Is Midweek Meal Planning Dinner Worth It?

Friday: MashupDad is working late, Junior High Guy is eating at a friend's, and Mr. 7 and I will probably have leftover salsa chicken or something straightforward like grilled cheese.

• Matchups meal planning Let's put together some affordable meals from some of the main grocery ads this week.
• Remember that for instance, if I were shopping just at...
• ALDI I'd make Cherry Tomato Avocado Grilled Cheese.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Avocados are $.49 each, grape tomatoes are $.99 a pint, sourdough loaf $2.69. Their shredded cheese runs under $2.00, and you could apply $1.39 Carlini cooking spray or $1.89 mayo to spread on the outside to brown, if you don't have butter in the house.

• As a rule, you could also make a nice veggie fajita.
• El Milagro corn tortillas are $.35 each day, and flour tortillas $.89.
• Pick up 1 lb mini sweet peppers for $1.49, 8 oz mushrooms for $.69, a bag of onions (probably near $1.29), some of those $.49 avocados and $.99 grape tomatoes for guacamole.

A Closer Look at Midweek Meal Planning Dinner

Apply some of the $1.69 organic salsa + your own spices to flavor the veggies. In short, jewel Perdue oven stuffer roasters are BOGO (I'm guessing near $1.99/lb) and fresh jalapeños are $.79/lb.

• Do you still have some of the $1.29 10 lb bag of potatoes from last weekend?
• Roasted Chile Lime Chicken & Potatoes is excellent spicy winter comfort food.
• On the side, salad: Fresh Express tender leaf or traditional salad blends or vegetable medley blends, BOGO at $2.99.

What to Know About Midweek Meal Planning Dinner

Worth noting: apply two of the $1.00/1 manufacturer coupons from the January Large Book of Savings to get two for $.99, or just $.50 each. Apply up your other roaster and the rest of the potatoes by making My Large Fat Greek Chicken.

• Ultra Foods Boneless skinless chicken breast is $1.78/lb, while Kraft dressing is $1.18 on the purchase six instant savings deal and 8 lb russet potatoes are $2.29.
• So, why not make straightforward Italian chicken & potatoes in the Crock Pot?
• More importantly, pour about ½ cup Italian dressing in the bottom of the slow cooker.

How Midweek Meal Planning Dinner Really Works

Add 2-2.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast. Season with some Italian seasoning, salt, pepper.

• Add about 2 lbs sliced potatoes on top, pour on another ½ cup Italian dressing, and add a little minced garlic.
• Remember that cook 6 hours on low.
• Johnsonville Italian sausage is 3/$10.00 limit three total, and you can apply $1.00/2 in the 1/11 SS2.

Getting the Most From Midweek Meal Planning Dinner

So apply up some more of that bag of potatoes and try one of the multiple copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana recipes floating near. (That's on my bucket list of aspects to try one of these days!) Yeah, we're heavy on the potatoes this week But it's COLD. And they've been discounted a lot. 🙂 Your turn How's your week of dinners going?

As a rule, are you inspired by any of the ads -- I know they're heavy on Super Bowl convenience food this week, but there's consistently something we can scratch up. ... Facebook Twitter Email Messenger.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on midweek meal planning dinner?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Saturday: Kale & Polska Kielbasa Soup. (I'd planned to make this last Thursday, but we had more leftovers than expected and then evening school events, so it got pushed to Saturday.) Sunday: Carryout (bad us).

Is it worth shopping around for midweek meal planning dinner?

Usually yes. Worth noting: monday: Leftover soup, and since MashupDad picked most of the hearty carbalicious stuff out of his, he supplemented his with a sandwich on one of his Low Carb Cauliflower Rolls.

Smart Ways to Save More on Midweek Meal Planning Dinner

• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up midweek meal planning dinner against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.