Food & Dining: Plan Your Meals for the Week A little planning in the kitchen can make the entire week easier. When life gets busy, deciding what to cook every night can quickly become another chore. Planning your meals ahead of time takes away some of that pressure and can help you save time, reduce food waste, and make better use of your grocery budget. Start by looking at your schedule. Busy nights might call for something quick like tacos, pasta, stir-fry, sandwiches, or leftovers. Save meals that require more preparation for days when you actually have time to enjoy cooking. Before heading to the grocery store, check your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. You may already have chicken that needs to be used, vegetables waiting in the crisper, or pasta and rice that can become the foundation of several meals. Build your menu around what you already have before buying more. Try choosing ingredients that can work in multiple dishes. Roasted chicken can become dinner one night and g...