I don’t know about you but some days, I just don’t want to cook. We have the ingredients, I have the plan, the problem is that I just don’t feel like it. I’m tired after a day of working and mom-ing and it’s the last thing I want to do.

So I pulled together a list of ideas for just such a day. And (bonus!) a couple of extra ideas to keep you from having to make dinner in the future, if you do a little prep now. Alright, alright, without further ado…

5 Good Options for When Mama Doesn’t Feel Like Cooking

Pull something out from the freezer – I have found that the Trader Joe’s freezer section is my new best friend. From their chicken potstickers, to their cauliflower gnocchi, meat lasagna (and about a million other options), I try to make sure that my freezer is stocked for nights like these when I just can’t bring myself to cook.

Have cereal for dinner – This is totally a viable dinner option and your kids will probably love it too! Let them mix and match their cereal combinations and it’ll be a real party. 😉

Order takeout or have pizza delivered – Pizza is my comfort food. Matt knows that sometimes a bad day just calls for pizza. And it is my son’s favorite meal as well (which always makes mama happy when her boys eat dinner without hesitation).

Do a Drive through – This not only doubles as dinner but also as an evening activity! On rainy days when we’ve been cooped up in the house all day, sometimes a “trip” to the drive through is just what we need to lift our spirits and make us feel like we went on an adventure, even if it was only to Chik-fil-A.

Breakfast for dinner – Okay, so this technically is cooking, but throwing bacon on a baking sheet in the oven and flipping some pancakes on the stove top are so simple even your little one can help. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, anyway so I’ll take it anytime!

Ideas to Keep you from Having to Cook Dinner in the Future 🙂

Meal swap with a neighbor – my neighbor is so good about asking me to meal swap. Pick something to make for your fam and do a double batch. Deliver one to your neighbor that they can eat right away or save for another night. Then later that week, you’ll have dinner delivered to you! This is so fun for building community with your neighbors AND trying new recipes that you might not normally cook yourself.

Freeze some meals ahead of time – On the same brain wave of making a double batch, pick a delicious recipe that you don’t often make and cook extra of it. Freeze the leftovers and have for another night!

Make a couple of meals on Sunday/prep day that you can just warm up throughout the week – I love this idea for making week-night meals easier. Meal prep one day of the week and cook a couple meals ahead of time so that all you have to do is reheat on a busy night!

Plan for your husband to make a couple dinners each week– In our home, I typically like to cook, but it’s been so helpful for us plan out at least one meal that Matt will make during the week. Between that, frozen night and leftovers night, you’ve already got a few meals covered!

There ya go, mama. On nights when you are just too tired to cook, pull out this list and decide what option suits you best! And when you’ve got a little more time, try some of the prep ideas too, I promise it’ll make your weeknights easier.