If you’ve ever whispered, “I don’t know what to make for dinner,” while staring into your fridge at 5 p.m. with hungry kids at your feet…you are not alone, Momma.
That brain fog, panic, and pressure to feed everyone right now—it’s more than just dinnertime stress. It’s what I call dinner decision fatigue, and it hits especially hard when you’re already exhausted.
But there is a way out of the overwhelm, and today I want to share what’s helped me—not just survive dinnertime, but approach it with more peace.
Listen To The Podcast Episode That inspired This Article:
Parts of this post were drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed, updated, and edited by me to reflect my personal experience and voice. I always aim to share real-life content that’s helpful, honest, and rooted in my day-to-day rhythms.
This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through my links. I only share products I use and love in my own home.
Reads You May Like:
- Fresh Milled Flour Drop Biscuits (Simple, No-Fuss Comfort for Busy Moms)
- What I Do When I Don’t Know What to Make for Dinner
- Meal Planning for Busy Moms: My Grace-Filled, Real-Life Rhythm
- Fresh Milled Flour Gravy: A From-Scratch Favorite
- Fresh Milled Flour Biscuits (Simple & Fluffy — No Fuss Required)
Why Dinnertime Feels So Hard
There have been so many nights when I’ve stood in my kitchen—blank mind, tired body, no idea what to make. Just a few days ago, I accidentally fell asleep on the couch with my toddler. I woke up groggy and panicked. It was already 6 p.m., and I still didn’t know what we were going to eat.
I opened the fridge and saw a whole lot of “nothing.” You know the feeling?
But then—I paused.
One Simple Shift That Helped Me
Instead of spiraling, I took a breath and said a quick prayer. Then I remembered I had sandwich bread dough proofing in the fridge. I stretched it out, layered some cheese and deli meat, scraped out the last of a pesto jar, folded it up like a braid, and baked it.
In 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes in the oven, dinner was done.
Was it gourmet? Nope.
Was it good? Honestly, yes.
Did it feed my family? Absolutely.
That moment reminded me: I don’t need a perfect plan. I just need one small next step.
My Go-To Dinner Rhythm (for Nights With No Plan)
When I don’t know what to make for dinner, I fall back on my simple meal rhythm:
Protein + Veggie + Starch.
That’s it.
A few examples that have saved my sanity:
- Chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and green beans—roasted all together
- Sausage and bell peppers with rice
- Eggs, toast, and fruit—because breakfast-for-dinner counts
No recipes. No rules. Just real food that fills bellies.
Build a List of “No-Brainer” Meals
One of the best things I’ve done is create a running list of meals we already love. I keep a running list of our favorite meals on my iPad in Goodnotes.
When I feel stuck, I scan the list and pick one. It makes dinner planning faster, and it reminds me I do know what to cook…my brain just needs help remembering.
Want to build your own list? You can grab the template inside my free From-Scratch, Not Stressed Starter Pack. It also has a few emergency dinner ideas you can make with pantry staples.
A Tiny Habit That Makes a Huge Difference
Here’s the one thing I try to do each day that makes dinner way less stressful:
Decide what’s for dinner at lunchtime.
That’s it.
When I think ahead—even just a few hours—I can:
- Thaw meat
- Chop veggies during nap time
- Start dough if I’m baking
It only takes 2 minutes of thought, but it saves me from that awful 5 p.m. panic spiral.
If You Had Cereal Last Night, You’re Still a Good Mom
Let me say this loud and clear:
If you served cereal for dinner, you didn’t fail.
You fed your family. That counts.
And if you’re dreaming of making more from-scratch meals or using that flour mill that’s been sitting untouched? Great. We’ll start with one dinner. One rhythm. One reset.
Progress—not perfection.
Final Encouragement (and a Free Gift for You)
So next time you say, “I don’t know what to make for dinner,” try this:
- Pause. Breathe.
- Think of protein, veggie, and starch.
- Scan your list of go-to meals.
- If you can, plan it at lunchtime.
And if you want some support, I’d love to give you my free From-Scratch, Not Stressed Starter Pack. It includes:
- Dinner rhythm templates
- Emergency meal ideas
- Pantry Staples List
- A big dose of grace
Because you are not behind. You’re doing better than you think.
You’ve got this, Momma.
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