How do I scale this plan up for a family of 5 or 6?

Multiply the protein quantities by 1.25 (so 6 chicken breasts become 8), keep rice at 3 cups uncooked per main meal, and add one extra vegetable side. The grocery list scales linearly except for sauces and dry herbs, which last across multiple plans.

My helper has never cooked Western food. Where should she start?

Begin with Monday's spaghetti bolognese and Friday's grilled salmon — both are forgiving and use techniques (browning mince, baking fish) that translate to many other recipes. The omelette on Friday lunch is also a confidence-builder.

Can this plan be made halal?

Yes. The plan contains no pork or alcohol, so the only swap needed is to source halal-certified chicken, beef and any processed items like pasta sauce. See our "Halal Family Meal Plan" for a version designed from the ground up around halal sourcing.

What if my children refuse some of these meals?

Keep two backup ingredients on hand at all times: eggs and a block of cheese. Most weeknight protests are solved by a 5-minute omelette or grilled cheese while the family eats the planned meal. Over 4–6 weeks, exposure usually wins.

How do I share this plan with my helper in her language?

Mealside translates the full plan — including the grocery list and cooking tips — into Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Sinhala, Burmese, Cantonese and others. Your helper sees it in her language; you see it in English. Both views update in sync when you change anything.

Simple Weekly Family Meal Plan

This weekly meal plan uses simple, family-friendly recipes that most domestic helpers can prepare. All meals use common ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.

Why this plan works

This plan is built for households where the domestic helper handles most of the weekday cooking and the Team wants a calm, predictable rhythm. Every dish on the list uses one pan, one pot or the oven — no specialist equipment, no obscure ingredients. The week alternates between rice-based meals (familiar to most helpers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Myanmar) and Western staples like pasta, roasts and omelettes so children encounter both cuisines without anyone being thrown into the deep end. Sunday's roast chicken intentionally produces leftovers used on Monday and Tuesday — a small habit that cuts the weekly grocery bill by 10–15% and gives your helper one less protein to cook from scratch midweek. If your helper is brand new, pair this plan with the "Easy Meal Plan for Domestic Helpers" for the first month.

Weekly Meal Plan

Day	Lunch	Dinner	Notes
Monday	Chicken Fried Rice	Spaghetti Bolognese	Start the week light. Fried rice uses leftover Sunday rice and reheats in 8 minutes — ideal while the bolognese sauce simmers for dinner.
Tuesday	Egg Fried Rice	Teriyaki Chicken with Rice
Wednesday	Chicken Noodle Soup	Roast Chicken with Vegetables	Roast chicken is the anchor of the week. Ask your helper to roast extra carrots and potatoes at the same time — they keep three days and slot into Thursday's pasta dish.
Thursday	Chicken Salad (using leftovers)	Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Friday	Simple Omelette with Salad	Grilled Salmon with Potatoes	Salmon takes 12 minutes in a 200°C oven. If fresh salmon is expensive in your city, frozen fillets thawed overnight work identically.
Saturday	Fried Noodles	Beef Stir-Fry with Rice
Sunday	Simple Pancakes	Chicken Curry with Rice	Pancakes are a forgiving Sunday lunch — let children help with the batter while your helper preps the curry base for dinner.

Grocery List

Meat & Fish

Chicken breasts (6)
Whole chicken (1)
Minced beef (500g)
Beef sirloin (300g)
Salmon fillets (2)

Vegetables

Onions (5)
Carrots (6)
Broccoli (2)
Potatoes (6)
Mixed salad
Tomatoes (4)
Bell peppers (2)
Celery (2 stalks)
Spring onions (bunch)
Garlic (1 head)
Ginger (small piece)

Pantry

Rice (2kg)
Spaghetti (500g)
Pasta (500g)
Egg noodles (400g)
Soy sauce
Tomato paste
Canned tomatoes (3 cans)
Coconut milk (1 can)
Curry powder
Dried herbs (oregano, basil)

Dairy & Eggs

Eggs (18)
Butter
Parmesan cheese
Milk

Cooking Tips for Helpers

Prepare rice in large batches — cook extra for fried rice the next day.
Leftover roast chicken can be used for salads, sandwiches, or fried rice.
Chop vegetables for the week on Sunday to save time each day.
Read recipes the evening before to ensure all ingredients are ready.

This meal plan provides a good balance of proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Adjust portions based on your family size. Some families use MealSide to create and share customised meal plans with their helpers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I scale this plan up for a family of 5 or 6?: Multiply the protein quantities by 1.25 (so 6 chicken breasts become 8), keep rice at 3 cups uncooked per main meal, and add one extra vegetable side. The grocery list scales linearly except for sauces and dry herbs, which last across multiple plans.
My helper has never cooked Western food. Where should she start?: Begin with Monday's spaghetti bolognese and Friday's grilled salmon — both are forgiving and use techniques (browning mince, baking fish) that translate to many other recipes. The omelette on Friday lunch is also a confidence-builder.
Can this plan be made halal?: Yes. The plan contains no pork or alcohol, so the only swap needed is to source halal-certified chicken, beef and any processed items like pasta sauce. See our "Halal Family Meal Plan" for a version designed from the ground up around halal sourcing.
What if my children refuse some of these meals?: Keep two backup ingredients on hand at all times: eggs and a block of cheese. Most weeknight protests are solved by a 5-minute omelette or grilled cheese while the family eats the planned meal. Over 4–6 weeks, exposure usually wins.
How do I share this plan with my helper in her language?: Mealside translates the full plan — including the grocery list and cooking tips — into Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Sinhala, Burmese, Cantonese and others. Your helper sees it in her language; you see it in English. Both views update in sync when you change anything.