Weekly Meal Plan for a Helper Cooking for a Family of 5
Cooking for five people requires larger quantities and smart planning. This meal plan helps your helper prepare satisfying meals for a larger family without overspending. Recipes are chosen for their ability to scale up easily.
Weekly Meal Plan
| Day | Lunch | Dinner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Chicken Fried Rice | Spaghetti Bolognese | Double the bolognese sauce — freeze half for later |
| Tuesday | Egg Fried Rice | Roast Chicken with Potatoes | |
| Wednesday | Chicken Noodle Soup | Beef Stir-Fry with Rice | |
| Thursday | Fried Noodles | Pasta with Tomato Sauce | |
| Friday | Simple Omelette with Toast | Fish and Chips | |
| Saturday | Chicken Salad Wraps | Chicken Curry with Rice | Make a large pot of curry |
| Sunday | Pancakes | Shepherd's Pie |
Grocery List
Meat & Fish
- Chicken breasts (8)
- Whole chicken (1)
- Minced beef (1kg)
- Beef sirloin (500g)
- White fish fillets (5)
Vegetables
- Onions (6)
- Carrots (8)
- Broccoli (3 heads)
- Potatoes (12)
- Mixed salad (2 bags)
- Tomatoes (6)
- Bell peppers (4)
- Celery (4 stalks)
- Spring onions (2 bunches)
- Garlic (2 heads)
- Peas (frozen, 500g)
Pantry
- Rice (3kg)
- Spaghetti (1kg)
- Pasta (500g)
- Egg noodles (800g)
- Soy sauce
- Canned tomatoes (4 cans)
- Coconut milk (2 cans)
- Curry powder
- Flour
- Breadcrumbs
Dairy & Eggs
- Eggs (24)
- Butter (500g)
- Parmesan cheese
- Milk (3L)
- Cheese (block)
Cooking Tips for Helpers
- For 5 people, cook at least 4 cups of uncooked rice per meal.
- Buy meat in bulk when possible — it is cheaper per kilo.
- Stews, curries, and bolognese sauce scale up easily and taste better in large batches.
- Use a larger pot and pan — standard cookware may be too small for 5 servings.
- Freeze extra portions of sauces and curries for busy days.
Feeding five people well takes planning, but this meal plan makes it manageable. Recipes are chosen for easy scaling and budget-friendliness. Your helper can follow this plan confidently.