Once a month I bulk cook and fill the freezer. I use food saver bags and re heat right in the bag in a sous vise or in gently simmering water. I do a ton of things such as grilled chicken, gumbo, chili, spaghetti sauce, port carnitas, steak, butter chicken, Indian spiced lentils, soups, chicken schwarma meat…ect. We always have on hand rice and use our rice cooker. I always have hearty veggies washed, cut and prepped in the fridge such as broccoli, carrots, celery, cauliflower, and kale. I just soak together something from the freezer and veggie and a starch. This really helps us to never eat out unless it’s as a family for pleasure. Not to just to fill our bellies when in the run.

I always did a crockpot meal, or "leftovers" on sports nights. When I mean leftovers, it could be actually leftovers or might be something that can re-heated the next day. I would make a meal on Monday that we wouldn't eat on Monday but that could be reheated easily on Tuesday.

If I needed something portable, hot sandwiches (grilled ham and cheese) or quesadillas, raw vegetables (carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, etc), fruit, gogurt. I have one who eats cold food so he's happy with a cold drumstick or a chicken breast on a sandwich.

Some combo of soup/salad/grilled cheese sandwich.

Another team parent suggested quesadillas years ago and it’s been a regular in our rotation ever since. It’s now my son’s favorite. When it’s colder, I make chili or pulled bbq chicken in the crockpot or make a baked ziti or mac and cheese in advance that I just need to heat. We also frequently do chipotle style bowls which are easy to customize (I use precooked chicken and a can of black beans for protein). A rotisserie chicken with a bag of salad greens can also make an easy dinner.

Help me come up with dinner ideas, we have two working parents and two soccer player elementary kids. What are you making for these crazy nights?