OP here. Thanks for all the ideas!

My main time saver is to make a double batch whenever I can, like bolognese sauce or chili, and freeze the second batch.

I also try to keep a couple of pantry-only dinner recipes in my pocket for nights that get away from me (and make sure the pantry is always stocked with the ingredients).

I also keep non dinner meals simple, simple. I do not make pancakes or waffles or breakfast sandwiches. Breakfast in our house is cereal or yogurt and fruit or toast with PB. Lunch is deli meat on rolls. Etc.

When I grill, I grill extra and individually wrap and freeze it. My kids will pull a frozen hamburger or hotdog out of the freezer, heat in the microwave and put on a fresh bun. I also slice and freeze leftover steak and chicken for quick soft tacos or quesadillas. Most recently, my teen has started making flat reads with grilled chicken from the freezer, pesto from my freezer and mozzarella cheese.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+1 on precut veggies for the week and ginger in the freezer.

I buy cinnamon butter when I can find it.

If I am motivated, I’ll make spice blends in advance - usually shawarma and taco seasoning

Do you have any containers you love for keeping precut veggies fresh?

I just use a plastic bowl that came with takeout. Or a Tupperware. No need to buy anything special.

I buy the frozen cubes of ginger and garlic at Trader Joe's. I toss one in a pan a half hour or so before I'm going to start cooking to let it defrost a bit. But if I forget, no big deal.

I buy red bell pepper and carrots once a week and cut them into sticks so they can easily be grabbed.

When I make meat sauce and pasta for dinner, I make two servings and have the second one for lunch the following day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+1 on precut veggies for the week and ginger in the freezer.

I buy cinnamon butter when I can find it.

If I am motivated, I’ll make spice blends in advance - usually shawarma and taco seasoning

Do you have any containers you love for keeping precut veggies fresh?

Stasher silicone bags are my favorite.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a schedule of what is for breakfast every day of the week so there is no discussion and no mental energy spent on it.

Monday - bagels
Tuesday - breakfast sandwiches
Wednesday - cereal
Thursday - protein/yogurt smoothie
Friday - breakfast tacos or burritos

How old are your kids? I’ve been trying to do this but having trouble sticking the routine.

NP, but I do this for breakfast and lunch - toddler and elementary school kids