I plan my week out on Friday evening, do most of the cooking in a couple hours on Saturday; then only have to reheat thru the week. It's HUGE help. We're up at 4a, out of the house by 5, by the time we're done with work, taking care of the pets, exercise class, etc; it's 7pm. I'm tired and HUNGRY. A few minutes in the microwave, or in the oven while we shower, and dinner's done! I save the complicated meals for the weekend.
We do the same thing for our lunches thru the week; Anything that can be prepared as a 'grab & go' gets done on Saturday the same time I'm preparing dinners.
Here's a Sample Week:
Spagehtti
Chicken & vegetable stirfry
Spinach & black bean enchiladas
Shepards pie
Cheater Chicken & dumplings
The noodles, rice and chicken and beef, are cooked on Saturday.
Spinach enchilada mix is made Saturday.
All you have to do is combine with one or two other ingredients & heat up. ( oh yeah made the dumplings... easy)
Mashed potatos are from Weekend meal,