Meal-Plan Monday: Winter Warmers and Baby-Led Weaning Classics [week 51]

Meal-Plan Monday: Winter Warmers and Baby-Led Weaning Classics [week 51]

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) or simply cooking for a family with young children is finding meals that everyone can enjoy. Nobody wants to be stuck cooking multiple meals every day! Since we started BLW, we’ve focused on eating the same meals as a family, with minor adaptations to suit our baby’s needs—like reducing salt or avoiding processed foods.

This week, I’m sharing our family’s weekly meal plan, complete with links to recipes that are simple, adaptable, and most importantly, loved by kids and adults alike. Whether you’re navigating the early days of BLW or looking for ideas to streamline family mealtime, these recipes are a perfect starting point.

Quick Links to This Week’s Recipes

Why These Recipes Work for BLW and Family Mealtimes

Monday: Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs are a family classic, and this version is baked for convenience. The recipe is packed with flavour but easy to adapt for little ones—just reduce the salt in the meatballs and use a low-sodium or homemade veggie-packed pasta sauce. The Homemade Pasta Sauce is perfect for sneaking in extra vegetables, and its smooth texture makes it easy for babies to handle with their hands or a spoon.

Tuesday: Chicken Alexander with Rice
This creamy chicken dish is a hearty, comforting meal that pairs wonderfully with rice. While the original recipe might call for condensed soup, we prefer using cream or milk as a substitute to keep things wholesome. It’s a great way to introduce a variety of textures to your baby, from tender chicken pieces to soft rice, and it’s simple enough to please older kids and adults too.

Wednesday: Mini Chicken Pot Pies with Mashed Potatoes
These adorable pot pies are a hit with little ones and perfect for BLW. The flaky pastry is fun for babies to pick up, and the mashed potatoes add a creamy, easy-to-eat component. By making the filling from scratch, you can control the salt and ensure the ingredients are fresh and family-friendly.

Thursday: Homemade Fish & Chips
This salmon fish fingers recipe is a healthier twist on the traditional fish and chips. The chunky chips are baked, not fried, and the fish fingers are made with fresh salmon, making them a fantastic source of omega-3s for growing kids. Serve them with a simple side like steamed veggies for a balanced, baby-friendly meal.

Friday: Homemade Pizza
Pizza night is a weekly tradition in our house, and this Greek yogurt pizza dough makes it so easy to whip up. Let the kids help with toppings for a fun, family-friendly activity. For BLW, cut the pizza into strips or small squares, and skip overly salty toppings like pepperoni for your baby.

Saturday: Easy Butter Chicken with Rice
This butter chicken recipe is mild enough for babies and rich enough for adults to enjoy. Pair it with rice or naan, and you’ve got a one-bowl meal that everyone will love. The creamy texture makes it a hit for BLW, and the recipe is simple enough to prepare even on busy weekends.

Sunday: Leftovers or a Roast Dinner
Sundays are our flexible day. We either enjoy leftovers from earlier in the week or go for a comforting roast dinner. Leftovers are a lifesaver for busy families and perfect for introducing babies to a variety of flavours and textures without extra cooking.

Keeping It Simple

To make weekly planning easier, we like to stick to themes—like pizza night on Fridays or roast dinners on Sundays. It’s a small way to reduce decision fatigue while still keeping meals interesting. By cooking meals the whole family can enjoy, BLW becomes less of a chore and more of a shared experience at the table.

I hope this meal plan inspires your week! What are you cooking for your family? Let me know in the comments or tag us on Instagram @thelittlesprouts.co with your creations.

Happy cooking! 🌱

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