15 Fun Themed Dinner Nights That Take the Guesswork Out of Planning

Putting my family on a rotating meal plan was a game changer in my house.

Why? Because we gave each meal a theme.

themed dinners ideas for weeknights and weekends

Themed dinner nights make planning a breeze. Fewer choices = less overwhelm. Which leads to eating out less, making healthier meals, and spending less time on meal planning and grocery shopping.

Taco Tuesday isn’t the only fun to have during the week!

How to Start Themed Dinner Nights

First, decide what meal types work best on certain days of the week.

Lately, Wednedays are the busiest nights for my family. So, I need crockpot, freezer meals, or soups those days. On the weekend, the more fun options come out. Do what works for you!

themed dinner nights you'll love, rotating meal ideas pin

Most Exciting & Efficient Themed Dinner Nights

Pasta Night

Anything Italian works on this night.

Taco Tuesday

Tacos are just the start!

Do you have to theme every day of the week? Heck no. You might like one or two themed dinners. But each dinner you give a direction to is one fewer decision to make when you’re tired.

Fish Fridays/Seafood Saturdays

Breakfast for Dinner

Pizza Themed Dinner Night

Great for Fridays, Saturdays, or family night fun.

pizza night
  • Margherita pizza with fresh mozarella
  • BBQ chicken pizza with red onion
  • Pepperoni pizza
  • Veggie pizza with bell peppers and olives
  • White sauce or pesto pizza

Related: 10 Best Family Pizza Night Ideas

Leftover Night

Pull out all the leftovers for the week, or re-purpose your leftovers into one of the following:

  • Leftover stir-fry: Combine leftover veggies, proteins, and rice or noodles with a stir-fry sauce.
  • Leftover calzones or quesadillas: Fit in any leftover taco or pizza toppings to make this unique fun food.
  • Leftover pasta salad: Toss leftover pasta with fresh veggies, cheese, and vinaigrette for a refreshing salad.
  • Leftover soup: Combine various leftovers with broth, beans, and spices for a hearty soup.
  • Leftover sandwiches

Salad Night

  • Greek salad with grilled chicken: Greens, cucumber, tomato, olives, feta cheese, and grilled chicken
  • Cobb salad: Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and blue cheese
  • Southwest salad: Quinoa, black beans, corn, avocado, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro
  • Caprese salad: Fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, basil
  • Thai peanut salad: Mixed greens, shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, grilled shrimp, peanuts
  • Strawberry spinach salad: Spinach, baby greens, strawberries, feta, and pecans

More Ideas: Fun Green Salad Recipes

Soup & Chili Night

Soups are incredibly versatile (great for busy weeknights). Plus, you can leave it to cook in the Crockpot or Instant Pot.

Slow Cooker or Freezer Meal Night

More Ideas: 12 Easy Freezer Meal Ideas & 12 Healthy Crockpot Dinners

Grill & Chill Night

  • Grilled steak, chicken, or pork
  • Grilled kabobs with meat and veggies
  • Grilled burgers
  • Grilled hot dogs or brats

Meatless Mondays

Asian Food Night

  • Vegetable fried rice
  • Pad Thai
  • Veggie spring rolls
  • Vegetable curry

Snacky Dinner Night

Great for family nights, sports games, social events, or just when you’re tired from the week.

  • Loaded nachos
  • Charcuterie board with your favorite fixings
  • Baked potato bar
  • Veggie sushi rolls

Sheet Pan Sundays

  • Greek lemon garlic roasted chicken and vegetables
  • Chicken sausage with potatoes and veggies
  • Honey mustard salmon with roasted vegetables
  • Sheet pan fajitas

Sunday Supper

I’m stealing this term from the book Lessons in Chemistry. It’s such a good one!

My Weekly Themed Dinner Nights

Here’s what my rotating meal plan looks like. We also like to switch back and forth bi-weekly to keep things more exciting.

Monday: Pasta night/sheet pan night

Tuesday: Tacos or Mexican variation

Wednesday: Freezer meal, crockpot, or soup

Thursday: Fish

Friday: Pizza or snacky dinner

Saturday: Breakfast for dinner or leftovers

Sunday: Grill & chill or Sunday Supper

Related: 5 Hacks For Making Family Dinners Easier

Free Meal Planning Printable

weekly meal plan for your themed dinners on different nights of the week

Related: Ultimate Meal Planning List of Meals

What’s Next?

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