Thrive Market’s 2025 Back-to-Busy Meal Plan (Shopping List Included!) 

Between early mornings, after-school activities, and work commitments, back-to-school season can make planning mealtimes a challenge.

That’s where our Back-to-Busy Meal Plan comes in. Designed with busy families in mind, this plan includes:

• 3 batch-cooked breakfasts that the kids can grab on their way out the door
• 5 easy, but exciting dinners that cover all the nutritional bases
• 5 lunches that use up all those leftovers

To make things even easier, we’ve prepared a thoughtfully curated shopping list available at Thrive Market so your pantry and fridge will be stocked with everything you need to set your week up for success.

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What Makes the Back-to-Busy Meal Plan Special

• It saves time. By meal prepping on Sunday, batch cooking breakfasts, and planning dinners with built-in leftovers, you can simplify busy weekdays.
• It’s nutrient-rich. The Back-to-Busy Meal Plan includes a variety of whole foods, including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and ethically sourced proteins.
• It reduces food waste. Turning leftovers into next-day lunches can make the most of ingredients while minimizing waste (and saving you money!) 
• It’s family-friendly. The meals include familiar favorites and approachable recipes to help everyone enjoy mealtime — but they also sneak in some new flavors to help expand your kids’ palettes. 

Ready to get started? Here’s how it works: 

1. Stock up on the ingredients in the Back-to-Busy Meal Plan shopping list (below).
2. Set aside a Sunday afternoon to prep some of the main dinner components and all three breakfasts to serve throughout the week using the Meal Prep Instructions. 
3. Check the recipes labeled “Back-to-Busy Meal Plan” on the Thrive Market blog for five days of delicious recipes to make throughout the week (or even print out to make again and again!)

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Your 2025 Back-to-Busy Meal Plan Shopping List

The list below covers proteins, grains, produce, pantry essentials, and more. If quantities aren’t specified, a small amount or a partially used package should suffice.

Proteins

• 2 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 ½ lbs Italian style chicken sausage
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 4 cans tuna (2 packed in water, 2 in oil) 

Grains, Pasta & Bread

• 3 boxes pearl couscous (garlic & olive oil or your favorite flavor)
• 16 oz fuslili 
• 4 bags pre-cooked white rice
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 loaf sourdough bread (or sandwich wraps)
• 1 package English muffins

Packaged Beans & Veggies

• 4 pouches garbanzo beans
• 1 bag riced cauliflower

Packaged Fruits, Nuts & Seeds

• 1 can pumpkin 
• Apple sauce
• Peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter)
• Apricot fruit spread
• Almonds (or hazelnuts) 
• Chia seeds 
• Raisins 
• Olives

Broths, Sauces, Dressings & Condiments

• 1 jar pasta sauce (marinara or your favorite flavor)
• Mayonnaise
• 32 oz broth (chicken or your favorite flavor) 
• Teriyaki sauce
• Dijon mustard

Oils, Vinegars & Dressings 

• Ranch dressing
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar 
• Rice vinegar
• Coconut aminos 
• Toasted sesame oil

Baking & Sweeteners 

• Oat flour (any flour will work!) 
• Maple syrup (honey works, too) 

Spices 

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Pepper

Frozen Fruit & Veggies

• 1 cup frozen fruit (or 1 nectarine) 
• 1 bag frozen edamame (or peas)

Dairy & Fresh Produce 

• 2 dozen eggs
• 4 cups milk (regular or non-dairy) 
• 6 cups Greek yogurt (or your favorite plain, thick yogurt)
• 8 oz container mozzarella perlini or ciliegine 
• 1-2 oz Parmesan
• 5-6 oz Gruyere or mild white cheddar cheese 
• 6 zucchini
• 1 large bunch carrots
• 3 bell peppers
• 16 oz cherry tomatoes 
• 4 ears corn on the cob
• 1 large bunch celery
• 3 romaine hearts
• 5 oz arugula (or any lettuce greens for sandwiches and salads)
• 1 apple
• 2 avocados, optional 
• 4 lemons
• 2 limes 
• 1 bunch basil
• 1 bunch mint
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 bunch parsley