Some families have Taco Tuesday. Some have Pizza Friday. Some have both, and the kids would riot if you skipped either one.
In my house, we had themed nights. Pizza Friday has stood the test of time. Sometimes it was homemade and other times takeout.
Theme nights are one of the easiest ways to take the guesswork out of dinner. Instead of staring into the refrigerator wondering what to make, you already know Monday is meatless, Tuesday is tacos, and Friday is pizza. All that’s left is picking which taco, which pizza, and which meatless meal.
They’re fun, too. A theme turns an ordinary weeknight into something everyone looks forward to, whether it’s breakfast for dinner, a build-your-own bowl bar, or spaghetti and meatballs while you watch Lady and the Tramp.
Below you’ll find more than 100 theme night ideas: classic themes for every day of the week, fun nights the kids will love, seasonal and holiday themes for the whole year, and dinners inspired by favorite movies and books.
Why theme nights work
They make meal planning faster. Theme nights give your week a shape. Instead of choosing from every recipe in the world, you’re choosing one pasta dish or one soup. If you’re new to planning, our guide on how to meal plan walks you through the rest.
They save money. When you know Tuesday is always tacos, you can keep tortillas, beans, rice, and salsa on hand and buy ground beef when it’s on sale. Themes also make it easy to plan meals that share ingredients.
Everyone knows what to expect. Picky eaters relax when they know which night is “their” night, and older kids can take a turn cooking a theme they’re comfortable with.
They get the family to the table. Children and teens who eat with their families at least three times a week had 12% lower odds of being overweight, according to a 2011 review of 17 studies published in the journal Pediatrics. The researchers noted the link doesn’t prove family meals are the cause, but sitting down together is never a bad habit.
Theme nights for every day of the week
Pick one theme for each day you cook, or just two or three for your busiest nights. Here are the classics, with a few options for each day so you can find the ones that fit your family.
Monday
- Meatless Monday: Bean chili, black bean quesadillas, vegetable soup, cheese enchiladas, or pasta primavera
- Make-Ahead Monday: A casserole you put together on the weekend
- Mexican Monday: Burritos, nachos, or a taco salad
- Muffin Tin Monday: Mini meatloaves, egg cups, or mini pizzas baked in a muffin tin
Tuesday
- Taco Tuesday: Ground beef tacos, chicken tacos, fish tacos, taco salad, or a taco bar with all the fixings
- Tex-Mex Tuesday: Fajitas, enchiladas, or a taco casserole
- Two-for-Tuesday: Make a double batch and freeze half
Wednesday
- Wok Wednesday: Stir-fry, fried rice, or lo mein
- Waffle Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner
- Whatever Wednesday: Leftovers, or everyone fends for themselves
- One-Pot Wednesday: Skillet meals and one-pot pastas
Thursday
- Throwback Thursday: An old family recipe, like Grandma’s pot roast or Mom’s meatloaf
- Thirty-Minute Thursday: Anything that’s on the table in half an hour
- Thursday Takeout Fakeout: Homemade versions of your favorite takeout, like orange chicken, egg rolls, or burgers and fries
Friday
- Pizza Friday: Homemade pizza, French bread pizza, English muffin pizzas, or a build-your-own pizza bar
- Fish Friday: Baked fish, fish sticks, or tuna melts
- Fun Food Friday: Sliders, hot dogs, nachos, or finger foods
- Family Favorites Friday: Everyone’s No. 1 request
Saturday
- Soup and Sandwich Saturday: Tomato soup and grilled cheese, chili and cornbread, or chicken noodle soup and rolls
- Grill Night: Burgers, kebabs, chicken, or brats
- Slow Cooker Saturday: Pulled pork or chili simmering while you run errands
Sunday
- Sunday Supper: A roast chicken or pot roast with all the sides
- Slow Cooker Sunday: Something that cooks while you relax
- Sunday Brunch for Dinner: Pancakes, quiche, and fruit
- Soup Sunday: A big pot that becomes lunches for the week
Good to know
You don’t need a theme every night. Many families do best with two or three themes, a leftovers night, and a couple of open nights.
Fun theme nights the kids will love
These work on any night of the week and are great for weekends, birthdays, or just shaking up a boring week.
- Breakfast for dinner: Pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, French toast, or a breakfast casserole
- Build-your-own bar: Tacos, baked potatoes, rice bowls, nachos, salads, or sundaes
- Pasta night: Spaghetti and meatballs, baked ziti, mac and cheese, or chicken Alfredo
- Burger night: Beef, turkey, or chicken burgers with a topping bar
- Sheet pan night: Chicken and vegetables, sausage and potatoes, or fajitas all on one pan
- Casserole night: Lasagna, tuna noodle, chicken and rice, or shepherd’s pie made with ground beef
- Mini food night: Sliders, mini pizzas, pigs in a blanket, and mini muffins
- Finger food night: Chicken tenders, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, and fruit
- Picnic night: Sandwiches, chips, and fruit eaten on a blanket on the living room floor
- Backward dinner: Dessert first, then dinner
- Kids cook night: The kids pick the menu and help make it
- Color night: Every food on the plate is the same color
- Taste-test night: Try a new fruit, vegetable, or cheese together and vote on favorites
- Leftover buffet: Set out everything in the refrigerator and let everyone build a plate
- Hot dog night: Chili dogs, corn dogs, or a hot dog bar with toppings
- Soup and salad bar: Two soups and a salad with toppings
- Snack board dinner: Meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, and veggies on a big board
- Fondue night: Cheese fondue with bread and vegetables, then chocolate fondue with fruit
Around the world theme nights
Travel without leaving the kitchen. Pick a country, make one or two dishes, and maybe find it on a map with the kids.
- Italian night: Lasagna, chicken Parmesan, or minestrone
- Mexican night: Enchiladas, tamales, or chicken tortilla soup
- Chinese night: Fried rice, egg rolls, or sweet-and-sour chicken
- Japanese night: Teriyaki chicken, rice bowls, or ramen
- Greek night: Chicken souvlaki, Greek salad, and pita
- Indian night: Butter chicken or chickpea curry over rice
- Hawaiian night: Pineapple chicken, kalua-style pulled pork, and rice
- Southern night: Fried chicken, biscuits, and greens
- Cajun night: Red beans and rice, jambalaya, or gumbo
- German night: Bratwurst, potato salad, and sauerkraut
- French night: Quiche, crepes, or chicken in a creamy sauce
- Irish night: Corned beef and cabbage or beef stew with soda bread
Seasonal theme nights
Cooking with the seasons is cheaper, too. Produce costs less when it’s in season, and seasonal themes give you a fresh set of ideas four times a year.
Winter
- Chili night: Beef chili, white chicken chili, or bean chili with cornbread
- Soup night: Chicken noodle, potato, vegetable beef, or tomato soup
- Comfort food night: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes, pot pie, or mac and cheese
- Snow day dinner: Something warm from the slow cooker
- Hot cocoa bar: Dessert night with cocoa and toppings
- Pot roast night: A Sunday roast with carrots and potatoes
Spring
- Salad supper: Chef salad, taco salad, or a big chicken salad
- Garden night: Dinners built on asparagus, peas, and fresh greens
- Brunch night: Quiche, ham, and fruit
- Picnic night: The first warm evening of the year, outside
- Fresh herb night: Lemon herb chicken or pasta with pesto
Summer
- Grill night: Burgers, hot dogs, kebabs, and corn on the cob
- No-cook night: Sandwiches, wraps, pasta salad, and fruit for the hottest days
- Cookout night: Barbecue chicken, baked beans, and coleslaw
- Taco salad night: Cool and crunchy for a hot evening
- Garden harvest night: Zucchini, tomatoes, and sweet corn in every dish
- Ice cream sundae night: Dessert bar after an easy dinner
Fall
- Harvest night: Roast chicken with squash, apples, and sweet potatoes
- Stew and cornbread night: Beef stew, chicken stew, or chili
- Pumpkin night: Pumpkin soup, pumpkin pancakes, or pumpkin bread
- Football night: Sliders, wings, chili, and dips for game day
- Apple night: Pork chops and applesauce, then apple crisp
- Soup and bread night: A big pot of soup with homemade bread
Our Freezer Meals library is full of cold-weather favorites, from soups, chili, and stews to casseroles, that you can make ahead for busy fall and winter nights.
Holiday theme nights all year
Holidays are a natural excuse for a theme dinner, and they don’t have to be big productions.
- New Year’s Day: Black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread for good luck
- Super Bowl Sunday: Wings, sliders, chili, and dips
- Valentine’s Day: Heart-shaped pizza or a family “fancy dinner” with candles
- St. Patrick’s Day: Corned beef and cabbage, or green pancakes for the kids
- Easter: Ham, deviled eggs, and a brunch spread
- Cinco de Mayo: A taco or enchilada bar
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day: Mom’s or Dad’s favorite dinner, cooked by everyone else
- Memorial Day: The first cookout of summer
- Fourth of July: Burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and a red, white, and blue dessert
- Labor Day: The last cookout of summer
- Back to school: A favorite dinner the night before school starts
- Halloween: “Spooky” spaghetti, mummy hot dogs, and jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers
- Thanksgiving week: Leftover turkey sandwiches, turkey pot pie, and turkey soup
- Christmas Eve: Soup and bread, a ham dinner, or your family’s tradition
- Christmas cookie night: A simple dinner, then decorate cookies
- New Year’s Eve: Appetizers for dinner, eaten while you count down
Movie night dinner ideas
Pair a family movie with a dinner that matches. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A plate of spaghetti and a favorite film make a great Friday night.
| Movie | Dinner idea |
|---|---|
| Lady and the Tramp | Spaghetti and meatballs |
| Ratatouille | Ratatouille, a baked dish of layered vegetables |
| Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs | Meatball subs or spaghetti and meatballs |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Pizza night |
| The Princess and the Frog | Gumbo, followed by beignets |
| Moana | Hawaiian night with pineapple chicken and rice |
| Coco | Tamales, tacos, or enchiladas |
| Elf | Breakfast for dinner with pancakes and syrup |
| Home Alone | Cheese pizza and mac and cheese |
| A Christmas Story | Chinese takeout made at home |
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | A simple dinner, then a chocolate dessert bar |
| Harry Potter | Roast chicken, cottage pie, and pumpkin bread |
| Julie & Julia | Beef stew or roast chicken |
| Chef | Cuban sandwiches |
| My Big Fat Greek Wedding | Greek chicken, salad, and pita |
| It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown | Pumpkin soup or pumpkin pancakes |
| A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving | A silly snack dinner of toast, popcorn, and pretzels |
| Hocus Pocus | A Halloween dinner of “spooky” spaghetti |
| The Wizard of Oz | A Kansas farm supper of fried chicken and biscuits |
| Toy Story | Pizza, like the Pizza Planet restaurant in the movie |
Book night dinner ideas
Read a favorite book with the kids, then cook the food in it, or pick a novel from your book club and build a menu around it.
Picture books and children’s books
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss: Scrambled eggs tinted with a little food coloring, and ham
- If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff: Pancakes for dinner
- Stone Soup: Everyone adds one vegetable to a big pot of soup
- Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola: A big pot of pasta
- Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey: Blueberry pancakes or muffins
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: A tasting dinner of fruits, cheese, and a little bit of everything
- Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett: Meatballs, pancakes, or anything that might fall from the sky
- Paddington by Michael Bond: Marmalade sandwiches and tea
- Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne: Honey-glazed chicken and honey biscuits
Chapter books and novels
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder: Cornbread, beans, and a pioneer stew
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: County fair food like corn dogs and corn on the cob
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery: A tea party supper with sandwiches and raspberry punch
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: A hearty Christmas breakfast for dinner
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: A “second breakfast” of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and bread
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: Roast chicken, cottage pie, and pumpkin bread
- Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg: Barbecue, biscuits, and fried green tomatoes
- Heidi by Johanna Spyri: Toasted cheese on bread with a glass of milk
How to start theme nights at your house
- Pick two or three themes to start. Choose the ones your family already loves. Taco Tuesday and Pizza Friday are easy wins.
- Write them on the calendar. Put the themes on your weekly meal plan so everyone knows what’s coming.
- Keep a list of recipes for each theme. Five tacos, five pizzas, five pasta dishes, and you’ll never repeat in a month.
- Stock the pantry for your themes. Keep tortillas, pasta, rice, canned tomatoes, and spices on hand. Our guide to stocking a pantry on a budget has a full checklist.
- Let everyone pick a theme. Give each family member a night and let them choose.
- Change themes with the seasons. Swap soup night for grill night in the summer, and back again in the fall.
- Keep one night open. Leave room for leftovers, invitations, and nights when nobody wants to cook.
Let the Meal Planner fill in your theme nights
Once you’ve picked your themes, our free Meal Planner can help you fill them in. Choose chicken, beef, pasta, or meatless dinners, shuffle any night until you find one you like, and print the week with a shopping list grouped by aisle.
Need more ideas for a theme? Search the Freezer Meals library for tacos, lasagna, chili, meatballs, or enchiladas, and make a double batch for next month’s theme night.
Frequently asked questions
What are theme nights for dinner? Theme nights give each night of the week a type of meal, like Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, or Pizza Friday. You still choose the recipe, but the theme narrows your choices and makes planning faster.
What are some good dinner themes? Popular themes include Taco Tuesday, Pizza Friday, Meatless Monday, breakfast for dinner, pasta night, soup and sandwich night, slow cooker night, and grill night.
How many theme nights should I plan a week? Start with two or three. Many families keep a theme for most weeknights and leave one night for leftovers and one night open.
What are fun themed dinners for kids? Kids love breakfast for dinner, build-your-own taco or pizza bars, mini food night, backward dinner with dessert first, picnic night on the living room floor, and movie nights with matching food.
What are some seasonal dinner themes? Try soup and chili nights in winter, salad suppers and brunch nights in spring, grill and no-cook nights in summer, and harvest, pumpkin, and football nights in fall.
What movie goes with spaghetti night? Lady and the Tramp is the classic choice. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs works well with spaghetti and meatballs, too.
How do you do a book-themed dinner? Pick a book with food in it, like Green Eggs and Ham, Stone Soup, or Little House on the Prairie, and cook a simple version of what the characters eat. Read the book together before or after dinner.
Do theme nights save money? Yes. When you repeat the same kinds of meals, you can keep the staples on hand, buy ingredients on sale, and waste less food.
