Recipes  

A Winter Cottage Meal Plan with Little Food Waste

Spending a winter weekend at the cottage? That calls for a slew of cozy meals, but without an overloaded cooler and a fridge full of leftovers before driving back on Sunday afternoon! Our simple and flexible meal plan below boasts one-pot dishes, overlapping ingredients and easy prep so you can relax more and waste less.

Friday dinner + dessert

After the drive up to the cottage, your group is likely feeling cold and hungry, so you want a low-effort dinner that’s comforting and will be on the table fast. A hearty one-pot casserole is the optimal choice, with minimal prep and minimal dishes. Follow it up with a simple chocolate fondue and fruit for dessert for a sweet start to the weekend.

No-waste note

Save the excess cheese for tomorrow’s soup! And you can fold some into Sunday’s frittata, too.

Saturday breakfast

To avoid whipping up a batter and lugging a waffle maker to the cottage, make these waffles ahead of time at home and freeze them. This helps cut down on food waste by requiring fewer ingredients to pack, saving you from packing, unpacking and hauling home lots of small ingredients. Simply reheat and enjoy with a drizzle of leftover chocolate fondue sauce and a side of fresh fruit for a cozy and fuss-free breakfast.

No-waste note

Be sure to save some fruit and chocolate fondue for afternoon snacking, as well as for tonight’s s’mores dessert!

Saturday lunch

What could be better after a morning spent outdoors than a steaming bowl of cheesy potato and bacon soup? It’s comforting, filling and uses ingredients that will keep pulling double duty the rest of the weekend.

No-waste note

Make sure to pack enough bacon for the soup and breakfast. Any extra potatoes will be used in tonight’s dinner.

Saturday dinner + dessert

The slow cooker will earn its keep tonight. This cozy dish will practically cook itself while you enjoy your day. For dessert, use extra chocolate from last night’s fondue in this warm and gooey s’mores dip.

No-waste note

You won’t be going home with any excess meat: the rest will be served over pasta tomorrow for lunch!

Sunday breakfast

Brought a bag of chips with you for snacking? They’re perfect for adding a salty crunch to this frittata, making breakfast feel extra special.

No-waste note

The great thing about a frittata is that it’s the perfect improvisational dish. And given that it’s your last day at the cottage, add in any leftover charcuterie board meats and cheeses, and fresh herbs and vegetables from this weekend’s previous meals.

Sunday lunch

Last night’s braised meat gets a second life here, tossed with pasta for an easy and hearty lunch before the drive home.  

No-waste note

Planning on leftovers for your menu means less food waste and zero cooking stress on what should be a relaxing Sunday.

For more ideas on limiting food waste, be sure to consult our series of articles: