Can AI make my weekly meal plan and grocery list?

Yes. It plans the week around your diet, budget and schedule, and builds a grocery list sorted by store section.

Verdict: Bot · AI does it well✓ Tested 2 times in Llama 3.3 70B · Oct 21, 2026Written for ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

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Bot

01Why bot

  • Meal planning is logistics, a strong fit for AI.
  • It reuses ingredients across meals to cut waste.
  • It adjusts in seconds if you dislike a meal.
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02The prompt

Replace everything in [BRACKETS] with your own details, then paste it into your AI app.

prompt.txt
Plan my dinners for the week and write the grocery list.

People: [NUMBER, AGES]
Dietary needs and allergies: [LIST]
Weekly grocery budget: [AMOUNT]
Busy nights (need 20 minutes or less): [DAYS]
Foods we love / hate: [LIST]

Output:
1. 7 dinners with prep time.
2. One grocery list grouped by store section, with quantities.
3. Which ingredients get reused across meals.
Rules: respect every allergy. Mark prices as estimates.

03Steps

  1. Fill in your household details.
  2. Check your pantry and cross off what you have.
  3. Swap any meal you don't like and ask for an updated list.

04What can go wrong

  • Double-check allergy-sensitive ingredients on labels.

05What to use

Any major AI chat app: ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. The free tier works.

06Our test runs

2 runs, each with a different made-up sample. 1 of 2 passed every check.

Run 1 · Llama 3.3 70B · graded by GPT-OSS 120BOct 1, 2026Passed with a catch

The made-up sample:

  • [NUMBER, AGES]4, ages 34, 32, 9, 6
  • [LIST]gluten‑free, peanut allergy, vegetarian (no meat, but eggs and dairy are fine)
  • [AMOUNT]$150
  • [DAYS]Monday, Wednesday, Friday
  • Provide exactly 7 dinners with prep time
  • Include one grocery list grouped by store section with quantities
  • List which ingredients are reused across meals
  • Respect all listed allergies (gluten‑free, peanut)
  • Made up details we never gave it

Details it made up: “Bell peppers (4) ($4)”, “Zucchini (2) ($2)”, “Cherry tomatoes (1 pint) ($3)”, “Mixed vegetables (for primavera) (1 bag) ($3)”, “Sweet potatoes (2) ($2)”

What came back (excerpt):

**Sunday**: Vegetable Quinoa Bowl (40 minutes) - Roasted vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes) served over quinoa with a side of garlic bread (made with gluten-free bread).
Read the full answer
### 7 Dinners with Prep Time

1. **Sunday**: Vegetable Quinoa Bowl (40 minutes)
   - Roasted vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes) served over quinoa with a side of garlic bread (made with gluten-free bread).

2. **Monday**: Quick Pasta Primavera (15 minutes)
   - Gluten-free pasta tossed with sautéed mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, onions) and topped with grated parmesan cheese.

3. **Tuesday**: Stuffed Bell Peppers (45 minutes)
   - Bell peppers filled with a mixture of cooked rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese, baked until tender.

4. **Wednesday**: Tacos (20 minutes)
   - Gluten-free tacos filled with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, avocado, and topped with sour cream and salsa.

5. **Thursday**: Eggplant Parmesan (50 minutes)
   - Sliced eggplant breaded with gluten-free breadcrumbs, fried, and layered in a baking dish with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, served with a side of gluten-free spaghetti.

6. **Friday**: Quesadillas (15 minutes)
   - Gluten-free tortillas filled with shredded cheese, beans, and sautéed onions, cooked until crispy and served with salsa and sour cream.

7. **Saturday**: Lentil Soup (30 minutes)
   - A hearty soup made with red lentils, diced vegetables, and aromatic spices, served with a side of gluten-free bread.

### Grocery List Grouped by Store Section

#### Produce:
- Bell peppers (4) ($4)
- Zucchini (2) ($2)
- Cherry tomatoes (1 pint) ($3)
- Carrots (1 bunch) ($1)
- Broccoli (1 head) ($2)
- Onions (2) ($1)
- Mixed vegetables (for primavera) (1 bag) ($3)
- Sweet potatoes (2) ($2)
- Avocados (3) ($5)
- Eggplant (2) ($3)
- Tomatoes (1 can) ($2)
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil) (1 bunch) ($2)
- Lettuce (1 head) ($2)
- Cilantro (1 bunch) ($1)

#### Dairy/Eggs:
- Parmesan cheese (1 block) ($5)
- Sour cream (1 large container) ($3)
- Mozzarella cheese (1 bag, shredded) ($4)
- Eggs (1 dozen) ($2)

#### Canned Goods:
- Black beans (2 cans) ($2)
- Diced tomatoes (2 cans) ($2)
- Lentils (1 bag) ($2)
- Tomato sauce (1 can) ($1)

#### Grains:
- Gluten-free pasta (1 box) ($3)
- Gluten-free bread (1 loaf) ($4)
- Gluten-free tacos (1 pack) ($3)
- Gluten-free tortillas (1 pack) ($3)
- Quinoa (1 bag) ($3)
- Gluten-free spaghetti (1 box) ($3)
- Rice (1 bag) ($2)

#### Pantry:
- Olive oil ($3)
- Spices (various) ($5)
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs (1 bag) ($3)
- Salsa (1 bottle) ($2)
- Canned salsa (1 can) ($1)

#### Miscellaneous:
- Garlic ($1)
- Gluten-free taco seasoning (1 pack) ($2)

### Estimated Total Cost: $143

### Reused Ingredients Across Meals
- Gluten-free bread (Sunday, Saturday)
- Cheese (Sunday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday)
- Black beans (Tuesday, Wednesday)
- Onions (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday)
- Olive oil (used in various meals for cooking)
- Spices (used in various meals for seasoning)

Note: Prices are estimates and can vary based on location and specific store choices. This meal plan is designed to be flexible and accommodating to the dietary needs and preferences outlined, while also considering the weekly budget constraint.

Verify that no peanuts or gluten‑containing items appear in any meal.

Run 2 · Llama 3.3 70B · graded by GPT-OSS 120BOct 21, 2026Passed

The made-up sample (a messier one):

  • [NUMBER, AGES]4 people: Mom 38, Dad 40, Lily 7, Max 5
  • [LIST]Lily is allergic to peanuts and shellfish; Max is lactose intolerant; we aim for low‑sodium meals and try to include vegetarian dishes twice a week.
  • [AMOUNT]$150
  • [DAYS]Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
  • Provide 7 dinners with prep time
  • Grocery list grouped by store section with quantities
  • List reused ingredients across meals
  • Respect all allergies and dietary restrictions
  • Didn't make up details we never gave it

What came back (excerpt):

**Monday: Vegetable Stir-Fry** (Prep Time: 30 minutes) - A mix of colorful vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli) stir-fried in a low-sodium soy sauce, served with brown rice.
Read the full answer
### 7 Dinners with Prep Time

1. **Monday: Vegetable Stir-Fry** (Prep Time: 30 minutes)
   - A mix of colorful vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli) stir-fried in a low-sodium soy sauce, served with brown rice.

2. **Tuesday: Baked Chicken and Sweet Potatoes** (Prep Time: 40 minutes)
   - Chicken breast baked with olive oil, salt-free seasoning, and sliced sweet potatoes.

3. **Wednesday: Quick Black Bean Tacos** (Prep Time: 20 minutes)
   - Tacos filled with black beans, diced tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado, served with lactose-free sour cream or yogurt.

4. **Thursday: One-Pot Pasta** (Prep Time: 20 minutes)
   - Pasta cooked with marinara sauce, spinach, and lactose-free mozzarella, ensuring low sodium content.

5. **Friday: Grilled Vegetable and Cheese Sandwiches** (Prep Time: 25 minutes)
   - Grilled sandwiches with a variety of vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers) and lactose-free cheese on whole-grain bread.

6. **Saturday: Fast Quesadillas** (Prep Time: 15 minutes)
   - Tortillas filled with shredded lactose-free cheese, beans, and vegetables, cooked until crispy and served with a side of mixed greens salad.

7. **Sunday: Lentil Soup** (Prep Time: 45 minutes)
   - A hearty, low-sodium lentil soup with vegetables, served with a side of whole-grain bread.

### Grocery List Grouped by Store Section

#### Produce:
- Bell peppers (3) ($3)
- Carrots (1 bunch) ($1.50)
- Broccoli (1 head) ($2)
- Sweet potatoes (4) ($2)
- Lettuce (1 head) ($1.50)
- Tomatoes (1 pint) ($3)
- Avocado (4) ($5)
- Zucchini (2) ($2)
- Eggplant (2) ($2)
- Spinach (1 bag) ($2)
- Mixed greens (1 bag) ($2)
- Onions (2) ($1)
- Garlic (3 cloves) ($0.50)
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil) ($2)

#### Proteins:
- Chicken breast (4 lbs) ($12)
- Black beans (2 cans) ($4)
- Lentils (1 bag) ($2)

#### Dairy/Lactose-Free:
- Lactose-free sour cream or yogurt (2 cups) ($4)
- Lactose-free mozzarella cheese (1 block) ($4)
- Lactose-free cheese shreds (1 bag) ($4)

#### Grains:
- Brown rice (2 bags) ($4)
- Whole-grain bread (1 loaf) ($3)
- Pasta (1 box) ($2)
- Tortillas (8-10) ($3)

#### Pantry:
- Low-sodium soy sauce (1 bottle) ($3)
- Olive oil (1 bottle) ($5)
- Salt-free seasoning (1 pack) ($2)
- Marinara sauce (1 jar) ($2)
- Canned diced tomatoes (1 can) ($1)
- Spices (various) ($2)

#### Miscellaneous:
- Aluminum foil ($2)
- Cooking spray ($2)

### Estimated Total Cost: $150

### Reused Ingredients Across Meals
- Vegetables (onions, garlic) are used in multiple dishes.
- Olive oil is used for cooking various meals.
- Low-sodium soy sauce and spices are reused across different dishes.
- Lactose-free cheese and dairy products are used in several meals.
- Whole-grain bread and tortillas are used for different meals.

This plan respects all dietary restrictions and allergies, aims for low-sodium content, and includes vegetarian options. The estimated cost should fit within the $150 budget, allowing for some flexibility in case of price variations.

Verify that all required sections are present and allergies are honored.

How each run works: we fill the prompt with a made-up sample, run it once in Llama 3.3 70B, and GPT-OSS 120B grades the answer against the prompt's own rules. Word limits are counted by code, and every quote flagged as made up is checked against the full answer. Your results can differ. How we test.

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