Is the future of meal planning as easy as asking A.I.?

Sometimes 5 p.m. rolls around and neither of our brains has an answer.

And I know I’m not alone in thisit’s a timeless and universal conundrum for all humans.

Tandoori Chicken

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

So I wondered, couldChatGPTthe A.I.

Maybe its just the phone-a-friend I need.

I asked ChatGPT, What should we make for dinner tonight?

Platter of Spaghetti and Meatballs With a Piece of Toasted Bread and Topped With Fresh Basil Leaves, and in the Surroundings, a Burgundy Table Napkin, a Bowl of Parmesan, Bite Size Bread Pieces Scattered on the Table, and a Plate With More Spaghetti and Meatballs

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

(I am relieved the A.I.

doesnt know that I prefer Korean foods, and will sometimes have dessert for dinner.)

Then it gave me seven ideas “based on popular options.”

Side view of a bowl of stir fry broccoli served over rice.

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

As for me, I’ll make thestir-fried broccoliover rice withkimchi.

Is ChatGPT the lifeline I need to cure my meal planning woes?

For a family that eats mostly Korean food and broadly Asian flavors, maybe.

How to Bake a Potato – 3 potatoes split open with butter

Alison Bickel

Next time, I will give it narrower parameters and ask for those specifically.

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

1.

Grilled Chicken or Fish With Sides

ChatGPT suggestsgrilled chickenorfishwith a side of roasted vegetables andquinoa.

Plate of Tacos al Pastor with Pork, Pineapple, Cilantro, and a Lime Wedge Surrounded by Additional Taco Ingredients

Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

2.

I’ll use Trader Joe’sfrozen meatballsand make an easytomato sauce.

ChatGPT also added “or a vegetarian option.”

grilled cheese

Alison Bickel

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

3.

Here are five of our most popular stir-fry recipes to inspire you:

4.

There are four ways to cook baked potatoesgrilled,baked,air fried, andmicrowaved.

Veggie Burger on a Plate

Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

Take your pick depending on how much time you have.

It’s fastest in the microwave and slowest on the grill.

As for the toppings, try the toppings on thisloaded baked potato.

Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso

5.

Tacos or Burritos

ChatGPT likes to fill its tacos or burritos withground beef.

What about taco night, with one of our favorite taco recipes listed below?

Grilled Cheese

ChatGPT knows classic American comfort food, and recommendsgrilled cheesewithtomato soupfor dinner.

Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

7.

Veggie Burgers With Sweet Potato Fries

Veggie burgers are ChatGPT’s one decidedly vegetarian dinner suggestion.

Thank goodness the cardboard-like veggie burgers I grew up with are a thing of the past.