Meals planned from the grocery ads

I plan my meals from the grocery ads after I finish shopping and putting away the groceries. Fruits and veggies in fresh proof containers, meat in the freezer, or set in the fridge for cooking later. Packaged goods, or canned goods in the pantry. Our pantry is over the top so its time to slow up the stock. That means that I am spending less than 75 a week for 4 people.

I plan after shopping in case I find a really good deal on something I need to use up quickly, or something that was on sale was either gone when I got to the store, or was not to my liking.

Not having a plan is the quickest way to fall off the budget wagon because it is hard to think of the answer to what's for dinner when you are tired.



Imaginary grocery ad

Chicken breasts .99
Tuna .88
Country spareribs 1.99
Eggs 1.29 a dozen
Cheese 4.95 2 pounds


Ok.

1) chicken parmigiana ,noodles, green salad, French bread (6.00)
2) chicken veggie foil wraps, French bread (3.75)
3) BBQ spareribs, coleslaw , rice. (6.00)
4) tuna casserole, mixed frozen vegetables, (3.20)
5) skillet cheeseburger Mac, salad, bread (4.08)
6) quiche, designer salad ( field greens, strawberries, strawberry vinaigrette 5.00
7) tacos, refried beans (5.00)

1) 4 boneless chicken breast halves in 8x8 greased pan. Combine 1 can tomato paste, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 T parsley flakes, 1/2 tsp EACH of Italian seasoning, oregano, pinch of red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
Pour over chicken. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes at 400 degrees or until juices run clear and chicken is done. Sprinkle with 6 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of parm. ( I think that you can use less cheese and use 1/2 cup of tomato sauce or reserved pasta sauce instead. Adjust for the seasonings that are already in the sauce). Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.

2) chicken veggie foil wraps.: flatten 4pieces of chicken breast. (1#) 1/2pound mushrooms, baby carrots, red peppers, salt and pepper thyme. Place chicken on double thickness of greased foil. Add the veggies on top. Seal inside pouch. Bake on cookie sheet at 375 for 20 minutes or until chicken is done.

3). Place spareribs in crockpot. Add a can of beer or chicken broth to cover. Cook on low 8 -10 hours. Take ribs out and carefully put on foil on broiler pan. Spread BBQ sauce on them and broil until sauce is bubbly.

4) tuna casserole , mixed veggies

5)cook 1/2 pound of macaroni . Sauté 1 stalk of celery , chopped;1/4 of red pepper, one carrot, chopped, garlic powder and onion powder in 2T olive oil until soft.
Add 1# hamburger and fry until no longer pink. Add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 8 oz can tomato sauce. Simmer 10-15 minutes until flavors blend. Add 1 cup grated Mex cheese blend and cover and cook until cheese is melted.

6) ham quiche ( Bisquick box)
7) taco meat ready made by you. Fry hamburger.drain, pour boiling water over, drain. Return to pan. Add 2 rounded T taco seasoning. Use 3/4 pound. Add lettuce, tomato, cheese. Heat refried beans in microwave safe bowl in microwave until warm. Add skim of cheese and microwave until melted.

Total of seven meals is 33.03 or 4.72 a meal.

Thanks for stopping by
Jane





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