weekly menu plan #24: 6 dinners for $58.01 (shopping list included!).

So there you are…working your darndest to get some semblance of a menu plan together and food in your fridge…racing through the grocery store with kids in tow, frantically opening boxes of snacks to keep the kids occupied while you find the best deals.

Now you’re home…wait, what are you cooking again?  Why is your son drawing on the walls (or maybe that’s just my son)?  You only have 30 minutes to get dinner on the table?? Ahhh!  Maybe it’s easier to just order pizza.

PLEASE!  LET ME HELP!!

Maybe you don’t have much time.

Maybe you don’t really like to cook.

Maybe you feel unsure of yourself in the kitchen.

Maybe you have a hard time sticking to a budget.

Well stick with me, friends.  I’m here to help you gain confidence in the kitchen, find easy and delicious recipes your family will enjoy, all while staying on a budget!

What’s cooking this week?

I’ve got dinner in a bowl (black beans, rice, chicken and salsa!), mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, chicken with sauteed fruit and gorgonzola smashed potatoes, and more!

Enjoy!

 

Dinner #1:

Black Beans and Rice with Roasted Chicken and Apple Salsa

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $10.50

 

Dinner #2:

Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Meatballs + Side Salad + Crusty Bread

Prep and Cooking Time:  40 minutes

Total:  $10.46 for the meatballs + estimated $4 for side salad and bread

 

Dinner #3:

Chicken with Sauteed Apples and Pears, Gorgonzola Mashed Potatoes + your favorite veggie

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $4.37 for the chicken + $2.98 for the potatoes + estimated $2.00 for your favorite veggie

Dinner #4:

Goat Cheese and Roasted Garlic Pizza + Side Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $4.91 for the pizza + estimated $2.00 for side salad

 

Dinner #5:

Pasta with Mama’s Meat Sauce + your favorite veggie

Prep and Cooking Time:  1 hour, 15 minutes

Total:  $9.63 for the pasta + estimated $2.00 for the veggie

Dinner #6:

Chipotle Black Bean Soup + Side Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  35 minutes

Total:  $3.22 for the soup + estimated $2.00 for the salad

Total for 6 nights of dinners:  $58.07!  That’s about $2.42 per serving!

 

Shopping List:

Meat

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 3 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken

Produce/Herbs

• 2 onions
• 1 head garlic
• 3/4 cup garlic
• 4 limes
• 1 avocado
• 2 1/2 pounds small potatoes (i.e. Yukon Gold)
• 1/2 cup chives or green onions
• 2 granny smith apples
• 1 pear
• 2 lemons
• 1/2 cup fresh thyme
• 3-4 ounces arugula
• 3/4 cup italian parsley
• 1 1/4 cup basil
• 1 red onion
• 1 bell pepper
• 2 veggies
• salad ingredients for 3 salads

Pantry

• 3 1/4 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon canned chipotle chiles
• 4 (15-ounce) cans black beans
• 1/2 jar salsa
• 1 tablespoon + 3/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chile powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 pizza dough
• 2 (14-ounce) diced tomatoes
• 1 package of your favorite pasta
• 4 cups cooked brown rice
• 4 slices sandwich bread
• 1 (20-ounce) can San Marzano plum tomatoes

Dairy/Eggs

• sour cream or greek yogurt – whatever you would like on top of your black beans and rice
• 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola
• 1/3 cup half and half
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• 2 ounces goat cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan or asiago cheese
• 20 small mozzarella balls or 1, 1-pound ball fresh mozzarella

Browse more plans (with shopping lists!) here.

Also, this menu plan and shopping list are based on the costs I pay per item when I purchase them on sale.  Check out the prices I pay and where I shop here.