I mean sure it’s 80 and I’m wearing flip flops…but it’s Fall and there’s football and all things pumpkin and I’m totally into it.
You?
While I feel like we’ve settled pretty well into a new school routine, I’ve decided the whole meal planning thing i just always challenging. So I’m bringing back these menu plans to help you (well really me) get organized for the week. That way I have a plan and don’t find myself standing in the kitchen at 4:45 on a Tuesday afternoon, wondering what on earth I’ll cook for dinner? Plus planning ahead saves me money and time – both of which I can at times feel short on. So let’s do this!
Dinner #1:
Turkey Meatballs with Pine Nuts and Golden Raisins + Strawberry Spinach Salad with Macadamia Nuts
Prep and Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total: $7.91 for the meatballs + $4.90 for the salad
Dinner #2:
Spaghetti with Arugula Pesto, Golden Beets and Goat Cheese
Prep and Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total: $7.15 for the pasta (you may want to toss on a little roasted chicken or shrimp for extra protein)
Dinner #3:
Shrimp, Papaya and Avocado Salad
Prep and Cooking Time: 90 minutes (including 60 minutes of marinating)
Total: $10.25 for the salad
Dinner #4:
A Food Snob’s Meatloaf + Your Favorite Veggie
Prep and Cooking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total: $6.30 for the meatloaf + estimated $2.00 for the veggie
Dinner #5:
Slow Roasted Shredded Pork with Tortillas and Salsa + Side Salad
Prep and Cooking Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes (most of that slow roasting time)
Total: $9.50 for the pork (not including fixins’) + estimated $2.00 for the salad
Dinner #6:
Mama’s Meat Sauce + Pasta of Choice + Your Favorite Veggie
Prep and Cooking Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Total: $9.63 for the pasta + estimated $2.00 for the veggie
Total for 6 nights of dinners: $61.64! That’s about $2.57 per serving!
Shopping List:
Meat and Seafood
- 3 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken (for meatballs, meatloaf and pasta sauce)
- 3/4 pound shrimp
- 3-5 slices bacon
- 4 pound pork shoulder or roast
Produce/Herbs
- 4 onions
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 3 lemons
- 1 head garlic
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 2 bunches spinach
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 kiwi
- 2 green onions
- 1 lime
- 2 heads lettuce
- 2 veggies of choice
- 1 papaya
- 2 avocado
- 4 cups arugula
- 2 small shallots
- 4 golden beets
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh italian parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Pantry
- 1 cup pine nuts (buy just what you need in the bulk section)
- 1 cup macadamia nuts (buy just what you need in bulk)
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 1 tablespoon raspberry or strawberry jam
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 slices wheat sandwich bread
- 3 tablespoons italian parsley
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 (14-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3/4 pound spaghetti
- tortillas for pork
Dairy/Eggs
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- sour cream for pork (or substitute greek yogurt)
- 3 ounces goat cheese
- 3/4 cup grated asiago cheese
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
Need more meal plans? I’ve got plenty more to share if you need inspiration in the kitchen!
Browse more plans (with shopping lists!) here.
