Thursday's Meal Plan Goulash With Recipe and Food Cost

For more information on how I do my two week meal planning: meal-planning-and-shopping-on-budget.html

Thursday - Goulash - 6 Servings

Estimated Food Cost: Total - $5.94         Per Serving - $0.99

Ingredients:

1 LB Ground Hamburger  - $2.12

1/2 Box of Elbow Macaroni Noodles - $0.41

1 Can Of Tomato Sauce - $0.68

1 Can of Diced Tomatoes - $0.68

2 TBS Chili Sauce - $0.68

1/2 Cup of Ketchup - $0.76

2 TBS Mustard - $0.48

1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar - $0.13

2 TSP of Oregano

2 TSP of Garlic Powder

2 TBS of Onion Flakes

Salt & Pepper for Taste 

Directions:

Cook half a box of macaroni noodles according to the box's directions.

Brown the Hamburger in a large saute pan.

Strain the Hamburger.

Combined the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the large saute pan and stir.

Add the chili sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, oregano, garlic powder, onion flakes, salt and pepper to the tomato sauce. Stir well.

Add in the hamburger and cooked macaroni noodles.

This dish should be sweeter than what spaghetti is and a little more tangy as well. My family loves this dish and it is something I have enjoyed since I was a little girl at my grandma's.

I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do!

Wednesday Meal Plan Maple Chicken with Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

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Wednesday - Maple Glazed Chicken Breast - 4 Servings

Estimated Food Cost: Total- $4.53            Per Serving- $1.13

Ingredients:

2 Boneless Chicken Breast - $2.77

2 TBS of Maple Syrup - $0.46

1 TBS of Soy Sauce - $0.06

2 TSP Lemon Juice - $0.20

1 Garlic Clove - Minced - $0.30

1 TSp of Fresh Ginger- Minced - $0.74

Salt and Pepper for Taste

Directions

Whisk syrup, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper in a medium bowl together.

Add chicken and turn to coat.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Coat grill plan with cooking spray and heat to medium/high heat.

Remove Chicken from marinade and cook untill no longer pink or to 165 degrees.

Meanwhile pour reserved marinade into a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Cook marinade until reduced by half.

Baste chicken with sauce and serve.

Enjoy!

Monday Meal Plan Chicken Fajitas With Recipe and Meal Cost

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Tuesday - Chicken Fajitas - 8 Servings

Estimated Food Cost: Total- $10.76         Per Serving- $1.35

Ingredients:

2 Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breast - Cut into 1/2 Inch Strips - $2.77

1/2 Green Bell Pepper - Cut into Strips - $0.45

1/2 Red Bell Pepper - Cut into Strips - $0.45

1 Medium Onion- Thinly Sliced - $0.30

1 Package of Fajita Seasoning - $0.45

8 Flour Tortillas - $0.99

Optional Toppings-

Shredded Lettuce - 1 Head - $0.89

Shredded Cheddar Cheese - $2.18

Salsa - $0.99

Diced Tomato - $1.29

Directions:

Heat 1 TBS of oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium - high heat.
Add chicken, bell peppers, and onion.
Cook until vegetables are tender and chicken is fully cooked.
Stir in water and seasoning mix.
Cook and stir for about 3 minutes or until heated through.
Spoon into warm tortillas and add toppings if desired.
Enjoy!

Tuesday Meal Plan Hamburgers with Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

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Tuesday - Hamburgers - 8 Servings

Estimated Cost: Total: $5.47            Per Serving: $0.69

This is the perfect simple seasoning mix for Hamburgers. I make the mix out of common spices that I would think that almost everyone has stocked in their pantry so that helps keep the serving cost is really low.

Ingredients:

2 LB. Ground Hamburger - $4.24

1 Small Onion - Chopped - $0.30

1 Egg - $0.14

2 TBS Paprika 

2 TSP Salt 

2 TSP Black Pepper 

2 TSP Brown Sugar 

2 TSP garlic Powder 

1/2 TSP Cayenne Pepper 

1 Package Hamburger Buns - $0.79

Directions:

In a small bowl mix together all of the spices.

In a large bowl mix together ground hamburger with chopped onions and egg.

Add spice mixture to ground hamburger. Mix well.

Shape ground hamburger to for 8 1/4 lb hamburger patties.

Grill burgers over medium heat until cooked to desire consistency.

Serve on hamburger buns with your choice of toppings.

Enjoy!

Sunday Meal Plan Roasted Chicken With Recipe and Estimate Food Cost

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Sunday - Whole Chicken with Lemon Roasted Vegetables - 6 Servings

Estimate Food Cost - Total = $8.38            Per Serving = $1.39

Ingredients:

1 Whole Chicken - 1.99/LB = $5.00

12 Baby Carrots - 1 Package $1.18 = $0.59

4 Potatoes - Cubed into pieces - 10LB Bag $3.77 = $0.78

1 Large Onion - Chopped - 1LB = $0.78

2 TBS Vegetable Oil - 1 Bottle $2.50 = $0.05

1 Lemon Zest - 1 Lemon = $0.50

4 Garlic Cloves - Minced - 1 LB. = $0.68

2 TBS Lemon Juice

1 TSP Dried Rosemary

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Directions:

Unwrap the chicken, remove innards from the cavity and rinse under cold water.

After rinsing the chicken, dry of with a paper towel.

Run a small amount of vegetable oil onto the top of the chicken.

Place vegetable oil into the bottom of a 9X13 dish.

Place chicken into dish.

In a medium bowl mix together carrots, potatoes, onion, lemon zest, garlic, and lemon juice together.

Pour vegetable mixture around the chicken in the dish.

Sprinkle basil, salt and pepper all over vegetables and chicken.

Cook at 425° for 45 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

Enjoy!

This is really delicious and can be prepared before hand and then just pop into the oven and let cook. I like to sometimes slice the left over lemon and place on top of the chicken for garnish. I hope you enjoy!

Saturday Meal Plan Mac & Corn Casserole With Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

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Saturday - Mac & Corn Casserole - 6 servings

Estimate Food Cost - Total = $4.86          Per Serving = $0.81

Ingredients -

2 Cans of Creamed Corn - 1 Can $0.69 = $1.38

1 Can of Corn - 1 Can $0.69

2 Cups of Uncooked Macaroni - 1 Box $0.82 = $0.41

1 Package of Cheddar Cheese - 1 Package $2.18

1/2 Cup of Butter - 1 Tub $2.29 = $0.20

Directions -

In a large bowl mix togther creamed corn, corn, butter, uncooked macaroni, and 1/2 of the package of cheddar cheese.

Place in a buttered 9X13 casserole dish.

Cover the top with remaining cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

This is a great dish that you can make ahead of time if you have a busy night planned.

Friday Meal Plan Homemade Pizzas With Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

For more information on how I do my two week meal planning: Meal Planning and Shopping on a Budget.html

Friday - Homemade Pizza - 8 servings

Estimated Cost: Total = $7.33        Per Serving = $0.92

Ingredients:

1 Package of Hamburger Buns - $1.18

1 Package of Mozzarella Cheese - $2.18

1 Bottle of Pizza Sauce - $1.69

1 Package of Pepperoni Slices or Topping of Your Choice - $2.28

Directions:

Separate the hamburger buns.

On the flat side of the bun put on a layer of pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, topping, and then more cheese. 

Repeat for the amount of little pizzas you desire.

Place the pizzas on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until cheese is fully melted.

I love to make this meal with my daughter. It is really easy for her to help make the little pizzas and it does not take long to cook!

Thursday Meal Plan Lasagna With Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

For more information on how I do my two week meal planning : Meal Planning And Shopping On A Budget.html

Thursday - Lasagna - 8 Servings

Estimated Cost: Total = $11.48              Per Serving = $1.44

Ingredients:

1 Box of Lasagna Noodles - 1 Box = $1.68

2 Cans Tomato Sauce - 1 Can $0.68 = $1.36

1 LB. Hamburger - Browned - 5LB. Tube $10.58 = $2.12

1 Carton of Cottage Cheese - 1 Carton = $1.84

2 Packages of Mozzarella Cheese - 1 Package $2.18 = $4.36

2 TSP Italian Seasoning - 1 Bottle $1.19 = $0.12

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Directions:

Cook lasagna noodles - drain place single layer of noodles in a greased 9X13 pan.

Mix browned hamburger, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, and seasoning in a medium size bowl.

Spread a layer of hamburger mixture then mozzarella cheese, then noodles. 

Repeat layers until pan is full. 

Cover the top fully with mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until top cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling on sides.

Enjoy! 

This meal cost a little more per serving than I normally like because of the cheese but my family loves it so much! I have thought about trying to make my own mozzarella cheese to cut cost in the future. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Wednesday Meal Plan Stir Fry With Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

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Wednesday - Easy Stir Fry - 6 Servings

Estimated Cost: Total: $4.55         Per Serving: $0.76

Ingredients

1 LB. Cubed Boneless Chicken - 7 Breasts $9.67 = $1.39

1 Bag Frozen Mixed Vegetables - 1 Package $2.28

3 TBS Soy Sauce - 1 bottle - $1.74 = $0.26

3 TBS Brown Sugar - 1 Bag $1.48 = $0.07

1 TBS Cornstarch - 1 box $1.00 = $0.03

1 TBS Sesame Seeds - 1 bottle $1.19 = $0.06

2 TBS Vegetable Oil - 1 Bottle $2.50 = $0.05

1/2 Box Spaghetti Noodles - 1 box $0.82 = $0.41

Directions

Cook spaghetti noodle according to box's directions. Place vegetable oil into a large fry pan on medium to high heat. Add chicken and vegetables and cook until meat is fully done. Meanwhile mix soy sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch in a separate bowl. Stir in sauce mixture and spaghetti noodles. Mix thoroughly. Add sesame seeds to top. Serve.

My favorite part about this recipe is that once you have all of the ingredients on hand you don't have to buy a lot of groceries to make it again! The only ingredients that you will have to buy every time you make it is the chicken, vegetables and maybe the spaghetti. All of the other ingredients can be used multiple times before they have to be replaced! My family loves this recipe and it is so easy to make! I hope you enjoy it too!!

Tuesday Meal Plan With BLT's Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

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Tuesday- BLT's - 4 Servings

Estimated Cost: Total: $8.87             Per Serving: $2.22

Ingredients:

Bacon - 1 Package - $3.98

Lettuce - 1 Head - $0.98

Tomato - $0.50

Bread - 1 loaf - $1.19

Butter - 1 Tub - $2.29 - 1/2 Cup* - $0.28

Mayo (Optional) - $4.70 - 1/4 Cup* - $1.27 

Sliced Cheese (Optional) - $2.97 - 4 Slices - $0.67

Directions:

Pretty simple, I bake my bacon on a cookie sheet at about 350 degrees for about 10 - 15 minutes or until they are at crispy as you perfer.

I toast the bread and then prepare the sandwiches to each individual preference. So if you don't want 

everything on your BLT then the cost per serving goes down.

Monday Meal Plan Crock Pot Whole Chicken with Recipe and Estimated Food Cost

I do my meal planning two weeks at at time but I thought that it would be nice to share the recipes and the estimates food cost for each meal that I make during the week. Meal Planning and Shopping on a Budget

This is my meal plan for Monday night:

Monday- Crock Pot Whole Chicken - 6 Servings

Estimated Cost:  Total: $5.75         Per Serving: $0.96

Ingredients:

Whole Chicken - $1.99/LB = $5

Large Yellow Onion - $0.78/LB = $0.70

2 TBS Vegetable Oil - $2.50 = $0.05 

1/2 Cup Water 

*Chicken Seasoning/Rub of Your Choice*

I Use-
Garlic Powder
Paprika
Sage
Salt
Pepper

Directions:

First Unwrap the chicken, remove innards from the cavity and rinse the chicken under cold water.

 

After rinsing the chicken, dry off with a paper towel.

Put olive oil into the bottom of the crock pot and turn on to high.

Chop up onion and place in the bottom of the crock pot.

In a separate bowl combine all of the spices.

Rub the spice mixture all over the outside of the chicken.

Poor the water into the bottom of the crock pot with onion.

Place chicken into the crock pot on high heat.

Cook on high for 2 hours

After 2 hours cook on low for additional 5 hours.

Serve.

Your chicken should just fall off of the bone! I like to cut it off of the bone and serve with mash potatoes and some other vegetable like corn or salad.

The best part is that you can use the bones and left over parts to make a great broth in the same crock pot! Just put in all of the bones as well as the chopped up vegetables you like to use in your chicken broth and let it cook overnight on low. In the morning you can strain it and then place it in containers to freeze for future use!