Let's chat about meal planning.... What are we eating this week?

Y'all. I love saving money. It's no secret to anyone that knows me. I will cut coupons, shop for bargains, and most of all meal plan. 

Meal Planning helps solve the constant question: What's for dinner? 

It helps to curb spending. 2018 our goals are to save more, spend less. 

So, we have kicked it into high gear meal planning. 

Now, we are a family of 5. Two adults, a 16 year old, a 6 year old and a 5 year old. We spend around $100 a week. 

We live in SE Alabama - so we have a wide selection of grocery stores. We have a lot of "cost plus 10%" stores. 

This week, we did our shopping at Walmart. We did not need much, since we had stocked up last week. 

So, let's chat about meal planning. 

Today is Saturday - and we have planned through Friday.

I will include links to recipes so that you can follow along. 

Saturday: Chili with cornbread. Most of the United States has been under a deep freeze. Alabama included. It’s been 20-30 degrees which is COLD for us. Today it is a bit warmer, 45-50 so hopefully we are headed back in the upward direction.

My chili recipe is as follows.

2 lbs. of ground beef ground

2 cans light red kidney beans

2 cans dark kidney beans

2 cans of diced potatoes.

2 packets of chili seasoning.

Simple with lots of cheese.

Today, we are making Jiffy cornbread. I love making cornbread in my cast iron, but today I am all about convenience.

Sunday: Taco Bake with Mexican rice and refried beans.

MMMMMM. Taco Bake. This was one of the first Pinterest Recipes I discovered. This is a family favorite. We will never eat traditional tacos again.

The recipe I started use is as follows

2 lbs. ground beef 

2 packets of taco seasoning

1 can of light red kidney beans

1 can dark kidney beans

Shredded cheddar cheese. 

Preheat oven to 350 F

Brown ground beef and drain. add taco seasoning 

Open and drain kidney beans stir into taco meat

stir until well combined. 

Spray a 13x9 pyrex baking dish. 

Add mixture and spread out. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese until covered. 

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. 

Most of us will spread refried beans on our tortilla, then add the taco bake and then rice. It helps bulk up the burrito and fills you up faster.

Monday: Breakfast for dinner. Super simple. Super Yummy. This week it will be pancakes, bacon, eggs and hash browns. We LOVE breakfast foods. I will probably make some French toast for my husband.

Tuesday: Chicken and potatoes.

Crock Pot Chicken.

Chicken breasts. Cream of chicken soup, 1 can water. Slow cook for 6-8 hours.

Most likely will make mashed potatoes. However, I have spoiled my children with making a lot of homemade ones. They did not eat the instant ones I made a few weeks ago. We always have veggies and stuff with our dinners – this one will be peas or green beans.

Wednesday: Left over/Sandwiches. David and I bowl in a league – so dinner will be left overs from the week or sandwiches.

Thursday: Baked Spaghetti. Another family favorite. You can find the recipe: Here

Friday: Frozen Pizzas. We love the Great Value Brand of rising crust Cheese and Pepperoni.

What is on your meal plan this week?