Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

30 Family Friendly Meals On A Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check out this list of Cheap Dinners For Families.

Looking for some family friendly meals on a budget?  I have you covered in this article!

One of the best ways to save more money is to cook at home more and eat out less.  The problem though is that some of us are busy, some of us have picky eaters, and some of us don’t like to cook.

I hear your frustrations and struggles!  Which is exactly why I found you these 29 simple to cook, and cheap dinners for families.  One (or all!) of these are sure to be a new favorite in your household.

1.  Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas

If you are looking for a comforting dinner, try these easy instant pot chicken enchiladas!  I love meals that are freezer friendly, and this recipe is just that!  Make these enchiladas and stick them in the freezer to use for later.

2.  Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Got 20 minutes, a pound of ground beef, and some broccoli on hand? You are so lucky: You have the core of this easy Ground Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry recipe all ready to go, the next time you need a quick weeknight dinner idea.

3.  Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken

Craving Chinese takeout?  Try this easy sheet pan cashew chicken recipe instead!  You only need a few ingredients to throw together this quick dinner.

pan with cashew chicken

4.  Cheap and Easy Doritos Nacho Bake

I love this Doritos Nacho Bake because it it is easy to customize for all taste preferences.  Plus, it takes less than 30 minutes to whip up, which is always a huge plus in my book!

5.  Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs are cheap and tasty, basically all of my favorite things!  I love the sweet dry rub in this recipe.  It’s so easy to make and budget friendly!

6.  Garlic Olive Oil Pasta

Check out this quick, meatless Garlic Olive Oil Pasta for an easy dinner.  You only need three ingredients for this recipe, and they are all budget friendly.  Win-Win!

7.  Easy Pasta Bake

If you’re needing a quick, kid friendly meal you must try this Easy Pasta Bake.  The prep is so ridiculously easy and my kids always devour it!

8.  American Goulash

I love one pot recipes, they just make cooking (and clean up!) so much easier!  Here is a great one pot recipe using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!  Check out the American Goulash recipe here!

Big pot filled with cooked Goulash Recipe made with macaroni noodles, tomato sauce, and ground beef.

9.  Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Honestly, I want to try every single instant pot recipe that comes my way!  I’m all about a quick to fix meal!  Instead of buying boxed hamburger helper, just make it yourself in your instant pot with this easy Instant Pot Hamburger Helper recipe!

 

 

10.  One Pot Pasta

All you need is 15 minutes to whip up this one pot pasta.  This is the perfect frugal recipe for those busy days!

11.  Baked Chicken and Zucchini Casserole

Check out this Baked Chicken and Zucchini Casserole recipe for a low carb dinner idea.  It is both frugal and quick to fix!  This would be the perfect meal for using up some of your garden zucchini!

12.  Oven Baked Pork Chops

All you need is 5 minutes to prep these Oven Baked Pork Chops.  This is a simple, budget friendly sheet pan meal that is sure to become a new family favorite!

13.  Chicken Broccoli Instant Pot Casserole

Another budget friendly instant pot recipe is this Chicken Broccoli Casserole.  It has very little prep and cooks extra fast using the Instant Pot.  

A close up of a bowl filled with cheesy chicken broccoli rice sitting in front of an Instant Pot

14.  Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

I’m all about celebrating Taco Tuesday, and these Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are the perfect meal to do that!  You can fix it before work and let it cook in the slow cooker.  It will be ready right on time when you get home!

15.  Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken

 Looking for a twist on the traditional pulled pork?  Try this Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken instead!  You probably already have all of the ingredients in your kitchen, plus it will only take 5 minutes to throw it all together!

16.  Easy Chili Verde

You will only need 4 ingredients to make this Easy Chili Verde recipe.  You can serve this meal in tortillas, rice or chips!  It’s so fun to customize it however you want!

17.  Mushroom Aglio Olio

This Mushroom Aglio Olio is a quick, easy and budget friendly dinner. With just six ingredients it’s on the table in twenty minutes.

18.  Easy Skillet Caprese Chicken

If you are a fan of the classic Italian Caprese salad, then you will love this Easy Skillet Caprese Chicken recipe! It has the same amazing flavors added to the top of a sautéed chicken breast. This low carb chicken dinner is a must if you need a quick week night dinner recipe.

19.  Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Here is an easy way to make a Chicken Pot Pie.  This recipe uses frozen vegetables, which makes the prep minimal!  Feel free to make your own biscuits from scratch (I have an easy recipe in my cookbook) or use refrigerator biscuits for an even easier dinner.  The choice is yours!

20.  One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice

Another great one dish meal is this Spanish Chicken and Rice.  This meal is so quick and easy, you’ll be eating it in just 30 minutes!

21.  Cream Cheese Pasta

This Cream Cheese Pasta recipe combines a few simple ingredients to create an easy 10-minute recipe that will keep both your budget and mouth happy!

22.  Peanut Butter Chicken

You can use your favorite peanut butter to make this peanut butter chicken recipe.  This is the perfect weeknight meal when you are craving take out!

peanut butter chicken

23.  Skillet Lasagna

This hearty skillet lasagna recipe is easy to make with Campanelle or Bowtie pasta in a skillet on the stove top! It has all of the flavor of classic lasagna, but a fraction of the work!

24.  Cheesy Chicken Burrito Bowl

Love burritos?  Try this Cheesy Chicken Burrito Bowl!  It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is both filling and delicious!

No need to visit the local Mexican restaurant - make a delicious burrito bowl recipe in your own home. So yummy and so filling!

25.  Instant Pot Beef Stew

Whip up a quick beef stew in the instant pot with this recipe.  It’s the perfect hearty meal for a cool autumn day!  I especially love that you can cook it using frozen stew meat!  You don’t even have to remember to thaw it (yay!).

26.  Crockpot Sausage and Tortellini Soup

If you’re a big fan of easy, family-friendly meals, you’ve got to try this creamy and delicious crockpot sausage and tortellini soup. With just 6 simple (and cheap!) ingredients, this is sure to become one of your favorites.

27.  Easy Cola Chicken

You will love this very simple, low prep Cola Chicken recipe.  All you need are 4 ingredients and 30 minutes of your time for a delicious dinner.

28.  Oven Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs

I will try just about any recipe that contains the word lemon in the title!  It is one of my favorite ingredients!  Which is exactly the reason why I fell in love with this Oven Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs recipe.  The recipe is simple to follow and produces a moist, delicious chicken!

29.  Crockpot Chicken Stroganoff

Crockpot chicken stroganoff is a fun spin on the classic stroganoff recipe. It is a family favorite as well as an easy toss and go crockpot recipe.

30.  Quick Waikiki Chicken Recipe

My mom use to make this Waikiki Chicken recipe and it was one of my favorites!  I love making it for my own kids now.  It’s the perfect budget friendly and kid friendly dinner recipe!

You Can Cook At Home!

If you are struggling cooking dinner at home try one of these easy family friendly meals on a budget.  I have found that the easier recipes I find, the more likely I am to actually cook it!

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Freezer Chicken Recipes and How to Freeze Bulk Chicken

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup Mix Recipe

 

Pin For Later Reference:

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I hope you love these family friendly meals on a budget!

What To Do With A Costco Rotisserie Chicken

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to get the most out of one Costco rotisserie chicken.

Have you been wondering what to do with a Costco rotisserie chicken???  You are not alone!  This is a common question, one I use to have, but I have since learned a few ways to get the most out of each chicken.  I am so excited to share how I use one of their delicious chickens in three different ways!

I started shopping at Costco almost a year ago.  I was a little hesitant at first….worried that I would spend to much money, but I am now obsessed with this glorious store!  It has saved our family money on groceries and we love so many of their products.  Basically a win-win!  One of my very favorite things to buy at Costco is their rotisserie chicken.  It only costs $5, but is HUGE and delicious!  A seriously good deal!

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I will be compensated for purchases made from links in this post.

There are many different meals you can make with your Costco chicken, but we have a few favorites that I make every single month.  I am so excited to share those two dinner recipes with you!  (Plus a bonus broth recipe!)

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Costco Rotisserie Chicken Recipe #1:  Buffalo Taquitos

My husband and I are both huge buffalo chicken fans (my kids….not so much...).  But, we love to try ANYTHING that includes buffalo chicken, and these taquitos are so easy (especially when made using a rotisserie chicken) and delicious.  Two huge wins in my book!

Gather Ingredients For Buffalo Taquitos Recipe

To make these buffalo taquitos you will need:

  • Shredded Chicken (I use half of one Costco Rotisserie Chicken)
  • Buffalo Sauce (I love Franks buffalo wing sauce)
  • Shredded Cheese (I use cheddar, because I always have it at home)
  • Cream Cheese (softened)
  • Flour Tortillas

First thing you need to do is use a hand mixer to mix the softened cream cheese and buffalo sauce together.  This only takes a minute and is so easy.

Next, gently stir in the chicken and cheese.

Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture on the bottom of a flour tortilla.  Roll it up gently and tightly and then place on a greased baking sheet.

Bake taquitos in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until tortillas are golden and slightly crispy.

 

Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

A quick dinner using a rotisserie chicken.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 rotisserie chicken shredded
  • flour tortillas

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • With hand mixer, beat together cream cheese and buffalo sauce until well mixed.
  • Stir in cheddar cheese and chicken.
  • Place 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture on bottom of tortilla.
  • Starting at bottom, slowly roll tortilla into a tight roll.
  • Place on a greased baking sheet.
  • Repeat until chicken mixture is gone.
  • Bake in oven for 15 minutes, or until tortillas are slightly crispy and golden brown.
  • Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

 

Costco Rotisserie Chicken Recipe #2:  White Chicken Chili

My second recipe when deciding what to do with a Costco rotisserie chicken is to make our favorite white chicken chili.  This is another really easy recipe that can be thrown together in less than 30 minutes, but tastes delicious!

Ingredients Needed For White Chicken Chili:

  • Onion, diced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Chicken Broth
  • Shredded Chicken (I use half of one Costco rotisserie chicken)
  • Cumin
  • Diced green chilis (canned)
  • Lime juice
  • White Beans (canned)

The first step to making this delicious white chicken chili is to sauté the onions and garlic in a small amount of oil in a large pot.  Let it cook until they are soft and translucent.

I like to use my frozen onions because it saves me from having to dice them!

Then add the rest of the ingredients into the pot.  Stir and let it simmer on stove for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve chili with tortilla chips, shredded cheese and sour cream.

White Chicken Chili

Easy chili recipe using rotisserie chicken.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 12 oz. cans chicken broth
  • 1/2 rotisserie chicken shredded
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 4 oz. can diced green chilis
  • 3 Tbsp lime juice
  • 2 15 oz. cans white beans

Instructions
 

  • Sauté onions and garlic in a small amount of oil in pot until soft and translucent.
  • Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese and sour cream.

 

Costco Rotisserie Chicken Recipe #3:  Chicken Broth

And, here is your bonus rotisserie chicken recipe!  I am calling it a bonus recipe because it’s not a recipe for a meal…and it’s not technically a recipe (I just kindof randomly throw ingredients in), but it is a GREAT way to stretch your Costco rotisserie chicken even further….which is what we all want, right?  Right! 

I started making my own chicken broth a few months ago and am currently obsessed!  Someone suggested it to me as a way to get more use from my rotisserie chicken, rather than throwing it away, and it’s perfect!  So, once you are done using the meat from your chicken, turn the leftovers into broth.  It’s really so simple to make and tastes much better than store bought.  Plus, if you make it using kitchen scraps it’s basically FREE!  And, we all like free!

I freeze my homemade chicken broth using these freezer containers.  And then when I make a recipe calling for chicken broth, I just pull one out of the freezer and I’m ready to go!

Ingredients Needed For Homemade Chicken Broth:

  • Rotisserie Chicken Carcass
  • Veggie Scraps, Celery, Carrots, Onions, Garlic, etc.
  • Water

Like I mentioned earlier, I really don’t use a recipe to make this broth.  I just throw it all together! 

First, place your rotisserie chicken carcass in a large stock pot.  Make sure to include any leftover skin, meat, bones, etc.  And scrap out any of the goop on the bottom.  The more flavor you can get, the better.

Next, quickly cut up your veggies.  You can even just use your hand to rip them into smaller pieces.  They don’t need to be nice and even.  I know some people save the ends of their carrots and celery for their broth, you can use those too if you want!

Add your veggies to the pot with the chicken carcass.

Fill your stock pot up with water until chicken and vegetables are covered.  You can also add a bay leaf or two if you have some. Bring water to a boil over high heat.  Once boiling, turn heat down and allow to simmer for 3-4 hours.  Stir occasionally.

After a few hours of simmering, use a fine mesh strainer to strain broth into a bowl.

Ladle the broth into freezer containers to freeze.  Frozen broth will stay good for 3 months.

Or, you can store it in a container in your fridge.  Broth will stay good in your fridge for 1 week.

 

There Are So Many Ways To Use a Costco Rotisserie Chicken

Well, there are my three ways I use one Rotisserie Chicken from Costco.  I love the feeling of getting the most out of everything that I buy.  Remember to be creative with your foods and try to not let anything go to waste!  Your budget will thank you for it!

 

Related Articles:

 

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I hope this article helped you decide what to do with a Costco rotisserie chicken.

Quick Waikiki Chicken Recipe

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Looking for a new easy chicken recipe to try?  You’ll love this one!

Do you ever eat a recipe and it immediately brings you back to your childhood?  Like when the smell, taste, and look of a specific dish reminds you of something you use to eat regularly as a child?  That is what this Waikiki Chicken Recipe does for me.

This was a staple on the table when I was a child, and I love getting to make it for my own kids.  Plus, it is so easy!  Which is always a HUGE win in my book!

This Waikiki Chicken is a very simple and frugal dinner to prepare, making it perfect for those busy nights.  All it requires is mixing a few ingredients together and cooking a couple of chicken breasts.  I love meals that require little prep work!

Gather Your Ingredients

First, you will need to gather all of your ingredients.  For this recipe you will need:

  • 3-5 chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded, cut into rings

How To Make This Easy Waikiki Chicken Recipe

First, heat a couple of Tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

While the oil is heating, stir the flour and salt together on a plate.

Using a fork, dip each chicken breast into flour and then add it to the hot oil.

Let the chicken cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

While the chicken is cooking stir the crushed pineapple (undrained), barbecue sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar and dry mustard together in bowl.

It might not look pretty, but it tastes great!

Once the chicken is done cooking, pour the pineapple mixture over chicken in skillet.

Cover the skillet and allow the chicken to cook in the pineapple mixture for 30-40 minutes.

Garnish the chicken with green pepper rings and serve over hot steamed rice.

This is the perfect quick to fix dinner recipe.  It requires very little prep, and is always a favorite with kids and adults!

 

Waikiki Chicken

Easy, quick to fix chicken recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tbsp Oil
  • 3-5 Chicken Breasts
  • 1/2 cup Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 8-ounce can Crushed Pineapple
  • 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Mustard
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper Cut Into Rings

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat on stove.
  • Stir flour and salt together on a plate.
  • One by one, dip chicken breast into flour mixture and then add to hot skillet.
  • Let chicken cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes. Turning occasionally.
  • Stir together undrained pineapple, barbecue sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar and mustard. Pour over chicken in skillet
  • Cover skillet and let cook on low heat for 30-40 minutes.
  • Garnish with sliced bell pepper and serve over rice.
Keyword chicken, easy dinner recipes, waikiki chicken

In Conclusion

I hope your family loves this Waikiki chicken recipe as much as my family has!  It just might become your new family staple, you never know!

If you are looking for more easy recipes, be sure to check out my Recipe eBook, Mel’s Home Cooking.  This is the spot where I shared our family favorite, quick to fix recipes for easier home cooking!

 

Related Articles:

Freezer Chicken Recipes and How to Freeze Bulk Chicken

Easy Tin Foil Dinner Recipe

Three Easy Beef Roast Recipes

 

Pin For Future Reference:

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easy chicken recipe - waikiki chicken recipe

Enjoy this quick Wakiki Chicken Recipe!

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup Mix Recipe

By: Sweet Frugal Life23 Comments

How to make Cream of Chicken Soup Mix from scratch!

Did you know that you can make your very own Cream of Chicken Soup Mix from scratch?  Yep!  You can!  And guess what, it’s also incredibly easy and super cheap to whip up (hooray, I love easy and cheap!).  I am so excited to share my tried and true cream of chicken soup mix recipe with you today.

Truthfully, I really don’t like buying the canned soup in the store, but sometimes I just want a good old fashioned recipe with Cream of Chicken Soup in it, ya know???

I came across this recipe years ago and have been using it regularly ever since.  It tastes so much better than the cans, and is a lot less processed.  I use it in soups, stews, casseroles, etc.  All you need is a little water added to the mix and you’re ready to cook!  Easy peasy!

FF61C34A-590C-405D-A31E-86CBAF63F074

How To Make Cream Of Chicken Soup Mix From Scratch

This cream of chicken soup mix recipe only takes a few minutes to mix together.  You can even skip a step by just mixing it all together right in the jar rather than a separate bowl.

All it takes is four simple ingredients….and you probably already have these sitting in your pantry!  I love when that happens.

Ingredients

To make this cream of chicken soup mix recipe you will need:

  • 1 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp dry milk powder
  • 3 Tbsp chicken bouillon powder
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp dried chopped onion

Mix all of the ingredients into a bowl and you are done!

To turn your mix into a soup just whisk together 1/2 cup soup mix with 1 1/4 cups water.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!  Let me know if you try it, I would love to hear if you like it or not!

Cream of Chicken Soup Mix Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 3/4 Cups Flour
  • 1 1/2 Cups Dry Milk Powder
  • 3 Tablespoons Chicken Bouillon
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Dried Chopped Onion

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
  • And you are done!  I like to store my mix in a quart sized mason jar.

To Use

  • When ready to use, just mix 1/2 cup of soup mix with 1 1/4 cups water and substitute in any recipe calling for a can of Cream of Chicken Soup.  Be sure to write the instructions on the jar lid, so you'll always remember!  😉

After making your soup mix write the instructions on the lid of the jar so that you always remember the correct ratio for making your soup!

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In Conclusion:

I hope you enjoy this easy cream of chicken soup mix recipe.  It’s been a staple in our house for years and is one of my favorite frugal hacks!  I truly hope it helps you save some extra money like it has helped me!

Don’t forget to pin this recipe for future use:

how to make cream of chicken soup mix

homemade cream of chicken soup mix

 

Related Articles:

What to do with your bulk chicken; including 6 Freezer Chicken Recipes

Homemade Graham Cracker Recipe

What I Learned From the July Pantry Challenge

Make this Cream of Chicken Soup Mix Recipe today!

15 Easy Pantry Dinner Ideas

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check out these kid friendly easy cheap dinner ideas!

This month I have been participating in a January Pantry Challenge.  My goal has been to save some extra money by eating the food I already have at home and spending less at the store.  This is not always an easy task, but I love the challenge and pushing myself out of my comfort zone!  As I’ve been trying to cut my grocery expenses I’ve found a few pantry dinner ideas that I am so excited to share with you!

How To Stock A Frugal Pantry

I love having my pantry, freezer, and cupboards stocked with a few of our every day staples.  Having a well stocked pantry makes it much easier to throw together a few easy pantry dinner ideas, without having to go to the store.

The best way to stock up your pantry is to buy a few extra of the items you would normally be buying anyways.  For example, when I need ketchup, I’ll buy 3 bottles of ketchup, rather than just 1.  This gives me the extra food on hand, that I know I buy and use regularly.

When stocking your frugal pantry, try to focus on buying frugal friendly food items.  A few of my favorites are:

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Pasta
  • Oatmeal
  • Vinegar
  • Beans
  • Eggs
  • Potatoes
  • Popcorn

Related:  Cheap Foods to Buy For a Well Stocked Pantry

pantry dinner ideas - easy dinner ideas for picky eaters

Easy Pantry Dinner Ideas

Alright!  Let’s get to it!  Here are a few of my easy pantry dinner ideas.  I hope they will inspire you to use food that you already have at home to put together a few easy dinner ideas.

Most of these dinner ideas are kid friendly and easy to customize and change to your personal eating preference.

1.  Taco Soup

Taco soup is the perfect pantry dinner to throw together using ingredients you already have at home.  It’s really easy to throw together whatever you happen to have in your fridge to make this soup.

Use chicken, beef, or beans (or a combination of all three!) as the base for your soup.  Then, add in onions, tomatoes, corn, taco seasoning, and whatever else sounds good to you for a nice, warm, and hearty taco soup.

*My favorite taco soup recipe is included in my Mel’s Home Cooking recipe ebook!

2.  Pasta Bake

Looking for an incredibly easy-impossible to fail-quick to fix pantry dinner idea????  This easy pasta bake is just what you need!  You only need 4 ingredients to throw it together, and one of them is water (seriously.)!  You can find this easy Pasta Bake Recipe here!

3.  Chili With Cornbread Waffles

Have a can of chili sitting in a cupboard and some cornmeal?  Make chili with cornbread waffles!  This is my kids favorite cheap and easy dinner!

To make chili with cornbread waffles, you will first need to heat up a can of chili over the stove on medium-high heat.

While the chili is warming up, make your cornbread waffles using the recipe below.

 

Cornbread Waffles

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 cup buttermilk if you do not have buttermilk just mix 1 Tbsp vinegar into 1 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • In large mixer cream together the sugar and oil.
  • Add eggs and milk and mix well.
  • In separate bowl stir together the baking soda, flour, cornmeal, and salt.
  • Add all at once to egg mixture and mix until smooth.
  • Pour batter onto waffle iron and cook until lightly golden brown.
  • Serve with chili and cheese on top.

Serve the chili on top of the cornbread waffles and sprinkle with cheese.  You will now be your kids favorite person, seriously.

4.  Spaghetti With Garlic Toast

Spaghetti is one of the easiest pantry dinners around!  Have a box of spaghetti noodles and a jar of spaghetti sauce???  All it takes is a few minutes to warm them up on the stove and, boom dinner is ready!

I like to serve spaghetti with a side of garlic toast, which is so easy to make!  Get out a few bread slices from a loaf of bread and spread butter on top and then sprinkle it with garlic salt.  Cook the bread slices on a cookie sheet, under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until brown and toasty.  That’s it!  Garlic toast is a great side for a family friendly dinner.

5.  Burrito Bowl

Burrito bowls are a perfect way to use up ingredients you have sitting in your fridge and pantry.  Layer your burrito bowl with rice on the bottom, and layering with beans, cheese, seasonings.  Top your burrito bowl with your favorite toppings.

A few topping suggestions are:  tomato’s, salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips, lettuce, corn, avocado, cilantro, ranch dressing, and anything else that sounds good to you!

6.  Sloppy Joes

Another great pantry dinner idea is to make sloppy joes.  Sloppy joes can easily be made with some ground beef and a few other pantry staples.  This is a very freezer friendly meal, so I will double the recipe and then freeze half for another day.

These are best served on hamburger buns, but we have used a regular loaf of bread when in a pinch.  All about pantry friendly here!

*My favorite Sloppy Joes recipe is available in the Mel’s Home Cooking ebook.

7.  Tomato Soup With Cheese Toast

We always keep a can of tomato soup stocked in our pantry for nights when I’m to tired, or busy, to make a big dinner.  It only takes a few minutes (and hardly any effort!) to heat up some tomato soup over the stove

I love to serve tomato soup with a side of cheese toast.  Make cheese toast by placing some cheese onto slices of bread and then cooking them on a cookie sheet under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

8.  Tacos

Tacos is another quick and easy dinner you can throw together using pantry ingredients.  Make your tacos using any meat you happen to have at home, such as chicken, pork, or beef.

To make tacos just cook your meat over the stove.  Once cooked add 1/2 cup water and a packet of taco seasoning.

If you don’t have a packet of taco seasoning in your pantry, that’s ok!  You can make it yourself!  Check out my favorite taco seasoning recipe below!

Easy Taco Seasoning Mix

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • In small bowl mix all ingredients together.
  • Use 2 Tbsp taco seasoning mix in replace of 1 packet of taco seasoning.
  • Store seasoning in a tupperware container or jar in your pantry.

 

Cook and stir your meat with taco seasoning and water until the water has cooked off, about 5 minutes.

Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.  We love cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

9.   Homemade Pizza

We love homemade pizza at our house!  Use this homemade pizza dough recipe to make the crust, and then top it with your favorite toppings, or whatever you have in your pantry.  

Get creative!  You can use barbecue sauce, marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, or even Thai sauce.  For toppings try different kinds of cheeses, vegetables and meats. 

If you don’t feel like making homemade pizza dough, you can even use French bread, biscuits or tortillas to make your pizzas.  Find out how here:  Easy Pizza Alternatives.

10.  Bean Burritos

Another great pantry dinner idea is to make bean burritos!  This is a very quick and easy meal to prepare, and they are freezer friendly!  (yay, I love freezer friendly!) 

To make bean burritos just mix beans (we use black or pinto beans), cheese, rice, and taco seasoning together.  Place mixture on tortillas and gently roll up.

Heat your burrito in the microwave or oven and serve!  Easy peasy!

11.  Stir Fry

Stir fry is another dinner staple at our house!  It’s the perfect meal to make on busy days.  The three steps to a good stir fry are vegetables, protein, and sauce.

Choose whichever protein and vegetables you have in your home already.  A few protein suggestions are:  chicken, beef and shrimp.  There are so many vegetables that make a great stir fry, such as:  peppers, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms and peas.

Sauté your protein in a large frying pan.  Add vegetables and continue to sauté until cooked.  Next, add sauce and stir together.  Cook and stir for a few more minutes until sauce has thickened.

Serve your stir fry over rice or noodles, whichever is in your pantry.

My favorite stir fry sauce is included in my Mel’s Home Cooking eCookbook, but I also really like this 3 ingredient stir fry sauce.

12.  Stroganoff

Stroganoff is another simple and pantry friendly dinner.  You can whip up some stroganoff with ground beef, sour cream, cream of chicken soup mix and some seasonings.  Serve it over noodles or eat it Idaho style, served over a baked potato!  Yum!

13.  Breakfast for Dinner

My kids love when I make breakfast for dinner.  It’s such an easy, fun dinner to make when your pantry is feeling bare.  We love to make waffles, pancakes, eggs and a smoothie for Saturday night dinners once or twice a month.

14.  Twice Baked Potatoes

I grew up on an Idaho potato farm, so potatoes are always a staple at my house.  They are so cheap, easy and filling!

Twice baked potatoes are a great way to make a filling meal out of ingredients you probably already have at home.  I love this recipe from Ree Drummond.

15.  Quesadillas

Have some tortillas and cheese???  Make quesadillas for dinner!  You can customize your quesadilla in whichever way you want!  We use salsa, beans, chicken, onions, peppers and green chilis.

A fun way to serve quesadillas is to set out all of the ingredients you have to make them for a quesadilla bar.  Let everyone fill, and customize their own tortilla and cook on the griddle.

Save Money and Cook At Home

I hope these pantry meal ideas gave you some inspiration for cooking without having to go to the store.  Cooking dinner using your pantry ingredients is a great way to save extra money on groceries. 

Remember, to try to use the foods that you already have at home.  If a recipe calls for something you don’t already have, be creative and find a good substitute, do not run to the grocery store!  Because we all know if we go to the grocery store for “just one thing” we always leave with more (is that just me????).

Related Articles:

How a Pantry Challenge Will Save You Money

Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

15 Products You Should Always Buy Generic

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Freezer Chicken Recipes and How to Freeze Bulk Chicken

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

This Check out these easy freezer chicken recipes.

One of my favorite ways to save money on groceries is to buy my chicken in bulk.  Bulk chicken is usually priced much lower than buying smaller amounts.  This is also a great way to save time in the kitchen!  When I buy my bulk chicken, I like to prep some of them for the freezer for quick to fix dinners.  Today I am going to show you how to prep bulk chicken for the freezer and 6 of my favorite easy freezer chicken recipes.

how to freeze bulk chicken - chicken freezer recipes

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Where To Buy Bulk Chicken

There are many different places you can buy your chicken in bulk.  Watch for sales at your local grocery store.  Bulk chicken will go on sale multiple times throughout the year and is usually an excellent deal.

I have also bought bulk chicken at Savory Butcher and Butcher Box, and honestly was so happy with both!

Savory Butcher

Savory Butcher is a meat coop community offering discounted meats to multiple areas around the United States.  Their meat are all humanely raised, antibiotic free and no added hormones.

They are currently delivering meat to areas in Texas, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon and more!  Products include beef, pork, seafood, and chicken.

I just tried out Savory Butcher for the first time, and I was SO impressed!  The customer service was incredible and the meat was high quality and delicious!  Plus, the price is right which is so important to me.

I chose to purchase the 40 lb case of chicken, which was only $1.99/lb.  This is a smoking deal!  Their chicken comes fresh from the farm and already trimmed (this makes life easier, trust me!).

Butcher Box

Another great place to buy meat and get it shipped right to your door is Butcher Box!  Be sure to click here for my full Butcher Box review.

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How To Freeze Bulk Chicken

I just spent a couple of hours prepping my bulk chicken.  It makes me happy to stock my freezer full of chicken for quick, easy dinners.  I prepped 8 ready to cook dinners; and 6 bags of plain chicken.  It does take a little bit of effort to prepare your bulk chicken, but the amount of money you save is SO worth it!

 

If your chicken comes trimmed (like mine did) you can start putting them into freezer safe packaging, right out of the box.  

Sometimes bulk chicken is sold still needing trimmed.  Take a few minute trimming off the fat and then you can begin packaging.

When preparing chicken for the freezer I highly recommend using a vacuum sealer.  This one simple purchase will make freezing bulk chicken much easier and does a great job of preventing freezer burn.

My sealer was not working (resulting in quite a bit of frustration on my part!).  So, I used freezer bags instead.  These don’t work quite as well as a vacuum sealer does, but they can get the job done.

To prep your chicken for the freezer you will need to separate your chicken into dinner sized portions.  For my family I put about 2-3 chicken breasts per bag for my family.  Place each portioned chicken into freezer bag, remove all of the air and seal tightly.

Your chicken is now ready for the freezer!  Yay!  Your chicken will stay fresh in the freezer for 6-12 months.

 

Easy Freezer Chicken Recipes

While you are preparing your chicken for the freezer, you can whip up a few of these easy recipes at the same time.  I love these recipes because I can pull the chicken out of the freezer in the morning, and half of the work for dinner is already done!  They are perfect for busy days, or when you just don’t feel like cooking!

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Slow Cooker Honey Chicken

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs. chicken breasts
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 4 Tbsp diced onion
  • 4 Tbsp ketchup
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 tsp cornstarch
  • 6 Tbsp water

Instructions
 

  • Combine chicken, salt, pepper, honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup and garlic powder in a freezer bag.
  • Let all air out of bag.  Seal tight and freeze.
  • When ready to prepare take it out of freezer and allow to thaw.
  • Dump entire bag of chicken and sauce into slow cooker.  Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
  • When finished cooking take chicken out of slow cooker and leave the sauce.
  • Combine cornstarch with water, stir well.
  • Add it into slow cooker with sauce.  Cook sauce on high until it begins to thicken (5-10 minutes).
  • Slice chicken into small chunks.  Return to slow cooker and stir with sauce.
  • Serve over rice.

 

Barbecue Chicken

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs. chicken breasts
  • 1 container of barbecue sauce

Instructions
 

  • Put chicken in a freezer bag.  Pour entire container of barbecue sauce on top.
  • Let all air out of bag.  Seal tight and freeze.
  • When ready to prepare take it out of freezer and allow to thaw.
  • Cook on grill.  Top with barbecue sauce to serve.

 

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb. chicken breasts sliced thin
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper in freezer bag.
  • Put chicken in a freezer bag.  Pour entire container of barbecue sauce on top.
  • Let all air out of bag.  Seal tight and freeze.
  • When ready to prepare take it out of freezer and allow to thaw.
  • Cook chicken on grill.
  • Serve with rice and veggies.

Balsamic Chicken

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This balsamic chicken recipe is available as part of my Free 5 Days to Frugal ecourse.  You can sign up below and my 5 favorite frugal recipes will be emailed to you on day 3 of the challenge!

 

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Tacos

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb. chicken breasts
  • 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Combine chicken, tomatoes, brown sugar and red pepper flakes in freezer bag.
  • Let all air out of bag.  Seal tight and freeze.
  • When ready to prepare take it out of freezer and allow to thaw.
  • Pour chicken and sauce into slow cooker.
  • Cook in slow cooker on high for 5 hours.
  • When done cooking shred chicken in sauce.
  • Serve in flour tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Grilled (or baked!) Island Chicken

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This grilled island chicken recipe is available as part of my Free 5 Days to Frugal ecourse.

You can sign up below and my 5 favorite frugal recipes will be emailed to you on day 3 of the challenge!

Favorite Baked Chicken

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb. chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in freezer bag.
  • Let all air out of bag.  Seal tight and freeze.
  • When ready to prepare take it out of freezer and allow to thaw.
  • Bake in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.
  • Serve with baked potatoes and veggies.

Honey Lime Enchiladas

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. chicken
  • 6 Tbsp honey
  • 4.5 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 10 oz. can green enchilada sauce
  • flour tortillas
  • shredded monterey jack cheese

Instructions
 

  • Combine chicken, honey, lime juice, chili powder, and garlic powder in freezer bag.
  • Let all air out of bag.  Seal tight and freeze.
  • When ready to prepare take it out of freezer and allow to thaw.
  • Pour chicken and sauce into slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Shred chicken in sauce.
  • Pour a small amount of green enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
  • Fill tortillas with shredded chicken and cheese.  Place in pan.
  • Pour the rest of the green enchilada sauce over the tortillas.  Sprinkle with cheese.
  • Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

In Conclusion

I love buying my chicken in bulk.  It has proven time and time again to be a money and time saver for me.  Feel free to try any of these recipes for any chicken, it doesn’t have to be in bulk.  Let me know which one is your favorite!

If you are looking for more easy recipes be sure to check out my very own recipe book!  Mel’s Home Cooking offers 65 simple, delicious and easy recipes for one low price.  You are sure to find a new family favorite!

Related Articles:

How to Freeze Raspberries

8 Foods You Should Freeze in an Ice Cube Tray

Mel’s Home Cooking Recipe Book

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Easy Tin Foil Dinner Recipe

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best campfire dinner recipe.

A few years ago I stumbled upon the best tin foil dinner recipe ever, for reals though…..I’ve tried a lot of tin foil dinners!  I found it originally on Melyssa Saves Instagram Story Highlights.  I’ve since adapted it to our own personal liking, but I still give her credit for introducing me to this amazing campfire dinner recipe.

This recipe has become our favorite camping dinner recipe.  It’s easy to cook over the fire, and perfect for customizing to everyone’s preferences.  We also use it regularly for backyard fires.  When I don’t feel like cooking, or cleaning up a messy kitchen….I whip up these easy tin foil dinners and we eat outside.  The kids think it’s a fun family activity, and I think it was the best way to keep my house clean…..

tin foil dinner recipe - how to make tin foil dinners

Ingredients

Like I mentioned earlier, this recipe is very easy to customize to your own specific taste preferences.  So, don’t be afraid to take my suggestions and add a few of your own!

  • Little Smokies
  • Shredded Cheese (we like mozzarella, but you can also use cheddar)
  • Diced onions 
  • Green Beans
  • Peas
  • Corn
  • Seasoning Salt
  • Shredded hash browns
  • Carrots
  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Butter
  • Salt and Pepper

You will also need:

  • Cooking spray
  • Tin foil

Putting it All Together

Pull out two strips of tin foil and lay them one on top of the other on your counter top.  Spray generously with cooking spray.

Layer hash browns on the top tin foil.  You can add as much or as little as you want.  I always put less on the kids dinners and much more in my husbands (he likes to eat!).

Next add the little smokies.  Again, there is no set recipe.  Just add as many or as little as you want to eat.

Now it’s time for the vegetables.  I try to use whatever veggie is in my garden at the time.  We have used carrots, corn, green beans, diced onion, peas, and jalapeno peppers.  All were good and delicious!

Sprinkle your veggies with your favorite cheese.  We enjoy mozzarella cheese, but cheddar is also delicious!

Next add salt, pepper and seasoning salt to taste.

Add a few pats of butter on top.

And it’s all done!  Look how yummy!  Can you believe it even tastes better than it looks?!?!

All that’s left to do is roll your tin foil packet up and refrigerate until ready to be cooked.

Cook your tin foil dinner over hot coals until thoroughly heated through and cheese is melted.  It usually only takes about 10 minutes, depending on the heat of your fire.

Pull a packet out and peek inside to test for doneness.

I promise you will love this delicious, easy tin foil dinner recipe.

Easy Tin Foil Dinner

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • Shredded Hash Browns
  • Little Smokies
  • Favorite Veggies We like green beans, peas, carrots, corn, onion and jalapenos.
  • Mozzarella or cheddar Cheese
  • Seasoning Salt
  • Butter

Instructions
 

  • Lay two pieces of tin foil on counter top. Spray with cooking spray.
  • Layer hash browns on top of tin foil.
  • Add little smokies on top.
  • Put your favorite veggies over little smokies and hash browns.
  • Sprinkle with cheese.
  • Salt, pepper and seasoning salt to taste.
  • Add 2-3 pats of butter.
  • Wrap tin foil up tightly.
  • Cook over hot coals in camp fire until done.

Related Recipes:

Light and Fluffy Pancake Recipe

Easy Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

Easy Pasta Dinner Recipe

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How To Make A Meal Plan For Beginners

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

Easy tips to start meal planning.

“How do I make a meal plan?” is a question I receive regularly.  Meal planning is something I have been doing for over 15 years, and it has become second nature to me.  I meal plan every single week, without fail.  But…

I actually hate meal planning.  There, I said it!  I really don’t like to meal plan.  I feel like I plan the same things every week.  It feels impossible to ever find something that everyone in the family will be happy with (there is always a complaint from someone).  Meal planning feels like a chore, trying to come up with quick meals for the nights we are busy, cheap meals to help our pocketbook, and everything else in between.  It’s a hassle. 

But, I continue to plan our meals regularly, and I will keep doing so probably until the day I die.

So, if you are new to meal planning or feel like it is stressful, you are not alone!  I get it!  Let me teach you the tricks I have learned to help make meal planning a little easier.

how to make meal planning easier - how to start making a meal plan

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How Does Meal Planning Save Money?

It’s no secret that if you want to save money on food, cooking at home is the way to do it. 

However, cooking at home does not mean you randomly put food in your grocery cart and then come up with a new recipe each day.  Cooking at home takes thought, planning and some prep work.  When you meal plan correctly you will find you save money in multiple ways.

1.  Meal Planning Prevents Impulse Shopping at the Grocery Store

When you plan ahead each week you are able to know exactly what you need to buy at the grocery store.  This prevents buying “this” or “that” completely on impulse….just because it looks good in the moment.

2.  Meal Planning Prevents Stops for Take Out Food

If you have already planned your meals for the week and you know that you have ingredients at home waiting to be cooked you will be much less likely to stop on your way home from work to grab quick take out food.  Cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out and the less you stop at a restaurant the more money you will save.

3.  Meal Planning Reduces Waste

A good meal plan will help you eat up the food you already have in your home to prevent any food going to waste.  When food is thrown out, it’s the equivalent of throwing money out and meal planning will help you reduce this waste.

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How Do I Begin Planning Meals?

When you are new to meal planning, it might feel a little stressful or confusing.  Don’t worry!  This is normal!  Follow these simple steps for a successful meal plan.

Step #1:  Shop Your Pantry First

Before you sit down to plan out your weekly menu, take a quick inventory of your pantry, your fridge, your freezer and your cupboards.  Take note of what foods you already have in your house.  Figure out a few meals you can make with the foods you already own.

For example:  If I see chicken, rice and beans in my freezer and pantry than I might plan chicken and rice casserole one night and chicken and bean burritos the other night.

Step #2:  Look Through Weekly Ads To Find the Best Deals

Use the free Flipp App to browse the weekly ads in your area.  Plan a few meals based on what is on sale for the week.  For example:  if I find Zucchini on sale than I might plan to make zoodles sometime during the week.

This might require you to stop by a few different stores, which I once avoided because it felt to time consuming.  Now that I take the time to shop sales at multiple stores I have found a huge decrease in the amount of money I spend on groceries.

Step #3:  Make The Plan

Now that you have a few meals based on your own food inventory and the current sales, it’s time to fill in the blanks.  Look through pinterest or your favorite cook books to plan the rest of your meals for the week.  To decrease your weekly expenses even more try to choose recipes needing ingredients that you already have at home.

If you are struggling finding the time or motivation to begin meal planning consider subscribing to Emeals.  With a very affordable small fee Emeals will do all of your weekly meal planning for you! 

I’m serious!  Their service is complete with shopping lists, recipes and instructions.  They offer a variety of plans so you can choose the diet and taste preference that works best for you!  Subscribers have been able to save over $100 each month and at least an hour weekly in not having to sit down and plan.  Try the Free 14 Day Trial to see if Emeals is right for you!


eMeals

Step #4:  Make The Grocery List

The next step is to make your grocery list.  Look through what you planned for each day and make a grocery shopping list based on the meals you will be cooking throughout the week.  Don’t forget to include any snacks your family will want!

I personally do my grocery shopping at the same time that I make my shopping list.  This is done by using Walmarts Free Grocery Pickup.  I simply open the app, type in what I need for the week and then press check out!  All that’s left is to pick it up the next day.  It is a huge time saver! 

Step #5:  Grocery Shop While Sticking To Your List

If you choose not to use Walmart’s Free Grocery Pickup your next step will be to go shopping at the grocery store.  This is an important part of meal planning. 

As you shop make sure you are sticking to the shopping list that you made in step #4.  Do not buy items just because they look good or are on sale.  You have made your meal plan and only need to buy the items that fit into the plan.

Step #6:  Implement Your Meal Plan

Now it’s time to put your plan into action!  When you are new to meal planning you might feel tempted to stray from your original plan.  As life gets busy, you get tired, it’s easy to fall into old habits.  I encourage you not to do this!  Especially not when you are new to planning your meals.  This is an important time to form a new habit!

You will find some trial and error as you are adjusting to meal planning, this is normal, don’t let it discourage you!  Maybe you forget to buy a few important ingredients, perhaps you are to busy to fix what you planned.  This happens to us all!  Be willing to learn from each mistake, adjust each week and through time you will find what works best for you, and what doesn’t work.

Meal Planning Struggles and Solutions

I asked Instagram today what a few of their Meal Planning struggles were.  Below are a few of those problems and my tips for overcoming them.

Struggle #1:  “Too Much Repetitiveness”

It is normal to feel like you are making the same thing over and over again in your meal plan.  We have all felt this way from time to time!  Here are a few ways to keep variety in your meal plan:

  • Daily Theme Nights

Choose a theme for each day of the week.  This ensures you are making something different every night and keeping a variety in your menu.  Your themes could be:

Meatless Monday:  A lot of times this might revolve around pasta.

Taco Tuesday:  It doesn’t have to be tacos, fajitas, enchiladas or a big taco salad works too!

Soup Wednesday:  Try a new soup recipe until you find a few favorites.

Rice Thursday:  Make something with rice today.  Perhaps a chicken and rice casserole, sweet and sour chicken with rice….you get the idea!

Pizza Friday:  Make a homemade pizza using this recipe or try a few different pizza hacks.

Easy Saturday:  Plan an easy meal for Saturday; such as breakfast for dinner, a can of soup or a frozen lasagna.

Slow Cooker Sunday:  Put your slow cooker to use on Sundays, or maybe try a few instant pot recipes.

  • Try a New Recipe Regularly

Pick one day each week to try a new recipe.  Perhaps Monday will be your New Recipe Day.  Some of these recipes you will probably dislike, but over time you will find a few new favorites to add to your regular rotation.

I have a couple of different pinterest boards dedicated to helping me find new recipes.  One board is called “Food To Try” and the other board labeled “Food We Loved.”  When I want to try a new recipe I simply look through my Food to Try board and pick one for the week.  If we love it I will move it over to the Food We Loved board until I am ready to print it out and add it to my recipe binder.


 

  • Plan Meals Well in Advance

Plan your meals 4-6 weeks in advance to guarantee you won’t have any duplicates dinners during that time.  A 6 week rotation should give you plenty of variety.

Struggle #2:  Sticking to the Plan

Some days you might plan to make a big and fancy dinner, and then the day comes and you just don’t feel like making it anymore.  Been there…so many many times I have been there!  Here are a few solutions that have helped me to stick to the plan.

  • Meal Prep in Advance

Do as much meal prep in advance as you can.  If you have a day off from work or a free evening, spend time chopping veggies and cook your meat ahead of time.  You can keep these already prepped foods in the fridge until it’s time to prepare the meal.  This saves a lot of time and will make cooking so much easier after a long day.

  • Be Flexible

It’s ok to change up the plan every now and then.  If you are having a hard day and just don’t feel like cooking what you planned, feel free to cook something else!  If you planned sandwiches for Friday, make sandwiches on the day you are feeling tired and make the more involved meal on Friday.

It’s helpful to have a few staples in your home at all times so if you need to cook something different that night, you can.  Breakfast for dinner is one that I do regularly when I don’t feel like cooking.  I am able to make pancakes using the ingredients I already have at home and call it a meal.

Struggle #3:  Planning for Different Tastes/Diets

It’s hard planning a menu for people who all have different palates and taste preferences.  I get it!  Maybe he doesn’t eat gluten, she hates red meat, and the little one refuses to eat anything healthy.  This makes meal planning even more stressful than it already was!  Here are a few suggestions to help this struggle:

  • Provide a Variety of Sides

Instead of trying to find a dinner that everyone in your family will like, provide a variety of sides so that there is something for everyone.  If you make chicken and you know your daughter won’t eat it, make a few healthy foods to go along with the chicken so that you know she will be filling up on something good.

  • Rotate The Meals

Rotate the meals that you cook throughout the week so that everyone will get a favorite at least once or twice during the week.  I usually ask each of my kids for one dinner request for the week.  They are always excited for the night when I cook their specific request.  This ensures everyone is always looking forward to something!

You Can Meal Plan!

You can read as many articles as you want, but honestly the best way to learn how to meal plan and to find what works best for you is to just begin and never quit.  Keep trying, keep planning, keep staying focused on the goal of saving money on food and you will find a way to make it work!  Feel free to reach out in the comments or my inbox with any questions!  I am always happy to help!

 

 

 

Related Articles:

How To Make A Recipe Binder

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

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Easy Pizza Recipes You Must Try!

By: Sweet Frugal Life6 Comments

Quick and Easy Pizza Recipes for Family Pizza Night!

One of our favorite family traditions is our monthly Friday Night Pizza and Movie Night.  The first Friday of each month I make a homemade pizza and we watch a movie together as a family.  We started this traditions years ago and our kids STILL love it!  Now that I have a teenager, I rejoice at every minute she wants to spend time with me!  I usually make the pizza, but some nights I just don’t have the time or energy to make, so I have found a few alternative easy pizza recipes.

Here are two of our favorite easy, simple pizza ideas for your next pizza night.  The kids love helping me make these easy pizza night ideas.

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French Bread Pizza

One easy pizza night idea is French Bread Pizza!  This is a super quick and simple pizza alternative.

First, you need to slice a loaf of french bread in half.

Place both slices on a baking sheet and cook in 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes.  You do not want the bread to get golden, you just want to harden it up a bit (it tastes much better this way, promise!).

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After a few minutes in the oven take out the french bread and it’s now time to put all of your toppings on.

Last, bake your french bread pizza in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.  Slice and serve!

 

Pizza on Rolls

Pizza rolls are a really fun hands on way to get kids cooking.

You can make these easy mini pizzas using Pillsbury Biscuits or Rhodes Freezer Rolls.  This time I used Rhodes frozen rolls.

Take the Rhodes Freezer Rolls out of the freezer three hours before you will need to eat.  Place them on a baking sheet to thaw.

Once they are all thawed and had a little time to rise you are ready to make your pizzas!

Gently smoosh, flatten and pull the rolls to form flat pizza circles.  This is the step your kids will really want to help with.

Place your pizza dough circles on a greased pan.  Add your toppings, let everyone top their own individual pizza just the way they want it.  Encourage your kids to be creative!

Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is slightly browned.

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They are all ready to eat!  Enjoy your own little personal pizza!

In Conclusion

I hope these gives you a few more ideas for a fun Family Pizza Night in your home!

 

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Easy Pasta Dinner Recipe

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Enjoy these Easy Pizza Recipes during your next family night!

Easy Pasta Dinner Recipe

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Try this quick pasta bake recipe for a cheap dinner for kids.

 

Sometimes I love making a fancy dinner with all the fixings….and other nights…well, I just don’t feel like cooking at all!  I got this easy dinner pasta recipe from my sister years and years ago and it soon became an instant hit in my house.  This is the perfect recipe for the nights when you just do not want to cook dinner.

It is full of yummy noodles and cheesy goodness, it also happens to be one of the quickest and easiest dinners I make.  So if you are needing a simple, budget friendly dinner idea, this is for you!  It is perfect for those busy evenings you need to throw something together quick!  I am pretty sure it is impossible to mess this recipe up!

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Easy Pasta Bake Recipe

The first thing you will need to do to make this easy pasta bake recipe is to gather your ingredients.  You will need:

  • 1 box pasta (16 0z.)
  • 1 jar spaghetti sauce (24 oz.)
  • 1 jar water (about 12 oz.)
  • Grated cheese (about 1 cup)

Grab your box of pasta and pour it into a casserole dish.  I usually use rotini or penne, but occasionally I will use macaroni pasta.  It just depends on what I have on hand.

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Pour a jar of spaghetti sauce and water over the pasta.  You can also add olives or mushrooms.  Stir it all up and put it in the oven.

After the pasta bakes in the oven for 20 minutes, take it out of the oven and sprinkle cheese evenly on top.  Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

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Take it out of the oven and ENJOY!  My entire family loves this meal!  And I especially love that it doesn’t time any effort!

 

 

Easy Pasta Bake

3 from 1 vote
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box pasta
  • 24 oz. spaghetti sauce
  • 12 oz. water
  • olive or mushrooms optional
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Stir pasta, spaghetti sauce, water and olives and mushrooms in 9X13 casserole dish.  Bake in oven for 20 minutes.  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.  Bake another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Want More Easy Recipes?

Are you looking for more easy recipes for families?  Check out my eCookbook, Mel’s Home Cooking.

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Pin this recipe for future reference!

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Let me know if you try this easy pasta dinner recipe!

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