Here we are at lucky week 13. Lucky? Of course, if you have been following along, you've hardly had to think about what's for dinner for three months.
The linked recipes feed a family of 4 – 6 with leftovers served for lunches and one night during the week. C.O.R.N. stands for Clean Out Refrigerator Night and it's your chance to put your feet up and let dinner take care of itself.
This week we're minding the budget by using leftover chicken as the base for the chicken noodle soup, other than that the meals can be prepared in any order; arrange them as best fits your schedule. This week doesn't contain any meatless options, but for three meals meat is treated as a supporting character rather than star of the show (chicken noodle soup, tuna melts, and pizza).
The shopping list is after the jump and does not contain staples such as flour, oil, salt, and pepper. All spices and condiments are listed, as pantries typically vary by region and ethnic traditions. There will be a significant reduction in the weekly grocery bill once your pantry is stocked with spices and dry goods. To use the grocery list, simply cut and paste the list into a notepad file and delete any items already on hand. Add your needs for breakfast and lunch and you're ready to head to the store.
Let's get started.
1. Fettucini alfredo with blackened beef tips and Caesar salad (If you need a shortcut or two, use jarred sauce and bagged salad. I promise that the alfredo sauce is simple and quick).
2. Roast chicken, baked sweet potatoes, pan roasted carrots and celery
Place washed and cut carrots and celery in the bottom of your baking dish. The pieces should be several inches in length. The potatoes should be scrubbed and pricked with a fork. Place them on a baking sheet and let them bake for approximately 90 minutes with the chicken. Typically they take an hour at 400, but the chicken demands 350F.
3. Ground beef and cabbage skillet, green beans This meal also works great in a crockpot
4. Chicken noodle soup, tossed salad
5. Tuna Melt Sandwiches, ranch potato wedges, steamed broccoli
Tuna melts are nothing more than a fancy grilled cheese. Simply spread a little with tuna salad between the cheese slices and cook like normal.
6. Pizza Night
The sauce can be made in the crockpot and if you are short on time use a loaf of Italian bread instead of making your own crust. We turn pizza night into a weekly event, the kids get to choose their toppings and we eat in courses as the pizzas come out of the oven. It's a low stress, evening's entertainment without resorting to the TV.
7. Hurray for C.O.R.N.
Heather Solos is the mother of three kids who are actually served the above items and for the most part they eat dinner without a fuss. She can be found co-authoring Home Ec 101, keeping an eye on the Lowcountry Bloggers, and contributing to Type-A Mom.
Dairy Case and Products
Butter
Cream cheese
Half and half
Mozzarella
Parmesan cheese
Sliced cheese (your favorite for the tuna melts)
Dry Goods
Bread (sliced for tuna melts and Italian if you take the shortcut for Pizza Night)
Chicken base or bouillon (Better than Bouillon)
Egg noodles
Fettucini noodles
Honey
Kidney beans (optional add in for the cabbage skillet)
Ranch dressing packets
Rice
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
14.5 oz can tomato Sauce
2 cans of tomato paste
Tuna
Freezer
Broccoli
Corn (optional add in for the cabbage skillet)
Green beans
Meat
Whole chicken
Ground beef or turkey
Pepperoni or sausage
Sirloin tips
Produce
Bell pepper (pizza or optional add in for cabbage skillet)
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Garlic
Onions
Potatoes
Salad supplies (Caesar and standard)
Sweet potatoes
Spices and Condiments
Basil
Bay leaves
Cajun seasoning
Italian Seasoning
Mayo
Sage
Thyme
Loading ...
Comments are closed.