Menu Planning Monday: My Menu Plan for the week of 4/14

This week is going to be crazy busy, so I’m hoping if I plan ahead that I’ll be able to pull off cooking all week!  This week’s menu includes several quick fix and slow cooker tried and true recipes and a few new recipes, too!

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here–> Tips for menu planning

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Chicken ranch tacos (slow cooker) – My family LOVES this recipe and it’s super easy to throw together in the slow cooker, which makes it perfect for Sundays if you’re headed off to church and don’t have much time!

MONDAY:  Slow cooker beef tips – I discovered this recipe several years ago in Taste of Home Magazine and it’s become a family favorite!  We usually serve it with mashed potatoes.

TUESDAY:  Baked chicken chimichangas – Do you see a pattern here yet?  I’m getting a Mexican food fix this week!  This is a new recipe for us and I’m using leftover chicken from the chicken ranch tacos that we had on Sunday to make these.  I can’t wait to try them!

rice-meatballsWEDNESDAY:  Rice meatballs – If you’ve got a busy night, this is a meal that you can throw together in about 30 minutes and as an added bonus, everyone in my house loves it!  I got this recipe from my mother in law when my husband and I were still dating!

THURSDAY:  Chicken broccoli casserole – This is a new recipe for us and I’m sure my husband is not going to be crazy about it because it’s got broccoli, but I’m giving it a try anyway because I feel like I’ve been in a recipe rut lately.

 

tasty-baked-tacos

FRIDAY:  Tasty Baked Tacos – I discovered this recipe a few weeks ago and my family loves it and I love it, too, because it’s so easy to throw together!  This is another recipe you can throw together in about 30 minutes!

stacked-green-chicken-enchiladas

SATURDAY – Stacked Green Enchiladas – This is a quick and easy way to make enchiladas when you need a “fix”  Today is going to be crazy busy with a garage sale, swim team meeting, and a jewelry party for me, so I figured this was a good pick!

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

Looking for more quick fix menu ideas? Sign up for Ready, Set, Eat by clicking on the image below! It’s completely free and you’ll get recipe ideas delivered to you by e-mail!

ReadySetEat

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Menu Planning Monday: my menu plan for the week of 4/7

Last week I was sick most of the week, so I didn’t get much cooking done.  This week is going to be a busy one, so I mainly chose my tried and true quick fix and slow cooker recipes!

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here–> Tips for menu planning

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Leftovers

MONDAY:  Creamy Chicken tortilla soup – When I need a quick and easy meal, this is my “go to” recipe and as an added bonus, my entire family loves it!  It’s dump and go and you can’t go wrong with it!

TUESDAY:  Eat out – We’ll be celebrating my son’s birthday and we let him pick a restaurant

country-style-macaroni-and-cheese

WEDNESDAY:  Country Style Macaroni and Cheese Recipe – This is a long time family favorite and a GREAT way to use up leftover ham!

Cheesy-Baked-Ravioli

THURSDAY:  Cheesy Baked Ravioli – This is a “quick fix” meal that’s easy to throw together when you don’t really feel like cooking!  You can’t go wrong with Ravioli!

stacked-green-chicken-enchiladas

FRIDAY – Stacked Green Enchiladas – This is a quick and easy way to make enchiladas when you need a “fix”

SATURDAY – My son’s birthday party

 

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

Looking for more quick fix menu ideas? Sign up for Ready, Set, Eat by clicking on the image below! It’s completely free and you’ll get recipe ideas delivered to you by e-mail!

ReadySetEat

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Menu Planning Monday: my menu plan for the week of 3/31

This week is going to be a busy one, so I mainly chose my tried and true quick fix and slow cooker recipes!

Make sure you check out my leftover ham recipe tips here–> Leftover ham recipes

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here–> Tips for menu planning

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

easy-ham-glaze

SUNDAY:  I don’t make Easter dinner often because my parents live here and usually make it, but they were out of town this year, so this was my Easter dinner menu

Super Easy Ham Glaze  – completely fail proof!

Mashed Potato Casserole  – Super yummy, especially if you’re in the mood for some comfort food!

Pistachio Fruit salad  – This is a family favorite that has always been a part of our family gatherings.  It’s perfect for summer potlucks, too!  My kids think it’s a dessert!

Cheesy-Baked-Ravioli

MONDAY:  Cheesy Baked Ravioli – This is a “quick fix” meal that’s easy to throw together when you don’t really feel like cooking!  You can’t go wrong with Ravioli!

TUESDAY:  Easy Sweet & Sour Pork recipe  – This is a great way to use up your leftover ham from Easter!

WEDNESDAY:  Melt in Your Mouth Meatloaf  – Yes, it’s meatloaf and yet it’s a hit every time I make it…one of those recipes I can never go wrong with!

country-style-macaroni-and-cheese

THURSDAY:  Country Style Macaroni and Cheese Recipe – This is a long time family favorite and a GREAT way to use up leftover ham!

FRIDAY: Crockpot chicken and rice – I came up with this recipe after experimenting a bit and couldn’t come up with a more original name.  It’s yummy and easy to make!

Ingredients:
2-3 frozen chicken breasts
1 pkg McCormick Zesty Herb chicken seasoning blend (sometimes I substitute the Good Seasonings Italian dressing blend if I have it on hand)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 c. hot cooked rice
Grated cheese
Tomatoes
Celery
Bell peppers

Place frozen chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Mix ingredients for McCormick seasoning according to directions on the packet and pour over the top of chicken. Cook on low for five hours. Shred chicken in crock pot using a knife and fork. Add cream of chicken soup. Let cook for one more hour. Service over rice with additional toppings as desired (we add cheese, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, etc. depending on what we have on hand).

SATURDAY:  Pepper Steak

Pistachio Fruit Salad Recipe

pistachio-fruit-saladI was raised on this Pistachio Fruit Salad recipe!  We would have it as a side at family gatherings, Easter, and it’s great for summer potlucks or St. Patrick’s Day, too!  My kids think it’s a dessert!

Pistachio Fruit Salad Recipe
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Prep time: 
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Serves: 6-8
 

Pistachio fruit salad recipe – perfect for summer potlucks and other family gatherings!
Ingredients
  • 1 tub Cool Whip (the bigger tub) – I use fat free and it’s fine
  • 1 box Pistachio pudding mix (I use sugar free)
  • 1 can fruit cocktail mix (drained)
  • Optional: banana (sliced) and marshmallows

Instructions
  1. Mix the Cool Whip and Pistachio pudding mix together.
  2. Add in the fruit cocktail and mix well.
  3. Add marshmallows and/or banana slices if you choose (it doesn’t “keep” as well with the banana slices).
  4. Refrigerate for at least one hour and then serve!

 

 

Mashed Potato Casserole

mashed-potato-casseroleWho doesn’t love mashed potatoes?  Every now and then, though, it’s nice to have some variation on your traditional mashed potatoes.  I discovered this recipe two years ago when Hoosier Homemade posted it!  It’s perfect for Easter, Thanksgiving, or when you need a comfort food fix!

Here’s my variation of the recipe:

Mashed Potato Casserole
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 6-8
 

Ingredients
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Ranch dip
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ c. margarine
  • 3 cups instant potato flakes
  • 8 oz shredded cheese

Instructions
  1. Spray 13X9 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. In a saucepan, combine the water and margarine and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add the potato flakes, and mix well.
  3. Beat the eggs, cream cheese, dip, and milk until smooth. Stir in half of the shredded cheese.
  4. Pour the potatoes into the egg and cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth and then pour into the baking dish.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes uncovered. You can also refrigerate and then bake it later.
  6. I add the remaining cheese on top when I’m ready to serve.