Menu Planning Monday: My menu plan for the week of 7/1

My in-laws will be in town this week and I’m all about tried and true favorites that are quick and easy to throw together!  Most of the recipes these week are slow cooker meals and they are super easy to make!  Plus they are kid tested and family friendly!

If you’re new to menu planning, grab a FREE membership to Food on the Table!  Searchtheir database of recipes and choose your favorites.  They’ll generate your grocery list based on the best deals in your area.  You can print it or send it to your Smartphone!  It’s awesome!  Click here to grab your membership–>Food on the Table subscription FREE for life (use the code SUMMERFREE to get your free membership) 

I have calculated someWeight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals)

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY: Chicken Tortilla Bake (slow cooker> – I modified a recipe I found on Homemaking Challenged so that it could be used in the slow cooker and I also added enchilada sauce to give it an extra “kick” My entire family (including my kids) loved this one, so we will definitely be making it again! Watch for my recipe review later this week!

Ingredients:
2 cans cream of chicken soup (I used the 98% fat free version)
1 can green enchilada sauce (small can)
1 can Ro-Tel (small can)
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used frozen ones)
corn tortillas (approximately 12)
shredded cheese (I used 1 8 oz bag)
Tortilla chips (10-13), crushed

Directions:
Place chicken breasts, Ro-Tel, enchilada sauce and cream of chicken soup in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours). Shred chicken when cooked and mix it back into the mixture. Chop up tortillas into bite-size pieces (I used a pizza cutter to do this – it was so easy!). Place a layer of tortillas along the bottom of a square casserole dish. Add a layer of the chicken and sauce mixture. Top with cheese. Repeat this step for 3 layers. I added crushed tortilla chips to the top to give it a crunch. Cook in the oven on 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until cheese is melted and it is warmed through. You may want to serve your kids with some sour cream if they don’t do well with “hot” stuff.

MONDAY: Cream Cheese Chicken (slow cooker) – This is one of my family’s favorite meals. We RARELY have any leftovers, and if I would let my kids, they would be licking their plates clean!


TUESDAY: Creamy Tortilla soup (slow cooker) – My in-laws are coming into town today and I know I’ll be busy with last minute cleaning and errands, so I picked this recipe because it’s a family favorite, you can throw it all together (literally) in five minutes or less, and everyone loves it!

WEDNESDAY:  BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs plus fruit salad and pasta salad! 

Pizza pasta salad – I found this recipe on Favorite Family Recipes.  We made it for Memorial Day and it was a hit and so we made it again!

Ingredients:
1 bag colored spiral noodles
¾ c. pepperoni cut into wedges
¾ c. mozzarella cut into small cubes
¾ c. fresh tomatoes, diced
½ c. olives, sliced
¼ c. parmesan cheese
1 bottle Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian Dressing (I’m using Kraft low fat Zesty Italian dressing)

Mix together all ingredients and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving.

THURSDAY:  Steak stroganoff (slow cooker)  – This is another family favorite!

Ingredients:
2T flour
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 3/4 lb. boneless round steak
2 cans 10 3/4 oz cream of mushroom soup (I use 98% FF)
2 c. water (or 1 can 100% FF beef broth for more flavor)
1 envelope beef stew mix
4 oz can mushrooms, sliced and drained
1/2 c. sour cream
1 T minced parsley

Combine flour, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika in slow cooker. Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch strips. Place in flour mixture and toss until meat is well coated. Add soup, water, and stew mix. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours. Stir in mushrooms, sour cream, and parsley and then cook on high 10-15 minutes until heated through. Serve over egg noodles. (Depending on the consistency of the sauce, you may need to add cornstarch to thicken or add more water/broth to thin)

To freeze: Pour into gallon freezer bags (I used Ziploc containers for this one). Allow to cool before freezing.

To reheat: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Warm on stove and serve over rice or egg noodles. (Add sour cream when warming if you left it out of the initial recipe)

WW points = 7 points/serving, 6-8 servings (add 3 points for 1/2 c. cooked pasta or 5 points for 1 cup)

FRIDAY:  Chicken ranch tacos (slow cooker) – I made this recipe last week and we loved it so much that I decided to make it again this week!  It’s a totally easy “dump and go” recipe, too!  I’m all about simplifying things this week!

SATURDAY:  Eat out 

*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 6/25

I’m just getting back from vacation and trying to get back into a routine, including meal planning, which is easier said than done!!

If you’re new to menu planning, grab a FREE membership to Food on the Table!  Search their database of recipes and choose your favorites.  They’ll generate your grocery list based on the best deals in your area.  You can print it or send it to your Smartphone!  It’s awesome!  Click here to grab your membership–>Food on the Table subscription FREE for life (use the code SUMMERFREE to get your free membership) 

I have calculated someWeight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals)

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

MONDAY:

Breakfast – Cold cereal (I’m crazy and made dentist appointments for the kids at at 7 am!)

Lunch – Pizza Pita pockets – We made these a few weeks ago and they were a hit with the kids, so I’m making them again!

Dinner – Chicken ranch tacos (slow cooker) – The “inspiration” for this recipe comes from Do You Smell That?  That recipe calls for cooking it on the stove, but I’m going to cook mine in the slow cooker using a taco seasoning packet, a ranch dip seasoning packet, and a can of chicken broth.  I can’t wait to see how it turns out!  I’m hungry already!

TUESDAY: 

Breakfast – Pancakes

Lunch – Peanut butter and jelly sushi rolls  

Dinner – BBQ chicken with pasta salad 

WEDNESDAY: 

Breakfast – Cold cereal

Lunch – Out (it’s our Cinemark Summer movie day!)

Dinner – Cream cheese chicken (slow cooker)  

THURSDAY:

Breakfast – Peanut butter and bananas on a whole wheat English muffin

Lunch – Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup 

Dinner – Steak stroganoff (slow cooker)  – This is another family favorite!

Ingredients:
2T flour
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 3/4 lb. boneless round steak
2 cans 10 3/4 oz cream of mushroom soup (I use 98% FF)
2 c. water (or 1 can 100% FF beef broth for more flavor)
1 envelope beef stew mix
4 oz can mushrooms, sliced and drained
1/2 c. sour cream
1 T minced parsley

Combine flour, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika in slow cooker. Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch strips. Place in flour mixture and toss until meat is well coated. Add soup, water, and stew mix. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours. Stir in mushrooms, sour cream, and parsley and then cook on high 10-15 minutes until heated through. Serve over egg noodles. (Depending on the consistency of the sauce, you may need to add cornstarch to thicken or add more water/broth to thin)

To freeze: Pour into gallon freezer bags (I used Ziploc containers for this one). Allow to cool before freezing.

To reheat: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Warm on stove and serve over rice or egg noodles. (Add sour cream when warming if you left it out of the initial recipe)

WW points = 7 points/serving, 6-8 servings (add 3 points for 1/2 c. cooked pasta or 5 points for 1 cup)

FRIDAY:

Breakfast – Mini omelets 

Lunch – Turkey and cheese roll-ups

Dinner – Rice meatballs – This is a recipe from my mother in law.  I love it because it’s quick and easy!

Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked minute rice
1 lb ground beef (I use 93/7)
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 t. grated onion
2 t. salt (I cut this in half)
1/8 t marjoram
dash pepper
2 1/2 cups tomato juice (or two 8 oz cans tomato sauce mixed with 1/2 cup water)
1/2 t sugar

Combine rice and all other ingredients except tomato juice and sugar. Form balls and arrange in skillet. Pour tomato juice & sugar over meatballs. Bring to boil. Reduce heat & simmer uncovered 15 minutes.

WW points = 7 points per serving

SATURDAY: 

Breakfast – Puffed pancakes

Lunch – Tuna sandwiches

Dinner – Sub sandiwches 

*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 6/17

This is a short week for me!

If you’re new to menu planning, grab a FREE membership to Food on the Table!  Search their database of recipes and choose your favorites.  They’ll generate your grocery list based on the best deals in your area.  You can print it or send it to your Smartphone!  It’s awesome!  Click here to grab your membership–>Food on the Table subscription FREE for life (use the code SUMMERFREE to get your free membership) 

I have calculated someWeight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals)

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Since it was Father’s Day, I picked my husband’s two favorites!

Creamy chicken enchiladas – This is a family favorite and we haven’t had them in awhile, so everyone was super excited!

Ingredients:
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use the 98% FF kind)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use the 98% FF kind)
2 cans green enchilada sauce
1 8 oz-16 oz. tub of sour cream (depends how spicy you want the enchiladas)
2-3 chicken breasts, shredded (if I’m in a hurry, I use canned chicken)
8 oz cheese, shredded
1 dozen flour tortillas (you could use corn also) – we are using whole wheat!

Add cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and enchilada sauce to a pan. Cook on medium low heat, stirring occasionally. When sauce is will mixed and starts to thin, add sour cream. Continue stirring occasionally until the sauce is well mixed and thinned out. Place a layer of the sauce along the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish. Fill each tortilla with the shredded chicken, sauce, and cheese. Roll and place in the baking dish. When you have filled all of the tortillas (this should make 1 dozen), pour the remain sauce over the top of the enchiladas and then cover with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is well melted.

WW points = 6 points per enchilada 

Philadelphia 3 step cheesecake
Ingredients:
2 packages (8 ounces each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese (I use the 1/3 less fat and it works fine)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
1 Honey Maid graham cracker pie crust

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Stir in fresh lemon juice and grated lemon peel. Pour into crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool and refrigerate 3 hours (or overnight). I add a can of cherry pie filling on top.

MONDAY:  French dip sandwiches (slow cooker) – This is one of our family’s FAVORITE recipes and it’s so easy to make!

TUESDAY:  Chile Colorado burritos (slow cooker) – I have seriously been craving these ever since I spotted them on Pinterest a few days ago!  I can’t wait to try them!  Instead of the beef bouillon the recipe calls for, I’m going to substitute taco seasoning.

WEDNESDAY: Cream cheese chicken (slow cooker) 

THURSDAY:  Country Ham and Macaroni Casserole – Every time I ask my family to help out with menu planning and give me recipe suggestions, this is always one of the things they choose.

Thanks to Sandy~Bettyinthekitchen (BabyCenter.com Cooking for Your Family Board)

Ingredients:
1 lb country ham slices or regular smoked ham in one piece (I just use whatever leftover ham we have on hand)
1 large onion, diced
1 lb elbow macaroni (whole wheat)
2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz) – I use reduced fat
1 cup sour cream (I use reduced fat)
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use 98% fat free)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted (I don’t use this when I make it)
1 cup dry plain bread crumbs

1. Heat oven to 400º.
2. Bring 4 quarts water and ham to boiling in large pot. Once water begins to boil,
remove ham to a plate. Add onion and macaroni to pot. Return water to boiling; cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Coarsely chop ham, discarding any fat and bones.
4. Drain macaroni and onion and return to pot. Add ham, cheese, sour cream and soup. Scrape into a 13x9x2 baking dish. Pour melted margarine over top. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
5. Bake in heated 400º oven 30 minutes or until heated through and top is golden brown.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Note: Prepare in two 8×8 casserole dishes, bake one and freeze one (unbaked) for another day. If freezing, top with crumbs and margarine right before baking.

I get the rest of the week off from cooking because Chevy is sending us on a Staycation!  I can’t wait!


*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 6/10

This is my first official week of summer and I’m trying to get on track with menu planning.  Our last swim meet is also this week, which means I’ll get my evenings back!  Since I’m off for the summer and my kids are off, too, this is our menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

If you’re new to menu planning, grab a FREE membership to Food on the Table!  Search their database of recipes and choose your favorites.  They’ll generate your grocery list based on the best deals in your area.  You can print it or send it to your Smartphone!  It’s awesome!  Click here to grab your membership–>Food on the Table subscription FREE for life (use the code SUMMERFREE to get your free membership)

I have calculated someWeight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals)

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, then you know that for the past two years, I have done a $40 weekly budget. With the changes to our eating habits and the end of grocery stores in our area doubling and tripling coupons, I’m still experimenting to try to figure out what a reasonable budget is.  Stay tuned!

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:

Breakfast – Pancakes

Lunch – Sub sandwiches

Dinner – Creamy Chicken tortilla soup (slow cooker) – This is one of our family’s favorite meals and it’s seriously SO easy to make!

MONDAY:

Breakfast – Cold cereal

Lunch – Sub sandwiches (we have buns left from yesterday and they won’t last)

Dinner – Lasagne – Barilla no bake noodles are a lifesaver for me!  I use the recipe on the back of the box and it’s a family favorite!  I’ll make some garlic bread and a green salad to go with it!

TUESDAY: 

Breakfast – Mini omelets 

Lunch – Pizza Pita pockets 

Dinner – Melt in your mouth meatloaf (slow cooker)

WEDNESDAY:

Breakfast – Cold cereal

Lunch – Out (it’s our Cinemark Summer movie day!)

Dinner – 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).

THURSDAY: 

Breakfast – Peanut butter and bananas on a whole wheat English muffin

Lunch – Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup

Dinner – Sub sandwiches (we have a swim meet and these are easy to make and stick in the cooler)

FRIDAY:

Breakfast – Smoothie (I haven’t decided on a recipe yet)

Lunch – Tuna sandwiches

Dinner – Stacked green enchiladas – This is a modified version of a recipe my dad makes

Ingredients:
1 can green enchilada sauce
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use 98% FF)
1 can Rotel (drained)
3-4 chicken breasts
corn tortillas (one dozen)
monterrey jack cheese

I place the chicken breasts, enchilada sauce, cream of chicken soup, and Rotel in the crockpot on low all day. When I get home, I shred the chicken and add it back to the mixture. Then, you can either do stacked enchiladas (pour some of the mixture on a corn tortilla/add cheese and repeat for as many layers as you would like) or do rolled enchiladas (place some of the mixture in the corn tortilla, roll, and place in a pan….repeat 9 times…then, pour the remaining sauce mixture over the top and top with cheese and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes).

SATURDAY:

Breakfast – Puffed pancakes

Lunch – Peanut butter and jelly sushi rolls  

Dinner – BBQ chicken with pasta salad 

*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 5/27

The plan listed here just includes our dinner menu and recipes. I have calculated someWeight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals) 

Here are some FREEBIES to help you get started with menu planning:

Grab a FREE membership to Food on the Table!  Search their database of recipes and choose your favorites.  They’ll generate your grocery list based on the best deals in your area.  You can print it or send it to your Smartphone!  It’s awesome!  Click here to grab your membership–>Food on the Table subscription FREE for life (use the code SPRINGFREE to get your free membership)

SMART SCHOOL TIME RECIPES: The Breakfast, Snack, and Lunchbox Cookbook for Healthy Kids and Adults [Kindle Edition] (currently free from Amazon for Kindle or your Kindle Reader – pricing can change at any time, so verify before downloading)

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Chicken enchilada casserole – This is a recipe that my sister came up with. She uses canned chicken when she makes it. I came up with a little bit of a variation.  It is so easy and kid friendly, too!

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (shredded) – or 1 can chicken
1 large can red enchilada sauce
corn tortillas
shredded cheese – I use reduced fat

Directions: (this is what I do) – I put my chicken and the enchilada sauce in the crockpot the night before and then shred it when I get up in the morning. If you are using canned chicken, you can just shred it as you are making the casserole. I spread some of the chicken/sauce mixture along the bottom of the casserole dish so it doesn’t stick. Break corn tortillas into four pieces and layer across the bottom of the casserole dish. Spread a layer of the chicken/sauce mixture and cheese. Add another layer of corn tortillas. Continue until you are out of the chicken/sauce mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

WW points = 8 points per serving (for 4 servings) – serve w/ green salad and grapes 

MONDAY:  Steak, baked potatoes, pasta salad, and banana pudding!

Banana pudding – it’s been WAY too long since I made this for my family. They all love it and I know it will be a nice surprise!

Ingredients:
8 ounces sour cream (I use low fat)
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (I use fat free)
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (I use sugar free)
2 cups whole milk (I use skim)
1 (16 ounce) package vanilla wafer cookies
4 bananas, peeled and sliced

Directions:

Combine sour cream, whipped topping, pudding mix, and milk (I use a hand mixer to mix it all well). Layer vanilla wafer cookies in the bottom of a dish. Then, add a layer of pudding, then a layer of bananas. Repeat until all ingredients are used. I cover the top with a layer of whipped topping and crushed cookies.

Pizza pasta salad – I found this recipe on Favorite Family Recipes.  We made it for Memorial Day and it was a hit and so we made it again!

Ingredients:
1 bag colored spiral noodles
¾ c. pepperoni cut into wedges
¾ c. mozzarella cut into small cubes
¾ c. fresh tomatoes, diced
½ c. olives, sliced
¼ c. parmesan cheese
1 bottle Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian Dressing (I’m using Kraft low fat Zesty Italian dressing)

Mix together all ingredients and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving.

TUESDAY:  Macaroni with beef and cheese – I saw this recipe here on Pinterest and decided to modify it some to make it “quicker” –> Macaroni and beef with cheese (the original looks amazing so you should definitely check it out..what’s listed here is my modifications)

Ingredients:
4 8 oz cans tomato sauce
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
optional seasonings: black pepper, oregano, chopped garlic, italian seasoning
1 lb lean ground beef
1 box macaroni
1 cup each grated cheddar and mozzarella cheeses

Directions:  Make the sauce using the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, seasonings, and ground beef.  Layer with macaroni and shredded cheese.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes

WEDNESDAY:  Crockpot chicken and rice (slow cooker)

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).

THURSDAY:  Melt in your mouth meatloaf (slow cooker) – Seriously so easy and a family favorite!!

FRIDAY:  BBQ chicken – we’ll marinate some chicken breasts in BBQ sauce and throw them on the grill!

SATURDAY:  Sandwiches – We buy hoagie buns and lay out lunch meat, tomatoes, cheese, and condiments!  It’s quick and easy and everyone loves it!


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