Weekly Meal Planning on $60 or less: Mexican Pizza

Trying to get back in the habit of cooking everyday after taking an almost 2 week hiatus is difficult. For one, there was no food in my house. Second, it was so nice and relaxing to not have to cook. But it was quite expensive and we definitely can not afford to eat out all the time on one income. So here we go. Lots of new recipes to try in the coming weeks as fall is in full swing, but first, Mexican Pizza! Yum!

This is my weekly meal plan on $60 or less! (my average prices do not include common spices, butter, oil, etc)

Monday

Mexican Pizza (@$9.75)

• Ground Turkey Breast $3.34 (Manager Special, Kroger)
• Taco Seasoning $0.79
• Tortillas $1.25 (½ package)
• Salsa $0.89 (½ jar, Trader Joe’s)
• Refried Black Beans $0.89
• Shredded Cheese $0.99 (Sale, Kroger)
• Avocado $1.49

I have been making these for awhile but this recipe has times and temperatures. I add a tablespoon of olive oil when cooking the ground turkey to keep it from getting too dry. You can use a variety of toppings. I used avocado and sour cream on mine. My husband added more salsa and olives to his. This dish can be made vegetarian by just omitting the meat.

Tuesday

Pork Tenderloin with Mushrooms & Cous Cous (@$7.50)

• Pork Tenderloin $4.50 (BOGO, Kroger)
• Mushrooms $0.98 (½ container)
• Cous Cous $1.50
• Carrots $0.50

Hormel Marinated Pork Tenderloins are tasty and affordable, especially when part of a BOGO. I cook the pork and the cous cous according to package instructions. Sauteed the mushrooms in buttter, soy sauce, and garlic. 

 

Wednesday

Chili Mac (@$10.75)

• Ground Beef  $4.50 (1 ½ lbs, 2.99lb Fresh Market)
• Onion $0.56
• Chicken Broth $1.79
• Diced Tomatoes $0.50 (can)
• White Kidney Beans $0.99
• Kidney Beans $0.50
• Elbow Pasta $0.88
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese $0.99 (Kroger Sale)

This is the base recipe that I used with a few changes, of course. I used more meat, the entire box of pasta, the entire bag of cheese, a little extra garlic, a little extra chili powder, and some worcestershire sauce. I did add an additional cup of chicken broth to account for the extra pasta. Yummy yummy. (oops, no picture)

Friday

Baked BBQ Chicken (@$7)

• Chicken Breast $3.88 (2.99lb Fresh Market)
• Mac & Cheese $1.29 (Annie’s)
• Green Beans $0.50
• BBQ Sauce $1.19

I cut the breasts up into smaller pieces so they cook faster. Then the chicken gets covered in bbq sauce and cooked at 375 for about 30 minutes. Toddler approved meal. She cleaned her whole plate, beans and all.

Saturday

Shrimp Fried Rice (@$12)

• Shrimp  $6.99 (Frozen)
• Frozen Fried Rice $4.58 (Two Packages, Trader Joe’s)
• Egg $0.22 (two eggs, brown, Trader Joe’s)

Oven Roasted Shrimp (400 for 8 minutes) tossed in olive oil, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and garlic salt. Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice is amazing. It has red bell peppers, corn, peas, carrots, onions, and edamame. I just add an egg the last few minutes of cooking. And then mixed the shrimp in with rice.

5 meals for under $50

This weeks *Bonus* Apple Butter! Another Southern favorite made easy (and in the Crockpot) I used this recipe. I added a little pumpkin pie spice and cooked for about two hours longer. My house smelled so yummy!!!!