This week was an amazing budget friendly week. Including a night of dinner guests and seafood, I was able to stay well under the $60 budget. I was also able to use a different protein each night which helps give a variety to basic dishes. I hope you are enjoying my dishes as much as I am. This is my weekly meal plan on $60 or less! (my average prices do not include spices, butter, oil, etc)
Monday
Spicy Turkey and Green Bean Stirfry (@$6.25)
- Ground Turkey $3.39
- Green Beans $1.99 (frozen, Trader Joe’s)
- Rice $0.58
- Sambal Olek $0.18 (asian chili paste, $1.89)
This was a Food Network recipe that did work for me. I used a little more chili paste, seasoned rice vinegar and a lot more green beans in my recipe. It was quite yummy and definitely something I would make again. My husband actually said this is the only meal with ground turkey that I have ever cooked that he actually liked and looks forward to when I will cook it again. That is definitely a win in my book.
Tuesday
Chicken and Goat Cheese Pasta (@$10.25)
- Chicken Breast $4.22 (2.99 lb, Fresh Market)
- Farfalle Pasta $1.00
- Goat Cheese $1.70 (½ package)
- Grated Parmesan $0.85 (¼ package)
- Sun Dried Tomatoes $0.98 (½ package, Trader Joe’s)
- Mediterranean Greens $0.50 (¼ bag, Trader Joe’s)
- Pretzel Bread $0.99 (Trader Joe’s)
The original recipe is a side dish. I liked the idea so I made a few changes. I use farfalle pasta because it is cheaper and added diced chicken. I need to add salt and pepper to taste and if I make this again I would use an herbed goat cheese for more flavor. Not one of my favorites but definitely a dish I am going to play around with.
Wednesday
Beef and Chorizo Tostadas (@$15.00)
- Ground Beef $3.50 (2.99 lb, Fresh Market)
- Chorizo $3.62 (Farmer’s Market)
- Shredded Cheese $1.88 (taco blend)
- Tostadas $2.49
- Sour Cream $0.89 (½ container, Trader Joe’s)
- Refried Black Beans $0.99
- Sweet Corn $0.69 (can)
- Red Bell Pepper $0.25 (¼ , diced)
- Taco Seasoning $0.79 (½ , Trader Joe’s)
We had dinner guests this evening and the total cost here feeds 8 people. Even without guests, I still use the meat combination and only make enough tostadas to eat that night. I save the meat for lunch or tacos later in the week. For this, I cooked the beef (with the taco seasoning) and the chorizo separately. I find that if cooked together, the flavors are not distinctive. I placed as many tostadas as needed on baking pans (I used 3 for this meal) and topped with the refried black beans, meat mixture, and cheese. Baked at 375 until cheese is melted. Topped with sour cream before serving. The side is diced red bell pepper mixed with sweet corn.
Friday
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp (@$11)
- Shrimp $6.99 (1lb frozen)
- Grated Parmesan $1.70 (½ package)
- Lemon $0.33
- Parmesan Cous Cous $2.79 (Near East)
- Carrots $0.69 (can)
I love garlic shrimp and this recipe seemed like a great healthier version (no butter). I did take the tails off my shrimp before cooking ( a little pet peeve of mine) If I cannot eat it, it does not belong on my plate. Bones excluded and even then it slightly annoys me. The toddler was not fan even though she loves fried shrimp.
Saturday
Avocado Quesadillas (@$6.50)
- Avocado $3.00 (2 at $1.49)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese $0.98 (½ bag)
- Tortillas $1.25
- Red Bell Pepper $0.75 (¾, strips)
- Sour Cream $0.44 (¼ container, Trader Joe’s)
With the weather being so hot, I wanted a light dinner for this weekend. I added shredded cheese, sliced avocado, and slice bell pepper between two tortillas. I then lay the quesadillas on a foiled baking sheet and the top with another foiled baking sheet. I baked at 375 until cheese is melted and then sliced into wedges, served with a side of sour cream or salsa. **cooking in the oven makes it easier to cook more than one quesadilla at a time.
5 meals for around $50.
This weeks’ bonus, Homemade Coffee Creamer!
I love my morning coffee and my husband jokes that my coffee is my morning dessert. The problem, most of the store bought flavored creamers are full of artificial flavors and the “natural” versions are super expensive. I ran across this post recently and had to try them. I have tried the cinnamon strudel and look forward to trying the pumpkin spice as soon as the weather cools down.
