After surveying the freezer and pantry, I discovered that I can almost get through the entire month with what I’ve got. That being said, we’re going to do a semi-pantry challenge. Similar to what we did in January, but not quite as hard core this month! I’m going to reduce our grocery budget a smidge…down to $200 for the month, or $50/week.
That being said…here’s the plan based on what we’ve got in the freezer/pantry:
5- Burgers on the Grill
6- Salsa and Beef Skillet Dinner
7- Waffles and Eggs
8- Grilled Chicken
9- Slow Cooker Beef Roast with Balsamic Onions (I LOVE this dinner!!!)
10- Tacos
11- Leftovers or Tuna Sandwiches
12- Tuna Noodle Casserole
13- Chicken Pesto Pasta
14- Pork Roast
15- Burritos
16- Chana Masala (Reader Recipe)
17- Spaghetti
18- Leftovers or Tuna Sandwiches
19- Chicken Zucchini Soup
20- Breakfast for Dinner
21- Slow Cooker Beef Roast
22- Lasagna
23- Salsa Chicken (Reader Recipe)
24- Tacos
25- Leftovers or Tuna Sandwiches
26- Pasta Meal
27- We’ll see what’s on sale this week and make a “bargain meal!”
28- Pancakes and Eggs
29- Grilled Chicken
30- OUT for dinner
1- Spaghetti
2- Leftovers or Tuna Sandwiches (I’ve got lots of free or nearly free tuna in the pantry!)
Want to know more about why I plan my menus out each month? Read more here…
Want to give monthly meal planning a try?!? Print a free monthly meal planner!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
So do you post the recipes as well as your menu? I’m finding SOME of them, but not all.
@Patricia,
I’ll post the recipes after I make them. The ones with links are recipes I’ve made in the past.
Erin
Sounds like a great month! We’re eating from our freezer/pantry too. Glad I’m not the only one
We are living from our pantry again this month–of course, you’ve seen my pantry
I’d love to go shopping some, but since that’s not possible, we’ll be enjoying what we have. Thankfully, our garden is yielding some wonderful things this month; I’m harvesting from it every day now (asparagus, beets, lettuce, spinach, thyme, etc). We have lots of home-canned and store-bought canned fruit as well to enjoy until our trees are ready! The figs, apricot, and peach trees already have small fruits forming.
That slow cooker beef roast with balsamic onions looks soo good-
thanks for all the great tips on menu planning on your site and in your cookbook
I have dropped my monthly grocery bill in half over the past two months!!!
It’s great when you realize you don’t need to go to the grocery store. I haven’t gotten there yet.
Have a wonderful week.
I found your site through http://www.mamaslittlenotes.com and your site is great. I’ve already plugged you with all my friends. You should set up a little fund to where people could donate money to you for thanks or something.
We recently(about 2 yrs ago) started doing our own meat. We buy a cow ea(1 for in laws and 1 for us) and the same with a pig. We know what it eats and how it’s cared for and at the end of its term, we have it butchered into the cuts we use most. It’s really been a saver both financially and mentally. I feel much better about what we eat because of it.
I cook mainly for myself and 2 small ones, ages 4 and 2 thru the week. Meals are hard because they are such picky eaters.
Can you make or is there already a list on the site that is of the basic pantry staples that you use most? Some sort of jump off point to help those wanting to follow in your path.
Thanks,
At home mother of 3!
@Kim,
Thanks Kim!
Here is the “Pantry Staples” info you need…
http://www.5dollardinners.com/category/pantry-staples
And welcome!
Erin
I just printed out the menu Planner. I want to start getting this together. My dd is getting married in june and would love to make this up for her. Everynight she is helpling me make dinner. She is learning quite well. But I think this would be a great gift for her or any young couple.