Meal Plans are the best way to cook healthy meals for your family, save money, AND SAVE TIME! When I am meal planning for my family, I try to stay in season to keep grocery bills low as well as find foods that will serve our bodies the best during these seasons. As a busy mama it’s our jobs to keep our family happy, healthy, and their bellies full. This week’s meal plan I am trying to keep the budget low. We have a delicious taco soup, meatballs, breakfast meal, and some danngggg good chicken nuggets.
As a busy mom you are juggling family, house chores, working, running errands, getting kids to their weekly activities and the list goes on and on with all the duties us mama’s play.
I was constantly stressed about cooking wholesome and healthy meals for my family that has the least number of processed ingredients in them. As mothers we want recipes that are packed full of vitamins and minerals and not foods that will cause heart disease, cancers, and diabetes. knew that if I was stressing about this there has to be other moms that are as well.
So, let’s jump into this week’s healthy, delicious, nutrient dense meal plan that is quick, efficient, and that you can make ahead and store in the freezer!
Week 3 Meal Plan
I have some new meals here on my meal plan this week that I am so excited to try. A lot of them are from Ambitious Kitchen, Whole family sink and Erin Lives Whole. These three food bloggers are my go-to. I love that all their recipes are quick, healthy and super super delicious! If you are looking for some other recipe inspiration or quick meals check out my blog page linked here!
For a lot of these recipes, I am looking for ingredients that will boost the immune system and keep us healthy during these colder months. Some immune-boosting ingredients are red peppers, broth, minced garlic, spinach, and oregano. I always base my meals on what will fuel our bodies the best. I also keep a high-protein diet for my family, and these meals will help me do just that.
Below, I put pricing/total for each item listed below. Cooking wholesome meals can be inexpensive if we allow it. Most of these recipes have a serving size of 4-8. I like to have leftovers/ for lunch or choose one night out of the week where I do not have to cook dinner.
Where I shop
It is so important to watch what we put into our bodies. Our bodies are investments. When we feel good, we perform well. We are more successful and accomplish more when we perform well, happier when we feel good. We have less risk of cancer, diseases, and diabetes when we eat wholesome and clean foods!
I get most of my groceries from Walmart and Thrive Market. Being a stay-at-home mom, I only have time to do a little research on ingredients. I was tired of going to the store, reading the nutrition label, and seeing all the harmful ingredients in some of the sauces, canned items, and baking items. I wanted to ensure all my condiments, cereals, and baked goods were clean and organic. That is when I discovered Thrive Market. Thrive Market is an online grocery store that delivers groceries right to your door in just a few days. Suppose you want 40% off your first order. Shop the link here! What we put into our body is crucial.
Walmart, I love it because you can sign up with them and find the latest deals; if you order online, you can get a certain percentage back on your groceries, AND they can be delivered right to your doorstep. Who can beat that?! Being a busy mom, I do not have time to run out and get my groceries, so being able to do a click list and have it delivered is spectacular. Also, the customer service is excellent. If you get a product that could look better, Walmart is great with refunding you.
Monday: Simple Pasta Bake
Grocery Cost
- 1lb ground sausage: $3.57
- 2 tbsp olive oil: $0.63
- 1 large shallot: $1.88
- 3 cloves garlic: $0.42
- 2 cups chopped broccoli : $3.66
- 16oz box short cut pasta: $4.79
- 24oz jar red sauce: $7.49
- 2 cups chicken stock $4.99
- 2 cups milk: $5.98
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese : $5.58
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese: $3.72
- salt: $0.10
- pepper: $024
- chopped fresh basil : $1.98
Total Cost of meal: $45.03
8 Servings…Total cost per serving: $5.63
Tuesday: Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Grocery List
- 2 tbsp olive oil: $0.63
- 1lb ground beef: $6.24
- 1 medium white onion: $0.78
- 1 green pepper: $1.73
- 3 cloves garlic: $0.42
- 1 tbsp chili powder: $0.25
- 1 tbsp garlic powder: $0.25
- 1 tsp paprika: $0.10
- 1 tsp cumin: $0.10
- 1/2 tsp oregano: $.0.05
- 1 tsp salt: $0.10
- 1 tsp pepper: $0.10
- 15oz can kidney beans: $2.99
- 2 15oz can diced tomatoes: $2.29
- 15oz can corn: $1.68
- 4.5oz can green chiles: $0.84
- 4 cups beef broth:$4.99
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro: $1.98
Total Cost of meal: $25.52
Serving Size of 12 (1 cup per serving)..Total cost per serving: $2.13
Wednesday: Ricotta Meatballs
Grocery List:
- 1-pound ground beef: $6.24
- 1-pound ground pork: 3.57
- 1 cup ricotta cheese: $2.48
- 1/2 cup parmesan: $3.72
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs: $2.24
- 1/2 yellow onion: $0.78
- 1 egg: $0.12
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic: $0.65
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: $0.25
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley:$0.12
- 1 teaspoon dried basil: $0.12
- 1 teaspoon salt: $0.10
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper: $0.05
- 32 ounces marinara sauce: $9.99
- For serving pasta such as spaghetti noodles or pasta of choice, chopped flat leaf parsley, basil, parmesan.
- Total Cost of meal: $30.43
- Serving of 8…Cost per serving: $3.80
Thursday: Breakfast Food
- Build your own
- I want to try to incorporate breakfast foods into my meal plan because 1. It is cheap, 2. It is a meal that my kids tend to eat up! You can make this whatever you want. My family is a big fan of Egg Casseroles, Sourdough pancakes, and turkey sausage and gravy!
Grocery List
Total Cost of meal: $
Serving of 6…Cost per serving: $
Friday: Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Grocery List
For the chicken:
- 1 ½ pound boneless skinless chicken thighs: $5.60
- ½ cup ketchup: $0.43
- ½ cup low sugar bbq sauce $0.70
- ¼ cup water or chicken broth: $4.99
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: $0.42
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar: $0.17
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard: $0.23
- ½ teaspoon cumin: $0.07
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper: $0.05
Total Cost of meal: $12.66
Serving of 4…Cost per serving: $3.16
Saturday: The BEST Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Grocery List
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs: $0.75
- Nonstick olive oil cooking spray: $0.65
- 1 teaspoon salt: $0.10
- 1 teaspoon black pepper:$0.24
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: $0.15
- 1 teaspoon paprika$0.15
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: $0.05
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper*$.0.04
- 2 large eggs: $0.24
- 2 tablespoons milk: $.043
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast: $7.98
Total Cost of meal: $10.78
Serving of 4…Cost per serving: $2.70
Sunday: The Lords Day- Order Out or Enjoy Leftovers
Equipment
- Crockpot
- Sheet Pan
- 9X13 Pan
- Skillets
- Veggie Chopper
- Meat Chopper
- Meat Thermometer
- Storage Containers
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Liquid Measuring Cup
Printable Grocery List!
What type of quick recipe is your favorite?
Do you have a simple, quick, and delicious recipe you use weekly? Let me know down below in the comments some of your favorite recipe!
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