I’m back home and trying to get on track with menu planning. There are lots of quick and easy recipes once again this week.
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)
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: Rice meatballs – This is a recipe from my mother in law and she made it for us last night!
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
MONDAY: Dinner out – After watching my kids for the last 4 days while my husband and I were out of town, we figured we’d treat my mother in law to a night out!
TUESDAY: Country Bob’s meatloaf – I’m so excited to try this meat loaf recipe using Country Bob’s sauce!
WEDNESDAY: Weight Watchers Pizza Pasta Casserole – I found this recipe on Pinterest and was so excited to try it! This comes to you courtesy of Recipe Diaries. It’s just 6 points per serving! This was a HIT and the kids had fun helping me make it. Pictures and a full review will be coming to you later this week!
Ingredients:
1 lb ground lean turkey sausage
1 medium onion , chopped
1 clove garlic , minced
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 ounces rotini pasta , cooked and drained
2 cups shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese (20 oz)
32 slices of turkey pepperoni
Brown ground beef, onion, garlic and seasoning in oil. Stir in pasta, spaghetti sauce and 2 cups cheese. Place mixture in 2 greased 9x13x2 inch baking pans or 4 square pans. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Top with pepperoni. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until heated through.
THURSDAY: Chili (slow cooker) – this is a “dump and go” recipe and SO easy to make!! By the end of the week I’m worn out, so this will be perfect!
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (brown in skillet and then place in crockpot)
1 can dark kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can Ranch style beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 packet chili spices
Mix all ingredients in crockpot and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. Sprinkle cheese on top.
WW points = 7 points per serving (6-8 servings) – cheese and any additional toppings are “extra”
FRIDAY: 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).
SATURDAY: Steak
