Easing the Pain of Meal Planning

Meal planning is HUGE in keeping on budget. However it also seems to take a HUGE amount of time out of my day every 2 weeks. With the door wide open and lots of recipes that I have successfully tried, I end up frustrated with options. I was browsing a cookbook at SAM's the other day and came across one that had a different "theme" for the meals each day of the week. I decided to adopt this and the Smith household will now follow the "themes" listed below. Hoping it works out!

Meatless Monday
TexMex Tuesday
Italian Wednesday
Comfort Food Thursday
Fun Friday

Taco Seasoning Take II

I've posted a taco seasoning recipe before, but I've found one with a little more flavor to it that I will be using from now on. The recipe is for 2 lbs. of meat. I made it in mass and it's about 1 1/2 T per pound of  meat.

Ingredients:
1 T chili powder
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t onion powder
1/4 t crushed red pepper
1/4 t oregano
1/2 t paprika
1 1/2 t cumin
1/2 t salt
1 t black pepper

Baked Tacos

BIG HIT! J and I both loved these baked tacos. The recipe called for 2 pounds of ground beef...however, I am looking to cut corners in our budget any way we can as we kick the Dave Ramsey "Debt Snowball" in to high gear. Sooooo...I used one pound instead. I figure if I cut the meat in half in every recipe, that will add up to big bucks on the grocery budget.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped

4 oz green chilies

8 oz tomato sauce
16 oz refried beans

shredded cheese

hard taco shells*

taco seasoning**

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Brown beef and onion

Drain beef, return to skillet

Add chilies, refried beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning

Mix well

Spoon into shells

Place shells in an oven safe baking dish
Sprinkle with cheese
Bake until cheese is melted

You can of course add lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and anything else you like once they're done baking!

*I would only make however many you plan to eat at the time. The shells aren't that great re-heated. The mixture will be good left over. Just spoon into shells and bake like before.

**I use 2 T of my homemade mix taco seasoning.

Crockpot Italian Chicken

Yet another Pinterest recipe success! This was SO easy and SO tasty! I will definitely be putting this on the list to make during the school year!!!

Ingredients:
3-4 chicken breast (filet them in half for better cooking)
2 cans cream of chicken (I use my mix)
8 oz cream cheese (soften)
2 T garlic powder
1 packet Zesty Italian dressing powder
noodles

Directions:
Mix all ingredients except noodles in crock pot
Cook on low 5 hours
Cook noodles according to directions when ready to serve!

That's it folks! Easy, easy, easy!!!

Southwest Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:
1 c cooked rice

1 c shredded chicken (cooked)

1 can black beans, rinse/drain

1 green onion, chopped

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

2 c cheese

1 lime, juice (I use about 1 T)

1/2 T cilantro

1/2 T chili powder

1 t cumin

1/2 t garlic salt

6 tortillas

Directions:
Mix all ingredients, except cheese

Sprinkle cheese over tortillas and spread mix down center, fold up

Spray tortilla with PAM on all sides

Cook first on fold side down for 3 min over medium heat (or until golden brown)

Turn and repeat

*May add salsa or sour cream

Spinach Stuffed Shells

I really like these but haven't made them in a long time. I haven't found any gluten free shells. If you find them...let a girl know! This recipe is from Southern Living

Ingredients:
18 jumbo shells
20 oz chopped frozen spinach, thaw
1 lb ground beef
1/4 t nutmeg
1/2 t salt, separated
1/2 t pepper, separated
16 oz marinara sauce (I love Newman's Own)
16 oz ricotta
1 egg
1/2 c Parmesan

Directions:
Cook pasta according to directions
Drain spinach well
Cook ground beef, drain and return to skillet
Stir in nutmeg, 1/4 t salt, 1/4 t pepper, and sauce
Stir together ricotta, egg, Parmesan, 1/4 salt, 1/4 pepper in a bowl - spoon into shells
Spread 1/2 sauce in a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish
Arrange shells over sauce
Pour remaining sauce over shells
Bake, covered at 350 for 30 minutes

*Stuffed shells may be frozen up to 1 month before baking - thaw in fridge overnight - let stand at room temp for 30 minutes then bake as directed

Rosemary Roasted Chicken

Another McCormick recipe card! I'm not a HUGE rosemary fan. I've tried cooking it with what it calls for, with zero rosemary, and then with half of what it calls for. The half is generally what I do. But, if you don't mind it's flavor...sprinkle away!

Ingredients:
2 t paprika
1 1/2 t crushed rosemary
1 t minced garlic (I usually add a little more because we're garlic adicts)
1/2 t black pepper
2 T olive oil
1 t salt
2 lb chicken
1 1/2 lb potatoes

Directions:
Line baking pan with foil, spray with PAM
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl
Toss chicken and potatoes, coat well
Arrange chicken and potatoes in a single layer on pan
Roast in preheated oven (425) until chicken is done and potatoes are tender (about 30 minutes)
Turn potatoes occasionally

Quesadilla Casserole

This is a tasty McCormick meal. When I first got married I bought one of their pre-measured seasoning cards and this is what it was for. It's been in and out of our meal rotations ever since!

Ingredients:
2 t chili powder
1 t cumin
1 t minced garlic
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t crushed red pepper

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c chopped onion
16 oz tomato sauce
15 oz black beans, drained
9 oz canned corn, undrained
tortillas
2 c cheese

Directions:
Cook beef and onion, drain
Add tomato sauce, beans, and corn - stir
Add all spices, bring to boil, simmer for 5 min
Spread 1/2 c mix on bottom of 13x9 baking dish (spray the dish!)
Top with tortillas, layer 1/2 mix, 1/2 cheese, repeat
Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes
Let stand 5 minutes to set

Empanadas

To make this meal super easy, pre-cook hamburger meat and freeze. Thaw, heat, and then follow directions.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 c onion, chopped
1/2 t chili powder
1/4 t salt
14 oz Rotel, drained
1 box pie crust
1/2 c cheese
1 egg, beaten

Directions:
Heat oven to 400
Cook beef and onion, drain well
Return beef to skillet, stir in chili powder, salt, and Rotel
Unroll crusts on cookie sheet
Spoon 2 C mix onto each crust
Brush edge with egg, fold shut
Press edges closed, slit top, brush with egg
Bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown

Chicken Parm

I have only made this a few times since we've been married. It is time consuming but delish. Time consuming and difficult do NOT mean the same thing. It is not difficult at all. It makes for a good Saturday meal...if you're off work on a Saturday that is.

Ingredients:

8 oz spaghetti noodles

4 skinless/boneless chicken breast

1/2 c Italian bread crumbs

1/4 c Parmesan

1/3 c all purpose flour

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 T olive oil (I usually end up using more if the chicken starts sticking to the skillet)

1 c mozzarella

Directions:

Cook pasta, drain, keep warm

Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap - flatten to 1/4" using mallet

Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan in shallow bowl

Dredge chicken in flour, egg, then breadcrumb mix

Heat oil in large skillet over med-hi heat

Add chicken, cook until done (golden brown)

Place spaghetti evenly in an oven safe baking dish

Spoon 1/2 sauce, top with chicken, remaining sauce and sprinkle with mozarella

Broil until cheese melts

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Another Pintrest success! It's been a while since I've made these but I wouldn't have written it on a card if it didn't taste good! Any recipe that says "buffalo sauce" usually wins my approval though.

Ingredients:
4 oz cream cheese, soften
1/8 c buffalo sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rays)
1 c shredded cheese
1/8 c blue cheese
12.5 oz shredded chicken (I did not use canned, I boiled some of my own)
8 - 8" tortillas

Directions:
Heat oven to 350
Combine cream cheese and buffalo sauce, mix well
Add cheese and chicken, mix well
Place 2-3 T mix in center of tortilla - roll, place on cookie sheet
Bake 17-20 minutes

Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I don't know that I've posted an appetizer before! Well...then it's about time. I make this a lot around the holidays when I need to bring a dish to a party. It's best heated up, but tastes good as it cools as well.

Ingredients:
14 oz artichoke hearts, drain, fine chop
10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thaw, drain well
3/4 c Parmesan
3/4 c light mayo (this part is very difficult for me as I despise mayonnaise)
1/2 c shredded mozzarella
1/2 t garlic powder

Directions:
Heat oven to 350
Mix ingredients well
Spoon into a pie dish
Bake 20 minutes

Easy as that!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

I loooooooove me some Chinese food! I was brave and had my in-laws over for the first time I made this meal. A BIG thumbs up from everyone at the table! I'm sure that it has to be 100 times healthier than the preservative-filled, jacked up poison you get in take out form. It is time consuming but NOT difficult in any fashion. I think the next time I cook it, it will go faster. I've never battered and "fried" anything before. I put only enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan and keep it from sticking.

Ingredients:
Smidge of olive oil (for bottom of pan)
3 chicken breast (cut in 1" pieces)
1 c corn starch
S/P
2 eggs
3/4 c white sugar
4 T ketchup
1/2 c white vinegar
1 T soy sauce (I use reduced sodium)
1 t garlic salt
brown rice

Directions:
Heat skillet over medium heat
Coat skillet with olive oil
Scramble 2 eggs in one bowl
Put corn starch, salt, and pepper in another bowl
Dip chicken pieces in egg, then coat in corn starch mix
Cook in skillet until it is golden brown on both sides
*I had to cook the chicken one breast at a time as to not load down the skillet

Whisk sugar, ketchup, white vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic salt in another bowl.

Once all the chicken is cooked nicely, place in a dish roughly 9x9 and sprayed with PAM. Pour the sauce over chicken and mix. Cook 15 minutes then stir and cook an additional 15 minutes.

Serve over rice. I also made some broccoli to go along with it. Of course J had nothing to do with that ;).

Comfort Crock-Pot Chicken and Gravy

This is most definitely a comfort food recipe! Something simple and easy to make. Who says that busy schedules can't allow for home cooked meals?! I even made this super easy and used the Ore-Ida steam-n-mash potatoes.

What you need:
3 chicken skinless breast
14.5 oz chicken broth
2 packs gravy mix (I used chicken gravy mix)
S/P to taste

Make it:
Place chicken in crock-pot, pour in broth (should cover chicken, if not add a little water)
Cook on low 8 hours (or high 4-5 hours)
Pull with fork
In a saucepan, pour 2 cups of broth from crock-pot
Add 2 packs of gravy mix and stir until it thickens (about 2 minutes)
S/P to taste
Serve shredded chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes

http://www.food.com/recipe/simple-crock-pot-chicken-167491

Penne Chicken w/ Gorgonzola

Who doesn't love Italian?! And when do I not like a recipe that lets me sneak in some veggies, no matter how small, to J?! This was actually quite simple despite the ingredients. It called for asparagus, however apparently I let mine go bad. I pulled out some spinach from the freezer and used it instead. I think I will keep using the spinach! It actually got J to say "I like spinach in this meal." I love when kitchen mishaps turn out better in the end! :)

This is actually a Kraft recipe. Their website has tons of easy meals. Check them out some time!
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/home.aspx

What you need:
2 c penne pasta
2 t olive oil
1/2 c diced onions
1 t sugar
1 1/2 c chopped roma tomatoes
2 c cut up chicken, grilled (I marinated prior)
1 1/2 c chicken broth
1/4 c whipping cream
2 t minced garlic
4 oz crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
chopped spinach (however much your heart desires!)

Make it:
Cook pasta
Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat - add onions and sugar, cook and stir 2-3 minutes
Drain pasta and place in skillet - add tomatoes - heat for 1 minute, stirring occasionally
Add chicken, broth, spinach, cream, and garlic - mix well
Cook 5 min or until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally
Add cheese - cook 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally

*It's important to note that it will not thicken like the Alfredo-y sauces you get at Olive Garden. It will be thinner.

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

When I found this pin it was very vague. I winged it and it turned out pretty decent!

Ingredients:
1.5 lb chicken breast (I cooked it in some olive oil and buffalo sauce)
1/3 c buffalo sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
1 c ranch (or blue cheese)
1/2 c shredded cheese
5 c hash browns
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use my homemade version)

Directions:
There were none!!!
I cooked the chicken in a skillet. While the chicken was cooking I thawed the hash browns in the oven a bit. Once the chicken was cooked, I put it over the hash browns, stirred in the buffalo sauce, soup, and ranch. Then I sprinkled it with the cheese. I baked it on 375 until the potatoes were done.

I think next time I am going to use tater tots instead!

Southwest Chicken Skillet

Ingredients:
cubed chicken (I used about a breast and a half)
2 c instant rice
1 pack taco seasoning (I use homemade)
1 can Rotel
shredded cheese (to taste)

Directions:
Cook chicken in the skillet
Add 1 1/2 c water, taco seasoning, and Rotel
Heat to boil
Add rice
Stir and remove from heat, cover
Once water is absorbed, stir and top with cheese

Blueberry Crumb Bars

This was delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Very blueberry cobbler-ish. And by all means I do not call this healthy :)

Ingredients for fruit layer:
4 c blueberries (I used fresh)
1/2 c sugar
3 t corn starch

Ingredients for dough:
1 c sugar
1 t baking powder
3 c all purpose flour
2 sticks butter, softened
1 egg
1/4 t salt

Directions for dough:
Stir sugar, flour, baking powder, then mix in salt
Use a fork to blend in butter and egg
Pat dough in a 9x13 pan (you should have quite a bit left over after this step)

Directions for fruit layer:
Stir sugar and corn starch
Mix in blueberries (gently)
Pour on top of dough in pan
Crumble remaining dough on top

Bake at 375  for 45 min
Allow it to cool completely before cutting

Paula Dean's Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding

This was phenomenal. I could have eaten the whole pan for myself. I did show self restraint and saved some for others. It will make your tongue slap the roof of your mouth. I will actually have to make it sans the bananas next time. I've discovered bananas make my stomach feel like it's being rung out like a dish towel. No bueno.

Ingredients:
4 sliced bananas
3 c milk
1 box Nilla wafers
2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
8 oz cream cheese
14 oz condensed milk
12 oz cool whip

Directions:
In a 9x13 pan, line it with a layer of wafers, then bananas
In a bowl combine milk and pudding (mix well)
In a separate bowl, mix condensed milk and cream cheese - fold in cool whip
Add cream cheese mix to the pudding mix and stir well
Pour over bananas and garnish with additional wafers

Mexican Chicken Bake

I know. You're thinking how many Mexican-y chicken dishes can this girl make. Well, J is a very picky eater so I do what I can to not eat pizza every night of the week. So load up on the antacids and enjoy ;)

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
4 c cooked rice
3/4 c frozen corn
15 oz black beans
1 c plain Greek yogurt
4 oz green chilies
1/2 c salsa
1 c cheese

Directions:
Mix all ingredients
Place in baking dish
Bake 20-25 minutes on 350

Mexican Alfredo

I know, I know. This recipe sounds weird, but I promise it's tasty!

Ingredients:
1 lb cooked pasta
2-3 chicken breast, cooked and cubed
1 medium onion, diced
30 oz Alfredo sauce
1 c Parmesan cheese
1 c salsa
1/4 c milk
1 T taco seasoning
S/P to taste

Directions:
Put pasta in baking dish
In a bowl mix all other ingredients
Cover pasta with mix and stir well
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 40 minutes

Beef and Broccoli

I always feel like garbage when I eat Chinese food from little stores that have it jam packed with things that are surely the cause of all things evil. So, I thought I would attempt a meal at home. There weren't any left overs, that must mean it was tasty! It contains something called beef consomme that I had no clue what it was. Turns out it's pretty common and found with the regular ol' Campbell's soups. It was easy to find.

Ingredients:
1 lb chuck roast, sliced thin (I sliced it half way through the cooking process)
1 c beef consomme
1/2 c soy sauce
1/2 c brown sugar
1 T sesame oil *I didn't have this so I just used vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic
2 T corn starch
frozen broccoli
rice

Directions:
Place roast in crock pot
Combine consomme, soy sauce, sugar, oil, and garlic
Pour over roast
Cook 6-8 hours (low)
Cool 2 T of the liquid then stir in corn starch to the reserve
Stir until smooth then add back to the pot - stir well
Add broccoli (to your taste) and cook an additional 30 minutes on high
Serve over rice

Mexican Chicken Dip

This recipe is so refreshing and perfect for spring/summer. It makes a ton, so be prepared to share! I took it to work and we devoured it. There are a lot of ingredients, but nothing complicated. It's worth the prep!

Ingredients:
2 c shredded chicken
1 bell pepper, diced
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can corn (drained)
2 roma tomatoes, diced
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 c cilantro, chopped
2 avocados, diced
1 head iceberg, chopped
1/2 c mayo
2/3 c Greek yogurt
1 T ranch powder
1 T taco seasoning
Tortilla chips

Directions:
Mix all ingredients except lettuce
Mix lettuce once ready to serve
Dip and eat!

Chicken Bacon Ranch (WW)

Apparently this is a Weight Watchers recipe. I don't know if that's fact or fiction, but it was delicious either way! It was easy and a hit. Win. Win.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb pasta
4 slices bacon cooked, crumbled
1/2 T butter
1 chicken breast
1 t flour
1/2 pk ranch dressing powder
1 c milk
1/2 c shredded cheese

Directions:
Cook pasta
Cook bacon and reserve 1 T dripping
Cook chicken in reserved dripping, butter, salt/pepper
Sprinkle flour and ranch over chicken
Stir in milk until thick and bubbly
Add cheese and bacon until melted

Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice

This makes for a really easy week night meal with very little clean up. It is a one pot meal. If you have the chicken pre-cooked it will take even less time.

Ingredients:
1 lb chicken
2 c Minute rice
1 pack taco seasoning (I use homemade)
1 can Rotel
shredded cheese
1 1/2 c water

Directions:
Cube and cook chicken in skillet
Add water, taco seasoning, and Rotel
Bring to a boil
Add rice
Stir, remove from heat, cover - let sit until water is absorbed
Top with cheese and serve

Stove-top Steamed Potatoes

I always ignore the time to cook a recipe gives me when cooking potatoes. I cook them until they're done! Scientific...I know. The time they give always leaves the potatoes crunchy. And in the Smith household, we don't do crunchy potatoes. So in this recipe cook them to your heart's desire.

Ingredients:
2 lb new potatoes, cubed (or potato of your choice)
1/2 c butter
1/4 c water
1/2 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/4 c fresh chopped parsley (I left this part out)

Directions:
Melt butter over medium heat in a sauce pan
Add salt, pepper, and water
Add potatoes and coat with butter
Cover and cook on med-low for 30 minutes (ha!)
Roll the potatoes in the mixture periodically BUT DON'T UNCOVER THEM!
Sprinkle with parsley then serve

Super Duper Easy Mac and Cheese

As I continue the journey to cut out all things created in a lab and placed into a box to be consumed on our dinner table, I suddenly had the craving for macaroni and cheese. I've made homemade macaroni and cheese before. It was time consuming and blah. This recipe sounded too easy to be true. Alas it wasn't! It was creamy and my sister even said it's better than from a box! It only called for 8 oz macaroni noodles, I ended up using 16 oz of shells...hello leftovers! As always be reminded that I use gluten free products.

Ingredients:
16 oz shell noodles

1/4 c butter

1/4 c flour

salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 t dried mustard (this is optional)
2 c milk

2 c shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)

Directions:

Cook noodles
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat
Stir in flour, mustard, salt, and pepper

At this point you'll need to stir constantly

Slowly add milk - simmer until bubbly

Stir in cheese until melted

Add noodles

Bayou Brownies

The name of this dessert is deceiving because there is no chocolate in this recipe. However, they are DELICIOUS. Make them when you're going to have company or you will end up eating the whole batch yourself. Seriously.

Ingredients:
1 c chopped pecans
1/2 c butter, melted
3 large eggs
1 pack yellow cake mix
8 oz cream cheese, softened
16 oz powdered sugar

Directions:
Combine pecans, butter, 1 egg, and cake mix
Stir well
Press into bottom of a greased 13x9 dish (set aside)
Combine 2 eggs, cream cheese, and powdered sugar
Beat at medium speed until smooth
Pour over cake mix layer
Bake at 325 for 40 minutes
Let it cool completely in pan on a metal wire rack

Zuppa Tuscana

Yet another successful recipe of me sneaking something green and leafy into J's diet :) He had this at Olive Garden but did NOT care for the texture of kale. Well, kale looks a lot like spinach. So, I convinced him to let me make it at home and use spinach instead. It worked!

Ingredients:
1 lb. Italian sausage
4 slices of bacon, cooked (I actually didn't have bacon and it was still tasty)
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
32 oz. chicken stock
3 c russet potatoes, sliced
3/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
10 oz spinach
1 c whipping cream
Parmesan

Directions:
Cook sausage - drain
Saute onion and add garlic
Stir in stock, potatoes, and bacon
Season with s/p
Simmer until potatoes are tender
Add spinach and cream
Bring to simmer
Serve and top with Parmesan

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup

Ooo de lolly...J ate green beans. And LIKED it!!!!!! I never thought I'd see the day. This soup has the right amount of kick and is very satisfying on a winter day.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 T flour (I use gluten free)
1 can Rotel
1 small can tomato sauce
15 oz beef broth
2 c water
2 can sliced new potatoes (drain)
1 bag mixed veggies
1 t Italian seasoning
1 t chili powder
1/2 t red pepper (optional)
1/4 t celery seed
1/2 t garlic powder
s/p to taste
1 c elbow macaroni

Directions:
Brown meat and onion, drain
Mix beef, onion, and flour well
Add other ingredients except macaroni
Cook on medium heat for 25 minutes
Add macaroni and cook for 10 minutes

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

You know I love my slow cooker. I especially love my slow cooker when I can put chicken in raw! This is a great comfort meal without totally blowing all the healthy eating. Serve it up with something green to ease the dairy and carb train :)

Ingredients:
32 oz tater tots
3 oz bacon bits
1 lb diced chicken, raw
2 c shredded cheese
3/4 c milk
s/p to taste

Directions:
Spray crockpot with PAM
Layer 1/2 tots in bottom of cooker
Sprinkle 1/3 bacon bits and cheese
Add chicken
S/P
Sprinkle 1/3 bacon bits and cheese
Layer 1/2 tots
Sprinkle 1/3 bacon bits and cheese
Pour milk over
Cook on low 4-6 hours

It can't be a comfort meal without having some calories. Hey...it could be a big ol fried mess of grease. ;)

No Peek Beef Tips

This takes a bit of time to cook, but once you pop it in the oven you can forget about it until the timer dings!

Ingredients:
2 lb stew meat, beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pack brown gravy mix
1 pack dry onion soup mix
1 c water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Mix last 4 ingredients well
Place beef in oven safe baking dish
Pour gravy over beef and mix well
Cover with foil and cook 3 hours
Serve over rice

*I am in the process of making my own mixes to eliminate more gluten and additives from our diet. Stay tuned as I post recipes for mixes!