Monday: Crockpot All Day Macaroni & Cheese with Green Beans
I’ve got a couple of unusual evening meetings tonight-so I’m putting together a simple meal that Yankee Bill can serve up without having to do any cooking. Plus it’s been a while since we’ve made the All Day Macaroni & Cheese! As an added bonus I’ll make a double batch and then freeze portions so they can be heated up and used for school lunches.
This is my meatless meal for the week.
Tuesday: Venison Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Carrots
The meatloaf will be made with a combination of ground venison and venison sausage. I’ll make up a triple batch of the mix, then make 2 meatloaves and a big batch of meatballs to freeze. That way I’ll have a couple of extra meals ready to go in the freezer as we hit the more hectic upcoming holiday season. Anything that keeps me out of the drive thru!
I’m planning right now on homemade mashed potatoes-but that could change at the last minute to oven fries or boiled potatoes. The point is I have about 5 large white potatoes that need to be used up pronto!
The carrots will be from the garden. Mmm.
Wednesday: Crockpot Chili & Cornbread with a Salad
Yes, I know that chili was on the menu for last week. Somehow I never got it started in the morning. . . no problem, I could just cook it on the stove instead. But then my mother in law called and asked if we’d all like to come over to her house for Eggplant Parm. . .well who am I to refuse an offer like that? So the chili never got made. That’s ok, I’m ready to go with the Wendy’s Chili Clone this week.
I’ll be using ground venison for the meet, and again, if I’m on the ball I’ll make a super big batch and I’ll freeze double portions for the kids lunches.
Thursday: Vension Stroganoff, Buttered Noodles & Veggies
I’ll make my cheater’s version of Beef/Venison Stroganoff (I’ll post that recipe this week) and serve it over some egg noodles. The veggies will just be mixed frozen vegetables from the store. It’s a basic, filling meal.
Friday: Pizza
Why do I even bother writing Friday on here? You all know I’ll be making my Pizza Hut Crust Clone recipe 🙂
Saturday: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Our town is officially doing trick ‘o treating on Saturday. If you think that my kids are going to have the patience to sit down for anything more than a quick & simple dinner you are nuts!
Sunday: Roasted Chicken with Gravy, Herbed Couscous and Brussel Sprouts
I haven’t roasted a whole chicken in a while-they are usually the cheapest way to buy chicken and as a bonus you get the carcass for soup! I’ll probably do two at the same time to make it easier-you’ll see a couple of chicken recipes next week, plus I’ll have some to freeze.
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So what do you plan on eating this week? If you need some inspiration pop over to Menu Plan Monday at the Organizing Junkie!
Hello Jenn,
I am using a chicken carcass for soup and a chicken pot pie meal this week. I actually froze the carcass for a later use, Fry’s (Kroger) had some of the McCormick spice mixes on sale for $1.00 each and I springboarded my meals from some of the seasoing packets, I usually do not buy them but if it helps me in a pinch for gravy mix (chicken pie) with grand style biscuits (chicken pie) $1.00, Then a slow Cooker chicken noodle soup, yolk free eggs noodles (soup) $1.oo, everything else I had on hand, carrots, celery, potatoes, etc. I also bought bags of pre-diced veggies when they were on sale for 2 for $1.oo, I can use if I did not have fresh, I invested $4.00 into 2 dinners plus leftover lunches or maybe another night’s worth of dinner. I actually spent $34.00 for groceries this week, which included paper towels and toilet paper. I think I have been stocking up pretty well and now I am reaping the rewards. I think I may do some mac-n-cheese, I have all of the ingredients on hand! Oh another dish I forgot is homemade refried beans in the crockpot for some burritos or Indian fry bread.
Amyrlin-Sounds like a great thrifty menu week for you! I’d love to have the recipe for your homemade refriend beans in the crockpot. . .maybe you could send it to me?
I used to crock pot all the time — then I cleaned my kitchen one day and put it away. That was 2 years ago! You’ve inspired me to whip it out again. 🙂
Hi Jenn!
The All Day Macaroni & Cheese freezes well? Leftovers, that is? This is a favorite around here as well, but there always seems to be some left we just don’t eat. I haven’t tried freezing the leftovers thinking they wouldn’t freeze well – but I guess I was wrong on that one?
Thanks!
Anne
Anne-You know, I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever actually frozen it or if I am just assuming it will freeze fine. . .I’ll have to do a double check experiment and let you know!
Thanks! I appreciate it! I’m sure the day will come that my 2 boys will eat everything in sight and there’ll be no leftovers – but I think that’s a few years away!