Here's your FREE Weekly Meal Plan 19 for May 8 - May 14. Don't let dinner time be a daily crazy event! It's hard, right? I hope these menus are helping you to stay on budget and save time in the kitchen!
If you have any suggestions or needs, let me know. I'd love your input. Together we can enjoy delicious affordable meals!
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Meal planning and prepping tips
If you're new here...
Every week, I share a free meal plan for you to use the following week. You'll have seven main dish recipes, along with a few extras and of course dessert.
Typically the weekly meal plans are named by number of the week and date. For example, if the plan is for the first week of January, I'll name it Weekly Meal Plan 1 - Jan 3-9. Next year the plans will be updated for the corresponding dates and tasty new recipes!
Don't forget - if you have a busy day and plan on eating out, just drop a day off the menu and adjust the meal plan to fit YOUR busy life!
Here are some shortcuts and tips for this week's menu!
- The Raspberry Orange Strata is great because it's made ahead the day before, making dinner or brunch a breeze for Mother's Day! The granola cane be made ahead as well. It's amazing, I hope you make both!
- Best part about lasagna is that it's best when made ahead it tastes even better! Put it together Saturday or Sunday and bake. Allow to completely cool and refrigerate. Leftovers freeze GREAT!
Stretch your budget - Produce
Do you realize that over 72 billion pounds of food is thrown out every year? The average American household throws out over 30% of it's food. That's unbelievable! {Source Forbes}
That's pretty shocking!
An easy way to cut down on your waste is to store items correctly. Here are some tips to help you waste as little as possible.
The BEST way to stretch your produce; here is what to do now to ensure your herbs and vegetables stay fresh even longer.
Herbs - parsley, cilantro, basil - slice off the end of the stems, fill a glass with water and put them in water, keep them in the refrigerator. Green Onions can also be placed in a glass of water and refrigerated.
Another way to increase the "shelf life" for herbs and green onions is to immediately wash them. Shake off the majority of the water and wrap them in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag. Store in the crisper.
Either of these methods will significantly increase their life. When they become, soft, brown or squishy, it's time to say goodbye!
Asparagus - trim off the ends and place them in water. This will keep them plump and fresh when you're ready to enjoy them.
Spinach - I've been craving fresh vegetables and I picked up some spinach at the store last week. My friend Michelle shared her best tip which is to rinse, shake off as much water as you can. Lay it flat on a paper towel and roll up cigar-style and place in a plastic bag. It will last even longer that way.
Expert Tip: Also for both herbs and spinach removing the wire twisty will help it to last longer.
Cauliflower - They will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator and are so delicious roasted! (I forgot to include this veg earlier this week!!)
Most vegetables, like carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and celery should be stored in the crisper drawer in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Mushrooms are best stored in a paper bag. Do not wash vegetables until you're ready to use them. Vegetables should be stored in a different part of the fridge than fruit. This will prevent them from ripening too fast.
Radishes, Beets - any root vegetable will last longer if you trim off the greens. I keep radishes in a bowl of water after trimming the tops off, they will last a week or longer.
Cheese - Best stored in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable. Although you can use a plastic bag, it's best wrapped in aluminum foil or parchment paper, then in plastic wrap to seal. The harder the cheese, the longer it will last.
Butter - lasts 1-2 months in the refrigerator, up to six months in the freezer.
Weekly Meal Plan 19
May 8 - Mom's Day!
Raspberry Orange Breakfast Strata
This super delicious Breakfast Strata is perfect for Mother's Day! Enjoy with Homemade Granola - amazing!
Another yummy breakfast/brunch recipe is this simple Sausage Biscuit Breakfast Casserole - with some fresh fruit like this Mexican Fruit Salad.
May 9
Homemade Lasagna
This is my lazy lasagna recipe. No prep-boiling the noodles, spending all day in the kitchen to make the sauce, etc.
This easy lasagna recipe is so simple and so good!
May 10
Homemade Clam Chowder Recipe
Everyone loves this Clam Chowder! I think it will be a real hit with the family.
Serve with easy yeast rolls and a Spinach Garbanzo Bean Salad - delicious!
May 11
Southwest Breakfast Skillet
Southwest Breakfast Skillet is perfect when you want breakfast for dinner - it's easy to make as well!
May 12
Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe
Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe - Roasting the tomatoes intensify the flavors and makes this soup incredible delicious! Serve with leftover rolls or with Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks.
May 13
Chopped Salad Recipe
Lots of chopping goes into this salad, but if you have one of those salad choppers, it's a breeze!
You can top the Chopped Salad with leftover rotisserie chicken if you'd prefer a meaty version, but I love it just as it is.
May 14
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch Casserole is a real favorite in our house. Once you try it, you'll be a fan as well. It's like chicken enchiladas without all the fussy prep - love that!
Dessert
Grandma's Blueberry Cobbler Recipe
Blueberry Cobbler - sweet, plump blueberries in a homemade cobbler. This old fashioned recipe has been passed down over generations.
Meal Planning Worksheet
Click on the link below to download a PDF of the meal planning worksheet so you can easily make notes and your grocery list for this week's recipes!
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