Meal Plan Monday During Quarantine

Hey everyone! It’s time to bring back some meal planning tips. Meal planning is one of my favorite ways to save my family tons of cash.

If you are new around here feel free to take a minute and peek at my Frugal Meal Planning Pinterest board, or at least follow it.

I did a Facebook live about my meal menu and meal planning and sharing that below. This week I’m using one of my favorite cookbooks, “Betty Crocker, The Smart Dinner.”

Otherwise check out what we are making this week. I plan on NOT going grocery shopping for at least 9 days from now.

I’m updating this post each week with my weekly meals. We haven’t gone shopping yet.

These are my favorite meal planning tips/hacks:

They are Pinterest links so pin if you can’t read now.

• 10 Hacks to Meal Prep When You Are Short on Time
• How to Live Off Your Pantry & Not Shop
• How to Meal Plan & Grocery Shop Once a Month
• 2 Proteins You Can Buy That Will Feed Your Family for a Week & Cheap
• 3 Ways To Save Money on Groceries Right Now

Below is the Facebook live I did this week about meal planning and my menu.

Here is the week’s menu for 4/5

Apparently I forgot what day it was and started making our menu today- Wednesday. And realized my husband’s birthday is this week! Oh my. I know I’m not alone in losing track of the days right?

Here is what we are having. I did go to BJ’s on Monday. I shared a video of that below. I wanted to grab some more produce and dairy items.

Monday- Baked Ziti with Frozen Meatballs

Tuesday- Hot Dogs and Mac & Cheese

Wednesday- Tilapia pan fried with garlic and salt, tater tots and peas

Thursday- Oven Baked Parm chicken with Stuffing ( I have boxes from Thanksgiving yet!, and fruit salad. ( I’ll mix up some of the strawberries, bluberries and grapes I got from the store)

Friday- Homemade pizza

Saturday- Grilled Turkey Sandwiches with pickles and chips ( I got lunchmeat when I shopped)

Sunday- Easter! I got a ham, having a spinach baked dish( using frozen spinach), a strawberry shortcake ( get to use frozen strawberries) homemade rolls, wish we had pineapple but there wasn’t any at BJs.

I hope you all have a very blessed week. Remember God knows our hearts desires. Don’t be afraid to put all of your burdens on his shoulders. Tell him exactly what you need right now. And watch him show up in unexpected ways and answer those cries.

Are you sick of searching for recipes and meal ideas? Try out my FAVORITE meal planning app that lets you put in your pantry items and make meals! Super easy and super fun. Sign up Here.

Here is the weeks menu for 3/30/20.

I pulled out 2 frozen chicken breasts, Frozen tilapia fish, frozen hot dogs and frozen venison.

Monday- Tilapia with green beans ( I’ll pan fry with salt, garlic and lemon juice)

Tuesday- I’ll make Tacos ( use the venison recipe here)- we don’t have lettuce and I’ll use canned tomatoes, salsa and we still have sour cream.

Wednesday- Hot dogs on the grill and if there is taco meat I’ll add that on top with the nacho cheese we got from the school lunches!

Thursday- Stir Fry Chicken- I use the frozen vegetables from BJs in the video below.

Friday- Chicken Noodle soup I pulled out from the freezer when I do this 7 meals from a Chicken post.

Saturday- Leftovers, cereal or eggs. ( We have our own chickens)

Here’s my meal menu:

Chicken BBQ Quesadillas– We use shredded chicken from a whole chicken, tortillas, and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. Then I steam up mixed veggies from BJs.

Tilapia with Veggie Fritters- I love using the frozen BJs Medley Mix for these. Recipe for this is below.

Five Vegetable Spaghetti– recipe below couldn’t find it online

Cheesy Broccoli Frittata

I’m making something with a pound of ground beef not sure yet, but this is a go to that my kids LOVE when we are using ground meat- Hamburger Helper Copycat

Leftovers or pick your own ( cereal, pancakes etc.)

Here is the recipe for the Veggie Fritters- I can’t find it online to link.

• 2 cups chopped seasoned cooked vegetables ( You can also use a 12 ounce bag of frozen vegetables. Cook frozen veggies first then season and let cool before you chop)
• 1 egg slightly beaten
• 3/4 cup Panko or any bread crumbs will do ( If you don’t have bread crumbs toast a few piece of bread and then chop in blender)
• 2 Tablespoons Butter melted

Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line cookie with with parchement paper or spray.

In a Medium bowl stir the vegetables and egg. Then stir in bread crumbs.

For each fritter pack the vegetable mixture into a 1/4 cup measuring cup, and place on cookie sheet. About 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly and brush with the melted butter. Bake 15-18 minutes.

Dip with your favorite sauce or whatever you have on hand. Ranch is our choice.

Here is a shot of the Five Vegetable Spaghetti Recipe

If you love these meals you can grab this cookbook online here.

Let me know what is on your meal menu this week?