How often have you looked into your fridge and felt like you had nothing to eat? Or do you get home from grocery shopping and still feel like you have nothing to eat?
We ended a trip camping with friends ( yes, in our backyard!), and looking in the fridge, it appears empty to most, especially the kids.
I know we still have many things in our pantry and freezer to turn into meals.
It’s all about your mindset and thinking outside the box.
Look beyond what you see. Take an inventory of what you have and come up with as many meals as possible.
For tips on creating a perfect grocery list, save this post here.
Fill in items you need with things on sale, and look through the online sales flyers, coupon apps, and especially coupon blogs!
My Favorite coupon blogs for finding sale grocery items.
- Target- www.totallytarget.com
- Walmart- www.ihearthemart.com
- Costco- www.mywholesalelife.com
- BJs- www.mybjswholesale.com
- Tops- www.smartqponclips.com
I have a full video above, or if you want a 60-second preview, check out the video below.
I have the full menu of what I came up with based on what is in my fridge after the videos.
Here are some tips to get you started:
– Get creative with your ingredients. Just because you don’t have a lot of options doesn’t mean you can’t make something great!
– Use simple recipes. You don’t need to be a master chef to make a tasty meal.
– Be resourceful. If you’re not sure what to do with an ingredient, look it up online or ask a friend.
Not sure how to stock your fridge on a budget to make meals? Try this!
Grab my favorite meal-planning binder here.
Here are the meals I came up with:
Dinner Ideas:
- Chicken Tacos
- Egg Burritos( use the refried beans)
- Roasted Whole chicken with grilled corn and zucchini
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Fried Rice Dish with Peas
- Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches with leftover chips
- Meatball Subs ( make in a crockpot and use frozen meatballs for quickness)
- Chicken Nachos( using the WF chicken)
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Spaghetti
- BLTS
- Hot dogs & Green Beans
Snack Ideas
- Carrots and Dip
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Apples & PB
- Salsa
- Smoothies
- Yogurt with granola
- Whatever packaged snacks we have left
- Celery and raisins
Snacks to Make
- Zucchini Cake- recipe here
- Blueberry Muffins
- Pancakes
- Oatmeal Protein Balls recipe here
- Cereal Bars
If you don’t want to pay a monthly fee and are pretty good at coming up with meals or want the cheaper option to grab my meal planner HERE!
Items to Buy So Far:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Tortilla Chips
- Creamer
- Yogurt
- Whatever fruit is on sale- otherwise, bananas
Well, there you have it, folks, 12 meal ideas from an empty fridge! I’m surprised when I look into the fridge and feel like there’s nothing to eat sometimes. It’s all about our mindset as well as thinking outside the box. People often forget that with a few pantry staples, they can whip up a delicious meal in no time. Take an inventory of what you have on hand and come up with creative meal ideas.
Don’t forget to plan your grocery lists each week strategically. Fill in items you need with simple things like veggies, herbs, and spices, which are usually on sale. I also highly recommend checking out coupon apps to save extra money when possible.
If you’re ready to get serious about meal planning, grab my Meal Planning Binder right here, saving so much time in the long run! What other meals do you make using what’s in your pantry or refrigerator? Let me know – I’d love to hear your ideas!
For more meal planning tips check out the articles below.