The Versatility of a Menu Plan

I have recently discovered that my menu plans (probably most menu plans) are extremely versatile.  Yes, I’m a little slow at catching on.

I didn’t use to use my own menu plans and grocery lists very often.  I’m always cooking new things to share on the blog, so it didn’t make sense to print off a menu and list for meals I knew I probably wouldn’t make.

Then life got {even} busier.  So I printed off a menu and list, shopped and hung the list of meals on my fridge.  I made a few of them as written.  The rest of our meals  I created to share here with you.

What I found out is even when I don’t make the meals as planned, the grocery list still works. The reason is that almost all of my meals use common ingredients.  The list makes sure I’m keeping my pantry and freezer stocked with foods that can be used to make many different meals.

Win-win!  I don’t have to do any planning and I still have the freedom to change things up.  If you see me in the grocery now, I’ll have a printed list in my hands.

If you’re in a habit of shopping without a list or spending a lot of time creating a list, you might try printing this one.  Maybe you’ll find freedom in the plan too!

Here’s what is on the menu today:

Olive Oil and Italian Herb Roasted Chicken, Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, green veggie

Ravioli in the Slow cooker, salad

Croque Monsieur (Ham and Cheese), salad

Italian Beef Sandwiches in the Slow Cooker, French fries, carrot sticks

Black Bean and Corn Chicken Taco Bake, chips and salsa, salad

Cream of Cauliflower Soup, Cheddar Muffins

Cherry Oat Bars

To print, click here:  menu year 3 week 13

This menu is part of Menu Plan Monday at The Organizing Junkie

We’ve got a couple of slow cooker meals this week and some planned leftovers.  You’ll want to be sure to make the Baked Chicken with Summer Vegetables early in the week, so you can use the extra chicken for Chicken and Cheesy Rice Casserole.  Use about 3-4 pounds of chicken.  Be sure to give it plenty of cooking time, because the slow cooker will be very full with chicken and veggies.

As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert.  Serving suggestions are included in bold on the recipes and in curly brackets {} on the grocery list.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

• Ravioli in the Slow Cooker, salad
• Baked Chicken and Summer Veggies in the Slow Cooker, salad, angel hair pasta
• Chicken and Cheesy Rice Casserole, steamed green veggie, fresh fruit
• South of the Border Skillet, salad
• Croque Monsieur, Cucumbers and Onions, baby carrots
• Pork Chops Topped with Pineapple, Green Pepper and Onions, Hawaiian Cole Slaw, steamed green veggie
• Banana Split Dessert

To print, click here:  Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 45 (521)

This menu is part of Menu Plan Monday at The Organizing Junkie.

I now have 3 teenagers.  We celebrated my youngest son’s 13th birthday over the weekend.  Having 3 teens in the house won’t last long though.  My oldest turns 20 in January.  How is all of this possible?  How can they be getting older, but I stay the same

Let’s talk menu instead, or else I might get emotional.

As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert.  Serving suggestions are included in bold on the recipes and in curly brackets {} on the grocery list.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

• Western Omelette Casserole, fresh fruit
• Linda’s BBQ Ham Sandwiches, Slow Cooker Baked Beans, Potato Salad
• Beef and Black Bean Taco Bake, salad
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy over Rice, steamed green veggie, salad
• Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops, favorite veggie, bowtie pasta sprinkled with cheddar cheese
• Super Simple Asian Noodles with Stir Fry Veggies and Chicken
• Chocolate Cake with Cappuccino Frosting

To print, click here:  Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 44 (378)

This menu is part of Menu Plan Monday at The Organizing Junkie.

One more week.  Just one more week of summer for us.

How did it go by so fast?

We did have a fabulous summer though!  And we’ve got a lot to look forward to this school year.

I hope you have a chance to sit on the porch and soak in summer before school schedules are upon us.

Now for the menu.  As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert.  Serving suggestions are included in bold on the recipes and in curly brackets {} on the grocery list.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

Burgers on the grill, Sweet Potato Fries, Wild Watermelon
Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker, Roasted Broccoli and Red Peppers, Microwave Corn on the Cob
Italian Chicken and Rice Casserole, steamed green veggie
Chicago Style Pizza Pot Pie, salad
French Dip Sandwiches in the Slow Cooker, Cucumber and Tomato Salad, french fries
Lemon Pepper Tilapia with Veggies on the Grill, salad
Zucchini Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

To print, click here:  Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 42 (471)

This menu is linked to Menu Plan Monday at The Organizing Junkie.

Before we get to the menu, I want to give a special shout-out to Eat at Home’s sponsors for the month of July.

Plan to Eat is a great way to organize your recipes and menus. You can even print weekly shopping lists.  Cool, useful and fun to play with!

Coupon Cookin’ – Nikki shares deals, store match-ups and great recipes on her site.  Check it out!

Onto the menu this week.  As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert.  Serving suggestions are included in bold on the recipes and in curly brackets {} on the grocery list.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

Kung Pao Chicken over Rice

Easy Pepper Steak in the Slow Cooker, baked potatoes, steamed veggie

Garden Frittata, Biscuits, fresh fruit

Chipotle Lime Chicken Scampi, salad

Pesto Tomato Pizza, salad

Tilapia in the Slow Cooker with Garlic Cheese Sauce, steamed veggie, corn on the cob

Chocolatey Texas Sheet Cake

To print, click here:  Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 40 (367)

We are going to be driving to Colorado Springs later this week.  If you’re on I-64 to St. Louis or I-70, wave at us!

I’m liking the menu this week.  2 Slow cooker recipes, a grilled salmon recipe and a recipe to stock your freezer (Italian Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells).  Not to mention, one of my favorite salads.

As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert.  Serving suggestions are included in bold on the recipes and in curly brackets {} on the grocery list.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tacos in the Slow Cooker, chips and salsa
Asian Salmon on the Grill, Roasted Broccoli and Red Peppers, brown rice
Italian Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells, salad
Southwest Chicken and Brown Rice, salad
Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, grilled chicken
Honey Mustard Chicken in the Slow Cooker, steamed veggie, boiled new potatoes
Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies

To print, click here:  Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 39 (351)

This menu is linked to Menu Plan Monday at The Organizing Junkie.

This is a decidedly summer menu, with 2 slow cooker meals (in case it’s hot where you live), 1 that can be done on the grill and a couple of skillet meals.  Plus, Blueberry Cobbler for dessert.  Oh yeah!

As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert.  Serving suggestions are included in bold on the recipes and in curly brackets {} on the grocery list.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

Zesty Chicken in the Slow Cooker with Couscous, Fresh Green Beans
Mexican Vegetables on Cornbread
Broccoli, Tomato and Tortellini Salad, crusty bread
Pork Chops Topped with Onion, Green Pepper and Pineapple, Roasted White and Sweet Potatoes, favorite green veggie
Red Beans and Ham over Rice, salad
Southwestern Steak and Cornbread Dressing in the Slow Cooker, favorite green veggie
Blueberry Cobbler

To print, click here: Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 37 (342)

This menu is part of Menu Plan Monday at The Organizing Junkie.

I am on the beach this week (yeah!), but I do have a menu for you.  I’ve also got posts scheduled, so things will click right along here.

As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert in the menu.  Serving suggestions are included in bold on the recipes and in curly brackets {} on the grocery list.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

Ravioli with Tomato and Onion Sauce, salad
Mediterranean Chicken in the Slow Cooker, angel hair pasta, salad
Steak Burgers with Red Wine Onions, baked potatoes, Roasted Broccoli and Red Peppers
Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice
Stromboli, salad
BBQ Ham Steak on the Grill, Hashbrown Casserole, watermelon
Nutella Muffins

To print, click here:  Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 36 (931)

Are you enjoying summer?

We’ve had lots of steamy, sunny, hot weather.  Perfect for sprinklers, pools and water balloons.

The menu this week has several slow cooker recipes.  If you make plenty of chicken on the night you fix Baked Chicken with Summer Vegetables, you can use the extra in Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole.

As always, you get 6 dinners and 1 dessert.  Serving suggestions are included on the recipes in bold and on the grocery list in curly brackets {}.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

1. Favorite meat on the grill, Microwave Corn on the Cob, Homemade Baked Beans, fresh summer fruit
2. Salsa Verde Steak in the Slow Cooker, chips and salsa, salad
3. Pizza Bowties with Italian Sausage, salad
4. Baked Chicken and Summer Veggies in the Slow Cooker, Cornbread Muffins
5. Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole, favorite steamed veggie, Cranberries and Oranges
6. South of the Border Skillet, salad
7. Lemon Pineapple Cake Mix Cookies with Pineapple Glaze

Click here to print:  Menu, Grocery List, Recipes Year 2 Week 35 (346)

This menu is linked to Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie.com