September 27, 2010
Saving Money with Your Meal Plan (Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas)
There are six mouths to feed in my house and six hungry mouths at that, which can lead to a lot of groceries and a large grocery bill if we aren't careful. In an effort to control our spending at the grocery store, we have adapted a method of using some of the same ingredients in our meals throughout the week.
I don't know anyone who enjoys wasting food, and I know I personally can't bear the site of rotten food that's gone uneaten, especially when it means we have to buy more. While it does take a bit of organization to make sure I am successful at incorporating the same ingredients throughout the week, the payoff has been more money in my pocket for fun activities and things we can enjoy doing together as a family!
Keys to a Successful Menu Plan
- Keep it flexible. We have the best luck with meals that can be interchanged easily. That way if something comes up during the week, we simply switch one meal for another that is easier to toss together in a short amount of time.
- Keep it simple. I love large, elaborate meals, but I tend to stack my menu with three or four simple ones and maybe have one or two that are big and multilayered on the weekend or on a day where I know we have absolutely nothing to do. Plus, I can then use those elaborate side dishes in other meals or send them as lunch fare for the school-age kids and my husband.
- Incorporate the same ingredients. Rather than eating the same thing day after day, try using up ingredients in meals throughout the week. Buying in bulk or larger quantities can save money too, and planning meals that use those ingredients up will keep your shopping list shorter.
One simple way to get started coordinating the meals on your menu plan is by starting with a larger meat dish. I already covered my five ham meals, and the same idea applies here. Have ham dinner one night, and then use the ham throughout the week in a variety of meals. Too much ham for you? Freeze it into dishes that can be thawed and popped in the oven for those nights you just don't want to cook.
An easy way to go would be roasting a chicken. If you wanted to cheat, you could even pick up a rotisserie one at the store. Beef roasts and turkeys work, too. Start with a roast or a baked ham dinner. Add your favorite sides. Maybe you're a mashed potato family, or perhaps you prefer steamed vegetables and rice. Do whatever fits your family best. After dinner, cut the leftover meat into manageable pieces and store in an airtight container in the fridge for dinner on a different night.
Leftover Meal Ideas:
Pork Tenderloin- Pork Fried Rice | Fried rice is a great way to use up several leftovers from rice to vegetables to meat.
- Sweet and Sour Stir Fry | Leftover pork, fresh or frozen vegetables and some sweet and sour sauce served over rice is perfect for using up those odds and ends around the house.
- Steak Sandwiches | Who doesn't love a messy, cheesy steak sandwich?
- Chicken Pasta Salad | Always a favorite at our house, we serve it over a bed of lettuce and with cheese cubes. Add crumbled bacon on top to make it extra special.
- Chicken Empanadas | While this takes a bit more time to execute, these freeze wonderfully for a quick meal that feels special.
- Ham and Pear Salad with Maple Vinaigrette | A great and fresh way to use up leftover ham that is perfect as a light and easy meal.
- Baked Eggs | An easy breakfast, brunch or dinner idea if you like breakfast for dinner (which I do!).
Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
- 10 flour tortillas
- 1 cup cooked chicken or pork, chopped
- 4 strips Smithfield Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar and asadero cheese
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup diced onions
- ¼ cup diced green peppers
- ¼ cup Chipotle Ranch sauce (below)
- Guacamole or sliced avocado for dipping and topping
Instructions
Warm leftover chicken in the microwave or in oven, over stove or in a toaster oven with a bit of water so it doesn't dry out. Heat a nonstick griddle to medium-high heat. Place five tortillas on the griddle and on each sprinkle cheese, chicken, bacon crumbles, tomatoes, onions, peppers, chipotle ranch sauce and more cheese. Top with the remaining 5 tortillas. Allow to brown slightly, about 2-3 minutes depending on temperature of the griddle. Flip over and allow to brown on the second side. Remove from heat. Slice into triangles with a pizza cutter and serve with guacamole and extra chipotle ranch for dipping. Makes 5 quesadillas.Chipotle Ranch Sauce
- 2 chipotles in adobo sauce with 1 tablespoon sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
Mix chipotles, sauce and ranch dressing in a food processor until smooth. Serve both on quesadillas and as a dipping sauce.These are only a few of the fantastic meal ideas that you can use to stretch your budget by reducing waste. Do you have favorite meals that you pair together to keep costs down and to take advantage of bulk pricing?
