Just to clarify, summer is supposed to be all laid-back, relaxing, restful?
I must be doing something wrong.
Life feels busier than ever this summer between swim lessons and summer camps and gymnastics class and ice cream socials and block parties. It’s all so good. So hard to say no to. Sometimes I work up the courage to decline a spectacularly fun event and then suddenly my mouth blurts out “sure, we’ll be there!” and before I know it I’ve committed to bringing the main dish (no turning back now!) and then I wonder why I feel stretched super thin?
My heart’s desire is to balance the fun and activity with simplicity and restful time that recharges our batteries – all of us. Because I know that the kids are watching, they are learning, and I’m modeling all of it. Yikes.
So amidst the mid-summer chaos and busyness, here is a plan for dinners this week – with a little something for everyone! Enjoy!
Dinner #1:
Black Beans and Rice with Roasted Chicken and Apple Salsa
Prep and Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total: $10.50
Dinner #2:
Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Meatballs + Side Salad + Crusty Bread
Prep and Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Total: $10.46 for the meatballs + estimated $4 for side salad and bread
Dinner #3:
Chicken with Sauteed Apples and Pears, Gorgonzola Mashed Potatoes + your favorite veggie
Prep and Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total: $4.37 for the chicken + $2.98 for the potatoes + estimated $2.00 for your favorite veggie
Dinner #4:
Goat Cheese and Roasted Garlic Pizza + Side Salad
Prep and Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total: $4.91 for the pizza + estimated $2.00 for side salad
Dinner #5:
Pasta with Mama’s Meat Sauce + your favorite veggie
Prep and Cooking Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Total: $9.63 for the pasta + estimated $2.00 for the veggie
Dinner #6:
Chipotle Black Bean Soup + Side Salad
Prep and Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total: $3.22 for the soup + estimated $2.00 for the salad
Total for 6 nights of dinners: $58.07! That’s about $2.42 per serving!
Shopping List:
Meat
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 pounds)
- 3 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
Produce/Herbs
- 2 onions
- 1 head garlic
- 3/4 cup garlic
- 4 limes
- 1 avocado
- 2 1/2 pounds small potatoes (i.e. Yukon Gold)
- 1/2 cup chives or green onions
- 2 granny smith apples
- 1 pear
- 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup fresh thyme
- 3-4 ounces arugula
- 3/4 cup italian parsley
- 1 1/4 cup basil
- 1 red onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 2 veggies
- salad ingredients for 3 salads
Pantry
- 3 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon canned chipotle chiles
- 4 (15-ounce) cans black beans
- 1/2 jar salsa
- 1 tablespoon + 3/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoon chile powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 pizza dough
- 2 (14-ounce) diced tomatoes
- 1 package of your favorite pasta
- 4 cups cooked brown rice
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- 1 (20-ounce) can San Marzano plum tomatoes
Dairy/Eggs
- sour cream or greek yogurt – whatever you would like on top of your black beans and rice
- 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1 cup grated mozzarella
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan or asiago cheese
- 20 small mozzarella balls or 1, 1-pound ball fresh mozzarella
Browse more plans (with shopping lists!) here.
Also, this menu plan and shopping list are based on the costs I pay per item when I purchase them on sale. Check out the prices I pay and where I shop here.
