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After spending the last month or two paring down our stockpile, we are finally settling in from our move. Now I’m going back into stock up mode and in some ways I feel like many of you who are just starting out. We still have a lot of the basics on hand, so we are combining those with things that are on sale to get dinner on the table.
Some tips to for eating on a budget:
-Use less meat
-Focus on ingredients you already have (beans, canned tomatoes, rice)
-Buy ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes (onions, eggs, peppers, herbs)
-Look for recipes that don’t include fancy sauces or extras – these can add up
-Be willing to substitute ingredients for lower priced options
If you are just getting started with this whole coupon thing, hopefully this menu plan will give you some ideas on how to stretch out sale ingredients until you have a mini grocery store in your pantry to “shop” from for dinner.
*These prices are based off of averages and are subject to change weekly
Rosemary Corn Bread – Recipe
Half Hour Chili – Recipe
Corn Bread Mix (not on sale, but an inexpensive ingredient)
Eggs, dozen, $1.49-$1.59 (Food City, Target)
Yogurt, 5.3 oz, Free-$1 (almost everywhere)
Green Giant Canned Corn, 14.5-15.25 oz, 39¢ (Publix)
Dried Rosemary
White Onions, 68¢ lb (HEB)
Organic Carrots, 1 lb $1.99-$2 (Harris Teeter, Food City)
Canned Tomatoes, 28 oz, 50¢-$1 (almost everywhere)
Red Beans, Progresso, 15-19 oz, 41¢ (Publix)
Bulgur (or lentils work well here)
Yogurt, 5.3 oz, Free-$1 (almost everywhere)
Scallions (inexpensive ingredient)
(7 Points Plus – 2 for Bread, 5 for Chili)
Butternut Squash Risotto – Recipe
Chicken broth, Progresso, 32 oz, $1.04 (Publix)
Butternut squash (not on sale, so look for a small one)
Shallots (or use Onion instead)
Rice, Mahatma Medium Grain, 9¢ (Publix)
Dry white wine (optional)
Sage
Parmesan Cheese, Kraft Shreds, 5-8 oz, $2.95 (Kroger)
Baby arugula or spinach, Fresh Express, $1.99-$2.99 (almost everywhere)
(7 Points Plus)
Southwestern Sloppy Joes – Recipe
White Onions, 68¢ lb (HEB)
Ground Turkey, 20 oz, $3.99 (Publix)
Green Giant Canned Corn, 14.5-15.25 oz, 39¢ (Publix)
Salsa, 16 oz, $2-$2.39 (Food City, Harris Teeter)
Hamburger Rolls (grab from the deli)
(8 Points Plus)
Inside-Out Lasagna – Recipe
Whole Wheat Pasta, Muellers, 18¢ (Publix)
White Onions, 68¢ lb (HEB)
Mushrooms, 8 oz, $1.50 (Sweetbay, Publix, Ingles)
Canned Tomatoes, 28 oz, 50¢-$1 (almost everywhere)
Baby Spinach, Fresh Express, $1.99-$2.99 (almost everywhere)
Part Skim Ricotta, Sorrento, 32 oz, $3.50
(9 Points Plus)
Turmeric, Tomato & Onion Omelet – Recipe
Eggs, dozen, $1.49-$1.59 (Food City, Target)
Green Onions (inexpensive ingredient)
Canned Tomatoes, 28 oz, 50¢-$1 (almost everywhere)
(6 Points Plus)
