Dinner Menu for 12/18 - 12/31

Fri. 12/18: Chicken Tortilla Soup and cornbread
Sat. 12/19: Breakfast for dinner
Sun. 12/20: Taco Salad
Mon. 12/21: Chicken Tikka Masala
Tue. 12/22: Sloppy Joes
Wed. 12/23: Chicken Tortellini Bake
Thu. 12/24: Christmas Eve w/ friends -provide meat and veggies
Fri. 12/25: Christmas w/ Gma -provide?
Sat. 12/26: Veggie Lasagna - triple layer it and add more veggies
Sun. 12/27: Tomato Basil Soup and rolls
Mon. 12/28: Mexican Casserole w/ cms
Tue. 12/29: Ham and ...
Wed. 12/30: leftovers
Thu. 12/31: Texan New Year's Eve -Shredded BBQ pork on rolls, jalapeño poppers, fruits and veggies, Dr. Pepper cake

Dinner Menu for 11/17 - 11/30

Tue. 11/17: BLT's and green beans
Wed. 11/18: Crustless Quiche
Thu. 11/19: Turkey Burgers
Fri. 11/20: Lime Chicken Fajitas
Sat. 11/21: Hearty Turkey and Bean Chili
Sun. 11/22: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
Mon. 11/23: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos
Tue. 11/24: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Wed. 11/25: Cream Cheese Vegetable Soup
Thu. 11/26: THANKSGIVING! Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, green salad, sweet potato casserole, corn, jello salad, rolls, cranberry sauce, pie
Fri. 11/27: leftovers
Sat. 11/28: Turkey Noodle Soup
Sun. 11/29: Breakfast
Mon. 11/30: Pizza

Dinner Menu for 10/31 - 11/15

Sat. 10/31: Papa Murphy's Jack o' Lantern pizza
Sun. 11/1: Breakfast for dinner -French toast
Mon. 11/2: Jake's birthday! Beef roast, mashed potatoes, green salad, and pecan pie
Tue. 11/3: Mom at RS dinner, family gets Costco ravioli and broccoli salad
Wed. 11/4: Taco salad
Thu. 11/5: Deluxe Mac and Cheese
Fri. 11/6: Buttermilk Chicken fingers and green beans
Sat. 11/7: Southwest stuffed peppers
Sun. 11/8: Grilled cheese sandwiches and spinach salad
Mon. 11/9: Chicken, Bacon, Pesto Pizza with Matt's dough
Tue. 11/10: Loaded Nachos
Wed. 11/11: Chicken Noodle Soup
Thu. 11/12: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Fri. 11/13: Breakfast for dinner
Sat. 11/14: Basil Chicken Wraps
Sun. 11/15: dunno yet

Sweet Potato Casserole

I really like sweet potatoes. I prefer them on the savory and salty side rather than sweet. I refuse to eat them from a can, and I'd rather poke my eyes with a spork than put marshmallows on them.
This casserole is sweet. And delicious. I love it much too much.
It most definitely earned it's spot on the Thanksgiving traditional family menu.
I got this recipe from my church friend, who made it for a couple of Relief Society (our church's women's organization) functions. She has been making it for her family for over 35 years.
The last time I had it, my mother in law made it, and she only put 1/2 cup of sugar into it. It still tasted just as great. So, that's an option!

Sweet Potato Casserole  from Karen Niehaus 

Mix Together:

1 Large Can or 2 Cups Sweet Potatoes, Drained and Mashed

½ Stick Butter (4 Tbsp)

1/3 Cup Evaporated Milk

½ tsp. Salt

2 Eggs, Beaten

1 Cup Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

Place in a greased casserole dish.

Mix Topping Together:

½ Cup Flour

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1/3 Cup Butter

1 Cup Chopped Pecans

Spread loosely on top of potato mixture.

Bate at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.  Will bubble a bit.

Dinner Menu for 10/1 - 10/7

Thu. 10/1: Chicken, Spinach, and Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Peppers and Rosemary Bread
Fri. 10/2: Costco Sausage Ravioli w/ Pesto Sauce
Sat. 10/3: Hotdogs
Sun. 10/4: Breakfast for Dinner - Pumpkin Pancakes and smoothies
Mon. 10/5: Spaghetti and herbed meatballs
Tue. 10/6: Chicken Azteca
Wed. 10/7: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Dinner Menu for 9/22 - 10/1

Tue. 9/22: Spaghetti w/ Italian sausage
Wed. 9/23: Mediterranean Pork and couscous
Thu. 9/24: French bread deli sub and Orzo Salad*
Fri. 9/25: Taco Salad w/ tortilla bowls
Sat. 9/26: SMU Tailgate! Go Mustangs!
Sun. 9/27: Teriyaki stir fry
Mon. 9/28: Pork chops and stuffing
Tue. 9/29: Chicken Noodle Soup and rolls
Wed. 9/30: Breakfast
Thu. 10/1: Buttermilk chicken strips and Annie's mac and cheese

Chicken Azteca

This one is particularly great because we almost always have all ingredients on hand. The kids like it as much as the adults. As long as you think in advance for the crockpot, it's quick, easy, and relatively healthy and hearty.

3 - 4 Chicken breasts

1/2 C chicken broth

1 C Salsa

3 cans rinsed and drained black beans

minced garlic to taste

1 tsp cumin

6 - 7 hours on low in crockpot

Shred, salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over cornbread and top with cheddar or Colby jack cheese

The recipe can be a little bland when you use all chicken and all beans and mild salsa like I do, and it makes a lot. I discovered last time I made it for our family, that it tasted even better when I used 3 chicken breasts and only two cans of beans. The flavor of the salsa and seasonings were able to come through more. I also added some chili powder.

It freezes okay (I sometimes freeze half when I do the full chicken and beans amount), It's not pretty when you reheat because it's mush, but it still tastes great, and it's nice to make two meals at once.

Dinner Menu for 9/2 - 9/14

So, for all that we've got going on, my MO for this pay period is "use what you have or think of something cheap and easy." I will add plenty of fresh produce, but I'm determined to really stretch my dollar and my time this go 'round.

Wed. 9/2: Annie's mac and cheese
Thu. 9/3: Taco Salad
Fri. 9/4: Pesto tortellini w/ Italian sausage
Sat. 9/5: Tuna Sandwiches
Sun. 9/6: Whole Wheat Carrot Applesauce Muffins* and scrambled eggs
Mon. 9/7: Black Beans and Rice
Tue. 9/8: Mango Quinoa Salad and Quesadillas
Wed. 9/9: Rolled Chicken*
Thu. 9/10: Meatloaf and rolls
Fri. 9/11: Hotdogs
Sat. 9/12: Chicken Noodle Soup
Sun. 9/13: Breakfast Dinner
Mon. 9/14: Chicken Tikka Masala

Dinner Menu for 8/16 - 8/31

Sun. 8/16: Caprese Paninis
Mon. 8/17: White Bean and Sausage Ragout
Tue. 8/18: Taco Salad
Wed. 8/19: Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
Thu. 8/20: Hawaiian Haystacks
Fri. 8/21: Sloppy Joes
Sat. 8/22: Crispy Southwest Wraps
Sun. 8/23: Cream Cheese Veggie Soup
Mon. 8/24: Rotisserie Chicken, French Bread, fruits and veggies
Tue. 8/25: Creamy Tuscan Pasta* w/ Chicken
Wed. 8/26: Baked Oatmeal and scrambled eggs
Thu. 8/27: Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Fri. 8/28: Chicken Azteca
Sat. 8/29: Sweet and Sour Meatballs on rice
Sun. 8/30: Spaghetti w/ meat sauce
Mon. 8/31: Pizza

Dinner Menu for 8/5 - 8/15

Wed. 8/5: Chicken, Spinach, and Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Peppers w/ this chicken
Thu. 8/6: Sweet Potato Hash w/ Fried Eggs*
Fri. 8/7: Turkey Burgers and bake fries
Sat. 8/8: Homemade Ramen w/ veggies
Sun. 8/9: Turkey and Bean Chili, green salad, and cornbread
                for dessert: Lemonies*
Mon. 8/10: Chicken Tortellini Bake
Tue. 8/11: Baked Ranch Chicken Tenders and veggies
Wed. 8/12: Yorkshire pudding, scrambled eggs w/ bacon, and fruit
Thu. 8/13: Tuna Pasta Salad and....somethin' else nutritious, I'm sure.
Fri. 8/14: Meatloaf and roasted potatoes
Sat. 8/15: TBD

Some ideas from someone else --thank you!

Often when I come across a weekly menu on a recipe blog, I leave it thinking something along the lines of, "Yah, right. Like I've got the time/resources/money pull a menu like that off. OR, and most importantly, it doesn't fit in with our family's food tastes. If no one likes it, what's the point? I happened to see this particular weekly menu today, and it largely fits our bill. So, we will eventually happily give some/most of these recipes a try.
http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/weekly-menu-plan-6.html -the following recipes we are trying this week are posted here.
Tue.: Butternut Squash Soup* and Teriyaki Spinach Pasta salad*
Wed.: Pizza Stuffed Shells*
Thu.: Slow Cooker Ranch Pork chops* and potatoes
Fri: Out
Sat.: Tex Mex Chicken and Rice Casserole*

I'd like to try...

Having had sweet baby boy last week, I'm not ready to be on top of the menu planning. However, I've had some recipes bookmarked for a while that I'd like to try sooner than later. I wanted to post them here so that I had them in one easy spot.

Overnight Oatmeal Cinnamon Pancakes
Healthy Banana Blueberry Muffins
Peaches and Cream Oatmeal Smoothie
Veggie Burger
No Bake Berry Yogurt Cheesecakes
Baked Blueberry Lemon French Toast
Lemony Lemon Brownie Bites
Baked Ranch Chicken Tenders and Veggies
Sweet Potato Hash
Pesto Chicken Penne
Crockpot Baked Potatoes

Dinner Menu for 6/19 - 6/30

Fri. 6/19: Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad w/ Teriyaki Vinagarette
Sat. 6/20: Left overs
Sun. 6/21: Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
Mon. 6/22: Veggie Lasagna -3 layers
Tue. 6/23: BBQ Chicken Legs and corn on the cob
Wed. 6/24: Quick Crustless Quiche
Thu. 6/25: Spaghetti and meatballs
Fri. 6/26: Baked Chicken Taquitos (double and freeze)
Sat. 6/27: Ham Fried Rice
Sun. 6/28: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff (freeze half?)
Mon. 6/29: Stuffed Spinach Shells
Tue. 6/30: Meatloaf

Dinner Menu for 6/2 - 6/15

Tue. 6/2: Crustless Quiche
Wed. 6/3: Veggie Cream Cheese Soup w/ bread sticks
Thu. 6/4: Autumn Chopped Salad and Twice Baked Potatoes
Fri. 6/5: Turkey and Avocado Pinwheels
Sat. 6/6: BBQ Pork Ribs and Corn on the Cob
Sun. 6/7: Turkey and Bean Chili and cornbread
Mon. 6/8: Taco Salad
Tue. 6/9: Mango Quinoa Salad and quesadillas
Wed. 6/10: Spaghetti w/ meat sauce
Thu. 6/11: Lazy Sunday Casserole
Fri. 6/12: Homemade Pizza
Sat. 6/13: Baked Oatmeal and scrambled eggs
Sun. 6/14: Beef and Bean Burritos -missionaries over
Mon. 6/15: Out

Dinner Menu for 5/19 - 5/31

Tue. 5/19: Skillet Chicken Pasta w/ Broccoli
Wed. 5/20: Turkey Burgers and sweet potato fries
Thu. 5/21: Chicken, Spinach, and Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Peppers
Fri. 5/22: L Taco Salad
Sat. 5/23: Tuna Pasta Salad and...
Sun. 5/24: L Baguette sandwiches
Mon. 5/25: Out
Tue. 5/26: Enchilada Casserole
Wed. 5/27: Mediterranean Pork and Couscous
Thu. 5/28 Loaded Mac and Cheese
Fri. 5/29: L Chicken Puffs
Sat. 5/30: Cream Cheese and Veggie Soup and Rosemary Bread
Sun. 5/31: L Breakfast
*Sour Cream Muffins, Carrot Cake

Dinner Menu for 5/1 - 5/15

Fri. 5/1: Costco Ravioli and salad
Sat. 5/2: Tuna Sandwiches
Sun. 5/3: Spinach, Chicken, and Pasta Salad w/ Teriyaki dressing
Mon. 5/4: L -Taco Salad
Tue. 5/5: Southwest Stuffed Peppers
Wed. 5/6: Homemade Ramen soup and veggies
Thu. 5/7: Baked Chicken Taquitos
Fri. 5/8: Out!
Sat. 5/9: L -BBQ Chicken and Corn on the Cob
Sun. 5/10: Turkey and Bean Chili and cornbread
Mon. 5/11: L -Spaghetti
Tue. 5/12: Breakfast for dinner
Wed. 5/13: Mexican Casserole with cms
Thu. 5/14: Fancy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Fri. 5/15: L- Red Beans and Rice

Dinner Menu for 4/3 - 4/15

Fri. 4/3: L Spaghetti Night
Sat. 4/4: L Turkey Avocado Sandwiches
Sun. 4/5: Easter Dinner -ham, skinny potato casserole, rolls, green salad, Heavenly Blueberry and Cream Angel Dessert*
Mon. 4/6: Salad night -pasta, potato, green
Tue. 4/7: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos
Wed. 4/8: Hawaiian Haystacks
Thu. 4/9: L Taco Salad
Fri. 4/10: Tomato Basil Soup and Rosemary Bread
Sat. 4/11: L Chicken Potato Pie
Sun. 4/12: Toasted Tuna Sandwiches
Mon. 4/13: Honey Lime Enchiladas
Tue. 4/14: Breakfast for dinner
Wed. 4/15: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Dinner Menu for 3/20 - 4/1

Fri. 3/20: Yorkshire Pudding and scrambled spinach eggs
Sat. 3/21: Turkey and Avocado pinwheels
Sun. 3/22: Homemade Ramen and veggies
Mon. 3/23: Chicken, Spinach, and Sundried Tomato stuffed peppers
Tue. 3/24: Pesto and Sausage Baked Ziti
Wed. 3/25: Split Pea Soup w/ Barley and Ham
Thu. 3/26: Fish Sticks and Veggies
Fri. 3/27: Chicken and Broccoli Skillet Pasta
Sat. 3/28: Sloppy Joes
Sun. 3/29: Southwest Wraps
Mon. 3/30: Tortellini Primavera
Tue. 3/31: Tomato Basil Soup and RM Bread
Wed. 4/1: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Dinner Menu for 3/6 - 3/16

Fri. 3/6: BLT's
Sat. 3/7: Ham and cheese rolls
Sun. 3/8: Baked Potato bar
Mon. 3/9: Shrapnel dip and quesadillas
Tue. 3/10: Baked Pasta w/ Chicken Sausage
Wed. 3/11: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos
Thu. 3/12: Hawaiian Haystacks
Fri. 3/13: BBQ Pork Ribs and biscuits
Sat. 3/14: Paprika Chicken Stroganoff
Sun. 3/15: Swiss on Rye
Mon. 3/16: Buttermilk chicken fingers and potato salad

Dinner Menu for 2/17 - 3/1

Tue. 2/17: Tuna Pasta Salad and spinach salad
Wed. 2/18: Taco salad (l/o taco meat in freezer)
Thu. 2/19: White Bean and Sausage Ragout on rice (w/ spinach instead of kale)
Fri. 2/20: Chicken/Spinach/Sundried Tomato Stuffed Peppers
Sat. 2/21: Kids: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and veggies
Sun. 2/22: Superfood Soup and French bread (didn't get to it last time)
Mon. 2/23: Pesto Pizza w/ Matt's Pizza Dough
Tue. 2/24: Crock Pot Cashew Chicken
Wed. 2/25: Tex Mex Enchilada Casserole
Thu. 2/26: Cream Cheese Veggie Soup (meatless version)
Fri. 2/27: Meatloaf
Sat. 2/28: Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Sun. 2/29: Breakfast for dinner

Dinner Menu for 2/1 - 2/15

Sun. 2/1: Taco Salad
Mon. 2/2: Costco tomato soup, cheese bread, steamed green beans
Tue. 2/3: Sub sandwiches
Wed. 2/4: Breakfast burritos
Thu. 2/5: Chicken Tikka Masala (didn't get to it last time)
Fri. 2/6: Tortellini Primavera*
Sat. 2/7: It's Up to Dad Night
Sun. 2/8: Homemade Ramen and veggie soup
Mon. 2/9 Baked Potato bar
Tue. 2/10: Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini*
Wed. 2/11: Beef and Bean Burritos*
Thu. 2/12: Roasted Red Pepper Pasta*
Fri. 2/13: Pizza night!
Sat. 2/14:  Mini Meatball Sandwiches* and something obligatorily heart shaped.
Sun. 2/15: Superfood Soup and homemade French bread

*New recipes this week brought to you by selections from a list of easy and quick recipes from The Pioneer Woman! The ones I chose appealed most to our family's tastes, but here is her complete list if you are interested: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2014/05/my-favorite-quick-and-easy-dinners/

Dinner Menu for 1/18 - 1/31

Sun. 1/18: Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup and homemade French bread
Mon. 1/19: Turkey Burgers and Sweet Potato fries/oven roasted potato wedges
Tue. 1/20: Taco Salad
Wed. 1/21: Chicken Kebabs w/ creamy pesto
Thu. 1/22: Veggie Lasagna
Fri. 1/23: Slow Cooker Chicken Philly Sandwiches*
Sat. 1/24: Quick Crustless Quiche
Sun. 1/25: Southwest Wraps
Mon. 1/26: Costco Ravioli
Tue. 1/27: Chicken Tikka Masala
Wed. 1/28: Tuna Pasta Salad and smoothies
Thu. 1/29: I'll figure out the rest as I go...and probably throw in a breakfast night...
Fri. 1/30:
Sat. 1/31:
Breakfast ideas: Oatmeal Cups, Bran Muffins*, Homemade Cereal

Dinner menu for 1/5 - 1/16

Add sides as needed...
Mon. 1/5: Chicken Noodle Soup w/ garlic toast
Tue. 1/6: Pulled BBQ Pork sandwiches
Wed. 1/7: Hawaiian Haystacks
Thu. 1/8: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos
Fri. 1/9: Bagel Sandwiches
Sat. 1/10: Pizza -using Matt's pizza dough
Sun. 1/11: Turkey and Bean Chili and cornbread
Mon. 1/12: Chicken Tenders
Tue. 1/13: Baked Potato bar
Wed. 1/14: Sweet and Sour Chicken
Thu. 1/15: Breakfast sandwiches (English muffins, ham, egg, and cheese)
Fri. 1/16: Costco Spinach and Cheese Ravioli

Breakfast ideas: Baked Steel Cut Oats, Bagels, Ham and potato hash, Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes*