- Plan different types of main dishes for different days of the week. Ideas for meal types include: soups and stews, salads, sandwiches, ground beef, roast beef, chicken and poultry, variety game meats, quick and easy, Mexican, Italian, Oriental, casseroles, vegetarian.
- Plan realistically. Develop a repertoire of a few dishes that can be prepared twice each month and with ingredients that are easily available. Make a shopping list for two weeks, for one month double ingredients, for two double it again and for three months double it again. So for example, 1 can of black beans for a recipe used 6 times in 3 months means you buy 6 cans of black beans. Don’t be afraid to switch menus and days for variety.
- Plan on paper and save your plan. Remember as you use ingredients, add them to the list for replacement.
Photo: RustyBuggy.com
Three Month Supply Dinner Menus
WEEK 1
- Tuscan Bean Soup
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans cannellini beans
14 oz. chicken broth (or bouillon)
Olive oil, garlic, onions, parsley & oregano - Tuna Macaroni Salad, canned vegetable
small box of macaroni or other pasta shape (equals 1 cup dried pasta)
2 cans tuna
mayonnaise
sweet pickles
eggs, boiled
onions, dill, parsley - Spaghetti, fresh greens for salad
spaghetti pasta
spaghetti sauce or canned diced tomatoes, olive oil, garlic
ground beef, pork or textured vegetable protein - Chicken & Rice, vegetable
rice
chicken pieces
onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup - Chili
kidney, black or great northern beans
canned tomatoes, chili seasoning, onion, garlic
ground beef or textured vegetable protein - Salmon Patties, vegetable
canned salmon
cracker or bread crumbs, egg, seasonings, onion - Macaroni & Cheese, canned vegetable
Macaroni pasta
canned milk, flour, onion, butter
multiple choices of cheese (cheddar, cream)
WEEK 2
- Taco Soup, cornbread
canned pinto beans, kidney beans or black beans
canned tomatoes, onions, corn
ground beef or textured vegetable protein - Tuna Casserole, vegetable
macaroni pasta
3 cans tuna
2 cans peas
cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise
bread crumbs or cheese topping optional - Sloppy Joes, canned vegetable
Manwich® mix
ground beef
buns - Chicken Orzo Soup, bread
chicken pieces, broth
onions, celery, carrots
orzo or other pasta or rice works too
canned peas - Hummus with Pita and Olives
garbanzo beans
tahini, lemon juice
garlic, parsley
Pita and olives - Bean & Burger Casserole, canned corn
canned pork & beans
canned tomatoes, onions, bacon, cheese
ground beef - Potato Soup, bread
potatoes
flour
milk
bacon and seasonings
