I hope everyone had a fun Halloween! Our little family had a really lovely day and I was especially excited with how our costumes came out. Click here to see the Peanuts gang in action! (I promise I didn’t once pull the football out from under my baby. But I did give out some pretty stellar 5-cent psychiatric advice.)
Not much in the house for breakfast this morning, so Dad made everyone hot chocolate. Which pretty much means the girls had marshmallows for breakfast.
I can’t believe it’s time to come up with another menu! What to eat, what to eat…
MONDAY:
- Orange chicken w/potstickers (from Costco’s freezer section)
- Cauliflower
TUESDAY:
- Homemade pizzas (traditional cheese for the kids, honey goat cheese with caramelized onions for us)
WEDNESDAY:
- Lulu’s
THURSDAY:
- Eat out with the soccer team – last practice of the season!
FRIDAY:
- Cilantro Sour Cream Enchiladas
SATURDAY:
- Leftovers
SUNDAY:
- Chili
Your turn! Please share your menus, big and small!
Hello! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and then count on you to share your own! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
Getting ready for baby, so I’m making double batches so one can be consumed right away and one can be frozen. Any other veggie/ chicken/ kid and freezer-friendly recipes would be appreciated!
Here’s the plan:
*Greek Style Chicken with Veggie Orzo
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/greek-style-garlic-chicken-breast/
*Butternut Squash Lasagna
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/butternut-squash-lasagna-recipe/index.html
*Chicken Taco Casserole
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken-taco-casserole/
*Chicken and Veggie Enchiladas
http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/lightened-up-chicken-enchiladas/
Stuffed Shells, easily frozen and somewhat kid friendly.
Stuffed Shells
Use good ingredients for best results. Don’t skimp on the cheese, and fresh nutmeg is better.
Ingredients
12 Oz Jumbo Shells
4 Cup ricotta cheese (36 Oz Container)
8 Oz Mozzarella, Or Six Cheese Italian-Blend, Shredded
1/2 Cup Pecorino Romano Cheese (or Parmesan), Grated
2 Eggs
1 Tbl Fresh Parsley, Chopped
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/8 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
3 Cup (about 28-oz. jar) spaghetti-sauce
1 Ounce Mozzarella, for top
Preparation
Heat oven to 375F.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together cheeses, eggs, parsley, salt, pepper and
nutmeg.
In 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce. Fill each cooked shell with about 1-1/2 level tablespoons cheese
mixture; layer one-half filled shells in prepared dish. Spread one-half remaining sauce over shells; layer remaining filled shells over sauce. Spread remaining sauce over shells; sprinkle with additional shredded mozzarella, if desired.
Cover with foil; bake 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly (doubling recipe or more may require increased baking time).
8 to 10 servings.
————————–
Can split and freeze into square baking pans. Cover with plastic wrap and foil. Refrigerate up to 20 hours, or freeze up to 2 months.
To bake: remove plastic wrap, replace foil, bake frozen shells at 350 for 2 hours, bake refrigerated shells at 350 for about 40-50 minutes.
Have you ever made the creamy baked chicken taquitos from Our Best Bites? They are so good, easy ( a little time consuming) and the freeze great! The kids love them and so do we. You can add some stuff for variety, beans, corn, etc. one time I made shrimp ones instead of chicken and they were yummy too. They would be perfect, easy on the gassiness (for nursing mom) and no red gravy or too fatty.
I am a huge fan of freezer cooking! In the freezer, I regularly have on hand:
- Stuffed shells (as mentioned above)
- Chicken pot pie filling (serve with a puff pastry topping or over quinoa/rice)
- Meatballs
- Soups (perfect time for squash, carrot!)
- PIzza dough (pizzas or calzones)
- Asian/Mexican-flavored ground beef (serve in lettuce cups, tacos or in stuffed peppers)
- Don’t forget your slow cooker! That baby can make life a lot easier!
Oh wow! Thank you for the recipe and the recommendations! Can’t wait to every single one of them! =)
the butternut squash lasagna sounds yummy – must make soon! for the freezer, i am a fan of stuffed shells, turkey or chicken tettrazzini, ravioli lasagna (recipe on this site), leftover soups in jars, pizza dough, uncooked turkey meatloaf, single serving oatmeal, homemade muffins and quick breads, and chicken and veggie stock. as a mom who works away from home, i cannot express in any words how much a i love my crockpot – this time of year i usually use it a couple times a week! enjoy this time!
I love all of you so much! love that you read sanjana’s post and came back with great recipes. awwwww!!!
I second the Chicken taquito recipe! We have traded our hum-drum burritos on taco night for the steady taquito requests! They are super duper yummo!
Monday: Sweet Potato and Sausage Stew
Tuesday: Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing
Wednesday: Curried Tofu, Sweet Potato Rounds, and Broccoli
Thursday: Easy Vegan Dinner
Friday: Fall Chili
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Dinner with Family
Just finished mine with the exception on Saturday, I just might sneak in pizza to make it easy!
Monday – Spicy Marinated Pork Loin with Rice
Tuesday – Soft Tacos with Refried Beans
Wednesday – Chili con Carne with Tortilla Chips
Thursday – Baked Potato Soup
Friday – Leftover Chili with Hot Dogs and French Fries
I think pizza sounds like a glorious idea
Monday: Beef, veggie, and noodle stir fry
Tuesday: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chicken-piccata-pasta-toss-recipe2/index.html with steamed veggies
Wednesday: take out
Thursday: Chicken noodle soup, salad, bread
Friday: burgers
Saturday: Make your own pizza
Sunday – Lamb chops, baked potatoes, veggie blend
Monday – Salmon pasta with spinach
Tuesday – Tacos with refried beans
Wednesday – Pork chops, scallop potatoes, green beans
Thursday – Pizza, salad
Friday – Leftovers
Saturday – High school band sub, orzo soup
M-corn chowder and baked potatoes
T-baked beef and macaroni
W-paninis
T-pancakes and sausage
F-beef and broccoli stir fry
mmmm….might have to get corn chowder on the menu soon, sounds yummy!
OMG… I just realized you’re in my hood! LOVE Lulu’s!
this week we’re having
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Homemade Pizzas (thank you for the inspiration)
Southern Plate’s “Chicken Chicken” Casserole
Pasta with meatballs and these garlic roll cupcakes http://bit.ly/R653tS
leftovers
and a run to Five Guys!
guess who my upstairs neighbor is? LULU. it’s awesome
Can I please, pretty please, come over on Tuesday? Sounds amazing! OK, the trip might be kind of untenable….
I actually have a meal plan to share this week. Woohoo!
Mon: Fish w/rice and vegetable
Tues: Crockpot no soak black bean soup w/ chipotle pepper w/rice, and tofu or eggs for the boys
Wed: Pasta w/vegetable
Thurs: Leftovers and easy stuff (Peter at an event)
Fri: Pizza – frozen or takeout – and fruit
Sat: Potluck – need to find out what type of dish to bring
Sun:Pasta Puttanesca, and pasta w/sauce for the kids, fruit or something for dessert
why didn’t you come last night? we missed you!
so glad you have a meal plan this week to share, nikki!
Sunday: Steaks on the grill and rice
Monday: Yorkshire Pudding with cranberry sauce
Tuesday: Steak & spinach enchiladas
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Baked chicken nuggets
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out.
Sun- Popeyes chicken and sides
Mon- Red beans and rice, salad and garlic bread
Tues- Homemade Chicken pot pie muffins and camelized apples n piggies
Wed- Chicken parm, salad and garlic bread
Thurs- Taco night and homemade taquitos, freash salsa and fresh chips
Fri- Free for all- leftovers
Sat- Swamp fest at the New Orleans Audubon Zoo….swampy food and LSU/BAMA football food at friends! chili, gumbo,mini muffelatas,cake,cookies and snacks
Sun- Turkey with all the goodies
Sun-Pizza on the BBQ
Mon-Chicken and veggie stir fry
Tue-Meat Loaf, broccoli and/or green beans
Wed-Chicken Paprikash and some green veg
Thur-Sphagetti squash, marinara & basil & parm meat balls
Fri-French toast & bacon & fruit
Sat-left overs
Our plans …
Sunday-halibut, rice and broccoli
Monday-homemade Mac and cheese, green beans
Tuesday-pork chops, asparagus and applesauce
Wednesday-cheese raviolis, salad
Thursday-pizza or takeout (school music program)
Friday-oven fried chicken, baked fries, salad
Sunday: Spaetzle and Lentil Sauce
Monday: Corn Chowder and Homemade Bread
Tuesday: Stir fry
Wednesday: CCD in town, we’re fed there
Thursday: Salmon, squash brussel sprouts
Friday: Squash Ravioli in brown butter sage sauce
Saturday: Out
It’s supposed to snow (sad face) on Thursday so we’ll see what the weekend holds, we may be stuck at my mother in laws with the generator and frozen pizzas
good luck with the weather!!!
Monday-Tacos, quinoa
Tuesday-Spaghetti with meat sauce, bread and broccoli
Wednesday-I think your enchiladas sound awesome, so I’m makin’ them! With some Mexican rice on the side.
Thursday-Quick and spicy tomato soup, Giada’s recipe. Fast and delicious!
Friday-Leftovers
Saturday-Eat out
Sunday-Chili dogs with tots and fruit
Mon: Eggplant Parmesan with spaghetti & Greek salad
Tues: Roast chicken thighs, roasted fall veggies, & braised bok choy
Wed: Zuppa Toscana & tomato-garlic bread (didn’t get to this last week)
Thurs: PW’s Broccoli-cheese soup & loaded baked potatoes
Fri-Sun: Out of town…mini vacation!
A boring week of meals! I’m out of ideas
Sun- roast beef poboys
Mon- chicken wraps
Tue- roast beef and potatoes and veggies
Wed- oven fried pork chops and some side…
Thu- leftovers
Fri- homemade pizza
that happens…but I’m glad you still shared your “boring” ideas, they are still get inspiration! and they aren’t that boring, besides!
I’m a little boring this week too — I’m just trying to survive another crazy week.
Sunday: Maple-sesame-soy salmon with mashed acorn squash (with some coconut oil — yummy) and roasted brussel sprouts.
Monday: Pesto gnocchi with zucchini and peaches.
Tuesday: Calzones (not sure if it’ll be traditional or some other mixture) and salads.
Wednesday: Leftovers.
Thursday: Minestrone soup with beer bread.
Friday: Chicken gyros.
Saturday: Niece’s 2nd birthday party out of town.
Sunday: In-laws coming to stay after the niece’s bday party so I’m hoping they will take us out to eat
boring schmoring!
Loving the sound of the salmon….yummo! Actually, the menu is right up my alley! No bore here!
Sunday: Chicken & dumplings at my parents’ house…YUM!
Monday: Pea soup/baguette and sliced apples
Tuesday: Scallops, carrots, brown rice
Wednesday: Tomato soup/grilled cheese
Thursday: Pasta and red sauce/salad
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out?
Monday – Wholewheat pita breads filled with grilled chicken and veggies
Tuesday – -Homemade burgers with oven chips and roast veg
Wednesday – Tuna salad with crackers + chocolate cake
Thursday – chicken pot pie with hot water pastry and salad
Friday – Omelets (bacon mushroom tomato and cheese)
Saturday – Fish finger bake and salad
Sunday: Chicken thighs, rice, roasted broccoli, grapes
Monday: Birthday Dinner out
Tuesday: Fish and chips, vegies
Wednesday: Hubby cooks. Chicken fajitas, chips and guac
Thursday: Hubby cooks. Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
Friday: Pizza night, salad
Saturday: Cajun meatloaf patties, mashed potatoes, green beans
Mon: Pasta and tomato sauce, salad
Tue: Baked potatoes with pesto and goat cheese (missed this last week)
Wed: Pasta with sausage and kale
Thur: Leek risotto
Fri: Breaded chicken, lemon and rosemary roast potatoes, chilli and garlic kale
Sat: Smitten Kitchen’s stuffed cabbage
Sun: Dinner with mum
I originally had that EXACT recipe from SK on my menu as well, but ended up not making it … let me know how it was!
Sunday. French onion soup and butternut squash soup
Monday. Leftover soup
Tuesday. Election Day. Go vote! Out for dinner after taking son back to university (came home to vote!)
Wednesday baked chicken breasts, oven baked fries and a veggie
Thursday. Spaghetti with sausage
Friday. Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and a salad
Saturday. Out
Sunday: Shrimp “mix” with some leftover shrimp scampi, some leftover shrimp cooked in white wine, spinach, brown rice, and sriracha…it was delicious, but rather improvised.
Monday: Sausage and peppers on nugget pasta
Tuesday: Ham and bean soup and biscuits
Wednesday: Some sort of diner stop…we’ll be on the road
Thursday: Celebration dinner out at a restaurant for a newly adopted family member!
Friday: Spaghetti and meatballs, classic style
Saturday: Not sure yet…something with all of the odds and ends in the fridge at the end of the week.
Husband is on 2nd shift this week so it is just kids and me. Therefore simple kid-friendly meals….
Monday – Tacos
Tuesday – Hot-dogs for kids/ Lasagna for me
Wednesday – Meatball subs and pasta
Thursday – Breakfast – probably chocolate chip pancakes
Friday – OUT
Saturday – Chili or Out depends on my mood
Sunday – Chicken & Rice
Sunday – Chicken Fajitas, Spanish Rice
Monday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Tuesday – Chicken Tortilla Soup
Wednesday – Breakfast (pancakes, eggs, and bacon)
Thursday – Stuffed Shells, Garlic Bread
Friday – Grilled Cheese, Oven Fries
Saturday – Homemade Pizza
sat – turkey potpie with roasted turkey breast leftovers, and salad
sun – turkey meatloaf, smashed potatoes, and mixed veggies
mon – supposed to get soup in crockpot, but just didn’t get around to it getting kids and me out the door, so will probably pick up take out tonight
tues – salmon foil packets, quinoa, broccoli
wed – end of summer harvest soup in crockpot
thurs – haven’t decided – maybe homemade pizza or defrost and cook stuffed shells in freezer with salad
fri – either dinner at nana’s or fondue night at home!
Monday: Cheeseburger Wraps
Tuesday: Skillet Chicken with Apples & Cranberries
Wednesday: Crockpot Quinoa Chili
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: pancakes!!
Saturday: Roasted Chicken
Sunday: leftovers
Can you share the cheeseburger wrap recipe?
this is the recipe i made: http://www.skinnymomskitchen.com/2011/08/09/grilled-cheeseburger-wrap/
i did double the ketchup & worcestershire sauce, omitted the parmesan, and used about 1/4 c real onion (not dried flakes).
Mon: Red Curry-Marinated Steaks w/ stir fry brown rice & salad w/ peanut dressing
Tues: Skillet Chicken & Rice w/ salad & mandarin oranges
Wed: Leftovers
Th: Baked Parmesan Fish Fillets w/ tomato-basil spaghetti squash & garlic wheat toast
Fri: Pizza @ the Park
Sat: Sausage & Eggplant Shells w/ salad & grapes
Doubling up & freezing…
Sun: Chicken Enchiladas w/ rice & beans
Doubling up & freezing…
Hi, Jane! We met at the Citibank Michelin event in SF a few weeks ago–love the blog!
M: Oven roasted potatoes with scalloped ham and broccoli
T: Chicken Bacon Alfredo, green beans, garlic bread
W: Chicken Cacciatore
Th: Baked penne with sausage, spinach
F: Ray leaves for China–kids want soup, so tomato soup with grilled cheese
Sat: Baked potato soup
Sun: Split pea with ham soup
Susan, I am SO glad you came to the site and posted! it was so fun meeting you and chatting with you that evening, was really glad you guys were there! they ended up letting press into the event, so I actually got to taste some of the food
It’s a comfort food week for us…
Sun – chicken & dumplings
Mon – ham & potato casserole
Tue – leftovers
Wed – tex mex casserole
Thu – leftovers
Fri – spaghetti w/ garlic cheese bread
Sat – leftovers
saturday – Trick or Treat. candy for dinner.
sunday – sausage & leek quiche w/ homefries & field green salad
Monday – Shepherds Pie
Tues – baked bbq chicken, roasted squash, field green salad
Wed – spaghetti & meatballs w/ fresh bread
Thurs – another sausage & onion quiche
Fri – leftovers
Can you share your shepherd pie recipe….I have a great one, but want to compare and maybe tweak it! Thanks..
mine is super easy – 1lb ground beef or sausage. cooked through w/ garlic & onion. 1 can creamed corn. 2 sweet potatoes, boiled & mashed.
layer beef, then corn, then top w/ potato. bake till bubbly. (30 min/350°)
Sounds yummy…and easy. I make mine more old school, but I’d be willing to try an easy one. Thanks!
Monday~Beef Tips over Rice
http://www.food.com/recipe/beef-tips-17990
Tuesday~ Sheppards Pie (my own recipe)
Wednesday~Maple Mustard Chicken
http://www.food.com/recipe/dump-maple-mustard-chicken-308779
Thursday~ out to eat (kids bd)
Friday~Baked sweet & sour chicken/fried rice (using leftover rice from Monday)
http://life-as-a-lofthouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/baked-sweet-and-sour-chicken-with-fried.html?m=1
Hi…
I see you have shepherd pie (your recipe)…will you share? I love cottage pie, almost the same(no lamb) and sometimes we do shepherd(with lamb)…all 5 kiddos eat it up. I love to get new recipes. Thanks…Courtney
Yes! My veggie measurments are estimates…my older boys won’t even come near it if they can ‘see’ an onion. If yours don’t mind, add more…I’d say up to a cup of each.
1lb Hamb meat (sometimes I use ground turkey as well)
1/4 C chopped onion
1/2 C peas/carrots (froz kind)
1/2 t each parsley,oregano & basil
dash of cinnamon (and by dash I mean maybe 1/8 t, go easy!)
2 T flour
salt and pepper
1 T tomato paste
1/4 C beer
1 jar beef gravy (I use Heinz low fat/fat free one)
Mashed potatoes (store bought or homemade)
Cheddar Cheese
Brown hamb meat and onion together salt and pepper to your liking, drain. Add in seasonings, stir then add the flour. Stir to incorporate and give the flour time to do what flour does. Next add the beer and tomato paste. Simmer this for a miunte or two then add in gravy and lower the heat. I let this hang out on the stove for a good 15-20 minutes while I get my casserole dish, cheese and potatoes ready. Pour the hamb mixture into a casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes, smoothing them the best you can, then sprinkle with as much cheese as your family likes. I have a mixed crew so half gets more than the other half. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or so or until cheese melts and you see your gravy mix bubbly. On days when I am short on time, we’ve had this upside down. Potatoes on the plate then spoon hamb gravy over the top. Enjoy!
Yours is more like mine…I use the cinnamon too! Gonna try the beer, thats new. A stout or regular beer? The rest is pretty much like mine and my kids eat some before the potatoes get on and then eat again when the taters make the show. Suprising, they love the homecooked meals. Thanks for the recipe!
seriously, I am SO GRATEFUL for all of you. each week you come through, share menus, give great ideas. it’s the BEST.
First time posting and sooo glad I found this blog!
Day 1: BBQ Chicken, corn, black beans, salad
Day 2: Baked potatoes stuffed with leftover shredded BBQ chicken, corn & cheddar cheese, salad
Day 3: Butternut squash pasta w/ bacon, salad
Day 4: Scrambled eggs, potatoes o’brien, bacon, fresh fruit
Day 5: Out to dinner with friends, hubby will have leftovers!
Day 6: Pot roast w/ carrots and potatoes
Day 7: Roast beef sandwiches, sweet potato fries
Sun- sweet and sour chicken
Mon- lasagna
Tue- fish tacos
Wed- soup and salad
Thur- hamburgers
Fri- ribs
Sat- chicken parmesan