This is a post I did a while back - but I thought I'd share it again. I'm sure some prices have changed, so I cannot promise it will be under $200 - but it would be really darn close - and the idea of having a month of dinners at home right now would be reassuring.
As many of you know, I recently was sharing an awesome blog post by one of my favourite bloggers Erin from $5 Dinners. She figured out 20 Dinner meals for $150 and all from Costco.
Now being that she's American, I decided to jump in, and follow her directions to see if we could do it from a Canadian Costco.
As I started digging through the recipes and shopping list, I wasn't all that impressed with the recipes (Sorry Erin - but we did love the Mango Avocado Salsa Chicken!). I know that everyone has different tastes, yadda yadda - but jarred pasta sauce with browned ground beef was exactly the type of tired meals I have been wanting to get away from. I work 50 hours a week and we are a busy family! Although I don't have a lot of time for cooking, I find planning ahead and knowing what is for dinner makes getting a meal on the table that is healthy and delicious that much easier - and life a little more organized.
Disclaimer:
These meals are at least 4 servings.
I do assume you have some basic items - spices, condiments, etc...
The list includes things you will only use portions of - I doubt you'll eat 16 lbs of rice in one month - so the cost is for 4 servings - I've only accounted for what is used - you might make more or less.
You may already have some items - like eggs - on hand, so I don't expect you to buy more. Use what you have and save the difference.
So without further adieu, here is what I have come up with:
Homemade Pizzas with Simple Salad x4
Sweet + Sour Meatballs over Rice with Simple Salad, Dinner Rolls x2
Mama's Spaghetti Sauce over Pasta with Rolls x3
Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Vegetables x2
Grilled Steaks, Sauteed Mushrooms + Onions, Baked Potatoes, Simple Salad x2
Smothered Pork Chops, Rice, Steamed Vegetables x2
Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry over Rice x2
'Left Over' Nachos
Slow Cooked Roast Pork with Gravy and Potatoes, Carrots and Onions and Rolls
Roasted Chicken with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Steamed Vegetables x2
Soft Tacos x2
Crock Pot Ravioli and Rolls x2
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Simple Salad x2
Zesty Italian Chicken with Potatoes and Steamed Vegetables
Bacon Fried Rice
Twice Baked Fully Loaded Potatoes and Salad
I highly recommend looking at your family calendar and taking your schedules into consideration decide what dinner you'll be making when. Some dinners are a "Cook Once Eat Twice" meal such as the meat balls or pulled pork. Some dinners are a "Cook Once and Stock the Freezer" such as the Spaghetti Sauce which makes 6+ dinners.
I've posted the Recipe links HERE.
The price breakdown is HERE.
I've posted the Shopping List HERE for you to print. Compare it to what you already have on hand, so you'll know exactly what you'll need for the next 30 days.
As many of you know, I recently was sharing an awesome blog post by one of my favourite bloggers Erin from $5 Dinners. She figured out 20 Dinner meals for $150 and all from Costco.
Now being that she's American, I decided to jump in, and follow her directions to see if we could do it from a Canadian Costco.
As I started digging through the recipes and shopping list, I wasn't all that impressed with the recipes (Sorry Erin - but we did love the Mango Avocado Salsa Chicken!). I know that everyone has different tastes, yadda yadda - but jarred pasta sauce with browned ground beef was exactly the type of tired meals I have been wanting to get away from. I work 50 hours a week and we are a busy family! Although I don't have a lot of time for cooking, I find planning ahead and knowing what is for dinner makes getting a meal on the table that is healthy and delicious that much easier - and life a little more organized.
Disclaimer:
These meals are at least 4 servings.
I do assume you have some basic items - spices, condiments, etc...
The list includes things you will only use portions of - I doubt you'll eat 16 lbs of rice in one month - so the cost is for 4 servings - I've only accounted for what is used - you might make more or less.
You may already have some items - like eggs - on hand, so I don't expect you to buy more. Use what you have and save the difference.
So without further adieu, here is what I have come up with:
Homemade Pizzas with Simple Salad x4
Sweet + Sour Meatballs over Rice with Simple Salad, Dinner Rolls x2
Mama's Spaghetti Sauce over Pasta with Rolls x3
Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Vegetables x2
Grilled Steaks, Sauteed Mushrooms + Onions, Baked Potatoes, Simple Salad x2
Smothered Pork Chops, Rice, Steamed Vegetables x2
Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry over Rice x2
'Left Over' Nachos
Slow Cooked Roast Pork with Gravy and Potatoes, Carrots and Onions and Rolls
Roasted Chicken with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Steamed Vegetables x2
Soft Tacos x2
Crock Pot Ravioli and Rolls x2
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Simple Salad x2
Zesty Italian Chicken with Potatoes and Steamed Vegetables
Bacon Fried Rice
Twice Baked Fully Loaded Potatoes and Salad
I highly recommend looking at your family calendar and taking your schedules into consideration decide what dinner you'll be making when. Some dinners are a "Cook Once Eat Twice" meal such as the meat balls or pulled pork. Some dinners are a "Cook Once and Stock the Freezer" such as the Spaghetti Sauce which makes 6+ dinners.
I've posted the Recipe links HERE.
The price breakdown is HERE.
I've posted the Shopping List HERE for you to print. Compare it to what you already have on hand, so you'll know exactly what you'll need for the next 30 days.