I have a lot of questions about menu planning, I confess that we don’t plan our menu’s off of the weekly ads.  My pantry is a small version of the grocery store so I don’t need to plan based on this weeks sales.  I’m also just not a menu girl.  I’m the person that has to bring extra pairs of clothes on a trip because I might change my mind.

Menu Planning is something that many of you do, so I have enlisted the help of one of my best friends.  She is the ultimate menu planner in my mind.  I’m always talking coupons and she is always sharing whats at home in her crock pot or oven.  (I secretly strive to be her, but I know my limits.)

Without further adeu here is Amy’s Menu Ideas for the week.  Our goal, pick things where the main ingredients are on sale, hopefully you have the staple ingredients from past sale weeks.

This weeks splurge: Gouda Cheese

Beef Ravioli in Basil Cream Sauce
Celentano Ravioli $1.99
Hunt’s Tomatoes with chilies $0.19
Kraft Grated Parmesan $2.50

**or**

Tuscan Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream
Celentano Ravioli - $1.99
Classico Sundried Tomato Alfredo Sauce  - $0.74
Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes $0.19
**for added protein add Chicken Breast

Chicken with Grapes, Couscous and Asparagus
Chicken Breast $1.99 lb
Swanson Broth $0.29
Grapes $1.49 lb
Asparagus $2.49 lb

Mac & Cheddar Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli
Boneless Chicken Breast $1.99 lb (at Kroger)
Ronzoni Elbow Macaroni $0.19
Eat Smart Brocolli Florets $1
Swanson Chicken Broth $0.29
(3) Cabot Cheddar Cheese 8 oz $1.33 or (1) Kroger Cheddar Cheese 24oz $3.99

Beef Burritos & Beef BBQ (2 meals from the same roast)
Sirloin Tip Roast $2.99 lb

*note about cheese - When blocks of cheese are on sale, stock up.  You can shred it yourself, getting more cheese for your money.  Two 8 ounce blocks of cheese = about 4 cups shredded.  I shred it and put it in the freezer.  I have not noticed any textural or taste change doing this.  Freeze up to 3 months.

This brings me to my very prized macaroni and cheese recipe.  This is the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever made.  Once you’ve tried it you can play around with the cheeses.

Smoked Gouda Macaroni & Cheese
start with this recipe and add:
16oz Bacon Fried and Chopped
Substitute Cheddar Cheese with Gouda
**if you are sticking with Cheddar, substitute the 10oz package for 8oz (it’s impossible to find a 10oz size)

This is not a low calorie recipe and we have it maybe once every 3 months or so.  ENJOY!

Jenny again: I have to say after all the years of just buying the sale items, I never realized that I came home with so much that I could actually make a meal from.