Ingredients: 1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots 1 (3 oz.)bag bacon pieces 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 3/4 cup milk salt & pepper, to taste

Here is the New Menu for March... if you have any questions please comment the m below 

and I will answer them as soon as I can... Enjoy! 

Steaks- Everyone perfers something different so get what you perfer
1 pouch fresh mushrooms

Marinate Steaks in Worcestershire Sauce over night... Grill
Toss mush rooms in 1 tbsp of olive oil and cook in saucepan til brown!

I am as guilty as the next person I like to buy discounted food so I found steaks on sale at the local Wal-Mart and it was such a good price I could not pass up.... soooo guess who bought them! Aldi has mushrooms for $.99 cents this week! Perfect weekend supper!!

Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

 Ingredients:
1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots
1 (3 oz.)bag bacon pieces
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup milk
salt & pepper, to taste

 Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Layer half of the frozen tater tots on the bottom of the slow cooker.  Sprinkle with 1/3 of the bacon pieces.  top with 1/3 of the shredded cheese.  Add diced chicken on top.  Season with salt & pepper.  Now add 1/3 of the bacon pieces and another 1/3 of shredded cheese.  Put the rest of the frozen tater tots on top. 
Finish with the remaining 1/3 cheddar cheese and remaining 1/3 of bacon pieces.  Pour 3/4 cup milk all over the top.

 Cover and cook on low about 4-6 hours.

 

 Easy Crockpot Hot Chicken Sandwiches

4 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 bag of salt and vinegar potato chips; crushed

sweet pickles are optional but I recommend! 

Crock-Pot Hamburger Potatoe Casserole
1 lb. ground beef
Garlic salt
1 cup water
½ tsp cream of tartar
6 potatoes thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
¼ cup flour
½ tsp pepper
1 cup grated cheddar cheese, divided
2 Tbsp. butter
10 ¾ oz can cream of mushroom soup (you can use cream of chicken instead) 
 1. Brown ground beef and sprinkle in some garlic salt for flavor.
2. In a separate bowl, combine water and cream of tartar. Toss potatoes in water. Drain.
3. In another bowl, mix together onion, flour, salt, pepper and half of cheese.
4. Place browned beef in bottom of crock pot. Top with a layer of potatoes. Add onion cheese mixture.
5. Dot top with butter.
6. Pour soup over all.
7. Cover. Cook on low 7-9 hours or high 3-4 hours.
8. Sprinkle with remaining cheese over top, 30 min. before serving. 

Long Boy Burgers
2-4 (6-inch) sub rolls, split in half lengthwise
1 1/4 cup cornflakes, crushed
1/2 small onion, minced
1/2 cup whole or lowfat milk
6 tablespoons ketchup, separated
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds 90% lean ground beef
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
 Adjust the oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees.

1. Bake rolls, cut side up, on wire rack inside rimmed baking sheet until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.

2. Combine cornflakes, onion, milk, 4 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic powder, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Add meat and knead gently until well combined.

3. Top toasted rolls evenly with meat mixture, spreading meat to edges of rolls. Brush top of meat mixture evenly with remaining ketchup and bake until meat registers 160 degrees, 20-25 minutes. Top burgers with cheese and continue to bake until cheese melts, 3-4 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes. Serve.

Two Timin Pasta

1 box penne pasta

1 (15 oz.) jar Alfredo sauce

1 (24oz.) jar Marinara sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook Pasta according to box.  Mix 2 sauces together in a large bowl, set aside.

 Add the mozzarella and stir to combine.  Then toss in the penne and toss to coat.

 Pour pasta into 9x13 baking dish and cook on 350 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese and bake for another 5 minutes.  

 Taco Bake with Spanish Rice

                  1 pound ground Turkey

                 1 packet taco seasoning

                 water as called for on back of seasoning packet

                 3 large flour  Whole Wheat tortillas (8-inch size)

                 1/2 cup Mild Salsa Con Queso

                 1 1/2-2 cups shredded 2% Mexican cheese blend

                  

                Brown Ground meat with taco seasoning. Once the taco meat is ready, turn off 

          heat and add in 1/2 cup salsa con queso.  Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

          Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

          Layer the bottom of  the pan with a flour tortilla. Add some of the meat mixture and  

          top with shredded Cheese. Keep repeating for 2 more layers,then top with a tortilla.

          Add Shredded cheese onto the top tortilla. Bake for 15-20 mins at 350F Until Cheese

         is melted and edges of tortillas are golden brown.

 

Crock-Pot Spinach Tortellini Soup
Ingredients:
1 bag of frozen tortellini
 1 small bag of fresh spinach
 2 cans of italian style diced tomatoes
 1 box or 4 cups or vegetable broth
1 block of cream cheese

 Put all ingredients in crockpot, chunking up the cream cheese. Cook on low for 5-6 hrs.

Crock-Pot Pesto Ranch Chicken
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
6 ounce jar of pesto
1 package Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix
1/2 cup chicken broth

 Turn crock pot to high setting. Place chicken thighs, pesto, ranch dressing and chicken broth into crock pot. Stir gently to combine all seasonings. Close with lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Crock-Pot Coke~A~Cola Chicken
1 Lemon
1 Onion
1 Bottle BBQ Sauce
1 Can Coca Cola
 Peel onion and cut into quarters. Cut lemon into Quarters. Place fryer in crock pot. Toss in onion quarters and lemon quarters. Pour in entire bottle of BBQ Sauce and entire can of Coke. Cover and cook on low all day or high 3 to four hours.

 2 lbs ground beef
 1 small onion diced
1 taco seasoning
1 (16 ounce) can fat free refried beans
2 cups shredded reduced fat shredded cheese
18-20 hard taco shells

Optional Condiments-
Lettuce (shredded)
Tomato (diced)
Salsa
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Olives, sliced 

 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 
In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess liquid. Return to pan, refried beans, and taco seasoning. Mix well and cook for a few minutes if mixture seems runny.

Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells and place into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, standing up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell. Place into the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are heated through.
Remove from the oven and top with any optional condiments for serving.  




~Happy Cooking~

 

 

Ingredients: 1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots 1 (3 oz.)bag bacon pieces 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 3/4 cup milk salt & pepper, to taste

Here is the new menu and recipes For February 19-28th.    Enjoy everyone!

~Disclaimer: I do not own any of these recipes or pictures! They were all put here for your convenience! Enjoy~

Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

 Ingredients:
1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots
1 (3 oz.)bag bacon pieces
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup milk
salt & pepper, to taste

 Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Layer half of the frozen tater tots on the bottom of the slow cooker.  Sprinkle with 1/3 of the bacon pieces.  top with 1/3 of the shredded cheese.  Add diced chicken on top.  Season with salt & pepper.  Now add 1/3 of the bacon pieces and another 1/3 of shredded cheese.  Put the rest of the frozen tater tots on top. 
Finish with the remaining 1/3 cheddar cheese and remaining 1/3 of bacon pieces.  Pour 3/4 cup milk all over the top.

 Cover and cook on low about 4-6 hours.

 

 

Mushroom Ground Beef Stew

1 can mushroom soup
2 c. water
3 c. potatoes, chopped
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Stir all ingredients together and cook until done, about two hours on high in the slow cooker, 45 min. over medium heat on the stove.  Salt to taste before serving.

 Taco Bake with Spanish Rice

                  1 pound ground Turkey

                 1 packet taco seasoning

                 water as called for on back of seasoning packet

                 3 large flour  Whole Wheat tortillas (8-inch size)

                 1/2 cup Mild Salsa Con Queso

                 1 1/2-2 cups shredded 2% Mexican cheese blend

                  

                Brown Ground meat with taco seasoning. Once the taco meat is ready, turn off 

          heat and add in 1/2 cup salsa con queso.  Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

          Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

          Layer the bottom of  the pan with a flour tortilla. Add some of the meat mixture and  

          top with shredded Cheese. Keep repeating for 2 more layers,then top with a tortilla.

          Add Shredded cheese onto the top tortilla. Bake for 15-20 mins at 350F Until Cheese

         is melted and edges of tortillas are golden brown.

 Weight Watcher Zucchini Pizza

                  1 large zucchini, cut in fourths length wise
                 4 tablespoons of your favorite low point sauce (I like Eden Organic, which is only 1 point

                    per 1/2 cup)
                 4 tablespoons part skim mozzarella cheese
                 12 turkey pepperonis
                 Salt and pepper
                 Oregano

         Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
         Cut the zucchini into fourths lengthwise and then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano. Place

         on a piece of tin foil or small baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.
         Take the zucchini out of the oven and add the 1 tbsp sauce, 1 tbsp cheese, and 3 pepperonis to 

         each zucchini along with any additional toppings your choose.  Return the pizza to the oven 

         and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese begins to bubble on the top. 

                   * These were amazing my 2 year old ate a whole zucchini to himself! So they were a 

           must have again*

Bubble Up Enchiladas

1 pound lean ground turkey
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 (8oz ) can of tomato sauce (this optional, I do not use this but the recipe says to add it in with the
    enchilada sauce)
1 16 oz can reduced fat refrigerator biscuits
1 ¼ cups shredded low fat Mexican Cheese

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown turkey and drain if needed. Mix in a can of enchilada sauce and tomato sauce. Cut the refrigerated biscuits into fourths and stir them in the meat mixture. Then you just dump it all in a greased casserole (I use 8 X 11) and bake for 25 minutes until the biscuits are cooked through. Usually I use a tooth pick to see if the biscuits are done. Take out of oven and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Crescent Burgers

1/2 pound of ground beef

Worcestershire sauce

1 Egg

1/3 packet of dry onion soup mix

1/2 tsp of black pepper

2/3 cup of cheddar cheese

1 roll of crescents

Preheat oven to 375. In a skillet heat a small amount of oil and brown meat. Drain excess fat.

In a medium size bowl mix – 1/2 cup of cheese, onion soup mix, couple drops of Worcestershire sauce, pepper; meat.  Unroll the crescents. Place a rounded tablespoon of the meat mixture towards the larger end of the crescent dough.  Roll – I personally made them into little pockets.

Place crescents onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Brush the tops of the dough with an egg wash ( simply break and egg in a bowl and whisk egg until well blended and 1 tablespoon of water to the mix).  Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the egg wash and bake for 10 – 15 minutes.

Crock-Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

1lb of ground beef
1 container of Philadelphia Cooking Crème
6 slices of bacon
Ore Ida Hasbrowns
1 velveeta cheese
1 chicken broth stock
small onion diced 

Brow the  hamburger, cooked the bacon  and crumbled, and then dumped all the ingredients in the crock pot. The frozen potatoes, diced onion,velveeta, and chicken stock. I placed it on high for about 4 to 5 hours.. stirring occasionally.  You can top with fried onions and a little more bacon. Yummo!

  EASY CROCK POT LASAGNA

     1 pound chuck or 1/2 pound chuck

1/2 pound ground turkey
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 28 oz jar spaghetti sauce (your favorite)
1/3 cup water
8 lasagna noodles
1 15 oz carton ricotta cheese (optional)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown meat and seasoning, drain.Mix spaghetti sauce and water. Place 4 uncooked noodles in lightly greased crockpot.
Layer with beef mixture, sauce and mushrooms.
Spread evenly with ricotta cheese and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
Layer with remaining noodles, meat, sauce mixture, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese.
Cover, cook on high 1 hour.
Reduce heat and cook on low 5 hrs.


~**Please remember you can make all these recipes healthier by tweaking the ingredients. I like to use fat free if its available or Ground turkey instead of beef my family can never tell.**~ Enjoy everyone!

The receipt!  Thats Right $89.42 @ ALDI grocery Stores and that includes a few extras such as stuff for lunches and snacks! This is all for a family of 5!   New menus are posted on the last week of the previous menu! Keep checking back... recipes my family likes the best usually make its way back to the next menu, but there will constantly be new foods added! Thanks Everyone!

So after a few request! I have decided to start this new blog that will hopefully give some helpful hints to be a thriftier you! Lets face it in todays economy thats not a bad thing! =D

I have always LOVED shopping at thrift stores!

1. It saves you money!
2. My kids outgrow thier clothes to fast for me to pay full price!
3. I work hard for my money(well my husband does. I am a stay at home mom! =D) I would rather
    keep that money in my bank account.
4. Name brands for less!! 

Thursday January 31 Thrift shop finds:

The best part.... I spent a Grand total of $28.54 on everything pictured above! And it was all name brand!

I think it is the fun in seeing what treasures I can find!

So to see if I can save even more money I started planning out our menus 2 weeks at a time! So On this blog I will be posting my menus and also the recipes and a total of how much I spent on the groceries!Also I will be posting thrift shop finds with grand totals! Just to show everyone, if I can find good deals so can you!=D Now please keep in mind I am currently living with my mother-in-law due to the death of my much loved Father-in-law. So instead of feeding my normal family of 4, there are 5 of us!

Lets get started!

February's first 2 weeks menu!

                                   *Disclaimer: I do not own any of these recipes or pictures Most recipes were copy and pasted to makes finding them easier on the reader. Enjoy everyone*


Now the recipes:

Feb 2.     Weight Watchers Broc & Cheese Soup
              

           3 (14 1/2 ounce) Fat Free chicken broth
           2 (1 lb) bags frozen broccoli
           1 (10 1/2 ounce) can rotel brand tomatoes and green chilies
           10 ounces Velveeta reduced fat cheese
 

           Directions:
           1. Mix chicken broth, frozen broccoli and tomatoes and chilies together.
           2. Simmer for 25 minutes or until veggies are tender.
           3. Cube Velveeta and put into soup pot.
           4. Simmer just until cheese is melted.
           5. This recipe freezes and refrigerates well. 

 

 

Feb 3.   Crock-Pot Corn & Potato Chowder

           8 ounces (1/2 pound) bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
           2 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes (approximately 5 medium sized potatoes), NOT peeled, diced
               in 1/4 inch cubes
           8 cups (about 2 pounds) kernel corn (I used a frozen bag)
           1 medium sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
           6 - 8 garlic cloves, crushed
           1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
           32 ounces (4 cups) fat free chicken stock
           16 ounces (2 cups) half & half
           salt & pepper 

 

1. Combine all ingredients EXCEPT half & half in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 10 hours or high for 6 hours.
3. Add half & half or heavy cream and continue cooking, uncovered, for about another 15 minutes, until heated through. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve and enjoy!

 

Feb 4.     Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 

 

                16 oz of Whole Wheat Noodles

                1 Jar of Alfredo Sauce  (whatever you prefer)

                 Grilled Chicken 

 

                Cook Noodles as usual, then strain.  Add Sauce and Chicken.

 

                

                Loaded Cauliflower

                

                 1 cup cooked cauliflower
                 1 teaspoon butter
                 Salt and pepper, to taste
                 1 ounce cheddar cheese, shredded
                 1 tablespoon ranch dressing or sour cream
                 1 strip bacon, crumbled
                 1 teaspoon chives (optional)
             
                 Butter and season the cauliflower. Place in an individual-serving baking dish, then top
                 with  the cheese. Microwave or broil until the cheese is melted. Top with ranch dressing,
                 bacon and chives.

Feb 5.       Crock-Pot Orange Chicken

               

              1.   Boneless chicken breasts, chopped into small chunks (I used about 4)
              2.  1/3 cup flour
              3.  olive oil                 
              4.  1/2 Tbl. salt
              5.  1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
              6.   3 Tbl. ketchup
              7.   6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (throw in microwave for 45 seconds)
              8.   4 Tbl.  brown sugar


               In a bowl, mix the orange juice, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and ketchup.  Pour the flour in a 
               small bowl.  Cover the chicken breast chunks in flour and shake off the excess. Pour a
               small amount of olive oil in a skillet and brown the flour-covered chicken.
              The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked since it's going in the crock pot.
              After the chicken is done cooking, pour the pieces into the crock pot. Then cover the
              Chicken with your sauce mixture and give the pot a stir.
          
              Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3.      
             * I added oriental Ramen Noodles for a side item.

Feb 6.        Crock-Pot BBQ Meatballs

                   1 bag of Meatballs (I used the Great Value Brand)
                   1 jar/bottle favorite BBQ Sauce (I use homemade)

                  Mix Meatballs and BBq sauce in the Crock-Pot and cook on low for 4-6 hrs.

Feb 7.      M husband and I are in the Celebrate Recovery praise band at church, so on Thursdays
                  we eat there. Yay for a night off from Dishes! =D

Feb 8.      Taco Bake with Spanish Rice

                  1 pound ground Turkey

                 1 packet taco seasoning

                 water as called for on back of seasoning packet

                 3 large flour  Whole Wheat tortillas (8-inch size)

                 1/2 cup Mild Salsa Con Queso

                 1 1/2-2 cups shredded 2% Mexican cheese blend

 

                  

                Brown Ground meat with taco seasoning. Once the taco meat is ready, turn off 

          heat and add in 1/2 cup salsa con queso.  Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

          Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

          Layer the bottom of  the pan with a flour tortilla. Add some of the meat mixture and  

          top with shredded Cheese. Keep repeating for 2 more layers,then top with a tortilla.

          Add Shredded cheese onto the top tortilla. Bake for 15-20 mins at 350F Until Cheese

         is melted and edges of tortillas are golden brown.

Feb 9.      Weight Watcher Zucchini Pizza

                  1 large zucchini, cut in fourths length wise
                 4 tablespoons of your favorite low point sauce (I like Eden Organic, which is only 1 point

                    per 1/2 cup)
                 4 tablespoons part skim mozzarella cheese
                 12 turkey pepperonis
                 Salt and pepper
                 Oregano

 

         Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
         Cut the zucchini into fourths lengthwise and then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano. Place

         on a piece of tin foil or small baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.
         Take the zucchini out of the oven and add the 1 tbsp sauce, 1 tbsp cheese, and 3 pepperonis to 

         each zucchini along with any additional toppings your choose.  Return the pizza to the oven 

         and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese begins to bubble on the top. 

 

 

Feb 10.        Crock-Pot Santa Fe Soup 
                 
                  2 chicken breasts, still frozen
                  1 can Rotel tomatoes
                  1 can corn kernels, do not drain
                  1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
                  1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
                  1 T cumin
                  1 T chili powder
                  1 T onion powder
                  1 8-oz pkg.  Fat Free Cream Cheese

                 Put the chicken in the crock pot.  Top with the tomatoes, corn,
                 the drained and rinsed beans ranch dressing, cumin, onion and chili powders,
                 stir to combine then top with the cream cheese. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring
                 one or  twice to blend in the cheese.  Shred the chicken into large pieces

Feb 11.    Mini Chicken Pot Pies

                2 cups of cooked chicken breasts diced
                1 can cream of chicken soup
                1 cup frozen mixed veggies
                1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
                1 teaspoon garlic salt
                2 (10 oz) cans biscuits

                Preheat your oven to 400.
                In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, frozen veggies,
                cheese, herbs and spices.  Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin and place the Pillsbury
                biscuits into each cup, pressing into the bottom and up the sides.  Evenly spoon the pot
                pie mixture into each biscuit cup. Slide into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes.
                Check at the 12 minute mark.
                    

Feb 12.      Pizza Quesadillas

                 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce

                 6 (7 inch) Whole Wheat flour tortillas
                 8 ounces 2% shredded cheese
                 1/3 cup finely chopped turkey pepperoni
           

                Spread some of pizza sauce on half of each tortilla. Sprinkle cheese over pizza sauce.

                Top with pepperoni. Fold tortillas in half and press down edges gently.

                In large skillet cook tortillas, 2 or 3 at a time, over medium heat about 4 minutes or

                until cheese melts, turning once.

 

 

Feb 13.      Crock-Pot Potato Soup

 

                   1 30oz. bag of frozen, shredded hash browns

                   3 14oz. cans of Fat Free chicken broth

                   1 can of cream of chicken soup

                   1/2 cup onion, chopped

                   1/4 tsp. ground pepper

                   1 pkg.  Fat Free cream cheese       
                   In a crock-pot, combine everything EXCEPT for the cream cheese.  Cook for
                    6-8 hours on low heat.  About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese and
                    keep heated until thoroughly melted.  Serve with cheese, sour cream , bacon   
                    bits, green onions, or whatever else you think would be yummy.thoroughly   
                    melted.  Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, or whatever 
                    else you think would be yummy.

Feb 14.         Eat at Church Night!! YAY 

            My 2 week grocery shopping grand total was $95.00 for 5 people! That includes lunches and snacks!   Not to bad if you ask me! If you have an Aldi Grocery Store near you I highly recommend checking it out!  I saved so much money by just shopping there (no coupons required). Just be price savvy... I watch prices on things and they have always been equal to the price of Wal-Mart, or 1/2 lower then. and they run great specials all the time!


                   My husband and I will be headed to Snowshoe, WV. this weekend to Snowboard with our Church Youth Group! So no cooking for me! Hope everyone has a blessed weekend! Next two weeks worth of food posted ASAP! Thanks Everyone!