Monday Menu Plan

This is my menu plan. Because of budget issues, upcoming changes and trying to prepare for our new little baby, I am having fun with an experiment to find very inexpensive meals that are also that my family will eat. So far my family is loving most of the recipes I have found that fit into my criteria, their favorite by far is Bacon Pasta.

Monday: Tater Tot Casserole
Tuesday: pizza
Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie
Thursday: Cheesy Hash Brown Chili
Friday: Pizza Mac and Cheese
Saturday: Mix-in-the-Pan Dinner Strata
Sunday: Creamy Beef Stroganoff

Tater Tot Casserole

* 1lb ground beef
* 1 bag tots
* small bag shredded cheese
* 1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup
* 1 onion and 1 green pepper(optional)

Brown Hamburger, drain. Mix hamburger with soup, cheese, green pepper and onion in baking dish. Top with tater tots. Follow baking directions for the tater tots.

pizza

pizza crust mix
cheese
pepperoni

Chicken Pot Pie

# 2 cans chicken
# 2 cans cream of chicken soup
# mixed frozen vegetables
# pillsbury biscuits. (I will use a pillsbury pie crust)

Cheesy Hash Brown Chili
Serves 4

Ingredients

* 2 tablespoons extra virgin oliveoil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 2 teaspoons ground cumin
* 1/4 cup tomato paste
* 1 pound ground beef
* Salt and pepper
* 1 can red kidney beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
* 1 can diced tomatoes (15 ounces)
* 1 bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (1 pound)
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven.

In a large saucepan, heat EVOO over medium heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the onion, chili powder and cumin, and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and tomatoes with their juice and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Transfer to an 8x11" baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes and cheese. Scatter the potato mixture over the chili. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and bake until the potatoes are cooked through and the chili is bubbling, about 35 minutes.

Pizza Mac and Cheese

Take 2 pkg. (225 g) Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese add:
1/4 lb./125 g pepperoni, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 cup chopped green peppers (about 1 medium),
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 2 medium)

Mix-in-the-Pan Dinner Strata

What You Need
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups milk
1 box (120 g) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix, any flavour
1 cup chopped ham
1 cup chopped vegetables, such as green peppers and onions, or frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup KRAFT Double Cheddar Shredded Cheese
Make It

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix eggs with milk in a 9-inch. greased square baking dish.

STIR IN dry stuffing mix and remaining ingredients.

BAKE 40 min.

Best of Season
Use any combination of chopped fresh vegetables that you have on hand, such as peppers, asparagus, green onions and broccoli.

Creamy Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (10.5 ounce) can beef consomme
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
8 ounces wide egg noodles, cooked and drained
1 cup sour cream

Directions:
1. In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in flour and salt until blended. Stir in soup, consomme and mustard. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in the noodles and sour cream; heat through (do not boil).