By Amanda Shertzer
A few months ago I discovered a website (thanks to Simply Organized ) that has transformed dinner time at my house. E-Mealz is a website that provides easy weekly meal plans tailored to your family and the sales where you shop.
They not only save you time with simple but tasty recipes, but they also save you money. The meal plan I chose is for 5 dinners per week for 2 people for Wal-Mart. Our grocery list (organized and provided by the site – just print out and go) averages $40 per week.
It is enough to feed my husband and I with leftovers for him to take to work the next day. There are many other plan types from point system plans, to vegetarian plans, to family plans for 7 meals per week. One of the best things about this system is how inexpensive it is. Endorsed by financial guru Dave Ramsey, the subscription fee is only $5 per month. If you use coupon code “Dave” at checkout you get a discount too!
Here are a few recipes from the site that were big hits at my house:
Bacon Penne Alfredo
Drizzled Salad Wedges
Garlic Breadsticks
8 oz uncooked penne
8 ounces sliced bacon
4 ounces sliced mushrooms
(1 garlic clove, minced)
1 c whipping cream
(½ c grated parmesan cheese)
¼ c sliced green onions
½ head iceberg lettuce, cut into 4 wedges
(Italian dressing)
Garlic breadsticks
Cook pasta according to pkg directions.
Meanwhile, cook bacon in skillet until crisp; then
remove & drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 T
drippings in skillet. Sauté mushrooms and garlic in
hot drippings 3 min until tender. Stir in pasta,
cream, parm cheese, and pepper. Reduce heat to
med-low & simmer uncovered until sauce is
thickened, stirring often. Stir in crumbled bacon
(save 1 T for salad wedges) and sliced green
onions.
Drizzle each wedge w/ dressing & sprinkle on
1 T bacon. Serve w/ heated garlic breadsticks.
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Mexican Casserole
Tortilla Chips
½ lb ground beef
1 ½ c crushed tortilla chips
1 c salsa
½ can chili beans, drained
8 oz sour cream
1 med tomato, diced
4 oz can sliced black olives, drained
1 c shredded cheddar
Remaining tortilla chips & salsa
Spread crushed chips in bottom of square baking
dish. Combine cooked ground beef, salsa, and
drained chili beans. Spread over chips. Spread sour
cream over meat mixture. Sprinkle tomatoes, black
olives, then cheese. Bake uncovered @ 350 for 30
min or until bubbly.
Serve with remaining chips and salsa.
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Chicken Low Mein
Pineapple Chunks
Steamed Broccoli
Garlic Toast
¼ lb spaghetti, uncooked
½ lb chicken breasts, cut into strips
(2 cloves garlic – minced, ½ onion cut into strips)
(2 T soy sauce)
1 bell pepper, cut into strips
(¼ c chicken broth)
(1 T peanut butter, 2 T soy sauce)
3-4 T chopped peanuts
1 can chunk pineapple in juice, drained
1 small crown of broccoli
(Butter)
Garlic toast
Boil spaghetti as pkg directs. Sauté chicken, garlic
and onion in 2 T soy sauce for 3 min. Add bell pepper,
broth and peanut butter. Stir fry 4 min. Drain spaghetti
and return to pan. Add chicken mixture and 2 T soy
sauce; toss. Spoon onto platter and top w/ nuts.
Serve pineapple chunks on the side. Steam broccoli
until tender-crisp. Season w/ butter and salt.
Toast bread as pkg directs.
Amanda Shertzer, chocolate lover, Anglophile, and sci-fi fan, is a busy and sleep-deprived stay at home Mom of 3 (Benjamin – 4, Jack – 2, and Emma – 7 months).
