Summer Meals & Grocery List

I recently posted about how we keep the our family happy and healthy with a $100 grocery bill a week. I got a few requests for what is on my menu so I thought I'd share some of our favorite summer dinner ideas. My meal plans differ quite drastically between summer and winter because I basically refuse to use oven in the summer. It is too hot! I try to avoid cooking with heat all together. Our summer menu is much more simple and offers up cooler and lighter options.

Summer Spaghetti: $5

• Al dente spaghetti $1
• Tossed with red pepper, Parmesan cheese and EVOO (always in my pantry)
• Served with Salad ($2) and Tomatos ($2)

Chicken Salad Sandwiches: $14

• Leave some chicken in the slow cooker ($3.50)
• Shred it up with Greek yogurt ($1), grapes ($3), celery ($2), sliced almonds ($2)
• And put is on a roll or pita ($2)- or the hubs likes to eat it plain

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas: $12

• Love my slow cooker in the summer! Chicken ($3.50) with some fajita spice mix ($1)
• Shred it and serve with sour cream ($2), tomatoes ($2), salsa ($2), mexican cheese ($1 serving- 1/4 bag)
• Served in tortillas rolled up or quesadilla style

Eggs with Toast or Scones, Fruit & Chicken Sausage: $9

• Breakfasts standards because we don't often get to cook a big breakfast in the mornings! Kids love it.
• It can also be turned into french toast.
• Eggs ($2), Toast ($2), Chicken Sausage (1/2 of $5 package)- freeze the rest of the sausage and use for...

Pancakes or Waffles with Fruit & Chicken Sausage: $2

• Pancake mix- $2
• Fruit- always a ton in the fridge
• Leftover eggs & sausage- win!

Turkey Burgers: $9

• Ground turkey ($2 serving), slider rolls ($2), cheddar cheese (1/2 of $4 package) corn (1/2 $1.50 bag or fresh) and sweet potato chips ($2) 

Margarita Quesadillas: $8

• The kiddos are on a quesadilla kick this summer! 
• Tortillas (we love TJ's habanero or whole wheat- $2 for 8), tomatoes ($2) and mozzarella (1/4 of $4 bag- freeze the rest of the cheese), served with pizza dipping sauce ($2) and corn (1/2 of $1.50 bag) or salad ($2)

Grilled Chicken: $9

• Chicken $3.50, marinaded with whatever I have in the fridge
• Summer veggies ($2)- zucchini and summer squash also grilled
• Potatoes ($2) or rice ($1- 1/3 of $3 bag of Jasmine Rice) on the side

Turkey Sandwiches: $12

• Old classic because we all love sandwiches
• Lunch meat without all of the gross stuff in it ($3), cheddar (left over from burgers or 1/2 of $4 pack)
• Tomatoes (leftovers or $2), Ciabatta rolls ($2)
• With corn (1/2 of $1.50 bag) and/or sweet potato chips ($2)

Chicken Pitas: $9

• More chicken in the crock pot with greek dressing! Addi's favorite.
• Pitas- $2 (kiddos love the mini ones), Feta ($3), Hummus $2) and veggies on the side ($2) or salad ($2)

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice: $9

• 1/2 of $10 bag of shrimp (splurge), tossed with cilantro ($2), EVOO, Lime ($1) and Jasmine Rice ($1- 1/3 of $3 bag of Jasmine Rice) 

Fettucini Alfredo & Broccoli;- $6

• Fettucini ($1), Broccoli- ($2), tossed with Alfredo ($3 or make your own)

So there you go, 12 dinners that serve 4 people for $104! I broke it down by serving so obviously you may need to spend a little more up front ($12) because you get more than you need. That is totally okay because you can just work those into other meals. Some things overlap so it all works out in the end. Enjoy! xoxo