Lasagna Casserole — recipe coming on Thursday
We have a really busy week this week (I try not to plan more than one or two extra things each week outside of our normal routine and schedule, but somehow I totally didn’t follow that rule of thumb this week!), so I’m sticking to super simple meals for our menu. You know, the kind which can be whipped together in 15 minutes or less.
Breakfasts:
Homemade Granola, Fruit
Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit
Cold Cereal, Juice x 2
Orange Cream Smoothies, English Muffins
Baked Oatmeal, Fruit
Overnight French Toast Casserole, FruitLunches:
Leftovers x 3
Macaroni & Cheese, carrots, apple slices
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, fruit
Cheese Quesadillas, frozen veggies, apple slices
SmartOnes meals, frozen veggies, orangesDinners:
Marinated Chicken, Toast, Frozen Veggies, Fruit
Sausage Potatoes Onions & Carrots in the Crockpot, English Muffins, Fruit
Brown Bag Burritos (from the freezer), Green Rice Casserole (from the freezer), Fruit
Lasagna Casserole, Broccoli, Bread Machine Buttery Rolls
Dinner with Friends (we’re bringing a veggie tray and dessert)
Dinner at Extended Family’s House
Dinner Out
What are your favorite 15-minute meals?
Brit Chambers says
Here’s our menu for this week: http://www.livingwiththreeboys.com/2011/03/batch-cooking-menu-plan_14.html
Still eating up what’s in our freezer, which is great because I’m staying out of the kitchen for spring break!
I’m on the hunt for some good crock pot recipes for the summer. Let me know if you guys have any to share… just too hot to turn on the oven or stove when it’s 105!
Jamie says
My favorite 15 minute meal = chicken pot pie! http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/02/favorite-comfort-food.html
And this one may take more than 15 minutes, but my family absolutely loves this one, especially in the summer. http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2010/11/last-of-season.html
Michelle says
Crystal, I love that you get together with both your parents weekly or almost weekly for a meal and that you are usually a guest without having to bring anything to contribute. The not having to contribute part reminds me of times going to both of my sets of grandparents for meals almost every week. That is what grandma did and she loved cooking for everyone. Those are great memories. Of course the memories are also of the time that was spent together. I am glad to see that your family still does this. I wish that ours did. It seems like everyone is so busy and going in a million different directions and it just does not happen often for our families. We are also a military family so we have lived further away from family at different times in my husband’s career. We live close enough to family to get together now, but it just doesn’t happen very often.
15 minute meals are something I am probably not all that great at coming up with. I do make Beef Bigolgi – it is a Korean dish and it is in the skillet on the stove and then rice in the rice cooker – really simple and quick and not many ingredients.
I was inspired to try and do the Brown Bag Burritos that you posted. I did my own spin on them. I had seen a recipe for carnitas in the All You February magazine and I had a pork roast in the freezer I needed to use. I used their recipe for the seasoning of the pork and had it in the crock pot this morning. I added a can of fire roasted green chiles and chopped onions I had in the freezer for more flavor. When it was done cooking in the crock pot I took the meat out and chopped it up instead of shredding it, it is just the way I prefer that kind of meat. I added to cans of drained blacked beans to the meat and mixed it all together. I had some cheddar cheese and sprinkled it on top of the meat mixture in the tortillas. These are going to be great for quick lunches or for when I don’t have time to make dinner. I like that the burritos fit in the tortilla bags they came in after they have been rolled in foil!
We eat out on Wed nights as our date night when our son goes to AWANA at church. I know that I will not have to cook on Wed nights unless it is a night that they do not have AWANA for one reason or another. I typically use that day for doing any freezer meals since I don’t have to turn around and have a meal for that night. I usually try to get it done and all put away at least by 1pm so I can have time to get other things done around the house before our son gets home from school.
Another item I made ahead of time and have in the freezer is crock pot scalloped potatoes. The recipe calls for 12 medium potatoes pealed and sliced. This is way too much for us for one meal and we usually do not turn around and eat them right away the next night. So I par-boiled the potatoes after pealing and cutting them. Then I mixed up the full recipe. I put about 1/3 of the amount in a crock pot to go with our dinner last night and split the rest of it up in to two ziplock bags for two meals in the future. Next time I want to do these potatoes in the crock pot, all the hard work is already done!
Jamie says
You seriously have to try this overnight french toast – I love that I can make it the night before and have an incredibly delicious and nutritious meal in the morning. http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-to-do-with-old-bread.html
Christine/Massachusetts says
Check out Bisquick’s website for their easy Spinach Pie recipe – delicious, & quick. To make more healthy I use ff cottage cheese & egg beaters. Great on it’s own or with grilled chicken or fish. Make a double batch and freeze for another night. It’s my go to recipe for potluck events too.
Heather C says
Just read the buttery rolls post. Thought you’d like to know that I’ve had my ZJ bread maker for nine years now. We’ve replaced the belt once and put it back into place again recently but otherwise it’s made dough and bread for our family trouble free during that time. We had two kids when we got it and over the years added two more. I make a lot of bread with it! Sounds like you are enjoying it still.
Heidi @ The Good Stuff Guide says
I’m all for Costco’s prepared foods, and yes, it takes even less than 15 minutes. Grab the $3.49 bag of salad that includes the cranberries, nuts, cheese and salad dressing and top it with a little of my $4.99 rotisserie chicken and I have a meal! Soups, frozen fish, frozen veggies – wait, is this not cooking??? 🙂
Crystal says
😉
Jackie says
Nearly all of my meals, except casseroles are less than 15 minutes because I freezer cook on a regular basis instead of once a month. I shop my freezer to meal plan. I post my menu on Mondays. http://cookandplay.wordpress.com/category/weekly-menu/
Jackie says
I’ve got frozen oranges waiting to make those same smoothies. I shop my freezer for most of my weekly menu because I freezer cook. It’s a part of my every day life instead of once a month. I post my menu on Mondays.http://cookandplay.wordpress.com/category/weekly-menu/
Most items take me 15 minutes or less to prepare unless it’s a casserole. Even my bread takes 5 minutes to mix and I bake 4 loaves on another day to go in the freezer.
Reagan @ Recipesmademyway says
I’ve been doing lots of really quick and simple meals, mostly because of the pure exhaustion of being pregnant.
Here is my tentative menu plan this week, I’ve just started cooking again after 6 months of being sick so half of the stuff I’ll prob make but a lot of nights we just have to go out or eat burritos or cereal!
http://recipesmademyway.blogspot.com/2011/03/menu-plan-37-314.html
Margie says
Our newest favorite quick meal is a quesadilla with shredded cheese, drained and rinsed black beans, drained fire roasted tomatoes, and some chopped fresh cilantro. We prefer whole grain tortillas. It was my husband’s idea!
Nisrine says
Your menu plan looks great. I still have to try the green rice casserole. I am going to include it with my next week’s menu plan. Where can I get the recipe for it?
I just posted my menu plan as well here
http://isavvymom.blogspot.com/2011/03/menu-plan-week-of-march-7th.html
I have some recipes that takes 5 minutes to prepare and a recipe for an avocado bread.
You can check them out here
http://isavvymom.blogspot.com/p/icook_15.html
Thank you for such a great blog Crystal.
Dianna says
Would love to see your recipe for sausage potaotes oninons and carrots in the crockpot. Please.
Carrie says
Our favorite 15 minute meal is Ritzy Chicken. Here’s the link if you want it-http://myfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/2011/02/ritzy-chicken.html. Also, I made your Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists for my freezer cooking day this past Sunday, and sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar instead-SO GOOD! I love that recipe!
Stephanie says
We love, love, love Ritzy Chicken 🙂
Kelley says
Sante Fe Chicken Stew
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/2 chopped onion
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. cilantro
1 Tbsp. Chili powder
1 can Rotel tomatoes(un-drained)
1 can Black Beans(drained)
1 can Chicken Broth
1 cup frozen corn
Mix together and heat…we usually add sour cream and shredded cheese on top! Delish and very QUICK!
Crystal says
We typically do Jason’s Deli or Cracker Barrel, with the occasional Wendy’s treat thrown in (the girls love Wendy’s!). We also change things up when we can use a coupon (for instance, we used the Buy One, Get One Free Chipotle coupon two weeks ago).
As far as tips for eating out on a budget: we almost always order one of the cheaper entrees, we usually order only water and Tuesday nights are Kid’s Eat Free at Jason’s Deli!
Most weeks, we get together with my family on Sunday evenings and Jesse’s family on Saturday evenings (we don’t always do both every single week). We don’t usually host, but we sometimes bring food. It just depends. They are so kind to host us each week and see it as their way of helping us out by relieving us from having to cook dinner one night (yes, we are totally spoiled with wonderful family!).
Melissa says
Can you tell me what kind of sausage you use in the sausage, potato, onion and carrot receipe? Also I am not good with spices yet so if you use any could you tell me what they are? Thanks!
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Yay for menu planning! I think it makes life SO much easier when I don’t have to decide every night “What’s for dinner!”. I love that you have breakfast and lunches on yours as well. I keep saying that I need to lose weight, but then I don’t actually do much about it. having at least MY breakfasts & lunches planned out would probably make life a lot easier.
Oh, and I’m so glad that you enjoyed my Overnight French Toast Casserole enough to share!
Crystal says
Thanks for sharing the yummy recipe!
The Working Home Keeper says
I’ve been cooking Pioneer Woman recipes lately. Last night, I made Bowtie Pasta with Leeks and Pancetta in a white wine cream sauce topped with aged parmesan. Both quick and delicious!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/pasta-with-pancetta-and-leeks/
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
Michelle says
We love “Kathy’s Stroganoff” – it’s a dish my mom made up in the 70’s.
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 packet brown or chicken gravy mix (or make your own gravy with cornstarch)
1/2 bag frozen corn
1/2 bag frozen Southern-Style hashbrown diced potatoes
Brown beef in a large pot, drain and season to taste (often, I skip draining and just make my own gravy with a few teaspoons of cornstarch and water) and add gravy mix and water package calls for (straight into the pot) and stir out any lumps. Pour in potatoes and corn, mix well. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and stir occasionally for about 20 minutes, until potatoes and corn are heated through. Serve with a dollop of sour cream 🙂
I also made up something I call “Italian Mix-up” (I think it’s similar to Lasagna casserole, but I was impatient to get the recipe from a friend a few months back, and had to whip up something with leftover cooked linguini!)
1 lb cooked pasta and shape works fine (leftover cooked pasta is perfect!)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 lb block mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 or 1-inch cubes
16 oz ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or oregano
Grease the bottom and sides of a 13×9 casserole. Heat oven to 350. Beat egg lightly, and mix with Ricotta and Italian seasoning/oregano. Spread pasta evenly in dish. Pour sauce over pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella cubes over sauce. Plop ricotta mixture by large spoonfulls over top, and gently “swirl” it to spread a little bit with the spoon (sort of like marbled cake, so there isn’t a huge blob of ricotta) and cover the casserole with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, uncover, bake an additional 5 minutes. Let it set for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Nikki says
Hi Crystal! Can you please post your tweaked recipe for Starbucks Peppermint Mocha. I do not have an espresso maker, but would love to be able to make Starbucks drinks at home. I am always trying to find good copycat recipes, but so far I have been unsuccessful b/c of not having my own espresso maker. I love your blog and I have two girls and a little boy just like you! Thank u for helping me with my grocery budget! 😉
Crystal says
Well, so far, I’m still tweaking it. I’ll share it once I get it just “right”. Here’s a recipe somewhat like what I’m doing:
http://www.food.com/recipe/starbucks-peppermint-mocha-202183
However, we don’t have an espresso maker or a coffee steamer (I make coffee in a french press right now), so I’m changing things up to compensate for that.
Lori says
When you put sausage, potatoes, onions and carrots in the crock pot do you add anything else to it?
Crystal says
Yes, I add a little water (usually about a half cup). You can also add spices, cabbage or anything else you’d like!
Stephanie says
I was curious as to what that recipe is. I seem to be able to grab sausage marked down all the time! Could you share? 🙂
Courtney says
Crystal, do you guys do snacks during the day? In a couple of weeks I will be a SAHM with 6 kids of my own plus an extra, and I’m struggling to come up with snacks. How much? how often? etc. Any suggestions?
Crystal says
We usually do at least one snack per day between lunch and dinner. It varies what we do. Sometimes muffins, fruit, cookies, cheese. Yesterday it was cheese melted in tortillas and heated in the microwave. If I get a good deal on hummus we’ll do that with carrots. Sometimes we do hard-boiled eggs (my kids *love* eggs!). Sometimes it’s just apple slices and cheese. If I got a good deal on a box of granola bars, we’ll have those.
I don’t plan the snacks, usually, I just try to make sure we have foods on hand which work for snacks. Other moms here with more/older children probably would have better ideas and input than me.
Sarah says
I am a SAHM with just 3 kids. What worked best for me was having a scheduled snack time. Otherwise I spent all day in the kitchen. For us it was 10:00 & 3:00. We usually eat lunch at noon so the 10:00 snack saved me from hungry kids begging for lunch early. The afternoon snack schedule worked great when our daughter started school because that was about the time she would get home and I could give everyone a snack at the same time. Having a snack time scheduled enabled me to say, “No. It’s not snack time, yet. Only 20 more minutes until it’s time” rather than just saying, “not right now”. The only drawback is that there are times they think they have to have a snack simply because it’s 10:00 even though we just finished breakfast at 9:00 on a lazy morning 🙂
Crystal says
Great suggestions, Sarah!
Becky says
Trail mix has always been a fave at our house. I just mix up a couple kinds of cereal, maybe popcorn and some dried fruit.
Sakura Gallegos says
Our quick go to meals are:
Bean Pie
Bubble Pizza
Chicken and Cheese enchies
Jambalaya
Spanakopita
They all are prepped and on the table in 30 minutes.
Rae says
I make a one dish Mexican flavored rice dish. I spray my rice cooker with nonstick spray, add the rice (we have 3 people right now as my husband is away so we do 2 cups rice), then I add either a can of Rotel or pour in some Pace salsa (whatever I have more of in my stockpile as this is a good way to use some up), then add enough water to get it up to the right line (in my case 2 cup line). Then I add a little bit of some sort of chicken leftover chicken works well just drop it right in the top and it soaks up the flavors. My favorite though is I won a coupon for a free bag of the Tyson grilled n’ ready chicken strips on one of your giveaways last year (and just recently got the chicken with it). I chose the fajita flavor. I just break up a few of those (seriously 3-4 is enough for the amount of rice that I do) so the bag is stretched.
So anyway, spray rice cooker, add rice, add rotel or salsa, pour in water to appropriate line, drop in a little chicken, put lid on and turn on. The prep work takes about 2 minutes then it cooks for somewhere around 15 minutes (never timed it but its about that long) and during that time you can be doing other stuff 🙂
Kim says
Here is our weekly dinner menu: Chili Dogs w/ crinkle cut fries and ice cream, Turkey breast, homemade stuffing , baked sweet potatoes and pumpkin bread, Pork Chops, buttered noodles, green beans, salad and pineapple upside down cake, Spaghetti and meatsauce w/broccoli, Texas toast and chocolate pie, Salmon cakes w/potato cakes, glazed carrots and peach cobbler, Chicken & Dumplings, mustard greens, cream-style corn, cornbread and applesauce raisin spice cake
Renee Mack says
We love Quesadillas for a quick meal. To mix it up from the traditional mexican flavor try lunchmeat turkey, swiss cheese, and orange marmelade ( or apple butter,or sweet pickles). Super yummy and sooooo quick. If you have a large family bake them on a cookie sheet(s) to save time, if you just need one or two grill them in a pan. Add a side of fruit or vege and you’re set.
Samantha says
I bought about a million pounds of tomatos a few weeks ago and I made a ton of tomato soup and tomato sauce so tonight we did homemade grilled cheese and tomato soup. Then last night we made pizza casserole (from Heavenly Homemaker) and my husband has now said that is a must have on our weekly menu.
Our menu this week starting tomorrow
Breakfasts
Biscuts and gravy
yogurt and fruit
toast and apples
cold cereal
oatmeal with strawberries
eggs, turkey bacon, toast and pancakes
lunches
leftovers x 2
cottage cheese and pepperoni
pizza pockets
hot dogs and mac and cheese
subs
dinners
cheeseburger meat loaf
philly cheese steaks
crock pot chicken & noodles
hamburgers on the grill and home made french fries
dinner at in-laws
date night
=] thank you for all the inspiration!
Lindsey says
Stir Fry with frozen, prechopped veggies! Of course, you have to use quick rice. 🙁
Spaghetti is also a favorite.
If you premake the dough, pizza can be super super quick.
We love egg burritos with lots of cheese and sour cream.
And my personal favorite – throw lentils, canned tomatoes, frozen carrots, and chicken broth in the crockpot all day for some yummy lentil stew. It takes minutes in the morning and then it’s ready any time.
Renee says
We also love stir fry but even the addition of quick rice means one more pot. Try this. I cook up several bags of brown rice throughout the course of a day at home in the rice cooker. Then I portion out about 2 cups each into zip bags. Pop into the freezer. On stir fry night (or any other time you want rice) simply stick a frozen bag of pre cooked rice in the microwave for about 3 minutes. It comes out GREAT. fluffy and soft everytime.
Michelle says
Thank for the tip on cooking rice ahead! I don’t have a rice cooker, but the stove top works just fine for me. I often want rice in a dish, but with 3 busy little girls, often forget to start it before I begin the rest of the meal – and I really don’t like instant rice 🙁 I do cook up a big batch of rice when we “treat” to Chinese, in the time it takes to order & pick up, I have enough rice to double our meal, for pennies 🙂
Diana says
That Lasagna casserole looks yummy. I can’t wait to try it.
Diana says
I am not a very creative cook. I bought a 2 lb bag of shrimp on sale this weekend because my husband loves shrimp, but other than skewering it and putting it on the grill, I really don’t have a recipe that would satisfy my picky husband. I thought of alfredo over pasta, but he poo-pooed that idea. Any suggestions? He doesn’t care for stir fry, either.
Renee says
open a can of stewed tomatoes, pour into a small casserole dish. Top with the raw peeled shrimp, then top with feta cheese. Bake till the shrimp are done and serve over rice. I know it sounds a little odd but it is really tasty and super easy.
Rae says
I do like it in alfredo but since he said no, why don’t you suggest sauteing it in butter (or olive oil whatever your preference) and minced garlic and basil. Then when it is done you toss it over spaghetti (or some other long pasta) and sprinkle parmesan cheese over it. It is delicious. We also like to do the same except adding broccoli in the pan while it is sauteing.
Diane says
Frogmore Stew – from the town of Frogmore, SC – no worries – there are no frogs in this recipe 🙂
Shrimp – at least 1 lb – the more the better
sausage (a spicy, smoked one is recommended, I use a Hilshire Farms sausage, but you can use any kind that you like – other than breakfast sausage),
a few pounds of potatoes (I use regular white potatoes, but again – use whatever you like)
corn on the cob (1-2 per person- I just use the frozen stuff – or you can use the canned stuff)
Old Bay seasoning – 1/4 – 1/3 cup (depending on how much you like the stuff)
Peel and cube potatoes, slice up the sausage, and you can peel the shrimp if you like – but this is more fun to peel as you eat
Put on a large pot of water to boil, and then boil your potatoes for about 8 minutes.
Then add your corn on the cob and boil for about 4-5 minutes.
Add the sausage and boil for about 2-3 minutes.
Add shrimp and Old Bay and boil for another 2 minutes or until they turn pink.
Strain the “stew” with a colander. Serve in bowls and add butter for the corn and potatoes.
If you are cooking for a lot of people – this recipe doubles/triples very easily. The other great thing is – you can play with the proportions depending on what you would rather have more of.
Shannon L says
We love Frogmore. We add crab claws to ours. We aren’t able to cook it often due to the cost but We LOVE it!
Kristine (Lafayette) says
I made this over the weekend and used homemade waffles, we really liked it: http://realmomkitchen.com/4786/overnight-strawberry-and-cream-cheese-baked-waffles/
Casey says
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your menu plan’s. They are so inspiring and I’m trying menu planning it this week for the first time. Just going to do 1 week at a time. A friend of mine plans 1 month at a time!! I tried freezer cooking for the first time a week ago and successfully assembled 3 different receipes: Mozzerella Meatballs- 2 bags, Teriyaki Chicken- 3 bags, and Shanghai Stir Fry-2 bags. I only have a household of 2 and no little ones, so these 7 bags will give us at least 14 dinners worth as each bag has 4 servings. I love saving money and I have learned to love cooking. Your website has been such a blessing and inspiration. I’m learning so much, so Thanks!
Crystal says
Woohoo! Way to go on your freezer cooking success!
Rebecca says
We have a few easy meals:
Brussel Sprout Soup
3 cans potato soup
1 can corned beef
milk
1 bag of frozen brussel sprouts
Cook corned beef in bottom of pot to warm, then add 3 cans of potato soup and 3 cans of water. Cook the brussel sprouts in the microwave for just a few minutes (still a little frozen) and then slice in half. Mix well and cook until hot! It is SUPER yummy with bread!
Beef Enchiladas
1lb ground beef
1 bag of shredded Mexican Cheese
1 jar salsa
1 package of tortillas
Cook ground beef and then drain. Add in 1/2 jar of salsa and 1/2 bag of cheese. Mix well and cook until warm. Then place 1/4 cup of mixture into tortilla and roll up. Place in 9×13 dish- usually makes 5-6 enchiladas. Then top with half jar of salsa and remaining cheese. Bake until cheese has melted- about 10 minutes at 350.
Holly says
This is a fave meal of mine that takes 15 mins to make: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sweet-Potato-Chicken-Skillet/Detail.aspx
And here is our menu for this week:
http://theartoffrugality.com/?p=81
Trish says
Thanks for posting your menus. Dinner time is always a struggle for me and I always think that a menu would help. Reading yours have been inspiring me to start. Can’t wait for the lasagna casserole recipe. That looks yummy!
Becky says
Meal planning always seemed like such a huge chore to me until about a year ago. I created a 4-week menu plan with a grocery list for each week. This has worked wonders in my family. I make minor adjustments every week (trying to save room to try new things), but it has been a huge time saver to have something to start with! Good luck!
Megan says
I have several recipes on my blog that are all very simple and use only basic ingredients. There aren’t a lot of recipes, but I’m always adding more. Come visit!
Megandyanray.blogspot.com 🙂
Amy T. says
Are we going to get to see the recipe for the green rice casserole??? 🙂 I’ve seen it on your menu the last couple of weeks.
Crystal says
Yes, I promise. But probably not for a couple more weeks. I promise I *will* post it, though! Thanks for your patience with me. 🙂
Jaime says
One of my most favorite quick and easy meals is Chicken Alfredo….with an Olive Garden Copycat Alfredo Sauce! Yum yum!!!
http://determinedtogetorganized.blogspot.com/2011/03/olive-garden-copycat-alfredo-sauce-best.html
Bethany says
I forgot this one!
Cheeseburger Hoagies!
http://thebigredpot.blogspot.com/2010/09/cheeseburger-hoagies.html#
Ann says
Thank you for sharing your menus! It sure helps when I feel like I’ve been serving the same old thing.
* Beef Stew with biscuits
* any kind of leftover meat, cut up and covered in barbeque sauce, usually served with buttered noodles
* any kind of leftover meat, added to gravy and served over bread or biscuits
* canned soup and grilled cheese (I know, homemade is so much better, but sometimes you just gotta)
* Pasta Alfredo – I have an awesome Alfredo recipe that can be made in the time it takes to cook the pasta
* Spanish rice – bring 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup salsa to a boil. Stir in 2 cups instant rice. Cover and remove from heat. Wait 5 minutes and stir. Voila! You could easily stir in some browned ground beef or cooked chicken for protein.
Thanks to everyone sharing their fast meals!!
Emily says
Can you share that awesome alfredo recipe????
Ann says
Sure! I got this from the back of a pasta box several years ago.
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1 1/4 cups half-and-half, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Melt margarine over medium heat; stir in 3/4 cup half-and-half. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup half-and-half, cheese, pepper, nutmeg and salt. Cook, stirring, until smooth.
This says it makes 4 servings, but I always double it.
I have found it works better to refrigerate the leftover sauce by itself. It separates somewhat when it gets cold. If you reheat the sauce separately and stir it well, it will all come back together and be just as yummy the second time around.
Emily says
Thanks!!
Christy McCullough says
For your overnight french toast you can easily make it a stuffed french toast and get even more flavor, plus some fruit. There are several options, but my favorite is to use apple butter on the inside of the two layers of bread, then lay thinly sliced apples on top. Squish it down well. I go ahead and cut it into squares before I pour the milk/egg/vanilla mixture over so it can get down around all the pieces. You can also use cream cheese or plain butter, and any other type of fruit you like. The apple butter/apple just seems like the most natural one. Always a Christmas morning item at our house.
Crystal says
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
holi says
I love lasagna casserole! It is my favorite to make when I have no idea what to make and IT’s Fast too!
Ali says
My family loves this Nutty Pasta w/ Shrimp dish. It is easy and yet fresh. My kids haven’t always liked the shrimp, but then they eat the noodles and red pepper strips.
http://themamareport.com/cooking/nutty-pasta-with-shrimp/
Bethany says
here are a few of mine!
Chicken Stir Fry – http://thebigredpot.blogspot.com/2010/09/chicken-stir-fry.html#
Pumpkin Pie Pancakes – http://thebigredpot.blogspot.com/2010/09/come-link-up-your-fall-recipes.html#
Special Chickend and Rice – http://thebigredpot.blogspot.com/2011/02/special-chicken-and-rice.html#
Melinda says
I’m trying to come up with a weekly plan, I don’t include breakfast and lunch but here is mine for the week.
http://lindyandjeanne.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-we-are-having-for-dinner-this-week.html
Tracey says
Your menu always looks great..thanks for sharing! I am just curious…do your kids eat all of the meals that you plan? I don’t feel like my kids are picky eaters but there are some nights that I end up making mac & cheese in addition to my planned meal. I just wondered if that happens to you too!
brittany says
I think it happens to us all Tracey. I even have to make a seperate meal for my picky husband at times as well.
Leah says
My kids are allowed to pick pb&j (ww tortilla, organic pb, organic jam) over dinner, but that’s the only substitution allowed. Otherwise they eat what’s put in front of them, that’s just how we roll. 🙂
Laura says
Brittany, I agree. Just about every family has at least one picky eater.
What we do is serve several courses: 1-salad & veg. This is their “ticket” to the entree. They don’t have to eat it. They may be excused and hope they like what is served for breakfast better. Usually they are hungry enough to eat it. 2- entree. I try to make something that everyone enjoys, but of course, I mix it up occasionally with new food or special entrees. Again, there is no power struggle because it is their choice whether to eat or go hungry until the next meal. We used to have a 3-bite minimum but no longer have to. 3- Bread! Some families serve dessert but my kids are crazy about homemade bread, lol. This is their treat for making it all the way through a meal.
Every family is different but this has worked for us.
Becky says
This is one area where I am a stickler with my kids (one of whom is really, really picky). They have learned that I am not a short order cook — dinner is dinner. I give them a lot of flexibility with other aspects of meal planning like choosing some items for the menu, picking which night we will serve which dinner, helping with cooking, choosing side dishes, etc. Thankfully, the whining has tapered off (though not completely).
April Krause says
I would love to know what lasgna casserole is. It sounds really good.
Crystal says
Recipe is coming on Thursday!
mary c says
Yes, I am happy too. It gives me ideas and encourages me to do a menu as well.
My very outspoken little one will wake up and not want a specific item. So I typed out all the breakfast items she had to choose from such as: toast, cereal, oatmeal, fruit, eggs, yogurt, sausage, and pancakes. Each morning she can pick one or 2 since we always have these items on hand . 🙂
Kristina at Balancing Budgets and Babies says
I really like this idea! It can make them feel more independent and ‘grown up’ by choosing from a menu. Thanks for sharing!
Emily L. Freelove says
Another simple recipe to try is Chinese Bourbon Chicken ( no alcohol!!) and you can change it up with pork anytime. We love chinese food but the take-out prices are too high when it’s so easy to make. Here the recipe and also our menu for the week. http://www.savingwithaplan.com/2010/10/better-than-chinese-bourbon-chicken/
http://www.savingwithaplan.com/2011/03/menu-plan-monday-8/
Marion says
I love that you bought back your weekly menu. It’s very helpful!
If you want to try something different I made PW overnight French toast last week….it was the best recipe I have every tried. It was super easy and cheap to make. I has all the ingredients on hand except for the french bread which I got off the day old shelf at my grocery store for only .79
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/05/cinnamon-baked-french-toast/
Crystal says
Oh wow! THANK YOU for sharing that amazingly delicious-looking recipe!
Emily says
Um, yeah, that looks delicious and I think I”m gonna have to make it this weekend.
Sarah says
I have a similar recipe for caramel-soaked french toast if anyone wants. It’s quite similar to the above recipe except you make a corn syrup/brown sugar base that you pour in the bottom of the casserole before you add the bread; then you pour the half and half/egg/vanilla mixture in, let sit overnight, and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top when ready to bake. This is VERY rich and sweet, you definitely don’t need syrup.
Kristin says
Mmm I LOVE caramel, Please post your recipe!
Laura says
I would love to see it too. Sounds like a great make-ahead dish for overnight guests!
Jamie says
I have an overnight blueberry stuffed french toast recipe that is great for company or just the middle of the week too. http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-to-do-with-old-bread.html