Lunch Time!

One of the ways that T and I save money is to bringour lunch with us to work.  Now PB&J and fluffernutters can get boring, so in lieu of soggy sammiches, I try and make at least 2 extra servings of dinner a few nights each week.

Tonight I made a tasty Italian cassarole, it made 6 servings.  T had seconds, so that leaves 4 extra servings.  2 for his dinner tomorrow (I won't be home until late), and  2 the freezer for other lunches sometime in the future).  For the record, I don't eat sausage- it doesn't agree with me.  I was still full from lunch, and later I had a bowl of cereal.

1 package Italian Sausage (I used Jennie O Turkey Sausage)  $2.00
1 can Hunts Italian Sauce (It's spaghetti sauce)  $.85
1 large Can Tomatoes with Basil  $.99
1/2 box whole wheat pasta .50
4 small onions, chopped .40
1 cup cheese $1.00
1 large zuchinni, cut into "coins"  Free from my mom's garden
Spray release


Saute onion in spray release (that's Pam), over medium heat.  Add sausages and cook until browned.  Add sauce and tomatoes, and the zuchinni.  Cook on medium until boiling.  Add raw pasta, place lid on pot, reduce to low and cook for 15 minutes or until zuchinni and pasta are both cooked.  Remove lid, add cheese and serve.

It was .95/serving.


For me- food doesn't have to be expensive, it just needs to be good. Good means healthy, filling, and something we'll eat.

The menu this week consists of:

Squash Bisque- I made it 2 weeks ago and froze it.  I cut up and baked a large squash.  Once it was cooked, I cut the rind off, discarded it and cooked the meat of the squash with chicken broth and spices (pumpkin pie spice). I pureed it in batches in the blender.

Tacos- I only use 1/2 lb of ground beef.  I add a can of drained, rinsed kidney beans to the spiced meat mixture to give it a different mouth feel and add extra fiber. We add a lot of extra veggies, and sometimes skip the tortilla and use a lettuce "cup" instead.

Black Bean Soup-  I got Black Bean Flakes a few weeks ago and I can't wait to turn them into a thick rich soup with carmelized onions, salsa, chicken stock and a sprinkle of cheese on the top!

Chicken with stuffing/dressing- I've got homemade cranberry jelly to serve with it too!

Chili-  I've got a freezer full of frozen veggies and a cupboard fulla beans- it's time for chili!!