Home Cooking for 1 and a 1/2

This week Derek will be gone to California for business. I love to do meal plans for the week but it is so hard when you only have to cook for two people (one of them being a wiggly toddler). Meal planning seems to help with getting groceries and saves me from spending a TON of money on food that we won't eat for the week. Here is my meal plan for this week for just Stratton and I. For those of you out there that have a husband that isn't home a lot a you have a little one at home...this one is for you.

Monday Meal:

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Tomato Soup
Apple Sauce
Cottage Cheese

Grill Cheese Sandwiches are super easy to make and I seriously don't know anyone who doesn't like them. The best part about making grilled cheese and soup is that you can dip the sandwich in the soup! I don't know about your kids but unless it can be dipped my son won't eat it. Apple sauce is the little bit of sweet that is good your meal and the cottage cheese is something I have always eaten with tomato soup.

Grocery List so far:
bread
2 cans soup
apple sauce
cottage cheese

Tuesday Meal:

Shake and Bake Chicken Strips
Mac n Cheese
Green Beans

This meal has been my go to meal lately. Shake and Bake chicken is SO easy to make and it's super cheap. Not to mention your little guy can help you shake the bag when you're getting everything ready. I like the regular Shake and Bake because it's not too spicy. I dip my chicken in a 3/4 ranch and 1/4 water mixture to get the crumbs to stick to it a little better. Mac and Cheese goes with ANYTHING seriously. Green beans are your vegetable what are a must for a growing little one.


Grocery List so far:
bread
cheese slices
2 cans soup
apple sauce
cottage cheese
shake and bake
raw chicken breast
ranch dressing
mac and cheese
milk
butter
steam-able or canned green beans

Wednesday Meal:

Bagel Pizzas
Corn
Cheesy Bread

I used to make these with my parents all the time when I was little. They are so easy and they are so much fun to make because it's like you get to make your own pizza to taste! You take the bagel, plop on as much sauce as you want, cheese, and whatever toppings you would like. I like pepperoni! The corn is a good veggie to make with these because it's super easy and I think it tastes good with it. As for the cheesy bread, I just take regular bread, slap some butter on it, put some parm on top and pop it in the oven and broil it until it looks just right! Easy peasy!

Grocery List so far:

bread
cheese slices
2 cans soup
apple sauce
cottage cheese
shake and bake
raw chicken breast
ranch dressing
mac and cheese
milk
butter
steam-able or canned green beans
bagels (plain)
pizza sauce
shredded cheese
pepperoni slices
steam-able or canned corn



Thursday Meal:
Thursday nights are usually our eat out night. Panera is a favorite for us. Stratton loves the soup there and I love the bread bowls. Not to mention I can pick up the bread for Spaghetti night on Friday! If you have a night where you like to eat out, you should check your local restaurants and see who has a kids night. McAlisters has kids nights and all kids eat FREE!

Friday Meal:

Spaghetti
Corn
Asiago Cheese Bread
Salad

This is a great meal because you can make as much or as little as needed for you and your little one. Stratton loves corn so making that a side is always a hit. Not to mention he would eat the whole loaf of bread if I would let him. Surprisingly Stratton will eat salad too. If your kiddo isn't much on salad, try cutting up some smaller tomatoes and letting them dip it in ranch. That was always a hit with me when I was little. You could also try cucumbers or carrots too.


Grocery List for the Week:

white bread
america cheese slices
2 cans soup (either tomato or chicken noodle)
apple sauce
cottage cheese
shake and bake original
raw chicken breast (1-2lbs)
ranch dressing
mac and cheese
milk (2% or skim)
butter
steam-able or canned green beans
bagels (plain)


pizza sauce
shredded cheese
pepperoni slices
steam-able or canned corn
spaghetti noodles
spaghetti sauce
salad

There it is, my grocery list for the week. I try to pick up some extra bread as well as some deli meat for lunches at work and a few extra cans of soup. Something light and easy. I also pick up LOTS of fresh fruit. Stratton loves oranges and they are really great this time of year because of all of the vitamin C in it. Fruit is also a great snack because, well lets face it, it's better than eating junk food like chips or ice cream. Hope you all have a wonderful week! I know I will!