R2,000

Another 7-day budget meal plan for a family of four. 7 dinners, breakfasts and lunches. All easy, all delicious and all within budget. 👌🏻 #budgetmeals #DinnerIdeas #mealplan #weeknightdinner #cookingathome We're approaching another R2,000 budget week, and this week we're approaching it slightly differently. I first went through the promotions at the store's local to me and saw what they had on special. I saved on tuna, bell peppers, mayonnaise, chicken pieces, bacon, and oats, so I might use off that to design the menu for the week. For breakfast, we're doing overnight oats with an easy berry sauce made with frozen berries and if oats aren't your thing, you can swap that for other seeds or leave them out entirely. For a savory breakfast, we're sticking with simple eggs and toast as that is always a crowd favorite. For lunch, we're making a big batch of tuna salad with celery for crunch, mayo and a few simple seasonings. Serve on a bit of greens as a sandwich or with crackers, it's a great healthy lunch option. We're also using the chakalaka we're making for one dinner and turning the leftovers into delicious cheesy toasties. Speaking of which, we're starting with a meatless Monday and making baked beans with vegetables and a rich tomato sauce. This recipe feeds at least six people, but up to ten people. It's cost-effective but utterly delicious. We're serving the chakalaka with baked potatoes and for Tuesday's dinner, it was Arroz con Pollo, a true wonder. Fragrant Spanish chicken with rice cooked with onions, peppers and peas. It's guaranteed crowd-pleaser. On Wednesday, I made a quick tomato sauce and added the leftover sour cream from the baked potatoes to it, but optional but delicious. I tossed that through pasta and layered it with grated cheddar and mozzarella. Baked until golden and bubbling, this is the kind of meal the entire family loves. It also makes great leftovers. For Thursday's dinner, it was my easy Mexican chicken soup. I poached a few chicken pieces and shredded the meat, added it to the soup base, which is incredibly delicious, spicy, packed with beans and truly packed with protein and fiber. It's a great way to make a hidden freeze for lunch the next day. And for Friday, we want pizza. I used the bowl of store-bought dough and pressed it into sheet pans. I topped it with tomatoes, cheese, bacon, and then I got on special. But the joy of pizza is playing around with the toppings or salami or ham or leftover chicken if you have them in the pantry, delicious olives or bell peppers and onions would be delicious too. Bake in a super hot oven until crisp and golden and then slice and serve. For Saturday, I made quick fried rice with the remaining peppers, onions, carrots and peas. I added the last of the frozen peas in and served that with my honey chicken thighs. And finally, on Sunday, I made a big pan of lasagna. This recipe feeds at least six people, but up to ten people. Have it with a salad made from whatever is left in the fridge or pick up some fresh garlic to mop up the sauce. This satisfying, hearty meal is not only delicious but packed with protein and fiber too. Let me know which recipes you'll add to your weekly menu always, on Delicious.