January Menu – Using the Freezer and Pantry


The Eat from the Pantry challenge is ON, and I’m taking part. It was started by Moneysavingmom.com and Lifeasmom.com. Everyone taking part is attempting to use up their stores and save money in January. Sounded like a great idea to me! You can read all about my goals here.

I’ve inventoried my pantry and I’ve inventoried my freezer. Now, it’s time to do something with all this information. It’s time to do some menu planning. I love menu planning. Well, let’s face it. I just like planning. There are usually lots of lists involved in planning, and I LOVE LOVE lists.

I’ve put together a rough menu plan for the month. The key to planning is knowing that NO plan is going to stay exactly how you write it down the first time. The first draft is just that – a draft – it’s gonna change. And, you need to be okay with that. If you’re not, you think that planning doesn’t work for you. And that’s probably not the case. You just need to know the plan is a framework, a guideline, a boundary. And, it’s okay to change it!!!

All that being said, I’ve made a list of what I’m hoping to cook this month. I still plan on participating in Menu Plan Monday and that is where I will post links to recipes. That is also where the tweaks are going to show up. I can guarantee that there will be changes near the end of the month as things have moved around. Right now our schedule is pretty light in January with extra stuff. I have a feeling invitations just aren’t out yet.

Here’s the plan:

January

3: Pork roast, zucchini, potatoes

4: Small Group – I cook – Chicken Wild Rice Casserole, Whole wheat rolls, salad, cake

5: Hot Dogs, salad, pasta/chips

6: Chicken thighs, pasta, green beans

7: Leftovers

8: Leftovers

9: Turkey, Stove Top Stuffing, Gravy, Roasted Veggies

Lunches for David: Taco Soup, Pork Roast, Hot Dogs

10: Spaghetti (use Italian Sausage), salad, bubble bread

11: Small Group

12: Pot Roast, noodles, salad

13: Frozen Pizza

14: Tacos

15: Leftovers

16: Brinner (Breakfast for dinner)

Lunches for David: Spaghetti, Pot Roast, Turkey w/ gravy

17: Chicken Quesadillas

18: Small Group

19: Turkey with Noodles

20: (K out) Bratwurst and noodles (pre-cook)

21: (K out) BBQ and chicken nuggets (warm up)

22: (K out) Leftovers

23: (K come home) Chinese

Lunches: Taco Soup, Turkey w/noodles, Chicken Quesadillas

24: Italian Sausage and Stuffing, Bubble Bread,

25: Small Group

26: Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner)

27: Hot Dogs, salad, chips

28: Chicken Pot Pie

29: Appetizer night: Pigs in blanket, popcorn shrimp, veggies, fruit

30: Pork Loin, roasted potatoes, green beans (Will need to buy – Hubby’s favorite. Celebrate the end of the month.)

31: Leftovers

Lunches: Chinese leftovers, Sausage & Stuffing, Hot Dogs

(Please note that the Princess of Picky will not eat everything that I’m making. The majority of these dishes have a “her” version that I just whip up on the side. It usually involves leaving off a sauce. She’ll eat meat and pasta – just not with any sauce on it that melds it together.)

If I planned correctly, the majority of what is in my freezers will be gone. A major majority. That is awesome! I’ll also use up a good bit of what’s in the pantry. Exciting! I can’t wait to hear what others are doing as well.

0 thoughts on “January Menu – Using the Freezer and Pantry

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *