Shop Your Pantry: Saving Big On Groceries and What We Ate This Week

Join me on a journey of savvy grocery shopping and simple, delicious meal planning. This week, I did a shop your pantry meal plan. I shopped my pantry, fridge, and freezer and planned meals around what I had on hand. By doing so, I’ve managed to keep our grocery bill in check while still serving up some delicious meals that my family loves. Here’s how I did it, plus a sneak peek at our menu for the week!

Shop Your Pantry

Groceries often dominate household budgets and unfortunately contribute significantly to food waste in the United States. Wasting food feels like tossing away hard-earned money. That’s why I’m passionate about shopping my kitchen shelves first. This week, I took inventory of what we already had on hand: chicken wings, ground chicken, frozen meatballs, green peppers, sweet onions, coleslaw mix, cottage cheese, heavy cream, and leftover Italian sausage. My goal? Minimize waste and whip up meals that are both yum and budget-friendly. A little planning proves to go a long way, especially when it comes to nourishing a family. Shopping your pantry and crafting a meal plan around what you have on hand can be your most potent secret weapon in saving big.

Fun Fact: Did you know that in the United States, a staggering 92 billion pounds of food is wasted annually? That equates to 145 billion meals and over $473 billion worth of discarded food each year. Shockingly, 38% of all food in America goes to waste. To learn more about this issue, visit Feeding America for valuable insights.

Meal Planning Made Simple

Does the thought of meal planning make you cringe a little? Fear not! It doesn’t have to be daunting. Grab a piece of paper or use a whiteboard to start your list. Jot down major ingredients or items you want to use up. Then, brainstorm 4-5 meals that incorporate those ingredients. I suggest 4-5 meals because, in our household, we enjoy planned leftovers and indulge in takeout once a week. Now, ensure you have all the minor ingredients like a can of coke or potatoes for that roast chillin’ in your freezer. Anything missing? Add it to your grocery list. You’ll be amazed at how much you save by shopping your kitchen first.

What We Ate This Week

Our grocery shopping this week focused on enhancing what we already had. We spent $75 on dinner essentials, including a few pantry restocks. Refreshing staples like eggs, milk, butter, fruits, and snacks for the kids brought our total to $200. “But Catt, you reached your budget limit?” Indeed, but here’s the empowering part: I chose to allocate my savings toward extra fruits that my family adores. Fruits never go to waste in our home, but they can be pricey.

Additionally, I felt a sense of accomplishment as our grocery spending fell within the thrifty range according to USDA’s food plans. Here’s a glimpse at what a family of five should anticipate spending on groceries:

This Week’s Shop Your Pantry Budget-Friendly Meal Plan

After shopping our pantry, fridge and freezer and grocery shopping for remaining items here’s what’s cooking in our kitchen this week:

No-Boil Three Cheese Baked Ziti

This comforting dish is a real crowd-pleaser and perfect for those busy weeknights. Using some leftover Italian sausage mixed into store-bought marinara sauce, layered with ziti and a trio of cheeses, this dish comes together without any fuss. Plus, no boiling the pasta or cooking the meat means one less pot and pan to wash! Instead of expensive ricotta cheese, I used up my cottage cheese and chives. Cost less and is a healthier alternative.

Chicken Wings with Rice and Peas

The wings were already in our freezer, just waiting to be seasoned and baked to perfection. Served alongside simple rice and peas, it’s a meal that satisfies without stretching the wallet.

Egg Roll Bowls

Utilizing the ground Italian chicken from our freezer, and coleslaw mix in our fridge these deconstructed egg rolls are a hit with the kids. Tossed with fresh cabbage, carrots, and a tangy sauce, it’s all the flavor of an egg roll without the wrapper!

Pancake, Sausage, Strawberry, and Blueberry Breakfast Board

Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please! A fun and interactive way to enjoy dinner, this board is a great way to use up those breakfast staples and any fruit needing to be eaten. The kids like making the whipped cream that uses up the remainder of the heavy cream. Teigan is my picky eater so when she asked for pancakes for dinner one day, I said yes. I made a fancy spread and it became a thing. We try to do this at least once a month.

Meatball Subs with Onion and Peppers

Those frozen meatballs came in handy for a quick sub sandwich night after Grayson’s soccer practice. Paired with sautéed onions and peppers, it’s an easy meal that brings the flavors of a sub shop to our table.

Planned Leftovers

One night a week, we plan to eat leftovers. It reduces waste and gives me a little break from the kitchen—a win-win! This week we revamped the leftover rice and added some eggs, peas, and carrots for stir-fry with cut-up leftover meatballs. But you still cooked? Yeah, but it didn’t take as much energy or time in the kitchen.

Takeout

One night a week, we eat takeout. When money was tight we opted for homemade pizza night. These days we budget for takeout and once in a while the kids will surprise us and ask to cook something. Liv and Gray made the most delicious fake-out Orange Chicken and broccoli with rice. It was cheaper than the budgeted takeout amount and so it was a win-win!

Embrace the Savings

Meal planning isn’t just about being organized—it’s about being creative with what you have and smart with your budget. This approach not only saves money but also minimizes food waste, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious families.

I’d love to hear how you shop your pantry and plan your family meals! Share your tips and tricks in the comments below, and let’s continue making magic in the kitchen without making a dent in our wallets.

Want More? Check Out Our Previous Post: Paycheck-Based Budgeting – A Smarter Guide to Budgeting

While we’re on the topic of smart budgeting, it’s crucial to tailor your financial plans to the rhythm of your paycheck. If you’re intrigued by the shop your pantry meal planning method to saving money, you’ll find our previous post on paycheck period budgeting equally enlightening. Why stick to monthly budgeting when your paychecks arrive weekly or bi-weekly? Dive into our discussion on adapting your budget to match how you actually get paid, ensuring every dollar is optimally allocated. Check it out here and transform your financial strategy today!