1.05.2009

Menu Monday

It is the start of a new year and time to get back to good habits, which include planning a menu instead of just winging it at dinner time.
Here is what we will be enjoying this week. Or if your name is Roo you will be picking at and not eating and complaining that you don't like anything that is on your plate.
  • Monday - chicken pot pie
  • Tuesday - minestrone soup
  • Wednesday - zippy ziti
  • Thursday - chicken tortilla soup
  • Friday - pizza
  • Saturday - who knows
  • Sunday - roast and potatoes

Usually if I put it on my menu it is homemade . If I am going to use a shortcut trust me I will put down that we are getting take out or grabbing a frozen whatever. At one time I didn't trust my cooking abilities and everything came out of a box, but I have learned and experimented and now I try to do as much homemade as possible. Well I guess you might call it semi-homemade. There are plenty of recipes I use that call for a jar of this or a can of cream of whatever soup. And I am fixing dinner for a family with 5 young kidlets and I only plan on fixing one meal a night, so it is usually kid friendly.

The zippy ziti is a new recipe that we haven't had before. I hope it is good. I should try it before I share it in case it is gross, but here you go:

Zippy Ziti

  • 8 oz pkg of ziti, uncooked
  • 2 C. frozen broccoli cuts
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 C. alfredo sauce
  • 14 1/2 oz can Italian-style diced tomatoes
  • 2 C. mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. Italian style bread crumbs
  • 2 tsp. butter, melted
  • Prepare ziti according to package directions; add broccoli during last minute of cooking time. Drain; add garlic, alfredo sauce, tomatoes and cheese, mixing well. Spoon into a 2-quart casserole dish; set aside. Toss bread crumbs with butter; sprinkle over ziti. Bake at 350 degrees about 20-30 minutes, until top is golden. Makes 4-6 servings.

This recipe actually calls for a jar of alfredo sauce, but seriously it is so easy to make why would you use a jar. And if after we try it and it is really gross I will let you know.

11 comments:

  1. one of the benefits of a small town is that we are FORCED pretty much to cook at home. not very many eating out choices here! that recipe looks good, maybe I'll have to try that one!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks yummy. I like your new header! Have a great week, and it looks like a lot of great food.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That ziti does indeed sound zippy. Might have to give it a try. I think burgers are on the menu for our house tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was just wondering what to fix tonight. I am going to stop by the store tonight and get the ingredients for the zippy ziti. We are extremely pasta friendly in our house!!

    Thanks for the tips.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for doing this so I will know what nights to stop in for dinner ;-) We had cheesy chicken pot pies tonight too. But ours were the frozen Marie Calendar ones.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Janiece wanted all of her blog friends to come over and wish you a happy blogoversary! What a supportive and kind sister you have! And I'm going to have to try that Zippy Ziti. Yum.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yum...that sounds really good!
    I might just have to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love Saturdays meal!! That's like every day at my house.
    I've got to get on the ball about planning a menu--it's so helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We used to be everyday "wingers", but now are menu planners too.
    We find that not only does it save time and money, at the store and at home, but it also makes me get off the couch and get it done because i know whats expected...its a good thing.
    Thanks for the new recipe...i'm going to try it out next week!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like the idea of posting your weekly menu...
    You've got some great lineups!
    We've been trying to cut our monthly food budget so I've been alot more frugal and conscience of what I buy. I've been utilizing my leftovers. It's been a good feeling--

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want ALL the menus! Where are they???

    ReplyDelete