OK, here is a menu for one week. It is this week’s menu in my house. Mostly easy, all inexpensive and delicious too!

Day 1

Hamburger patties, fried potatoes, corn on the cob and brown gravy

1/2 LB hamburger per person
1-1/2 potatoes per person
1/4 cup oil
1 corn cob per person

Cut four medium baking potatoes, skin on, in any shape preferred-I like mine about 1/4” by the length of the potato, but circular shapes, 1/4” are good as well. Begin frying them preferably in a cast iron skillet in some oil of choice-I prefer bacon grease but my heart prefers canola oil! Make hamburger patties thin, salt and pepper them and fry until done-also prefer cast iron for this. Put hamberger patties in tin foil lined pan (to keep pan from getting dirty), cover and put in oven on warm. I use packaged gravy, 1 cup per person at least. Drain the grease but strain the drippings to use in the gravy. Cook corn on the cob in boiling water when potatoes are almost done. Cook gravy in the pan that you cooked the meat, scraping bits of meat from the bottom as you stir. Cook gravy when corn is almost done.

Day 2

Tuna with noodles and green beans, toast

1 can tuna in water, drained
3 cups cooked egg noodles
3/4 cup kraft deluxe american cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/2 can green beans
1 cup durkee fried onions

Cook the noodles according to package directions, drain. Cook milk and cheese in pan until cheese is melted. Add noodles, tuna, green beans, and onions. Stir until heated, adding milk if needed to make more creamy. Top with some toasted durkee onions when you serve it on the plate (toast a few in the toaster oven, but don’t forget them like I did last night!) Serve with toast or bread of choice.

Day 3

Marinated chicken, creamed corn or spinich, and white rice

1 package schilling, grill mates, ZESTY HERB marinade
1 whole boneless chicken breast, or two halves, per person-buy more packages if you need more than 2 LB of chicken
1 can veggies for every two persons
3/4 cup instant white rice per person

Marinate chicken as long as you can-I have never tried this but as a general rule, for MOST marinades, longer is better. Bake in 350 degree oven, covered, for 45 minutes. This is how I will prepare it but like I said, I have never had this so maybe grilling it on the barbecue would be nice too. Cook rice in last twenty minutes, according to box directions. Cook veggies in the microwave at the last minute. Serve chicken over rice.
Day 4

Marinated steak, alfredo noodles, and zuccini squash

1 package Lawry’s tenderizing Beef Marinade
3/4 LB round steak or steak of choice (any will do) per person (buy another package of marinade for more than 2 LB meat
1-1/2 cup feticini noodles per person
1 can alfredo sauce
1 large zuccini per person

Marinade steak according to package directions, if you use the bag, you don’t have to turn it or baste it-15 MINUTES BEFORE YOU ARE READY TO COOK. This is one of the exceptions to the marinade rule, it is very salty and it should only be marinated for 15 minutes. Cut up zuccini in round, 1/4 inch slices. Put steak in a baking pan, and bake on 350, uncovered, WITH marinade (I know it says to discard it but it makes great juice). Cooking times will very, according to the thickness of the meat and how done you like it. When you turn meat over, start the zuccini sauteing in a medium skillet in butter and 1 tsp minced garlic or 1 tsp powdered garlic. Start noodles-cook 1 cup noodles per person. The last thing is the sauce. I heat the sauce in the pan with the drained noodles. Serve with bread if desired.

Day 5

Barbecued Chicken, baked red potatoes, fresh veggie

Two pieces chicken per person or however many you know you need
1 bottle barbecue sauce of choice
1 red potato per person
Veggie of choice

This is pretty self explanitory: Barbecue the chicken on the grill, bake the potatoes-peirce with fork first, either on the grill, in the oven for 1 hour or in the microwave. I don’t have a veggie planned yet for this-so just buy what’s on sale and cook it!

Day 6

Grilled hamburgers with buns, french fries

Smother thick hamburgers with Grill Mates seasoning for montreal steak or any of choice. Grill on barbecue and place on toasted buns with lettuce and tomato. Cook some French fries in the oven.

Day 7

Spagetti with french bread

One large can or two small cans italian seasoned tomatos (diced, stewed or pureed). My hubby doesn't like whole tomatoes cooked so I blend it in the blender first-your choice.
4 medium cans tomato sauce
1 small can tomato paste
1-1/2 C red wine (I use one called "Bob's really good red table wine)
1 onion sauted in butter first if you like
1 tsp basil
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder if you don't use onion
1 tsp minced garlic sauted with onion or 2 tsp powder
taste it as you go along, Add spices as needed-salt and pepper, etc.
1 lb ground beef and/or sausage

1 package sliced button mushrooms or 1-2 cans drained mushrooms, saute the fresh ones in butter
put it all together and simmer on low 1-3 hours, the longer it cooks the better it is but the meat and veggies can go in at any time so it can be cooking when you shop (if someone else is home to check it)0
Stir and taste it every 1/2 hour or so.

Buy some ready made French bread in the store. Serve with salad if you like.

Good luck, gotta go