Sunday: Family

Gather the family for AIR FRYER TRI-TIP ROAST: Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees. Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil all over beef tri-tip roast (1 1/2 to 2 pounds). Season with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Place roast in air fryer basket. Cook 15 minutes. Flip roast; continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees for medium-rare. Remove roast to cutting board and let stand loosely tented with foil or until internal temperature reaches 145 for medium-rare. Slice roast diagonally across the grain into thin slices. As an option, serve with SALSA or CHIMICHURRI SAUCE.

Accompany roast with SCALLOPED POTATOES (from frozen) and GREEN BEANS WITH SLICED ALMONDS. Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, buy a CARROT CAKE.

Plan

Save enough roast for Monday and enough cake for Tuesday.

Shopping List

olive oil, beef tri-tip roast, coarse salt, pepper, salsa or chimichurri sauce (optional), frozen scalloped potatoes, green beans, sliced almonds, dinner rolls, carrot cake.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use the beef leftovers for hefty ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES. Place 4 split hoagie buns on a cookie sheet and brush lightly with Italian salad dressing. Broil 1 to 2 minutes. In a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the salad dressing. Add 8 ounces thinly sliced cooked (leftover) beef to the dressing and coat; heat 2 minutes. Divide meat mixture among bottoms of buns. Add roasted red pepper strips, sliced artichoke hearts (water-packed) and sliced part-skim mozzarella cheese. Broil 2 or 3 minutes or until cheese is melted; add tops and cut in half.

Serve the sandwiches with a MIXED GREEN SALAD. APPLE SLICES are your dessert.

Shopping List

hoagie buns, Italian salad dressing, roasted red peppers, water-packed artichoke hearts, sliced part-skim mozzarella cheese, mixed greens, apples.

Tuesday: Meatless

Skip meat for flavor- and fiber-packed MOROCCAN VEGETABLE STEW WITH COUSCOUS. Serve SLICED CUCUMBERS in plain yogurt alongside and add some FLATBREAD. Leftover CAKE is waiting for dessert.

Shopping List

canola oil, fresh zucchini, onion, fresh carrot, garlic, unsalted vegetable broth, ground ginger, cumin, coriander, coarse salt, cinnamon, pepper, canned reduced-sodium garbanzo beans, canned no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, couscous, cucumbers, plain yogurt, flatbread.

Wednesday: Express

Make it quick tonight with CHILI-CHEESE PIEROGIES. In a 9-by-9-inch baking dish, combine any flavor (16.9-ounce package) frozen pierogies and 1/2 cup water. Cover and microwave on high (100% power) 5 minutes; mix well and drain. Spoon 1 (15-ounce) can turkey chili over pierogies; cover and microwave on high 5 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with 50% reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese; let stand, covered, 3 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve.

Add a packaged GREEN SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. You'll want PEACHES for dessert.

Plan

To save time, assemble Thursday's Baked Spaghetti tonight.

Shopping List

any flavor frozen pierogies, canned turkey chili, 50% reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, packaged green salad, crusty bread, peaches.

Thursday: Kids

BAKED SPAGHETTI'S mild flavor is totally kid-friendly: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook 8 ounces spaghetti according to package directions; mix with 1 tablespoon butter to coat. Meanwhile, coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange cooked spaghetti in an even layer in dish. Spread 1 (24-ounce) carton fat-free cottage cheese over spaghetti. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Heat 3 cups pasta sauce with meat until bubbly. Spoon sauce over cheeses. Top with 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup more Parmesan cheese. Cover with nonstick foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake 15 more minutes or until cheese is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. (Adults might want to sprinkle crushed red pepper over their spaghetti.)

Add a chopped LETTUCE SALAD and BREADSTICKS. For dessert, what kid would pass up an OATMEAL COOKIE?

Shopping List

spaghetti, butter, cooking spray, fat-free cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, jar red pasta sauce with meat, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, crushed red pepper (if desired), lettuce, breadsticks, oatmeal cookies.

Friday: Budget

Save some pennies with TUNA OLIVE SALAD. Add BEAN SOUP and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Top STRAWBERRIES with light whipped cream for dessert.

Shopping List

canned tuna in water, kalamata olives, lemon, flat-leaf parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, coarse salt, pepper, salad greens, bean soup, whole-grain rolls, strawberries, light whipped cream.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Everyone will enjoy this easy FLOUNDER WITH PESTO.

Add BABY PEAS WITH BACON: Cook 4 cups frozen petite peas according to directions. Cook 2 slices bacon in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high until crisp; remove from pan and drain on paper towels; set aside. Reserve drippings in skillet; add 2 tablespoons minced onion and 1/4 cup chopped pecans; cook on medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is tender and pecans are lightly browned. Remove from skillet. In same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter on medium-high. Add peas, chopped bacon, onion, pecans, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and dash of pepper; toss. Heat through.

Serve with ORZO tossed with Parmesan cheese. Add a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Dessert is easy when you buy a KEY LIME PIE.

Shopping List

flounder fillets, pesto, coarse salt, dry white wine, plum tomatoes, fresh parsley, frozen petite peas, bacon, onion, pecans, butter, pepper, orzo, Parmesan cheese, Boston lettuce, sourdough bread, key lime pie.

Sunday: Family

Serve the family HONEY-ORANGE GLAZED HAM today: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place a 2- to 3-pound fully cooked boneless ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast uncovered 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees. Meanwhile, mix together 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1/4 cup honey, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves. Baste ham with mixture the last 10 minutes of roasting. Let stand for 5 minutes; slice and serve.

To accompany the family favorite, make your own SCALLOPED POTATOES and steam some FRESH BROCCOLI. Enjoy APPLE COBBLER topped with VANILLA ICE CREAM for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ham and cobbler for Monday. Save enough ice cream for Tuesday.

Shopping List

fully cooked boneless ham, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, ground cloves, ingredients for scalloped potatoes, fresh broccoli, apple cobbler, vanilla ice cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make GEORGIA GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES for an easy meal: Mix 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise with 3 tablespoons peach preserves. Spread mixture evenly on one side of 8 rye bread slices. Place 1 slice leftover ham on each of 4 slices bread; sprinkle each ham slice with 2 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Top with remaining bread slices; coat with cooking spray. Cook in a large nonstick skillet on medium-low heat until cheese melts and bread is lightly browned.

Serve sandwiches with a ROMAINE SALAD. Warm the leftover APPLE COBBLER for dessert.

Shopping List

low-fat mayonnaise, peach preserves, rye bread, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, cooking spray, romaine.

Tuesday: Express

You can prepare TOMATO SOUP WITH SPINACH AND CORN in no time: Prepare 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup according to directions, using skim milk. Add 1 (10-ounce) package frozen (thawed) chopped spinach and 1 cup frozen (thawed) corn. Heat through.

Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and CHEESE TOAST. Top the leftover ICE CREAM with CHOCOLATE SYRUP for dessert.

Plan

Save enough chocolate syrup for Thursday.

Shopping List

canned condensed tomato soup, skim milk, frozen chopped spinach, frozen corn, lettuce, any bread and any cheese for cheese toast, chocolate syrup.

Wednesday: Meatless

This BAKED EGGPLANT AND POLENTA was a hit and goes into our permanent collection of recipes. Serve with STEAMED SPINACH and a ROMAINE SALAD WITH RED ONION RINGS. Add WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For dessert, PLUMS are perfect.

Shopping List

eggplant, cooking spray, jar marinara sauce, part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, refrigerated ready-to-heat polenta, fresh spinach, romaine, red onion, whole-grain bread, plums.

Thursday: Budget

There's nothing like a good meatloaf to perk up your purse, and BARBECUE MEATLOAF fits the bill. Serve with OVEN FRIES (from frozen) and GREEN BEANS. Make CORNBREAD from a mix. For dessert, prepare instant vanilla pudding using 1% milk and swirl leftover chocolate syrup over the pudding. Top with light whipped cream.

Plan

Save enough meatloaf for Friday.

Shopping List

onion, ground turkey breast, lean ground beef, dry breadcrumbs, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, dried thyme, frozen oven fries, green beans, cornbread mix, instant vanilla pudding, 1% milk, light whipped cream.

Friday: Kids

Show the kids how you can use magic to change the leftover meatloaf into BARBECUE ROLL-UPS: Crumble the leftover meatloaf, heat, spoon into warmed whole-grain tortillas and top with shredded lettuce and any shredded cheese.

Serve with CELERY STICKS and vegetarian BAKED BEANS.

LEAPIN' LIZARDS CRUNCH BARS are what dessert is all about to a kid -- green, but not a vegetable! Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine 1 (12-ounce) package miniature marshmallows and 1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter in a pot. Cook on low for 10 minutes or until marshmallows melt, stirring constantly. Add 6 drops (or more if you want it really gross) green food coloring; mix well. Add 6 cups crisp rice cereal; mix well. Remove from heat and spoon mixture into prepared pan; spread evenly and press down with back of a large spoon. Refrigerate 1 hour. Cut into 8 long, thin strips, then in half. Remove strips from pan. Press 2 chocolate chips into one end of each strip to make eyes. Be brave and eat a lizard.

Shopping List

whole-grain tortillas, shredded lettuce, any shredded cheese, celery, vegetarian baked beans, cooking spray, miniature marshmallows, reduced-fat peanut butter, green food coloring, crisp rice cereal, chocolate chips.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Any guest would enjoy CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC. Serve with MASHED POTATOES, frozen petite GREEN PEAS, a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Make or buy CHEESECAKE for dessert.

Shopping List

cooking spray, onions, celery, dried tarragon, parsley, skinless bone-in chicken thighs, skinless chicken legs, olive oil, coarse salt, pepper, dry vermouth (or dry sherry or dry white wine), garlic, potatoes to mash, frozen petite green peas, bibb lettuce, sourdough bread, cheesecake.

Sunday: Family

Tickle the family's taste buds with CREOLE EYE OF ROUND ROAST: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Shake 3 tablespoons flour in a large (14-by-20-inch) cooking bag; place bag in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced no-salt-added tomatoes with onions and garlic or stewed tomatoes and 3 teaspoons Creole or Cajun seasoning to bag. Squeeze bag to blend in flour. Add 2- to 2 1/2-pound beef eye of round, 2 ribs celery (cut into 1/2-inch slices) and 1 medium red bell pepper (cut into strips). Turn bag to coat beef with sauce. Arrange ingredients in an even layer in bag. Close bag with nylon tie; cut six 1/2-inch slits in top. Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. (WARNING: Do not overcook! Eye of round is very lean and will toughen in a heartbeat.) Thinly slice beef. Stir sauce; serve with beef.

Serve the savory beef dish with RICE and a ROMAINE SALAD. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, top ANGEL FOOD CAKE SLICES with STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough beef, sauce and cake for Monday; save enough ice cream for Tuesday.

Shopping List

flour, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with onions and garlic (or stewed tomatoes), Creole or Cajun seasoning, beef eye of round, celery, red bell pepper, rice, romaine, whole-grain rolls, angel food cake, low-fat strawberry ice cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Bring on the 10-MINUTE CHILI for dinner. In a large pot, combine 2 cups shredded cooked (leftover) beef, 2 (15-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans, 2 cups picante sauce or thick and chunky salsa, and 2 teaspoons chili powder. Cook over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until hot. Stir occasionally. Garnish with sliced green onions and reduced-fat sour cream. Serve with deli COLESLAW and CORNBREAD (from mix). Finish with leftover CAKE topped with BLUEBERRIES and light whipped cream.

Tip

Bring on the 10-MINUTE CHILI for dinner. In a large pot, combine 2 cups shredded cooked (leftover) beef, 2 (15-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans, 2 cups picante sauce or thick and chunky salsa, and 2 teaspoons chili powder. Cook over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until hot. Stir occasionally. Garnish with sliced green onions and reduced-fat sour cream. Serve with deli COLESLAW and CORNBREAD (from mix). Finish with leftover CAKE topped with BLUEBERRIES and light whipped cream.

Plan

Buy enough coleslaw for Wednesday.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, picante sauce or thick and chunky salsa, chili powder, green onions, reduced-fat sour cream, deli coleslaw, cornbread mix, blueberries, light whipped cream.

Tuesday: Budget

Put TURKEY BURGERS on the low-cost menu for tonight. Mix 12 ounces ground turkey with 1/2 packet onion soup mix and form into patties. Grill or pan-fry and serve the burgers on toasted whole-grain buns. Top burgers with LETTUCE, TOMATOES, LOW-FAT MAYONNAISE and MUSTARD. Serve with O'BRIEN POTATOES (from frozen). Scoop the leftover ICE CREAM for dessert.

Shopping List

ground turkey, onion soup mix, whole-grain burger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, low-fat mayonnaise, mustard, frozen O'Brien potatoes.

Wednesday: Express

What could be easier than buying a HAM STEAK and pan-frying it for a quick meal? Serve it with BAKED SWEET POTATOES sprinkled with cinnamon. Add leftover COLESLAW and MULTIGRAIN ROLLS. Serve fresh PINEAPPLE CHUNKS sprinkled with toasted shredded coconut for dessert.

Shopping List

ham steak, sweet potatoes to bake, cinnamon, multigrain rolls, fresh pineapple chunks, shredded coconut.

Thursday: Kids

My mother and I had fun one Halloween dressing up in costumes (100-year-old clothes from the attic), and the DIPPY CHICKEN we ate before the parade can be enjoyed by everyone again: Heat oven to 450 degrees. Coat chicken tenders with cooking spray, then crushed cornflakes. Bake 15 minutes, turning once. Make a dipping sauce from 2 parts apricot jam to 1 part mustard; dip away.

Serve with OVEN FRIES (from frozen) and CELERY STICKS. Add SOFT ROLLS. Don’t be scared of GINGERBREAD SKELETONS for dessert.

Plan

Save enough cookies for Friday.

Shopping List

chicken tenders, cooking spray, cornflakes, apricot jam, mustard, frozen oven fries, celery, soft rolls, brown sugar, butter, molasses, eggs, flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, coarse salt, ground cloves, ready-to-spread vanilla frosting.

Friday: Meatless

Forget meat tonight and make TORTELLINI SOUP. Serve it with GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES and a MIXED GREEN SALAD. Munch on leftover COOKIES for dessert.

Shopping List

unsalted vegetable broth, refrigerated spinach tortellini, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, green onions, garlic, dried basil, Parmesan cheese, dense white bread and any cheese for sandwiches, mixed greens.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for your own GRILLED TUNA. Serve it with this BALSAMIC SAUCE: Combine 1/4 cup unsalted chicken broth, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 4 teaspoons dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch in a small pan. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Spoon over tuna and top with sliced green onions.

Serve the fish with AIR FRYER BABY POTATOES, a GREEN SALAD and a BAGUETTE. For dessert, buy LEMON BISCOTTI from the bakery.

Shopping List

tuna to grill, chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, dark brown sugar, lower-sodium soy sauce, cornstarch, green onions, baby red and gold potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, coarse salt, black pepper, salad greens, baguette, lemon biscotti.