Save Money by Going Meatless Once a Week

Meat is one of the most expensive items on your grocery bill.  By serving a meatless dinner once or twice a week you will save money.   It is also a way to decrease your cholesterol and saturated fat intake, giving your heart a much needed break.

In my household I declare Mondays Meatless.  Mondays are tough on me and I look forward to the ease of making a meatless dinner when I get home from work.  Most of the meatless meals I make take less time to prepare than meat based meals.

When I started introducing meatless meals to my meat loving husband, I had to do so in an inconspicuous manner.  So I started with some classic entrées: mac and cheese with broccoli, oatmeal pancakes with yogurt and fruit, egg omelets with peppers and cheese, spaghetti marinara with cheese melted on top.  Something about cheese melted on top seems to make meatless more exciting.  Choose reduced fat cheese to decrease your fat and cholesterol intake.

After trying the more traditional meatless meals, I became more adventurous by making entrées such as Black Bean Burritos, Pizza Boats (see recipes below), Baked Eggplant Parmesan, Vegetable Stir Fry, Spinach Lasagna, and Southwest Bean Soup.

What are some of the ways your family saves money on food?

Black Bean Burritos
2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 (10 inch) whole grain tortillas
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ½ small onion, chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans,
• rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno peppers
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Wrap tortillas in foil and place in oven heated in 350 degrees F. Bake for 15 minutes or until heated through. Or heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.

2. Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Place onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapenos in skillet, cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour beans into skillet, cook 3 minutes stirring.

3. Cut cream cheese into cubes and add to skillet. Cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir Spoon mixture evenly down center of warmed tortilla and roll tortillas up. Enjoy!

Pizza Boats
4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 6-inch French rolls
• ¾ cup pizza sauce
• ¼ cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup green pepper, chopped
• ½ cup onion, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

2. Cut French rolls in half as you would to make a sandwich. Spread pizza sauce over each half.

3. Top each half with Mozzarella cheese, green pepper, and onion.

4. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

For more meatless recipe ideas visit All Recipes or Meatless Monday.