Publix Menu: Feed a family of 4 for $50 (and change)

Now here's the thing.  I'm not actually feeding a family of 4 with this menu.  It's a family of two for us, and we're not picky.  We eat leftovers, cheese and crackers for dinner, cereal...we eat well sometimes and other times we just eat. If you'd like to see what we're actually eating check out this Menu Plan.  But I'd like to help give you guys an idea of what you can buy at Publix this week and get on the table.  You can probably eat a meal or two out of your pantry and do some substituting to spend way less.  With the exception of the hot dog stuff, I would (and do) make these meals on occasion.

While these may not be the healthiest options, I did include a protein, starch and veggie in every meal. 

Monday: Pizza, bread sticks, salad
Tuesday: Egg Muffin Sandwiches, sausage, fried potatoes, yogurt
Wednesday: Hot dogs, noodles, corn on the cob
Thursday: Pork chops with mushroom soup, mashed potatoes, frozen veggies
Friday: Steak Sandwiches, salad, baked potato
Saturday: Shrimp/Asparagus/Mushroom Pasta with bread sticks
Sunday: Hot Dog Casserole, veggie

The $50 Challenge Menu for this current week is now available, too!

Monday: Pizza, bread sticks, salad ($4.40)

• Tombstone Pizza, $2.90
• Fresh Express Salad Blend with coupon, $1
• Cole’s Garlic Mini-Loaf, 8 oz, $.50 (yellow flyer deal with coupon)

Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner ($7.25)

• Thomas’ English Muffins,  $.75,
• Eggs, estimated $1.50,
• Publix shredded cheese: $2
•  2 Banquet Brown’N Serve sausages $2,
• Fried potatoes (we'll factor the cost into another night)
• Yogurt Dannon DanActive $1 (yellow flyer deal with Q)

Wednesday: ($6.65)

• Hot dogs $2.00 (this leaves an extra package for later)
• Buns estimated $1.50
• Knorr Sides  $.65
• Georgia Sweet Corn 4 ct, $2.49

Thursday: ($13)

• Boneless Pork Chops,2 lbs $7.98
• Campbell's soup 2/$1
• Idaho Potatoes, 5 lb bag, $2.99 (will use in 2 other meals also) 
• Birds Eye frozen corn estimated $.75
• coat the chops with flour seasoned with salt, brown about 5 minutes a side in oil and then throw in onions/garlic (if you like) and a can of mushroom soup mixed with maybe 1/2 C milk/water.  I like to put in a teaspoon of vinegar (balsamic is the best) to enhance but you don't have to.  Cook, stirring frequently and flipping chops about 15 more minutes.   This makes a tender chop and has lots of gravy for the potatoes.

Friday: Steak Sandwiches: ($8.50)

• Steak-Eze Philly Beef Steaks, 6 pk,  5.99
• Cheese leftover from Tuesday
• Buns, estimated $1.50
• Salad with coupon $1
• Baked potato left from Thursday

Saturday:  Shrimp/veggie pasta with garlic bread $6.88

• 1/2 lb Medium White Shrimp, $2.99
• Asparagus, $2.49/lb
• Portabella Mushrooms 6 oz pkg, $2.69/lb,
• Pasta I'm estimating free because hopefully you've got it in the pantry
• Del Monte Tomatoes, Assorted Varieties, $.70
• I'm also estimating the sauce free because you should be able to make one from  an assortment of staples you already have.
• I'd cook some onions and garlic (if I had them) in some butter/oil for a few minutes.  Then throw in a tablespoon of flour and cook a minute.  Then I'd stir in something wet (broth, milk, wine, water with bouillon) and season with some spices that sounded good or a splash of vinegar.  Add to cooked pasta and shrimp/veggies sauteed in a fat and have a gourmet pasta.
• Cole’s Garlic Mini-Loaf, 8 oz, $.50 (yellow flyer deal with coupon)

Sunday: Hot Dog Casserole

• 1 package hot dogs (from Wednesday)
• 1 cornbread mix, $.75
• 1 can baked beans, estimated $1.25
• 1/2 pound ground chuck, $1.50 (the recipe calls for double hot dogs, but I think it would be better with 1 pk dogs and added beef)
• Birds Eye frozen veggie estimated $.75

The grand total: $50.32, and you could SURELY find some of these ingredients in your pantry/freezer to exchange or substitute for even more savings.