Sunday: Family

What mother wouldn't love your homemade RAINBOW BREAKFAST BENTO BOX made by her little darlings? Add 1 percent milk for the cereal, and serve with crisp bacon and toasted ENGLISH MUFFINS for Mom. Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere!

Tip

What mother wouldn't love your homemade RAINBOW BREAKFAST BENTO BOX made by her little darlings? Add 1 percent milk for the cereal, and serve with crisp bacon and toasted ENGLISH MUFFINS for Mom. Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere!

Shopping List

colorful fruit such as raspberries, blueberries, cherries and kiwifruit, pineapple or apricots, Mom's favorite cereal (such as Special K, Kashi Go Lean or other unsweetened cereal), 1 percent milk, bacon, English muffins.

Monday: Budget

Pasta and tuna are two of the most economical ingredients in the pantry, and PASTA SALAD WITH BLACK OLIVES AND TUNA proves they can be delicious as well. Cook 2 cups (about 8 ounces) rotini (or other short pasta) according to directions; drain well and transfer to a large serving bowl. Toss with 1/2 cup reduced-fat Italian dressing. Stir in 2 cups (about 1 pound) chopped tomatoes, 2 cups salad greens in bite-size pieces, 2 (6-ounce) cans drained and flaked albacore tuna (packed in water) and 1/3 cup sliced black olives. Toss to mix and serve.

Add GARLIC BREAD. Enjoy PEACH COBBLER for dessert.

Shopping List

rotini or other short pasta, reduced-fat Italian dressing, tomatoes, salad greens, canned albacore tuna (packed in water), sliced black olives, garlic bread, peach cobbler.

Tuesday: Express

Try this BEEF GOULASH for an easy dinner. Serve it with a packaged GREEN SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. All you need are PLUMS for dessert.

Plan

Save enough goulash for Wednesday.

Shopping List

fully cooked boneless beef pot roast with gravy (packaged and refrigerated), olive oil, portobello or crimini mushrooms, onion, cooked, diced and seasoned red potatoes (packaged and refrigerated), lower-sodium beef broth, hot or regular paprika, pepper, packaged green salad, crusty bread, plums.

Wednesday: Heat and Eat

Use Tuesday's leftovers for SPICY BEEF AND BEANS. Prepare 1 (7- to 8 1/2-ounce) package corn muffin mix according to package directions, using the low-fat recipe on package; add 1 teaspoon chili powder to mix and make 6 muffins.

Meanwhile, in a 1 1/2-quart baking dish, combine 2 (15-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans, 1 (10-ounce) can chopped tomatoes and green chiles, 1 cup chopped (leftover) cooked beef, 1 (8-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce and 1 more teaspoon chili powder. Cover and microwave 6 to 8 minutes on high (100 percent power) or until heated through; stir twice. Split corn muffins; spoon bean mixture over them and garnish with shredded 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese.

Serve with JICAMA SLAW. Toss packaged coleslaw mix and peeled, chopped jicama with reduced-fat coleslaw dressing. Dessert is leftover warm COBBLER and fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

packaged corn muffin mix, chili powder, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, canned chopped tomatoes and green chiles, canned no-salt-added tomato sauce, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, packaged coleslaw mix, jicama, reduced-fat coleslaw dressing, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Thursday: Kids

Call the kids for CUBAN-STYLE HOT DOGS AND BLACK BEANS. Heat undrained canned reduced-sodium black beans and canned diced mild green chiles with a splash of red-wine vinegar and cumin. Add sliced hot dogs; simmer 5 minutes. Serve over instant RICE. (Adults might want a few drops of hot pepper sauce on theirs.)

Serve with CARROT STICKS and SOFT ROLLS. FRESH STRAWBERRIES with light whipped cream make a dandy dessert.

Tip

Call the kids for CUBAN-STYLE HOT DOGS AND BLACK BEANS. Heat undrained canned reduced-sodium black beans and canned diced mild green chiles with a splash of red-wine vinegar and cumin. Add sliced hot dogs; simmer 5 minutes. Serve over instant RICE. (Adults might want a few drops of hot pepper sauce on theirs.)

Serve with CARROT STICKS and SOFT ROLLS. FRESH STRAWBERRIES with light whipped cream make a dandy dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium black beans, canned diced mild green chiles, red wine vinegar, cumin, low-fat, low-sodium hot dogs (such as Applegate), instant rice, hot pepper sauce, carrot sticks, soft rolls, fresh strawberries, light whipped cream.

Friday: Meatless

MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS AND BEANS is a quick dinner. Heat 3 cups vegetable broth to boiling. Stir in 2 cups couscous, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 small chopped tomato and 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium garbanzo beans (chickpeas). Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir gently. Serve immediately and sprinkle each serving with reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese.

Serve with SLICED CUCUMBERS in plain yogurt along with FLATBREAD. Munch on SUGAR COOKIES for dessert.

Shopping List

vegetable broth, couscous, raisins, black pepper, cayenne pepper, tomato, canned reduced-sodium garbanzo beans (chickpeas), reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, cucumbers, plain yogurt, flatbread, sugar cookies.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Broil or grill your own PORK KEBABS for your guests and serve them with CURRIED RICE. Cook rice in fat-free chicken broth and add a pinch of curry. Toss with unsweetened shredded coconut. Add (frozen) CREAMED SPINACH, BIBB LETTUCE and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS to round out the meal. For dessert, make LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE and top with leftover ICE CREAM.

Shopping List

pork kebabs, rice, fat-free chicken broth, curry, unsweetened shredded coconut, frozen creamed spinach, bibb lettuce, whole-grain rolls, cooking spray, package lemon cake mix, package instant lemon pudding and pie filling mix, eggs, canola oil, poppy seeds, powdered sugar, lemon, 1 percent milk, butter, yellow food coloring.

Sunday: Family

Try SOUTHWEST MARINATED BEEF STEAK WITH GRILLED PEPPERS for a family-day feast. Combine 1/2 cup Italian vinaigrette, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin. Combine 1/3 cup marinade with 1 1/2 pounds flank steak or top round steak (1-inch thick) in resealable plastic bag; turn to coat. Marinate in refrigerator 6 to 24 hours. Reserve and refrigerate remaining marinade.

Remove steak; discard marinade in bag. Heat grill to medium. Brush red, yellow or green bell peppers (cut in quarters) with reserved marinade. Grill steak 17 to 21 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness. (For top round steak, grill 16 to 18 minutes for medium-rare.) Turn occasionally. Grill peppers 12 to 15 minutes or until tender; turn occasionally. Brush with marinade as desired, but not during last 5 minutes; discard marinade. Carve steak across grain into thin slices; serve immediately with peppers.

While the steak cooks, prepare YELLOW RICE from a packaged mix. Heat canned reduced-sodium BLACK BEANS and top with salsa. Add CRUSTY BREAD. Make dessert light with ANGEL FOOD CAKE topped with fresh SLICED STRAWBERRIES and garnished with light whipped cream.

Plan

Marinate steak the day before if desired. Save enough steak and strawberries for Monday and enough cake for Tuesday.

Shopping List

Italian vinaigrette, limes, honey, cumin, flank steak or top round steak, red, yellow or green bell peppers, packaged yellow rice, canned reduced-sodium black beans, salsa, crusty bread, angel food cake, fresh strawberries, light whipped cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make a STEAK SALAD using a packaged green salad mix. In a serving bowl, toss crumbled blue cheese, croutons, tomato wedges and sliced red onion with the greens. Toss with red wine vinaigrette. "Fan" thin slices of leftover steak on top. If you want more food, heat your favorite deli SOUP. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, spoon leftover STRAWBERRIES over fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Wednesday and Saturday.

Shopping List

packaged green salad, crumbled blue cheese, croutons, tomatoes, red onion, red wine vinaigrette, deli soup if desired, whole-grain rolls, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Tuesday: Express

Try quick REUBEN QUESADILLAS for a new take on the classic sandwich. Layer thinly sliced deli corned beef, some rinsed and drained refrigerated sauerkraut, a drizzle of reduced-fat Thousand Island dressing and shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese on a large fat-free flour tortilla. Top with second tortilla. Cook in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat until the first side is lightly browned. Carefully turn and brown on other side to melt cheese. Cut into wedges before serving.

Buy GERMAN POTATO SALAD from the deli and add DILL PICKLES. Top leftover CAKE with PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

deli corned beef, refrigerated sauerkraut, reduced-fat Thousand Island dressing, reduced-fat Swiss cheese, large fat-free flour tortillas, cooking spray, deli German potato salad, dill pickles, peaches.

Wednesday: Kids

We acted like kids scarfing up this RANCH CHICKEN. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Dip boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips) into bottled light creamy ranch dressing and then in dry bread crumbs. Place chicken in a single layer in a baking dish coated with cooking spray and bake 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is 165 degrees.

Serve with STEAK FRIES (frozen) and GREEN BEANS. Add SOFT ROLLS. For dessert, who could resist a WAFFLE SUNDAE? Top toasted waffles (such as Eggo) with leftover ice cream. Drizzle with fat-free chocolate syrup and decorate with maraschino cherries and candy sprinkles.

Shopping List

boneless, skinless chicken breasts, bottled light creamy ranch dressing, dry bread crumbs, cooking spray, frozen steak fries, green beans, soft rolls, frozen waffles (such as Eggo), fat-free chocolate syrup, maraschino cherries, candy sprinkles.

Thursday: Meatless

This refreshing ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS will remind you of summertime. Add a CHOPPED ROMAINE AND FRESH MINT SALAD and BREAD STICKS on the side. For dessert, make instant CHOCOLATE PUDDING with 1 percent milk and top with crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos or another brand).

Shopping List

orzo pasta, green onions, reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, fresh dill, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lemons, extra-virgin olive oil, coarse salt, garlic, romaine, fresh mint, bread sticks, instant chocolate pudding, 1 percent milk, chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos or another brand).

Friday: Budget

We gave this low-cost, always-popular COBB SALAD thumbs up. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, fresh PINEAPPLE CHUNKS are easy.

Shopping List

red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, sugar, Dijon mustard, salad greens, fresh herbs (such as basil, parsley, mint and chives), avocado, eggs, sliced low-sodium deli turkey (such as Boar's Head), tomatoes, bacon, crumbled blue cheese, whole-grain rolls, fresh pineapple.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

There were no leftovers of BROILED SALMON when we served it to our guests. The savory flavor goes well with ROASTED RED POTATOES. Add frozen tiny GREEN PEAS WITH FRESH SLICED MUSHROOMS and a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD. For dessert, CANTALOUPE WITH ICE CREAM AND BLUEBERRIES is a fine finish. Place cantaloupe quarters in bowls. Fill with scoops of leftover ice cream and shower with fresh blueberries.

Shopping List

Dijon mustard, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, coarse salt, pepper, salmon fillets, cooking spray, red potatoes to roast, frozen tiny green peas, fresh mushrooms, Boston lettuce, cantaloupe, fresh blueberries.

Sunday: Family

Fire up the family grill for your GRILLED PORK CHOPS. Serve with PARMESAN COUSCOUS. Into the couscous, stir 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.

Serve with an ARUGULA AND STRAWBERRY SALAD. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon canola oil and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Add 1 generous pint of fresh strawberries (hulled and halved) and a sprinkle of poppy seeds. Add 2 cups arugula; gently mix and serve immediately. (Adapted from "Old School Comfort Food," Alex Guarnaschelli; Clarkson Potter, 2013.)

Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, buy a BOSTON CREAM PIE.

Plan

Prepare enough pork chops and save enough pie for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless pork chops, couscous, green onions, parmesan cheese, dried thyme, low-fat mayonnaise, sherry vinegar, honey, extra-virgin olive oil, canola oil, coarse salt, fresh strawberries, poppy seeds, arugula, dinner rolls, Boston cream pie.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Remodel the leftover pork into PORK PANINIS. Spread 1 to 2 teaspoons pesto on each of 8 slices Italian bread. Top 4 slices with thinly sliced cooked pork and sliced provolone cheese; top each sandwich with remaining bread and lightly brush outer surface of sandwiches with olive oil. Grill, pressing down on bread, in a medium-hot skillet until toasted on both sides.

Serve with deli COLESLAW and SLICED AVOCADOS. Leftover PIE is dessert.

Shopping List

pesto, Italian bread, provolone cheese, olive oil, deli coleslaw, avocados.

Tuesday: Express

Make it quick tonight with FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES with ROASTED VEGETABLES. Split a 12-ounce loaf of French bread lengthwise. Spread with 1/4 cup creamy Dijon mustard. Fill with 12 ounces warmed deli sliced roast beef and 1 1/2 pounds deli roasted vegetables (halved if large). Cut loaf into quarters. Heat au jus gravy and dip away.

Serve with CURLY FRIES (frozen) and a packaged GREEN SALAD. For dessert, fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM is easy.

Shopping List

French bread, creamy Dijon mustard, deli sliced roast beef, deli roasted vegetables, au jus gravy, frozen curly fries, packaged green salad, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Budget

I'm putting TUSCAN BEEF STEW into my favorites file for three reasons: It's delicious, simple to prepare and low in cost. Serve with a MIXED GREENS SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. Keep dessert light with PEARS.

Shopping List

canned condensed tomato soup, canned condensed beef broth, red wine, well-trimmed beef stew meat, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, fresh carrots, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, canned reduced-sodium cannellini beans, salad greens, garlic bread, pears.

Thursday: Kids

Have the kids help you prepare FISH STICKS (frozen) for dinner. Serve them with CREAMY PIEROGIES. In a large pan, cook 1 (16.9-ounce) package low-fat pierogies (any flavor) in boiling water 5 minutes or until they float; drain and transfer to a serving bowl.

Meanwhile, combine 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can less-sodium, less-fat condensed cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup frozen peas and carrots. Microwave on high (100 percent power) 3 to 4 minutes. Spoon over pierogies; toss to coat. Sprinkle with crumbled baked potato chips. On the side, dip BABY CARROTS into ranch dressing for a power-packed crunch.

Drink a STRAWBERRY-BANANA SHAKE for dessert. Blend 4 cups 1 percent milk, 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding, 1 medium banana (cut into chunks) and 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries for 1 minute or until smooth.

Shopping List

frozen fish sticks, any flavor low-fat pierogies, less-sodium, less-fat condensed cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas and carrots, baked potato chips, baby carrots, ranch dressing, 1 percent milk, instant vanilla pudding, banana, fresh or frozen strawberries.

Friday: Meatless

Make your no-meat dinner with little effort with this BLACK BEAN SOUP. While it's cooking, prepare GRILLED CHEESE AND TOMATO SANDWICHES on dense white bread. Slice KIWIFRUIT for dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium black beans, salsa, chili powder, vegetable broth, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, green onions, fresh cilantro, cheese and tomatoes to slice for sandwiches, dense white bread, kiwifruit.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Serve your guests colorful and flavorful CHICKEN WITH SPANISH-STYLE RICE AND TOMATOES. Add a SPINACH SALAD WITH RED ONION RINGS and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Keep the theme going and buy FLAN for dessert.

Shopping List

olive oil, boneless chicken breasts, pepper, garlic, packaged Spanish-style yellow rice, fat-free chicken broth, fresh tomatoes, green bell pepper, canned reduced-sodium black beans, pickled jalapenos, fresh spinach, red onion, sourdough bread, flan.