Sunday: Family

For family day, make an EASY ASIAN STIR-FRY. If desired, serve over noodles of your choice. Add a LETTUCE WEDGE SALAD and BREADSTICKS. MERINGUES are a melt-in-your-mouth dessert.

Plan

Grill an extra 1-pound steak and save enough breadsticks and meringues for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless beef top round or top sirloin (cut 3/4 inch thick), stir-fry sauce, frozen stir-fry vegetable blend, vegetable oil, garlic, sesame seeds (optional), noodles (optional), lettuce, breadsticks, meringues.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make STEAK SALAD for a quick meal: Buy packaged mixed greens and top with sliced leftover beef. Drizzle with a light vinaigrette and toss to coat.

Serve with deli BEAN SOUP and leftover BREADSTICKS. Leftover MERINGUES are a quick dessert.

Shopping List

packaged mixed greens, light vinaigrette, deli bean soup.

Tuesday: Kids

Call the kids for this yummy TUNA WITH PASTA: Cook 3 cups rotini pasta according to package directions; drain pasta and set aside in a bowl. In the pasta pot, mix 1 (6-ounce) can chunk white tuna packed in water (drained), 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed unsalted cream of mushroom soup, 1 soup can water and 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (thawed). Cook 2 minutes on medium, stir in cooked pasta, and heat 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through. Remove from heat and add 2 cups shredded 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese; stir until cheese is melted.

Serve with GREEN BEANS and a CHOPPED LETTUCE SALAD. For dessert, make instant vanilla pudding with 1% milk; garnish with crumbled graham crackers and light whipped cream.

Plan

Save some graham crackers for Wednesday.

Shopping List

rotini pasta, canned chunk white tuna in water, condensed unsalted cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas and carrots, 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese, green beans, lettuce, instant vanilla pudding, 1% milk, graham crackers, light whipped cream.

Wednesday: Meatless

BLACK BEANS AND RICE will bring everyone to the table in a hurry: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium. Add 1 medium chopped onion, 2 small seeded and chopped fresh jalapeno peppers and 1 tablespoon minced garlic; cook 5 minutes or until onion is softened. Stir in 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans in seasoned sauce (with liquid), 1 large chopped tomato and 1/4 cup picante sauce. Cover and cook 8 minutes or until heated through. Serve each portion of the spicy dish over 1 cup hot cooked brown rice.

Add deli COLESLAW. If desired, stir some chopped red bell pepper into the slaw for a flavor boost. Cinnamon-sprinkled CHUNKY APPLESAUCE and leftover GRAHAM CRACKERS make a good dessert.

Plan

Save enough coleslaw for Thursday.

Shopping List

olive oil, onion, fresh jalapeno peppers, garlic, canned black beans in seasoned sauce, tomato, picante sauce, brown rice, deli coleslaw, red bell pepper (optional), cinnamon, chunky applesauce.

Thursday: Express

Pick up a BARBECUE (or regular) ROTISSERIE CHICKEN. Add BAKED BEANS and some leftover COLESLAW along with CORNBREAD (from mix) to the meal. PEACHES are your dessert.

Shopping List

barbecue (or regular) rotisserie chicken, baked beans, cornbread mix, peaches.

Friday: Budget

CHICKEN AND WHITE BEANS PROVENCAL offers a welcome twist: flavor without extra calories. Serve with a SPINACH SALAD and a BAGUETTE. For dessert, ORANGE SECTIONS are refreshing.

Shopping List

canola oil, chicken cutlets, garlic, onion, canned stewed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, coarse salt, pepper, canned reduced-sodium white beans, fresh spinach, baguette, oranges.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Everyone at our table agreed that BAKED COD WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND CHICKPEAS should go into the keeper file. Serve the colorful fish dish with STEAMED FRESH BROCCOLI FLORETS and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS.

Make BABY BERRY TARTS for dessert: Spoon 1 (8-ounce) package light strawberry cream cheese spread into a pastry bag or large sturdy food storage bag. Using a star-shaped tip, pipe the cheese into 15 baked mini phyllo dough shells (from frozen). Slice each of 15 fresh strawberries about 3 times from tip almost to top. Fan slices; place atop filling to garnish.

Shopping List

extra-virgin olive oil, ground coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, coarse salt, skinless cod fillets, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, unsalted chicken broth, shallots, garlic, lemon, black pepper, cilantro, fresh broccoli, whole-grain rolls, light strawberry cream cheese, frozen mini phyllo dough shells, fresh strawberries.

Sunday: Family

Take the family on a culinary trip and enjoy SOUTHWESTERN PORK KEBABS. In a large resealable plastic bag, toss together 8 boneless top-loin pork chops (cut into 1-inch cubes), 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) reduced-sodium or regular taco seasoning mix, 1 red bell pepper and 1 large onion (each cut into 1-inch pieces) until evenly coated. Alternately thread pork cubes with bell pepper and onion onto 8 skewers. Grill on medium-high 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, or until pork is browned and reaches 145 degrees.

Serve with MARMALADE SWEET POTATOES. Cut 2 medium peeled sweet potatoes into bite-size pieces and cook in water to cover for 15 minutes or until tender; drain. Stir in 2 tablespoons orange marmalade and 1 tablespoon butter, and toss to coat. On the side, add GREEN PEAS (from frozen), a MIXED GREEN SALAD and DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, top GINGERBREAD (from mix) with light WHIPPED CREAM.

Plan

Prepare enough kebabs and save some gingerbread for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless top-loin pork chops, reduced-sodium or regular taco seasoning mix, red bell pepper, onion, sweet potatoes, orange marmalade, butter, frozen green peas, salad greens, dinner rolls, gingerbread mix, light whipped cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

STUFFED PITAS will be quick and easy. Heat, chop and stuff leftover kebabs into whole-grain pitas coated with honey mustard dressing. Serve with RICE tossed with fresh chopped parsley. Alongside, add SLICED CUCUMBERS in cider vinegar. Warm the leftover GINGERBREAD for dessert.

Shopping List

whole-grain pitas, honey mustard dressing, rice, fresh parsley, cucumbers, cider vinegar.

Tuesday: Kids

BAKED PASTA has "kids" written all over it for its mild flavor and simple preparation. Serve it with CARROT AND CELERY STICKS and SOFT ROLLS. For dessert, make instant CHOCOLATE PUDDING with 1% milk and let the kids stir sliced bananas into the pudding.

Shopping List

cooking spray, 95% lean ground beef, onion, garlic, coarse salt, pepper, jar no-salt-added or regular red pasta sauce, refrigerated vegetable or herb-filled tortellini, 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese, fresh parsley, carrots, celery, soft rolls, instant chocolate pudding, 1% milk, bananas.

Wednesday: Express

You'll be eating MEATBALL STROGANOFF in no time. Whisk 1 (1 1/2-ounce) package stroganoff sauce mix into 2 cups water to blend. Pour into a large skillet. Add 1 (1 1/2-pound) package fully cooked frozen turkey meatballs (thaw first) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes or until meatballs are hot. Remove from heat; stir in 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream. Serve over NOODLES. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Add a packaged GREEN SALAD and CRUSTY ROLLS. Fresh PINEAPPLE is dessert.

Shopping List

packaged stroganoff sauce mix, packaged fully cooked frozen turkey meatballs, reduced-fat sour cream, noodles, fresh parsley, packaged green salad, crusty rolls, fresh pineapple.

Thursday: Meatless

Enjoy a low-cost, no-meat dinner with SPINACH BAKED PENNE. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook 10 ounces penne pasta according to directions; drain. In a 2-quart baking dish, combine cooked pasta and 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes; mix well. Top with 1 (16-ounce) package frozen creamed spinach (thawed); sprinkle top with freshly grated Parmesan. Cover tightly. Bake 40 minutes. Add GREEN BEANS and GARLIC TOAST. Munch on RED AND GREEN GRAPES for dessert.

Shopping List

penne pasta, canned Italian-style stewed tomatoes, frozen creamed spinach, Parmesan, green beans, garlic toast, red and green grapes.

Friday: Budget

CORN and POTATO CHOWDER is perfect for a chilly fall evening. Serve over BROWN RICE for added fiber and flavor. Add a GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH alongside. Make dessert easy with KIWIFRUIT.

Shopping List

bacon, onion, carrots, potatoes, celery, coarse salt, pepper, vegetable broth, frozen corn, can cream-style corn, 2% milk, flour, green onions, brown rice, ham, cheese, bread, kiwifruit.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

There was no doubt that our guests enjoyed MOROCCAN CHICKEN -- the proof was in the clean plates! Serve the savory chicken and sauce over COUSCOUS. Add STEAMED FRESH CARROTS to the plate and a SPINACH SALAD on the side. Serve with whole-grain PITA WEDGES. Buy a COCONUT CREAM PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

fresh parsley, garlic, chicken breast tenders or cutlets, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, pimiento-stuffed olives, lemon, couscous, fresh carrots, fresh spinach, whole-grain pita bread, coconut cream pie.

Sunday: Express

To keep it simple during this busy week, rely on a SPIRAL-SLICED HAM, deli POTATO SALAD and BAKED BEANS for an easy family meal today. Add a LETTUCE WEDGE and RYE BREAD. Finish the quick meal with a COCONUT CAKE.

Plan

Cook Monday's and Friday's rice today. Save enough ham and cake for Tuesday.

Shopping List

spiral-sliced ham, potato salad, baked beans, lettuce, rye bread, coconut layer cake.

Monday: Kids

If you can't be a cowboy, at least you can eat COWBOY BEANS AND RICE WITH FRANKS: Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium. Add 1/2 medium chopped onion and 1/2 medium chopped green bell pepper; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until softened. Add 4 hot dogs (lowest sodium and fat available) cut into 1-inch pieces, 3 cups cooked rice, 2 (15-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans and 3/4 cup barbecue sauce; mix well. Reduce heat to low and simmer 6 to 7 minutes.

For some crunch, dip CELERY STICKS into ranch dressing. Add CORNBREAD MUFFINS (from mix). PEARS are your dessert.

Plan

Save enough muffins for Tuesday.

Shopping List

canola oil, onion, green bell pepper, lowest sodium and fat hot dogs, rice, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, barbecue sauce, celery, ranch dressing, cornbread mix, pears.

Tuesday: Budget

Buy canned LENTIL SOUP and add some chopped leftover ham for extra flavor. Serve with a SPINACH SALAD and leftover CORNBREAD MUFFINS. Slice leftover CAKE for dessert.

Shopping List

canned lentil soup, fresh spinach.

Wednesday: Meatless

Enjoy the meaty texture of BARBECUE PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SANDWICHES ON FOCACCIA: Slice focaccia into 6 squares, then slice horizontally and toast. Brush 6 portobello mushrooms with barbecue sauce and broil, gill side down, 3 minutes or until tender. To assemble, place 1 mushroom on bottom focaccia square and top with roasted red bell peppers cut into strips, 5 basil leaves and 1 tablespoon goat cheese. Top with remaining focaccia, cut in half and serve.

Add OVEN FRIES (from frozen). PEACHES make a good dessert.

Shopping List

focaccia, portobello mushrooms, barbecue sauce, roasted red bell peppers, fresh basil, goat cheese, frozen oven fries, peaches.

Thursday: Family Thanksgiving

Lots of us like the traditional TURKEY, DRESSING, GRAVY and CRANBERRY SAUCE for Thanksgiving. This year, try these GARLIC PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES for a little change. Go back to tradition and serve PUMPKIN PIE with light whipped cream for dessert.

Plan

Save the leftovers for future feasts.

Shopping List

turkey to roast, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, red potatoes, coarse salt, garlic, low-fat milk, Parmesan cheese, pumpkin pie, light whipped cream.

Friday: Heat and Eat

Use some of the leftover turkey for ASIAN TURKEY WRAPS. Heat the leftover RICE as a side. Leftover PIE is dessert. That was easy!

Shopping List

rice wine vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, dark sesame oil, coarse salt, celery, radishes, green onions, slivered almonds, whole-grain tortillas, fresh basil.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

For a change of pace, invite your guests for MEDITERRANEAN SHRIMP. Serve with TOMATO CAPER SALAD: Mix together 2 tablespoons rinsed capers, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, coarse salt to taste and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Drizzle over 2 cups halved grape tomatoes; let stand for 15 minutes to 1 hour. Sprinkle with 6 shredded basil leaves. Serve over lettuce.

Add GARLIC BREAD. For dessert, sprinkle toasted coconut over FRESH PINEAPPLE.

Shopping List

orzo pasta, olive oil, red onion, red bell pepper, fresh zucchini, shelled and deveined medium shrimp, fresh dill, black pepper, crumbled Greek feta cheese, sliced black olives, capers, balsamic vinegar, coarse salt, grape tomatoes, fresh basil, lettuce, garlic bread, coconut, fresh pineapple.