Meal Plan 1 : Finding Comfort in Tomato Sauce
I'm starting my first meal plan off with some classic comfort food, all with healthy twists. To be honest it all started with the ground turkey I had bought on sale and threw in the freezer to at a later time (and that time is now).
Typically my go-to for ground turkey is tacos or something in form of a patty. However since I've been eating a lot of ground turkey lately, I've gotten tired of the same old. Even the classic meatloaf idea wasn't working for me. So after browsing the internet and looking through many recipes for inspiration, I came up with my Turkey Meatloaf with Spicy Tomato Sauce.
The great thing about this week's meal plan is that the lunch and dinner recipes and easily be switched around and eaten for either meal. You could also use extra of either sauces and eat it over pasta and use part of the meatloaf mixture to create meatballs to go with it!
Understand that this meal plan is suitable for one person, for at least 5 days. You may have to make adjustments to recipes or add additional meals to your prep if you are cooking for 2+ people.
Meals
All meal recipes include meal prep notes within them to help you prepare everything as much ahead of time as you'd like. However for those who don't like to meal-prep, eat the same thing every day or are preparing food for a family, this plan shows you recipes you can make within the same week, using similar ingredients.
Breakfast
A warm cinnamon apple oatmeal that is easy to prep and eat on-the-go.
Lunch
Crispy breaded eggplant with a simple homemade tomato sauce and cheese. A vegetarian meal that I think everybody can get behind.
Dinner
Turkey Meatloaf with Spicy Tomato Sauce
Ditch the gravy because this meatloaf is doused in a hearty spicy tomato sauce (and covered in cheese). Served on top of cauliflower parsnip mash and along side some toasty sautéed green beans. It's a dish that's healthier than it looks.
Snacks
This week's snacks are inspired what I already have in the fridge. Feel free to snack on whatever healthy snacks you have or take some inspiration from the following.
Grapefruit
Grapefruits are low in calories and high in nutrients. Thus making them a perfect healthy snack. If you aren't a fan of tart fruit you can sprinkle with a little sugar or I suggest substituting for another fruit or vegetable.
Prep: Feel free to cut up your grapefruit ahead of time. I find if I cut it up ahead of time I'm more likely to grab it as a snack because all the hard work is already done.
Carrots & Hummus
If you know me, you know my love for hummus. Therefore I always have a huge tub in the fridge. This snack is packed with plant-based protein, is high in fiber, fights inflammation and comes in a variety of flavors so it's hard to get bored.
Prep: Slice up carrots or baby carrots. If you want this on-the-go, pre-bag or box it up.
Grocery List & Budget
Here's what I had on my grocery list this week and what I spent. Keep in mind that I already had a lot of the ingredients already, so that helped me keep a low budget. I encourage you to browse my meal plans and recipes to choose the right combination of recipes that will best fit what you already have and your budget.
Shopped at: Harris Teeter
Total Spent: $48
Worcestershire Sauce
2 large cans crushed tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 canister panko bread crumbs
2 large apples
1 head cauliflower
Green beans
8oz baby bella mushrooms
2 parsnips
2 eggplants
1 bag baby carrots
Fresh basil
Fresh Thyme
1 yellow onion
1 lb ground turkey
1 quart of 2% milk
1 bag mozzarella and provolone cheese
1 bag parmesan cheese