Author Archives: Lizanne

Publix Capsule Menu – January 14

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Welcome to another week of a capsule menu! Where we use a simple formula plus our store’s sales to make dinner easier! Follow me on socials to learn more (and please share if you use this – as they’re offered for completely free. :))

This Week’s Capsule Menu (Publix Sale)

Crockpot 

Chicken breasts (regular or pre-seasoned thighs), steamed green beans (add lemon, feta, & S&P), quick rice (in the pouch)

All-In-One

Burger Bowls! Ground beef, chopped romaine, Vlassic pickles (BOGO), cheese, condiments/toppings of choice 

*Optional (kind of- Alexa sweet potato fries (BOGO)

Crockpot Remix Night 

Greek-inspired pitas or pita bowls – leftover shredded/chopped chicken, romaine, cherry tomatoes (BOGO), cucumber, Noom garlic sauce (BOGO), Stacy’s pita chips (BOGO), feta cheese (& any other toppings of choice)

Pasta Night 

Penne (or pasta of choice) with basic oil (or butter)/garlic/Italian seasoning sauce, chicken sausage, steamed broccoli 

Convenient Night

Breakfast for dinner! Frozen protein waffles or pancakes (BOGO)

Jimmy dean sausage 

Chobani or Noosa yogurt (BOGO) with strawberries or fruit of choice

Kids’ Favorite / Easy Win

Frozen pizza (BOGO) and chopped salad (use up what’s left)

Night 7: Leftovers / Freezer / Out Night

Capsule Grocery List

1 Publix Romaine heads (wash & chop) or salad kits (3 meals)

1 spinach to add to salads 

2 Steam-in-bag green beans (BOGO)

Cucumbers

Cherry tomatoes (BOGO)

Noom garlic sauce (BOGO)

Stacy’s pita chips (normally near produce) BOGO or pitas for Greek night

Feta cheese (normally near produce)

Red onion (optional for burger & Greek bowls)

Strawberries or choice of fruit for breakfast night

Approx. 3lbs chicken breasts (*or premarinated thighs on sale) 

Ground beef (sale) for burger bowls

1 roll Jimmy dean sausage (sale)

2 chicken sausage (or smoked sausage) (BOGO)

2 Somos rice pouches of choice (BOGO)

Pasta

Olive oil (BOGO) or jarred pasta sauce of choice 

Condiments needed for burger bowls 

Pickles for burger bowls (Vlassic BOGO)

Salad dressings if needed (Kens BOGO)

Maple syrup if needed (BOGO)

Basic spices (garlic powder, Italian seasoning)

Shredded cheeses (for burger bowls & possibly pasta)

2 frozen broccoli for pasta night (BOGO)

Frozen protein waffles/pancakes (or mix- both BOGO)

Frozen pizzas

Frozen Alexa sweet potato fries for burger night (BOGO)

Publix Capsule Menu January 6

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This Week’s Capsule Menu (Publix Sale)

Crockpot Pork Loin Night

2 crockpot pork loins (S&P, garlic powder, splash of water, low 6 hours); Steam-in-bag green beans (BOGO), toss with lemon/S&P

Brown rice or another side of choice (double rice to use tomorrow)

Asian-Inspired Ground Turkey Bowls

Brown ground turkey; Add soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar or honey ; Serve over rice with: Korean BBQ sauce, lime, green onion, cucumber, shredded carrot

Crockpot Remix Night (Carnitas Tacos)

Shred and toss leftover pork with cumin and chili powder, spread on sheetpan, quick broil to make crispy: Put in tortillas or on salad, top with cilantro, avocado, and lime; Serve with simple salad

Pasta Night with ground turkey (or skillet pasta )Salad 

Convenient Night: Chicken Caesar Wraps

Soule’s Kitchen Grilled chicken, Tortillas, Caesar salad kit or romaine + dressing

Frozen sweet potato fries (or roasted diced sweet potatoes)

Kids’ Favorite / Easy Win

Annie’s Mac & Cheese

Grilled chicken tenders (frozen – BOGO)

Steamed broccoli or vegetable of choice

Night 7: Leftovers / Freezer / Out Night

Capsule Grocery List

2 Fresh Attitude salad mix 

1 Caesar salad kit

2 Steam-in-bag green beans (BOGO)

Cucumbers, Shredded carrots 

Limes, Cilantro, Avocado, Green onions (& any other toppings for quesadillas or Asian-inspired bowls you might want)

Sweet potatoes (or frzn sweet potato fries)

2 Pork loin (sale)

2 Ground turkey (sale)

Frozen grilled chicken tenders (BOGO)

2 Soule’s Kitchen grilled chicken  (near lunch meat- BOGO)

2 Annie’s Mac & Cheese (BOGO )

1 Ragu pasta sauce (BOGO)1 Protein pasta 2 Tortillas ( BOGO) 1 taco size, 1 burrito size 

Soy sauce; Brown sugar or honey (or Korean BBQ sauce/sauce of choice)

Basic spices (garlic powder, cumin, chili)

Shredded cheeses (for pasta night)

Butter and milk for mac & cheese

Rice for bowls (if not already stocked)

Frozen broccoli/veggies for 2 nights

Publix Capsule Menu January 1

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Happy New Year! Here is our capsule menu using Publix as an example for this week! Learn how to create a capsule menu but following me on Instagram and Facebook!

Day 1- Grilled flank steak, roasted rosemary potatoes, broccoli (fresh or frozen)

Day 2- Crockpot BBQ chicken breasts, roasted sweet potatoes and green beans

Day 3- Potato soup with ham and rosemary, salad, bread (optional)

Day 4- BBQ chicken tacos, yellow rice, slaw 

Day 5- Spaghetti and salad of choice 

Day 6- Breakfast for dinner – chicken bites, waffles or pancakes, fruit of choice 

Day 7- Frozen pizza and salad

🍗Grocery List 🥙 Publix (Dinners Only)

Bakery bread for soup and/or pasta night 

Tortillas for taco night 

Sweet potato AND regular potatoes bags

Green bean bag 

Broccoli (or use frozen BOGO)

Bag of big carrots (for soup/salad)

Two salad mixes- (BOGO)

Kale or spinach for stretching salad mixes Slaw mix for taco night (regular or broccoli) 

Fruit of choice for breakfast night 

Fresh rosemary for soup and potatoes

Shredded cheese for tacos and/or soup

Sour cream and/or guac for tacos 

Boneless chicken breast for (4lbs- BOGO)

2 Ham steaks for soup (BOGO)

Ground beef or turkey for pasta night 

Flank steak (or steak of choice)

Salsa, BBQ,  🥗 dressing if needed (BOGO)

Pasta sauce and pasta (BOGO)

Yellow rice or quinoa mix (BOGO)

Chicken broth for soup night (BOGO)

Pancake mix (or frzn waffles- both BOGO)

Syrup if needed (BOGO)

Frozen Amelyu chicken bites (BOGO)

Frozen pizzas of choice (BOGO)

Burger Bowls

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All your favorite burger flavors — no bun needed. A family fave!

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef or turkey
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (or whatever else you like in burger meat like Dale’s, Allegro, etc)
  • 4 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped!
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • Pickles, chopped
  • Optional: drizzle of ketchup + mustard + mayo “special sauce” You can also add in leftover roasted sweet potatoes *chef’s kiss!*

Instructions:

  1. Brown the ground beef or turkey with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drain excess fat.
  2. Assemble bowls: lettuce base, then meat, tomato, cheese, and pickles.
  3. Drizzle with your favorite sauce mix (mayo, ketchup, mustard, etc)

Family Tip: Set up a “burger bar” so everyone can build their own — fun and kid-approved.

Simple “Sushi” Bowls

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Another budget bowl that the whole family loves! These are super adaptable too based on your family’s preferences/ what’s on sale/available.

All the flavor, none of the rolling.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked rice (white, jasmine, or brown rice- I use my instant pot)
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup edamame
  • Protein of choice (shrimp, salmon, crab, or extra edamame/chickpeas)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Optional: drizzle of sriracha mayo, sesame seeds, or dried seaweed

Instructions:

  1. Layer rice in a bowl.
  2. Arrange cucumber, avocado, carrots, edamame, and protein on top.
  3. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil.
  4. Add sriracha mayo if desired and sprinkle sesame seeds or seaweed.

Sweet Potato (or Butternut Squash) Veggie Chili

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Another budget bowl! Hearty, wholesome, and completely meatless — but still filling.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (jarred is fine)
  • 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes or butternut squash (can use frozen!)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
  2. Add sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes, and seasonings. Stir well.
  3. Add 1 cup water or broth and simmer for 25–30 minutes, until veggies are tender.
  4. Serve with Greek yogurt, avocado, and fresh cilantro.

Family Tip: This reheats beautifully — double the batch for easy lunches all week.

Pumpkin Protein Pasta (30-Minute Cozy Dinner)

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A creamy, budget-friendly pasta made with pantry staples and packed with protein and fall flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz protein pasta (chickpea, lentil, or whole wheat)
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan or nutritional yeast
  • Olive oil, pumpkin seeds, and Italian seasoning, for drizzling to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, whisk together pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  3. Add a splash of pasta water to thin to your desired consistency.
  4. Toss in the cooked pasta until coated and creamy.
  5. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan or seeds for crunch.

Budget tip: Canned pumpkin adds creaminess and nutrition — no need for expensive cream or cheese sauce.

Budget Bowls

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Here are the recipes from our “Budget Bowls” post for cooler days (while grocery prices are still high :/)

1. Pumpkin Protein Pasta

Creamy, cozy, and protein-packed — without any heavy cream.
How to make: Cook your favorite protein pasta (like chickpea or lentil). In a skillet, whisk together canned pumpkin, a spoonful of Greek yogurt, a bit of pasta water, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Toss it all together and finish with parmesan or toasted pepitas. Perfect fall comfort in 20 minutes. Full recipe here.

2. Sweet Potato (or Butternut Squash) Chili

A plant-based chili that’s hearty enough for meat-lovers.
How to make: Sauté onion and garlic, then add cubed sweet potato or butternut squash, canned beans, tomatoes, corn, and chili seasoning. Simmer until thick and cozy. Serve with avocado, cilantro, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. Full recipe here.

3. Sushi Bowls

All the sushi flavor, none of the rolling.
How to make: Layer cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine), sliced cucumber, avocado, shredded carrots, edamame, and your protein (salmon, tuna, or tofu). Drizzle with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a squeeze of sriracha mayo. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Full recipe here.

4. Burger Bowls

All your favorite burger flavors — no bun required.
How to make: Brown ground beef or turkey with onion, salt, and pepper. Layer it over chopped lettuce or roasted potatoes with pickles, tomato, shredded cheese, and your favorite burger sauce (ketchup + mustard + a bit of mayo). Quick, hearty, and crowd-approved. Full recipe here.

5. Stir Fry Bowls

The “clean out the crisper” classic.
How to make: Stir-fry any veggies you have (bell pepper, broccoli, onion, zucchini, carrots, green beans. You can also use frozen veggie (stir fry blend, etc) in oil and garlic. Add cooked rice or noodles and a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of brown sugar or honey. Top with a fried egg or leftover chicken, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian meal that still full of protein. Sprinkle sesame seeds.

6. “Better-for-You Helper”

A lighter take on a nostalgic favorite.
How to make: Brown ground beef or turkey. Stir in tomato sauce, Greek yogurt, garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Add cooked pasta and mix it all together. It’s cozy, creamy, and comes together in one pan (no box required!).

7. Lemony Orzo Bowl

Bright, quick, and balanced.
How to make: Cook orzo in broth instead of water. Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, steamed carrots (frozen is fine) crumbled feta, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Finish with olive oil and fresh herbs (or cracked S&P and Italian seasoning) if you have them. Tastes like sunshine in a bowl.

“Clean Out the Fridge” Soup

A forgiving favorite.
How to make: Combine diced potatoes, carrots, and any leftover veggies in broth. Simmer until tender, then blend most of it with a splash of milk or cream for a velvety texture. Add cheese or herbs if you like it’s different every time, and that’s the magic. Full recipe here.

9. Veggie Soup (with optional beef)

The ultimate budget comfort meal.
How to make: Combine cans of mixed vegetables (or fresh if you have them – think carrots, diced potatoes, green beans, peas, corn) with broth, diced tomatoes, and seasoning. Add browned ground beef if you want more protein. Let it simmer and serve with crackers or bread for dipping. Full recipe here.

10. Spaghetti Squash + Meatballs

Low-effort, high reward.
How to make: Roast or microwave spaghetti squash until tender. Scoop out strands and top with warmed premade meatballs and jarred marinara sauce. Add parmesan or red pepper flakes for that classic Italian comfort.

11. Butternut Squash Soup

Silky, sweet, and simple.
How to make: Roast cubed butternut squash (fresh or frozen) with onion and garlic. Blend with broth and a splash of milk or coconut milk (our fave!!) until smooth. Add a pinch of cinnamon or curry powder for warmth.

12. Italian Bean + Kale Soup

Rustic and hearty.
How to make: Sauté onion, carrot, and garlic, then add white beans, diced tomatoes, broth, and chopped kale. Simmer until the greens are soft. Season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of Italian herbs. Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a filling meal.

Easy Meal Plan This Week

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If you’re looking for an easy way to get dinner on the table without overthinking, here’s a quick plan using sale meats and simple pantry staples. These meals are family-friendly, flavorful, and don’t require complicated prep. Even better—you can batch-prep most of it on the weekend to make weeknights smooth.

The Dinner Plan

1. Meatballs over Spaghetti Squash with Marinara
I’m using the Simek’s frozen meatballs that are on sale this week. Adding to the crockpot with a jar of marinara. Then roasting spaghetti squash and serving with parmesan cheese and a bagged salad (the Caesar is on sale this week. I’ll buy one and mix with some spinach to stretch it (and I think the dressing included is too much for the amount of lettuce in the bag)).

2. Garlic Herb Pork Loin with Roasted Veggie Medley
Putting two of the BOGO pork loins (pre-marinated) in the crockpot paired with a sheet pan of broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. I’m also going ahead and doing a batch of rice in the instant pot that will use in this meal plus the London broil.

3. Grilled Chicken Tenderloins with Protein Pasta
Surprise! I’m cooking the tenderloins in the crockpot with olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper, and lemon juice. Then putting over some protein pasta and serving with salad.

4. London Broil with Rice & Green Beans
Marinated London broil, grilled or broiled and sliced thin (going to have Andrew grill, but this looks like a great recipe too), served with pre-prepped rice and the green beans in the produce section that you microwave in the bag. Perfection!

5. Frozen pizza and any leftover veggies/salad

Grocery List

Proteins (sale items):

  • Frozen meatballs (or ground beef for homemade)
  • Pork loin (marinated ones are BOGO)
  • Chicken tenderloins (3lbs)
  • London broil (2.5lbs)

Veggies:

  • Spaghetti squash (for meatball night)
  • Salad mixes of choice
  • Bell peppers
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Spinach
  • Green beans

Pantry/Seasoning:

  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Onion or onion powder
  • Italian seasoning / dried basil & oregano
  • Marinara sauce (low-sugar, or canned tomatoes)
  • Soy sauce or coconut aminos (for London broil marinade or something like Dale’s)
  • Vinegar (red wine, balsamic, or apple cider)
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 2lb bag of rice
  • Box of protein pasta

Prep Guide

Spending just 1–2 hours on the weekend will save you loads of stress during the week. Here’s how to set yourself up:

1. Prep the Proteins:

  • Marinate London broil overnight or the morning of cook day.

2. Prep the Veggies:

  • Roast spaghetti squash (or cook it in your crockpot!) and store in containers.
  • Chop peppers, broccoli, and carrots for quick sheet pan roasting or salad
  • Wash and store spinach.
  • Trim green beans if you’re roasting

3. Prep the Carbs:

  • Cook a pot of rice (3–4 cups cooked) to reheat for the London broil or Pork dinner.
  • Cook pasta for chicken night.

4. Sauces & Extras:

  • Make a quick marinara from canned crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs (20 minutes) OR even better, pick your favorite jarred sauce.

Easy, clean, simple dinners. Less stress, more time with your people. That’s what Simply with LC is all about.

Aldi Shopping This Week

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Hey friends! I’ve made an Aldi shopping list including five dinners and several ideas for breakfasts, lunches, and snacks! I rounded up on a lot of the prices, and hopefully some of the list you already have on hand.

The goal is to eat well while saving money. Everyone is feeling the pinch, but we don’t want to sacrifice quality. Please let me know if this is helpful!

assorted vegetable lot

Optional $2 Charge

Consider purchasing this plan to help cover my sharing costs. COMPLETELY optional as the main goal is to help everyone save! The meal plan is posted below for downloading/printing.

$2.00

Aldi Weekly Plan 7.11.25Download