Tag Archives: recipes

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.