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Week of Meals For College Students – For this week’s recipes, you’ll find a recipe for Taco Salad and a very easy recipe for Tacos.  You can save money by buying a package of ground beef and using it for two meals.  You’ll also notice two recipes for Pasta Primavera and Chicken and Rice Stir Fry, both of these recipes call for the same vegetables to be used in each dish which will make buying and cooking easier.

Week of Meals For College Students - For this week's recipes you'll find a recipe for Taco Salad and a very easy recipe for Tacos. You can save money by buying a package of ground beef and using it for two meals. You'll also notice two recipes for Pasta Primavera and Chicken and Rice Stir Fry, both of these recipes call for the same vegetables to be used in each dish which will make buying and cooking easier. ZagLeft

MONDAY

Taco Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef (use 1/2 of the ground beef for this recipe and use the rest for Tacos tomorrow night)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 package of Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • lettuce
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
  • ranch dressing

Directions

Brown meat with onions in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain.

Add the seasoning mix and water; mix well.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer on medium-low heat for 3 minutes.

Spread torn lettuce on your plate.  Top evenly with 1/2 of the meat mixture (reserve the other half of the meat for tomorrow’s dinner), tomatoes, cheese, and crushed chips.  Drizzle with dressing.

TUESDAY

Tacos

Ingredients

  • The remainder of the meat from the previous night
  • 4 taco shells
  • 1/2 cup torn lettuce
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Warm the taco shells in the oven according to package directions.  Remove the taco shells from the oven and fill with the ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

WEDNESDAY

Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera is a very simple meal to make and one that you can enjoy using whatever type of pasta and vegetables you prefer.  I noted in the recipe my favorites, but you can certainly substitute what you’d like.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 package of penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen green beans
  • 1/2 cup broccoli florets *
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrots
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded or grated parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil on medium-high heat.

Once the water boils, add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the green beans, broccoli, and carrots to the water and cook for another 2 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Drain in a colander.  Put the pasta and vegetables into a large bowl.  Add in the tomatoes, olive oil, butter, and parmesan cheese.  Mix well.

THURSDAY

Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 1/2 small onion, sliced
  • 1/2 cup broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup green beans
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrots
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

Directions

Cook rice according to package directions.  Set aside.

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add a tablespoon of olive oil then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add the chicken and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until starting to brown, stirring constantly.

Add the onions, broccoli, and carrots and cook for 2 minutes

Add the soy sauce and cook for 2 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Serve over rice.

FRIDAY

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/2 package of penne pasta
  • 1 cup of marinara sauce ( I like to use Classico Marinara Sauce)
  • parmesan cheese

Directions

Prepare the pasta according to package directions.  Drain and put the pasta back in the pot.

Add the sauce to the pasta and stir to warm.  Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.

Serve with a salad and french bread.

TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

Here’s how to chop broccoli into florets:

1.  Rinse the broccoli off under cool, running water.  Pat dry.

2.  Cut the stalk off a head of broccoli with a sharp knife. Make sure you cut high enough so that large individual florets fall away as you cut.

3.  Take each large individual floret and cut in half.

4.  If you want smaller florets, you can cut them into quarters

** Remember to check your pantry and your refrigerator for any products you already have from the grocery list so you don’t make duplicate purchases at the grocery.


Week of Easy College Meals Featuring Tacos and Pasta Primavera – Recipes and Grocery List

Servings: 5 meals
Week of Meals For College Students – For this week’s recipes you’ll find a recipe for Taco Salad and a very easy recipe for Tacos and Pasta Primavera.

Ingredients 

GROCERY LIST

  • olive oil
  • butter
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • package of taco seasoning
  • package of taco shells
  • cheddar cheese , shredded
  • bag of tortilla chips
  • ranch dressing
  • parmesan cheese
  • 1-2 chicken breasts
  • soy sauce
  • 1 package of penne pasta
  • rice
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • loaf of french bread
  • jar of marinara sauce
  • onion
  • garlic
  • lettuce
  • cherry tomatoes
  • fresh or frozen green beans
  • broccoli
  • carrots
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