I’m Maria, a passionate home cook with a mission to help you create delicious meals on a budget. As a wife and mom of three boys, I know how important it is to make every dollar count without sacrificing taste or quality. With my background in financial analysis and my love for cooking, I’ve developed a unique approach to meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking that will inspire you to save money while still enjoying gourmet meals at home.
Cook Once, Eat At Least TWICE!
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Oh, that glorious feeling when you have enough leftovers to make a whole new meal! I call this cook once, eat at least twice! A few weeks back, I stretched some slow cooker shredded chicken into three whole meals! I admit, I threw in extra chicken because it was on sale and I knew it'd be perfect to freeze already cooked and shredded. Just think about the time you can save by adding extra to what you're already cooking? It doesn't take extra time, so it actually reduces the time it takes for subsequent meals! HUGE WIN! I made these delicious chicken parm sandwiches and these chicken and black bean enchiladas that rocked my world. Last night, I was making Zucchini Boats (recipe to come) and ended up with quite a bit of extra filling. And while this wasn't planned, I was pleasantly surprised. Now, I had two choices: I could freeze it and use it in pasta another week, or I could move a meal this week. For example, tonight I was going to have salmon bites bowls, but I hadn't taken the salmon out of the freezer yet. So, I figured, why not save those bowls for another night and use this filling for this zucchini lasagna recipe? Since I already have cottage cheese and mozzarella, I can use the leftover sauce from last night as the meat and swap out regular lasagna noodles instead of zucchini (there is already plenty in the sauce). And this is where the "at least twice" comes in. Because, if I make lasagna, I will surely have leftovers that I can freeze in individual containers for upcoming lunches or quick dinners. So somehow I'm stretching three zucchinis and 1lb of ground beef into three meals! This is just some of what I teach within the 4-week Smart Spend Bootcamp that comes with Pantry Cooking Academy. I share rollover meal tips and so much more to help you stretch your budget to the moon! If you're overspending week after week and looking for a way to cut your bill in half, the Smart Spend Bootcamp will get you there in just 30 days! And all without cutting coupons, spending hours in the kitchen, or eating a bunch of junk. Click the link below to claim your lifetime membership for just $67, or if you want to just try it out, snag the monthly option for just $7.99. Either way, I guarantee you'll save at least what you paid this month if you follow my system! 🔗 Click here to get started today and claim your discounted membership! Dedicated to helping you save money on groceries, Maria Ronan P.S. Don't forget to use what you have on hand! |
Meals With Maria
I’m Maria, a passionate home cook with a mission to help you create delicious meals on a budget. As a wife and mom of three boys, I know how important it is to make every dollar count without sacrificing taste or quality. With my background in financial analysis and my love for cooking, I’ve developed a unique approach to meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking that will inspire you to save money while still enjoying gourmet meals at home.
Hi Friend! With the school year in full swing, things are getting busier than ever around here! Sound familiar??? Whether it's soccer practice, swimming lessons, or LEGO club, our weeknights can get a little hectic. But no matter how busy we get, I always try to make sure we sit down to a hot, nutritious meal together as a family. That’s where make-ahead casseroles come in handy for us! Whether I prep them on the weekend, in the morning, or the night before, these casseroles are a lifesaver...
The weekly breakfast grind is real, isn’t it? Every morning, you’re faced with the same question: What’s for breakfast? And it’s not just for you—what about the rest of the household? It’s a simple question that often turns into a daily struggle, even with a stocked fridge. Sometimes, it feels like there’s no answer in sight. Last spring, I decided enough was enough. I took a hard look at our daily routines and made a commitment to make mornings easier for everyone. After months of battling...
Are you tired of planning delicious but complicated meals only to find they don’t fit into your busy schedule? Or perhaps you’ve tried thrifty meal plans that your family just won’t eat? Maybe you’ve given up on meal planning altogether, feeling like it's just not for you. There are a million reasons why meal planning hasn't worked for you in the past, and that’s probably because there are a million different ways to do it. With so many gurus and exciting plans online, it’s easy to feel...