April: Meal Plan on a Budget
According to Canada’s Food Price Report for 2026, a family of 4 will spend $17,571.79 on groceries this year — that’s up $994.63 from 2025!
That’s $1464.32 a month.
That’s roughly $366 a week.
NEW CHALLENGE!!!
Let’s feed me, my husband, our 17 year old and our 13 year old for about HALF that and make a week long menu plan for under $183!
Ninja and I keep a running tab of all our grocery expenditures. This is our spending for March!
We spent $707.38 and used $60 in points, leaving our monthly spending at $647.38, clearly keeping to our budget and actually came in $84.62 under for the month, and we are under budget by $121.07 for the year!
Here is the April weekly meal plan staying close to my weekly budget of $183 and monthly budget of $732! I want you to have all the tools to be able to feed your family 7 healthy(ish) meals, while not putting yourself into the poorhouse! I hope you enjoy and please let me know if you follow this weekly plan and if you were able to stick to the budget! Click on the recipe listed in the MENU below and it will take you directly to the recipe!!
MENU
Sunday: Chicken Caesar Burger
Monday: Kielbasa Gnocchi Skillet
Tuesday: Pork Ginger Rice Bowls
Wednesday: Hash Brown Breakfast Bowls
Thursday: Cowboy Club Sandwich
Friday: Sweet Chili Garlic Chicken Pizza
Saturday: Creamy Spring Tortellini with Peas Asparagus and Bacon
Staple Items
These items are ALWAYS in my pantry or fridge. This tip bares repeating… As soon as I see an item running out it goes on the my shopping list. If they come up on my PC Points list or go on sale, I buy them. We have a second fridge in the garage, so I always have eggs, mayo, soy sauce, etc. on hand. It may take you a while and some money to get this system going but once you do… your wallet will thank you. Things I need for this week’s menu that I already have in my kitchen (my staple items) are listed below on the left. The items that I need to buy are listed on the right.
SHOPPING LIST:
STAPLE ITEMS:
11 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 cup + 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
4 slices + 2 cups mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb kielbasa sausage
2 onions
11 cloves garlic
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 cups rice
1/2 teaspoon paprika
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
6 eggs
¼ cup milk
12 slices sourdough bread
22 slices of bacon
8 slices + 1 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese
1⁄2 cup of barbecue sauce
3-4 chicken breast
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
18 oz three cheese tortellini
1 cup peas
Salt and pepper
NEED TO BUY ITEMS:
1 lb ground pork
4 cups frozen shredded hash browns
7 oz breakfast sausage
6 tablespoons cilantro
200g deli roast beef
200g deli turkey breast
1 large tomato
8 large leaves of lettuce
1 pizza dough
1 small red onion
2 cups asparagus
1 red bell pepper
1 small zucchini
16 oz potato gnocchi
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoon parsley
8 green onions
1 lb ground chicken
4 hamburger buns
1 small white onion
Garnish: romaine lettuce, Caesar Dressing, red onion, parmesan cheese, shredded, croutons, pickles, cooked Jasmine rice, pickled cucumber, carrots and red onion, cilantro, peanuts, ½ cup salsa
SUNDAY: Chicken Caesar Burger
Every month I ask everybody in the family, “what would you like to have on the menu this month?” Every month Ninja and HBear say the same thing, Caesar salad. Every month. It gets so boring lol. SBean says poutine and the other ones say Caesar salad and I am left making a realistic meal plan that doesn’t just include pub food lol. Boy did I surprise them when I added this Chicken Caesar Burger to the menu instead! It had all the things that make a Caesar salad, a Caesar salad, but it was a burger! So freaking delicious! This month when I asked them what they wanted put on the menu they both said, “chicken Caesar burgers, please.“
Chicken Caesar Burger
4
servings15
minutes15
minutesIngredients
1 lb ground chicken
1/4 cup white onion, shredded
2-3 tablespoons frozen butter, shredded
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
salt and pepper
4 slices of mozzarella cheese
4 hamburger buns
Garnish: romaine lettuce, Caesar Dressing, red onion, parmesan cheese, croutons
Directions
Place a cheese grater on top of 2 pieces of paper towel. Grate the onion on top of the paper towel. Use the paper towel to gently squeeze out as much of the excess moisture from the onion. Use the same grater to shred the frozen butter.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated white onion, grated butter, mayo, parmesan cheese, garlic, Worcestershire, Dijon, and lemon zest.
Divide burger mixture into 4 equal patties about 1/2-3/4 inches thick on the baking sheet. Press down in the middle of each patty with your thumb to create an indent. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes (to help hold their shape on the grill).
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Season the tops of the patties generously with salt and pepper.
Place burgers on the hot grill over direct heat and close the lid. Let cook 5-6 minutes per side or until they reach 160 degrees. Place cheese on top of each patty during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.
Remove and let rest 5 minutes. Place a piece of lettuce on top of the bottom bun. Follow with Caesar Dressing, chicken burger, more Caesar Dressing, red onion, lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons and top bun.
MONDAY: Kielbasa Gnocchi Skillet
Another staple is Kube. That’s what we call it and that’s how I spell it lol we have one ring of Tenderloin Meats kube left in our freezer that we are saving for a special occasion. Until then this Kielbasa Gnocchi Skillet really hit the spot. We really enjoy gnocchi and when it’s sautéed in a pan making it crispy, it’s even more scrumptious. This was a perfect spring dish that was super easy to make on a weekday.
Kielbasa Gnocchi Skillet
4
servings10
minutes20
minutesIngredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb kielbasa sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
16 oz potato gnocchi
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mozzarella, shredded
2 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Directions
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and the sliced kielbasa. Cook until browned on both sides (about 4–5 minutes). Remove the kielbasa and set it aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the onion until translucent (about 3 minutes). Add the garlic, bell pepper, and zucchini; cook for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
Stir in the gnocchi and let it cook for 2–3 minutes to get a slight golden sear.
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Season with paprika, pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
Return the kielbasa to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5–6 minutes until the gnocchi is soft and the sauce has slightly thickened.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, cover again, and let it sit for 1–2 minutes to melt the cheese. Garnish with parsley.
TUESDAY: Pork Ginger Rice Bowls
It’s very rare that we go through a month without making quick pickled veggies. Ninja and I even love pickled red onions on our hotdog and burgers. This Pork Ginger Rice Bowl is actually super basic with rice, yummy ground pork, and quick pickled vegetables. I almost feel ridiculous for sharing this because it’s so easy but, it’s a gooder and I would feel bad if someone didn’t know about this dish when I could have fixed that lol. So here is one of the easiest dinners to make, but also one of the most tasty!
Pork Ginger Rice Bowls
4
servings15
minutes20
minutesIngredients
6 green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground pork
1-2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
Jasmine rice, cooked
Garnish: cilantro & peanuts, chopped
Directions
Whisk the green onions, soy sauce, brown sugar and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute.
Stir in the pork and cook, breaking up the meat as you go, until pork is cooked through.
Stir in the soy sauce mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes more, until liquid is slightly reduced. Stir in sweet chili sauce and season with salt and pepper.
Serve rice in bowls, topped with pork, pickled veggies, cilantro and chopped peanuts.
WEDNESDAY: Hash Brown Breakfast Bowls
Another crazy easy dish that we had this week was Hash Brown Breakfast Bowls. HBear and SBean love their food in bowls lol. When we make meat, starch, and vegetable, they both complain and they separate all their foods so that they don’t touch each other. BUT when we make bowls, they throw everything in and stir it up. There’s absolutely no reason for it lol it just is the way it is. Teenagers!
Hash Brown Breakfast Bowls
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes300
kcalIngredients
4 cups frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
6 eggs
¼ cup milk
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1/2-1 teaspoon hot sauce
7 oz breakfast sausage, casings removed
1 cup cheddar cheese, divided and shredded
Garnish: salsa, 2 green onions, cilantro, chopped
Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add thawed hash browns in an even layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Crumble in the breakfast sausage. Cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove the sausage from skillet and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, hot sauce, and pepper until well combined. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until softly scrambled. Remove from heat.
Divide the hash browns evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with a portion of the scrambled eggs, sausage, shredded cheese, salsa, green onions, and cilantro.
THURSDAY: Cowboy Club Sandwich
My Sis likes to make a joke that every time she thinks of Ninja, she thinks of a clubhouse sandwich lol. It’s true though! My Sis worked at a restaurant that we used to frequent and Ninja‘s favourite restaurant order, unless we are at a steakhouse lol, is a clubhouse sandwich with no cheese and no tomatoes. Over the years he stopped asking for the mods because tomatoes and cheese are my favourite and I would just eat them myself lol. Ninja made these Cowboy Club Sandwiches for dinner and used my BIL homemade sourdough bread and it was the best damn clubhouse sandwich I have ever had in my life! They were huge! In fact, HBear and I split one lol this was a good sandwich and takes just minutes to prepare.
Cowboy Club Sandwich
4
servings15
minutesIngredients
12 slices sourdough bread, toasted
8 tablespoons of butter, softened
16 slices of bacon, cooked
200g roast beef, thinly sliced
200g smoked turkey breast, thinly sliced
8 slices of cheddar cheese
1-2 tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 cup of barbecue sauce
8 leaves of lettuce
salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish: pickles
Directions
Toast the bread slices until they are golden and crisp. Spread a generous amount of softened butter on one side of each slice.
In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and barbecue sauce until well combined. Set aside.
Lay out three slices of toast. On the first slice, spread a tablespoon of the mayo-barbecue sauce mixture.
Layer the roast beef on top of the sauce, followed by tomato slices, and place a slice of cheese. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper.
Place the second slice of toast on top and spread another tablespoon of the sauce.
Layer the turkey and bacon on this second layer. Add another slice of cheddar cheese.
Top with a lettuce leaf and add another sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Complete the sandwich with the third slice of toast, spread a thin layer of mayo-barbecue sauce on its inner side before placing it.
Slice the sandwich into halves, securing each portion with a toothpick and garnish with pickles on top. Repeat these steps to assemble 3 more club sandwiches.
FRIDAY: Sweet Chili Garlic Chicken Pizza
It’s true that I ask everyone what they would like on the menu but I don’t really ask myself because, I’m already making the menu lol I can put whatever I want on it! So I did lol. My favourite pizza at Boston Pizza is the Royal Hawaiian , it used to be the Szechuan pizza but they took it off the menu, jerks! This Sweet Chili Garlic Chicken Pizza is kind of a combination of those two pizzas and I liked it a lot! To make things easier I bought a ball of pizza dough at the grocery store for $2. It makes 2 pizzas, so we made a cheese pizza too. It’s great when you can make something at home for a way better price than you can buy it at the restaurant and it isn’t even hard to make. Winner winner chicken pizza dinner!
Sweet Chili Garlic Chicken Pizza
1
pizza15
minutes30
minutesIngredients
2-3 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 pizza dough
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Set oven to 475°F. If you’re using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven as well.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and internal temperature is 165°F. Remove from heat, let it rest for a few minutes, then dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
In a small bowl, mix together sweet chili sauce, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet or pizza stone.
Evenly spread the sweet chili garlic sauce over the base of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Top with the diced chicken, red onion slices, and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds, slice and serve.
SATURDAY: Creamy Spring Tortellini with Peas Asparagus & Bacon
We have done a lot of pasta recipes lately. I find that they are the easiest dishes to prepare, especially on weeknights. They also are great for a Sunday night dinner when the whole family is home. This Creamy Spring Tortellini with Peas Asparagus & Bacon used up the rest of the bacon and was a delicious new pasta dinner.
Creamy Spring Tortellini with Peas Asparagus and Bacon
4
servings5
minutes25
minutesIngredients
18 oz three cheese tortellini
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 cup peas
2 cup asparagus, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
salt and pepper, to taste
6 slices of bacon
Directions
Cook tortellini according to the package instructions, drain and set aside.
Place a pan over medium heat and cook bacon until crispy. Set cooked bacon aside and leave 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease.
Add onions and saute until transparent. Add peas and asparagus. Saute until asparagus starts to soften. Add garlic and season with some salt and pepper. Mix well and cook veggies for about 5 more minutes.
Pour in heavy cream while stirring. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Taste and add more salt and pepper.
Stir in tortellini until completely mixed in and cook for a couple of minutes.
Chop crispy cooked bacon and stir it in right before taking the pan off heat.
Check out How Was Your Week, Honey? Ep. #453 Kicked Out. This week we get together post Spring Break to catch up after 3 weeks off!
Thank you to Serenity You for featuring my Spring Cocktails post at their Sharing Serenity Link Party last week.
What. A. Week. We have been watching Artemis II with excitement and awe! I have cried happy tears hearing the 4 astronauts answer live questions as they start their 10 day journey past the moon! They went further than anyone has ever gone in space! They went to the dark side of the moon, took pictures with their phones lol and saw a freaking solar eclipse! From behind the moon!!!! SO COOL! I love hearing them describe what they are seeing out the window of Integrity: Orion. It’s historic in the BEST way for once. The first Canadian, the first black man and the first woman to the moon! The next mission will take everything that they learn from this mission to start regular moon landings. So cool!
SBean started and quickly finished The Outsiders in English class. She LOVED it! I love that she loves reading so much. I had my annual MRI this week, Ninja finished SBean’s bedroom, HBear had her final dance dress rehearsal which was a little emotional, Ninja and HBear sold Grad fundraising tickets, SBean had piano and a short week and then Easter! We spent Easter collecting eggs, playing tennis and enjoying family and FOOD at my Sis’s. My BIL cooked a traditional Sugar Shack Easter Dinner and it was delicious. He smoked his own ham, made baked beans from scratch with home smoked bacon, mashed potatoes, pea soup, maple glazed carrots and so much fresh baked bread!!!! Two types of focaccia, sour dough, banana and apple bread, and pieroshki!!! PLUS a sugar shack cake that was so god, I need to get that recipe!!! It was such a nice day all around. I hope everyone had a great holiday as well.
11 thoughts on “April: 7 Day Meal Plan”
What a yummy sounding menu! It sounds like you had a lovely and delicious Easter as well.
Thanks you! It was a great holiday thank you 😊
I’m going to steal the recipe for the Pork Ginger Rice Bowls! How delicious! #TalkaboutitTuesday
Yes!!! Enjoy!
Thanks for sharing with is, I’m featuring you when the next To Grandma’s House we go link party starts!
Awesome! Thank you! I love your Link Party and seeing what other bloggers are doing. Thanks for hosting and for featuring my post, I appreciate it 🙂
Stopping by from Talking About It Tuesdays. Those caesar burgers look so good! Your Easter looked really fun and the food sounded yummy!
Thank you! The burgers were delicious and will be added to your regular menu this summer for sure! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I was trying to pick one or two favorites as I was looking at these recipes, but they all look delicious! Wow. I love the idea (and simplicity) of bowls, and the breakfast one and the ginger pork one would be very popular at my house. 🙂 Visiting from the Sharing Serenity link party.
Thank you so much! Yes, things have certainly changed lol as a kid I only ate meat, starch, and vegetable and now my kids hate when we have “hunk o meat“ dinners, lol they much prefer colourful bowls of food, and I have to say, less dishes! Lol thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.
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