Jahzelle’s Creations

This week was about making the most of what we already had—turning pantry staples, freezer ingredients and garden vegetables into meals for our family of six.

I spent around $116 on groceries for this week, but that wasn’t the full cost of everything we ate. We also used ingredients purchased previously, along with food from the garden. I like to make that distinction because every household starts with a different pantry, and I want to share our budget honestly.

What We Cooked

Our week included creamy penne Alfredo with crispy chicken cutlets, chicken Parmesan heroes on homemade Italian bread, chicken tikka masala with Punjabi-style chickpeas and sale-priced naan, and Impossible taco bowls with rice, beans, salsa and fresh toppings.

Friday was leftovers night—a welcome break from cooking and a chance to enjoy what we’d already made. Saturday brought homemade Sicilian pizza using sourdough discard, followed by Sunday’s roast chicken with garden string beans, potatoes, carrots and gravy.

There was baking along the way, too: homemade bread, muffins, waffles and chocolate chip cookies. Breakfasts and snacks also included foods we already had in the house.

Small Choices That Help Our Budget

For me, frugal cooking starts before the shopping trip: checking the cupboards, looking through the freezer and thinking about what needs using first.

This week, that meant giving leftover chicken cutlets another meal, using tomatoes preserved from summer, and making room for leftovers in our plan. Shopping the sales helped, too, although the later stock-up shop shown in the video is separate from this week’s $116 grocery spending, with food mainly intended for the following week.

You’ll also see a little family life and a thrift-store visit. Even secondhand shopping needs limits—being thoughtful about what comes home matters just as much as finding a bargain.

I’m not aiming for perfection. I’m finding practical ways to feed my family, enjoy cooking and waste a little less.

Watch and Cook Along

Watch the full week here:

A Frugal Week in My Life | Family of 6, $116 Grocery Shop + Pantry Meals
https://youtu.be/CKhDlAP7j40

I’m sharing the recipe cards below and on my YouTube Community page so you can try these dishes in your own kitchen.

What’s one meal you could make this week using ingredients you already have? I’d love to hear your ideas.

With love,
Jahzelle’s Creations