Menu Planning and Shopping

I had to shop for groceries today.  There was really nothing to eat here.  Ok, that's not quite true.  We still had bread and peanut butter so I guess we could have survived another day or two.  I have been trying to stay under $100 a week.  That includes paper products, toiletries, OTC medicines...not just food.
I have been planning a weekly menu for years.  I think it helps me spend less and I just like to make lists and feel organized.  The thing I am having a hard time with is how to pare down our dinner meals a little.  I grew up with meat, a starch, and vegetable dinners and I tend to get stuck in that. It doesn't seem complete if we only have one or two things to eat.  I would also like to move to more meatless meals.  Do you have dinners that are one dish only?  For example, mac and cheese....and that's it?  Do you think I am over doing it?

This is our menu for the week....

Monday:  cheeseburger soup, garlic bread, salad
Tuesday:  baked tilapia, asparagus, rice, salad
Wednesday: shrimp stir fry, rice, salad
Thursday: out to eat
Friday: polish sausage, scalloped potatoes, peas
Saturday: spaghetti, sauce with ground beef, garlic bread, salad
Sunday: grilled chicken, potato salad, broccali

See how I have at least 3 things for each meal.  Maybe I could lose weight if I cut out something.

I ended up spending $137.28.  That freaked me out at first, way over budget!  Then I remembered that I didn't shop at all last week. So that's not so bad.  There were a lot of 10 for $10 deals....get the 11th item free.  I try to stock up on things that we use often when they offer this.  For example: I got salad dressing for $1 instead of $1.59.  I got a small box of grape tomatoes for $1 and they are usually $3.69.  According to my receipt I saved $42.71 on specials, $3.75 digital coupons, and $10.75 in rewards for a grand total of $57.21 in savings.  I think that's pretty good.

Here's the recipe for Cheeseburger Soup

1 1/2 lb. Ground beef, browned and drained
2 C. Sliced carrots
4 C. Peeled potatoes, cut into chunks
4 C. Chicken broth
1 can Evaporated milk
1 block Cream cheese, cut into pieces
1 C. Chopped onion
2 C. Grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp. Seasoned salt
2 tsp. Dried basil
Bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

In crockpot, combine broth, vegetables, onions, and seasonings.
Add the ground beef and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Turn to high 1 hour before serving.  Add cheeses.  Stir occasionally.
Serve when cheeses are completely melted.
Garnish with crumbled bacon, and some grated cheese if desired.