
It’s been a couple of months since I’ve shared a frugal real food meal plan with you guys, and that’s a couple of months too long. I’m so sorry!
Although summer is coming to an end (boo!), this is one of my favorite times of year. Late gardens are still producing various squash, melons are big and juicy and the first of fall apples are being picked. It’s the perfect overlap in my opinion, of fresh, juicy summer and cool, crisp fall.
If you haven’t enjoyed the taste of summer yet, get it while you still can. Although this overlap is fun, it is very short time. All the “fun” foods will be gone soon and we’ll be stuck with hard, sturdy winter squash for what seems like an eternity!
September’s four week, frugal real food meal plan was strategically planned on the current selection at the farmer markets and my own CSA box, lol. Remember, this meal plan is arranged in order to best fit MY schedule. Take it and use it as-is, or chop it up with scissors, re-arrange it and glue it back into place so that it best fits your own family’s schedule and activities.
If you get a CSA, allow yourself some flexibility with your vegetables. Make substitutions to fit what you have on hand.

Two Week Sample
Do you need step-by-step help with meal planning? Frugal Real Food Meal Plans is an all-in-one meal plan with recipes, shopping lists, shopping guides, money saving tips and more! Sign up below for a free sample!Healthy Eating Plan: September 2014
Notes on this Healthy Eating Plan:
- This meal plan is for the average family of four, costing approximately $330. You might need to change portion sizes according to your own family size and budget.
- Meals are based around 2 whole chickens, 2-3 lbs pork roast and 2 lbs bacon. You’re welcome.
- The meals within this plan were designed to build off of each other, using leftovers when possible and allowing opportunities for batch cooking (i.e. making one big batch of tortillas instead of making “just enough” on two separate days.) Take advantage of this to really lower your budget and reduce time spent in the kitchen.
Healthy Eating Plan: Week 1
(S) Caesar Salad with Biscuits
(M) Provencal Soup
(T) Roasted Whole Turned Chicken
(W) Stovetop Spaghetti
(T) Baked Eggplant Parmesan
(F) Chicken Tacos and Coconut Rice
Healthy Eating Plan: Week 2
(S) Sausage/Chicken Creole
(M) Spinach & Chicken Enchiladas
(T) Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing
(W) Pasta Primavera
(T) End of Summer Minestrone Soup
(F) Bulgur Veggie Burger Sliders
(S) Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Healthy Eating Plan: Week 3
(S) Mexican Corn & Potato Chowder
(M) Veggie Fried Rice
(T) BLT Chopped Salad
(W) Faux Risotto with 5 Summer Vegetables
(T) Garlic White Bean Soup with Kale
(F) Homemade Pizza
(S) Grilled BLT Sandwiches with Roasted Potato Wedges
Healthy Eating Plan: Week 4
(S) Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
(M) Orange Chicken
(T) Southwestern Salad
(W) Healthy Baked Ziti with Kale
(T) Spinach Lasagna Soup
(F) Carnitas Tamale Pie
(S) Key West Grilled Chicken

Healthy Eating Plan: Breakfast
Breakfasts are usually a variety of meals, based largely on what we have in the kitchen and almost always served with fresh fruit. These are a few basic meal ideas, plus some recommended recipes that should align with the ingredients being purchased for the dinners above. Simple meals like breakfast porridge and baked oatmeal can be flavored based on what you have in your own kitchen.
- Eggs (scrambled, fried, baked)
- Breakfast Porridge (with mix-ins based on what you have available)
- Baked Oatmeal (variety depending on what you have available)
- Zucchini Bread with Carrots & Apples
- Protein Smoothies & Toast
Healthy Eating Plan: Lunches
Similar to breakfast, lunches are usually a variety of meals based on what’s in the fridge and pantry and come with a side of fresh fruit. My first suggestion for lunch is always leftovers (unless the leftovers are already slated for another meal), but here are a few additional lunch ideas that are simple and easy to prepare. As a bonus, all of them can be tailored according to what you currently have on hand, and packed either for school or a picnic lunch on the go.
- Healthy Homemade Lunchables
- Sweet & Savory Pasta Salad
- Homemade Hot Pockets
- Zucchini Fritters
- Tomato & Cucumber Sandwiches
Looking for more delicious and frugal inspiration? Get more real food meal plans here.

Two Week Sample
Do you need step-by-step help with meal planning? Frugal Real Food Meal Plans is an all-in-one meal plan with recipes, shopping lists, shopping guides, money saving tips and more! Sign up below for a free sample!What’s on your Healthy Eating Plan this month?
I think you should read the link you gave for ratatouille. I think you’ll want to remove it.
Thanks Terri. I had a feeling about it, but wasn’t entire sure… your comment sealed the deal. You’ll find a new recipe there that shouldn’t mess too much with any prepared shopping lists. 🙂
Hi Terri – I just wanted to let you know that after discussing this post with my husband, we’ve decided to decline their offer for sponsorship, remove all links to Yahoo! Food and no longer include their recipes in the meal plan since they do not align with the mission of Crumbs. I’ve updated the post, but would like to offer an apology to you here as well. 🙂
Does the $330 include the cost of the CSA?
It looks like you are having a lot of delicious meals this month. I am excited to try some of these. A neighbor gave us a bunch of food that we are trying to use up- she was moving and didn’t want to waste it. So is pretty nice this month!
It does now! Our gifted subscription is over, and we’re renewing for the rest of the season. That means the cost of each week will now be in our budget. 🙂 Great news on the gifted food! That is always such a blessing!
This is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing all of these great links with us. It looks like this post was a lot of work so I wanted you to know how much I appreciate it.
You’re most welcome Heather, and I really appreciate your kind and uplifting words! 🙂 Thank you!
Ooh … this looks like a set of recipes that my family would eat – and that I can cook! So excited to have found your site. One question, though – the pasta dish in the title image, is that in here somewhere? It looks crazy delicious!
LOL, that recipe is actually at another site I used to contribute to. Here it is: http://forthefamily.org/garlic-butter-pasta-salad/
Thanks so much!