Cooking for the week

So this is going pretty well.  I am new to it, so I am learning as I go.  My Mom isnt really able to cook anymore and she has always hated it, then when I found out my Dad (who doesnt even know how to run the microwave) was trying to cook for them I decided this was a way I could help.  Not to mention it benefits me also because I work 12 hour days and its so nice to come home and have dinner already ready.  This was the first week and I have been cooking every night still, just because I started this at the end of days off and didnt have a full day to devote to cooking ahead.  The initial cost was pretty high, but thats because I got a ton of meat and pantry items.  Everything I made I doubled, one for my family and one for Mom and Dad.  

Crockpot lasagna,  Easy and everyone liked it. Made two crockpots of it.

Creamy Potato Soup.  Literally cost me about 6 bucks to feed all 5 of us, and have leftovers.  I did not double this one.

Ground Beef Stroganoff.  Pretty ugly stuff, but everyone liked it a lot.  Doubled and ended up with a bit too much but it will go in lunches.

Chicken Divan.  I personally love this stuff.  Mom really liked it, but Jack wasnt crazy for it.  Made two batches, extra lemon and curry.  Probably could have made one batch and been ok for all of us.  Left out the  water chestnuts and mushrooms.  

I found a great substitute for canned cream of anything soup.  I usually have all these items on hand, and no preservatives or gunk in it.  Cream of Chicken Substitute

So today is my day off.  I had a lot of ricotta cheese left after the lasagna, so I made calzones.  4 Italian sausage pepperoni, and 2 ricotta spinach mushroom.  These can go in the freezer for whenever.  I ended up with leftover cooked sausage and a good amount of ricotta with spinach.  Put those in the freezer, and will be able to make at least two batches of stuffed shells.  Yay!  And I only paid 2.50 for a huge ricotta at Sams Club.  I didnt really follow a recipe for the calzones.  I also made 45 meatballs using The Pioneer Womans recipe for Comfort Meatballs but I followed the directions from another site due to the freezing directions.

So now I just have to figure out what kind of stuff I will be making for the next week.  

I am craving fresh vegetables though.  Going to have to tweak my planning a bit better