3 First Week of School Survival Suppers...ON A BARGAIN BUDGET for this bargain-loving teacher and mom

There's one week left before the first full week of school (where I live)...perfect time to plan for some quick comfort foods that are the perfect "welcome home" after the first few hectic days. So, browse through these ideas, and get that pantry stocked and ready while you enjoy the little bit of calm that still exists before the storm of crazy schedules begins.

*BTW, I'm a big fan of Publix bogos and other bargains and always plan my dinners around this week's bogos and savings. I don't know how anyone can pay full price for groceries right now!!

1. CREAMY, DELICIOUS, ALWAYS A HIT WITH ALL MY KIDDOS (and daddy too!)--It's homemade (almost too simple to call it that) MAC and CHEEEEEEEESE!! We like to steam broccoli with with mac and cheese and usually skip the meat since the dish is so fulfilling, but an easy option is a pre-seasoned pork tenderloin on the side. I stock up on these when they are BOGO b/c my kids really like them, and cooking them is as simple as opening the package and tossing in the oven (or if I"m in a big hurry, I slice it and skillet cook).

One box of Ronzoni macaroni noodles (BOGO at my local Publix, so check with yours).

2 cans evaporated milk

3 eggs

1/2 stick salted butter...use butter, not margarine, if possible.

3 bags of shredded cheese (CABOT is BOGO). I use new york sharp, vermont sharp and mac and cheese shredded cheese flavors, but you do you :)

1/2 cup whole milk

Cook the noodles, drain the noodles, combine all ingredients in a large bowl (if you put the butter in the noodles immediately after draining them, you won't even have to melt the butter). Dump it all in a greased 9 x 13, cook on 350 for 30 minutes.. It's literally as easy, or even easier than the box, and your family will be so happy to be eating at home.

2. Chicken ranch soft TACO NIGHT!!

Get ready with your crockpot and that amazing little invention called the crockpot liner (worth every single penny, and I'm cheap!)...set it to low, and add the following:

chicken breasts

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 pkg. taco seasoning

You are going to be so happy you did this when you open the door and walk into the fabulous smells.

Dump the seasoned chicken in a bowl and add a bottle of ranch dressing. You have the perfect filling for tortillas (or even hard-shelled tacos, if you prefer).

I like to top with lettuce, cilantro, and cheese, but that's the fun thing about tacos. You get to do you!

3. Quick (so simple, trust me) FRIED RICE--

1-2 boxes of pre-cooked steamed white rice (again, my hungry crew requires 2 boxes)--I use the InnovAsian steamed rice in the Asian frozen foods section of my local Publix (3 for $10 this week)

3 eggs

1 chopped onion

1 lb. chicken breast cut in cubes ( I cook these in 2 TBS. olive oil and splash with soy sauce. I usually cook the chicken ahead of time and just warm for the recipe).

Follow directions on package to microwave cook the rice. In a well-oiled large skillet, cook onion and eggs (scramble). Add chicken to eggs and onions. If your skilled is dry, add 1/4 cup olive oil or other oil. Finally, add the cooked rice and mix all of this together with 1/2 cup of soy sauce. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes while constantly mixing the ingredients. You may add more oil/soy sauce to taste.

Add steamed carrots as a side, or whatever any picky eaters may prefer. (I have one who eats grape tomatoes as the side for every meal, and I love it--no prep!!)

Finally, I like to keep apples, oranges, strawberries, bananas, grapes, blueberries...any of the fruits that make it to the weekly sales ad on hand. My family loves chopped fruit topped with vanilla yogurt (and some of us, like to add granola as a topping, others prefer sprinkles). I serve this as a side dish with heavier meals, but it can always work as a simple dessert.

I'm praying blessings and peace over all of us as our children's; thus, our lives transition into this busy season. I hope some of these inexpensive and very easy (I promise) dinner ideas help smooth the path as we adjust to the new school year. We will all be pros again before we know it!