Home ยป Money Matters: Fettuccine with Tomato-Cream Sauce + Weekly Menu

Money Matters: Fettuccine with Tomato-Cream Sauce + Weekly Menu

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I am not a name-brand shopper (unless we’re talking about purses). As a coupon novice, I’ve learned a thing or two couponing my way through one of my new favorite stores – Kohl’s.

I’m sure most women have or will find themselves in the “young adult” clothing predicament where the ladies sections may be too matronly and the juniors section too immature. Add to that predicament of mine a very formal work dress code, it makes it very difficult to find tops that can be worn both in professional life and personal life. In short, I haven’t found much success and because I spend more time at work than anywhere else, I have been focusing on expanding my professional wardrobe more so than my personal.

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Regardless of which wardrobe I’m shopping for, however, I love a good deal. Kohl’s has lots of good deals and so…I love Kohl’s. Last weekend I scored big and ended up with several bright colored tank tops that can be layered at work with a blazer (or worn out in the summer), a pair of jeans, a blazer, two cardigans, a flow-y top, and Mr. Prevention got a few things, too.

We paid not that much…and got $40 dollars in Kohl’s cash (“money” to spend at a later date)!

So…we returned this weekend and I got a new paid of Asics in my hard-to-find 7 1/2-wide size. After a 15% off coupon and my Kohl’s cash, I paid a whopping $3.53 for brand new running shoes!

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We then proceeded to Carson’s where we both scored big again and used a $50 off a $100 purchase coupon. I can almost see where bargain shopping is addicting…

I wish addiction that would translate into my food budget, but all things considered, we do really well keeping food costs down while still eating super healthy. Much of that starts with cooking at home and finding inexpensive ways to create basic convenience foods, such as prepared sauces.

At $1.17 per serving, this meal is smart shopping (and smart eating!)…and no coupons involved 😉

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Fettuccine with Tomato-Cream Sauce from Cooking Light

8 oz uncooked fettuccine
2 tsp olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1 (28o z) can crushed tomatoes
3 oz 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
1/2 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved

Directions:

Cook pasta in 4 quarts boiling water for 8 minutes or until noodles are almost al dente. Drain pasta through a sieve over a bowl.

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes or until very fragrant and tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt and tomatoes; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture is boiling. Add cream cheese; stir until smooth.

Add pasta and red pepper; cook 3 minutes or until pasta is al dente, tossing to coat. Serve with basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano on top.

Yield: 4 servings

Nutrition Information (per serving): 345 calories; 8.8 g. fat; 18 mg. cholesterol; 713 mg. sodium; 56.3 g. carbohydrate; 5.5 g. fiber; 13.5 g. protein; 10.5 g. sugar

Result: Surprisingly sweet – I think I would add more crushed red pepper next time. Mr. Prevention really enjoyed this meal, as did I. Ready in 20 minutes or less, this is a perfect weeknight meal that I have to assume would be a hit with kids. Plus, it’s very affordable!

Money Matters: Pasta is extremely affordable at about $1.00/lb ($0.50 for 8 ounces), along with the canned tomatoes – $1.29 for a 28 ounce can. Cream cheese is roughly $0.29 per ounce ($2.30 per package) so the cream cheese adds $0.86. Fresh herbs can be nearly free if you grow them at home, but purchased are roughly $1.00. Parmigiano-Reggiano is expensive at ~$17/lb, however one-half ounce is a mere $0.53. The remaining ingredients account for approximately $0.50. The total cost of the recipe comes to $4.68 and $1.17 per serving.

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Weekly Menu: February 24 – 28th

 No real plans today…and I love that 🙂

Be well,

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13 Comments

  1. Biz
    February 24, 2013 / 9:09 am

    Score on those deals Nicole! I am still a thrift shopper through and through, so no coupons needed for me. I love that sauce, but sadly lately my husband doesn’t like red sauce as much, so I have chicken alfredo on the menu this week.

    Enjoy your Sunday!

  2. Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    February 24, 2013 / 1:45 pm

    This pasta sounds fabulous!! I love the thrifty factor too!

  3. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian
    February 24, 2013 / 5:03 pm

    This pasta looks SOO good! I love Kohls!!
    And I am loving your meals planned for the week!

  4. Samantha Angela
    February 24, 2013 / 9:16 pm

    I haven’t hit the Young Adult clothing predicament yet. . . I still dress like I’m 19 and I like it. (and I’m still wearing a lot of clothes that I bought back then).
    It’s no wonder older people always think I’m in high school.

  5. Peggy
    February 25, 2013 / 9:56 am

    This looks so good! Definitely perfect for a weeknight meal =) And way to go scoring on those deals!

  6. Kristina
    February 25, 2013 / 10:11 am

    Two for one! Yummy and affordable ๐Ÿ™‚ Looks DELISH! I can’t resist cream sauces, this looks great Nicole!

  7. Sarah
    February 27, 2013 / 11:21 pm

    Tried it out tonight. It was amazing!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      February 28, 2013 / 10:09 am

      Hi Sarah! So glad you enjoyed this! Cooking Light has a winner in this one for sure! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for your comment!

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  9. Erin @ Texanerin Baking
    March 3, 2013 / 4:09 pm

    Kohl’s is the only store I shop at! My parents and I all have the card so whenever one of us would get the 30% off coupon, shopping time! Awesome. And I get half of the stuff from the junior’s section. The dressy stuff is quite nice! I’ll definitely have to give Kohl’s a visit this summer. ๐Ÿ™‚

    And this fettuccine looks amazing! I’ve never made a creamy tomato sauce like this. Will definitely have to try it out!

  10. Erin @ Texanerin Baking
    March 9, 2013 / 12:16 pm

    Okay, so I sent this recipe to my husband. nagged him a little about how he never makes me dinner, and BAM! I got myself some pasta. ๐Ÿ™‚ He was very proud to have made this and I was SUPER excited to have dinner made for me! Thank you so much for the recipe. It’s easy, quick and most importantly… delicious! He told me he’d make it for me again. Yay!

  11. Holly
    April 28, 2013 / 8:11 pm

    Thanks for another great recipe! Very quick to make and indulgent. I went a little too heavy on the red pepper flakes by doubling it and can’t wait to make it again as written.

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      May 1, 2013 / 8:45 pm

      Glad you loved it, Holly! Those red pepper flakes can sneak up on ya!

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