Photo by Razvan.Orendovici (flickr.com)

By Guest Blogger, Sharon Bruen

October…my favorite month! I love the cool(er) weather, nature is gorgeous, and we get to kick off the month with Oktoberfest! In this month’s menu you will see some recipes unique to Oktoberfest.

Freezer Meals is a new section you will also find in this month’s menu. I’ve flirted with the idea of adding some freezer meals, so I figured why not try it this month? October offers so many fun activities, with pumpkin patches, apple orchards, scenic drives, Halloween…with many more, I am sure. Why not free up some time in the kitchen? Please let me know in the comments if this is a section you prefer to be included.

We kick off October with Oktoberfest, and we end it with, of course, HALLOWEEN! For that reason I’ve included a handy link taking you to fun Halloween snacks, such as Pizza Mummies, Monster Mash Dip, and Goblin Grins. Check out the 15 Hauntingly Healthy Halloween Snacks, courtesy of Family Fun.

Welcome to October! I hope it’s a great month for you filled with yummy food and good times with your loved ones.

Oktoberfest
Cabbage and Kielbasa (I suggest following the reviews, adding real potatoes instead of canned, and red wine may be a nice option over water)

Slow-Cooked German Short Ribs (tip: serve over mashed potatoes)

Wiener Schnitzel

Bavarian Pretzels (make ahead for an appetizer night)

Crescent Mummy Dogs (Halloween dinner fun, too!) *Lighten it up by using turkey dogs*

Photo by Natlie Maynor (flickr.com)

Beef
Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Beef Pot Roast with Maple Sweet Potatoes

Beef & Parmesan Pasta

Slow Cooker Chili

Ground Beef & Corn-Topped Potato Skins

Chicken

Honey-Beer Glazed Chicken

Emeril’s Essence Chicken (chicken & rice meal)

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

Chicken and Biscuits Casserole

Roasted Chicken(whole chicken) *preparing a whole chicken may provide leftovers. Leftover chicken is great to use in casseroles!

Pork

Pork Roast with Apples and Pears(slow cooker recipe!)

Sausage Apple Egg Casserole

Italian Sausage & Potato Roast**try with Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage. Many stores around here have had the Jennie-O brand turkey products on sale for around $2/pound, with an attached 55 cents off instant coupon.

Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

Photo by Neeta Lind (flickr.com)

Seafood

Corny Salmons Cakes

Open-Faced Tuna and Fennel Sandwiches

Impossibly Easy Seafood Pie

Mediterranean Pasta with Shrimp

Meatless

Tortellini with Sweet Potato Sauce (sweet potatoes are in season)

Almond Vanilla French Toast

Lentil and Brown Rice Casserole (the cheapest of cheap meals!)

Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Photo by I Should Be Folding Laundry (flickr.com)

Dessert for the month? How about Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Cheesecake!

Add to that a glass of Slow Cooker Cider, and you have delicious.

Freezer Meals

Freezer meals enable you to prep much of this over the weekends, or even on school breaks (often up to 3 months in advance!), when hopefully there is some more down time for you.

Check out the selection of freezer meals, many from the great blog 100 Make-Ahead Meals. (note: they include directions for freezing-ahead, but these meals can easily be prepared for dinner the same day)

Veggie Stuffed Pasta Shells

Italian Meatballs(perfect over your favorite pasta dish, as an appetizer, or enjoy some meatball subs!)

Chicken Roccoco

Wild Rice Turkey Bake

Freeze-Ahead Oreo Cheesecake

Grocery tip: Not everyone is into clipping coupons, but for those who are, remember to check your store’s website for exclusive in-store coupons. These can usually be combined with manufacturer coupons, making everyday meals much more affordable. Also double check your store’s policy on doubling coupons (which often means a national brand could be less expensive than the store/generic brand).

Sharon Bruen is a SAHM to two active little boys, experiencing school on the “other” end (the parenting end) for the first time.  She taught 1st grade in a Catholic school before my oldest was born, and since then has tutored privately & online. She enjoys blogging, exercising, menu planning, and spending time with her husband & family.