Meals that last throughout the week?

Hey guys! About once a week I cook something that lasts through the week so I know my food money is going to good use. I've made 16 bean soup (from the package directions with plenty of vegetables - still ended up bland though) and the rainbow veggie chili that was posted somewhere on here (dlicious!). I also made a deep dish potato pie but it wasn't the healthiest choice.

Can anyone recommend some good recipes that will last? I've been eating soups with tomatoes for two weeks so I'm a bit tired of those, but I do love loading soups with vegetables. Potatoes are also something I *LOVE* in anything, but I always eat too much of them.

It sounds a little dreary to be eating the same thing day after day.. Nutritionally, it's also not all that good to be eating leftovers a week down the track.  Don't you have access to a freezer?  You could bulk cook a few different dishes (like the chilli) and parcel them up in portions for a quick meal another day.  Would give you more variety. 

My freezer usually has portions of this Mushroom Curry  and I find that bulk cooking some Basic Tomato Sauce is a useful thing to have around.

And how about finding some quick-cook or no-cook solutions so that you can eat fresh?  A vegetable stir-fry with a few beans or some chopped tofu thrown in takes minutes.. A salad can be quickly assembled with a few basic ingredients.  If you plan your meals carefully and shop with a list you won't waste either food or money.

Hi I am not a vegetarian any more as we eat seafood and poultry these days but I grew up vegetarian and thougth these might give you some variety. I threw in the ones for Penne Mozzarella and Pasta with Beans and Spinach because I didn't know if you were Ova Lacto or Vegan.

Spicy Red Lentil Chili

http://caloriecount.about.com/spicy-red-lenti l-chili-recipe-r187485

Penne Mozzarella

http://caloriecount.about.com/penne-mozzarell a-recipe-r205960

Pasta with Beans and Spinach

http://caloriecount.about.com/pasta-beans-spi nach-4-recipe-r241350

Squash and Pear Soup

http://caloriecount.about.com/squash-pear-sou p-recipe-r145442

The rest are vegan and very tasty I hate bland food!

One thing I make every few weeks is tofu salad.  You can change the ingredients up a bit but it is basically like any egg salad and make it into a sandwich.  I usually get a block of firm tofu, drain, mash it up, add vegenaise, mustard, every spice i have in the cupboard lol, mainly onion, garlic, creole seasoning, sometimes chili powder, i add pickes, tomato, sometimes avocado.  It lasts at least a week when i have it every day for lunch.  I make it into a sandwich or wrap.

At this time of year, I load up on farmers market veggies and make big pots of stew that last 4-5 days. You can always freeze portions if you don't want to eat the same thing every day. You can't beat the price and you put in whatever you want. Carrots, potatoes, parsnips, beets, apples, celery, zucchini, etc.. whatever I can can get my hands on, really :p

Nice thing about 'stew' veggies is they don't have to be perfect, i.e., a little bruising or overripeness is fine. If you want a little more substance (and protein) add lentils, chickpeas, beans, tvp, split peas, barley, etc., etc., whatever!

There are so many fantastic food blogs (including vegan).  My favs are Vegan Feast and Fat Free Vegan.

My favorite soup recipe (which also freezes well) is African Peanut Soup with I got from the Allrecipes site.  I highly recommend it.  Although it is tomato based, it is simple to prepare in a crockpot, can be as spicy or peanut-y as you want it to be, and is high in protein.

I also marinade tofu each weekend, bake, and eat tofu sandwiches/wraps all week.