A QUICK AND EASY MEAL THAT SAVED ME TIME AND MONEY

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Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart

There are times when I want a great-tasting meal, but I don’t have all the ingredients I need or a lot of time. Here is how I created a quick and easy meal when I was visiting my parents and still had time to visit and be present in the moment.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart 1

I wanted to fix spaghetti and meatballs for dinner since it is something the entire family enjoys. Walmart made it easy for me to shop for the items I needed. I went online and chose my store and “today” as the speed for pickup or delivery. I ordered the items I needed to create my meal and then continued to enjoy time with my family until the items arrived.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart2

Here is how I created our meal in about 30 minutes, all while standing around the island in the kitchen, talking and laughing with the family. First, I chopped the peppers and mushrooms.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart3

I sauteed them in the pot with a tiny bit of olive oil until they were tender.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart4

Once the veggies were soft, I added two jars of spaghetti sauce. I like mixing two different flavors of the sauce to get the taste I enjoy. I used Great Value Tomato Basil Garlic and Great Value Marinara pasta sauces.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart5

Open the jars and dump them into the pot. How easy is that?

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart6

I usually make a meat sauce using ground beef, but this time I decided to use Italian Style Meatballs from Great Value.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart6

I opened the bag and added the frozen meatballs to the sauce.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart7

I stirred the sauce and then set it aside to simmer and let the meatballs heat.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart8

While the sauce simmered, I added the spaghetti noodles to boiling water. I usually let my spaghetti boil for 10 minutes because I like my spaghetti to be al dente. However, my dad likes his spaghetti to be softer, so when my ten-minute timer chimed, I turned off the heat and let the spaghetti sit in the hot water to continue to cook.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart9

These Marketside Garlic Savory Knots are so easy to fix, and they taste great. They cook in the bag, so all you have to do is put them in an oven that is heated to 350 degrees.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart10

While the bread was baking, I opened a Caesar Salad kit from Marketside. I love these easy-to-make salad kits since everything is included in the pack.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart12

Each item is individually packed, and that keeps the croutons from becoming soggy.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart14

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and toss them together. I wait until everyone is ready for their salad before I add the croutons.

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart16

I wish you could smell how good these Garlic Knots smell!!!

Over 40 Fashion Blogger, Tania Stephens is preparing a quick and delicious meal with items from Walmart17

I couldn’t forget the dessert! Cannolis were the perfect dessert to add to my Italian meal. My dad had never eaten a cannoli before, and he loved them.

walmart screen shot of savings

This entire meal was so easy to prepare, and I didn’t have to spend hours at the grocery store or in the kitchen. I have used Walmart+  since April, and I’ve placed countless delivery orders and saved a lot of money on food, supplies, and gas. I like to save money where I can to have extra cash for special items or trips. According to my account, I’ve saved $264 and 30 hours, and I’ve only been using this for a few months. This must-have membership allows me to save time, money, and so much more.

Scan and Go

I usually order online and have my items delivered to my home, but on rare occasions, I will shop in-store. Walmart+ allows me to use the scan-and-go features, which means no standing in a checkout line!!! I open my Walmart App, choose Services at the bottom, and then Scan & Go. As I find an item I want, I scan the barcode and place it in my cart. Once I’m finished shopping, I can click the pay button, and I’m out the door in a flash.

 

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Every little bit adds up, especially when you fill up. Our Walmart and Sam’s Club have the best gas prices, and it is incredible how fast the savings add up.

  • Save up to 10¢ per gallon at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, & Murphy stations
  • Access member prices at Sam’s Club fuel centers
  • Over 14,000 convenient locations in 48 states

 

Deliver

 

Walmart makes it very convenient for its customers to shop, especially since most people have a store within 10 miles of their homes. Walmart has an extraordinary policy of free 2-day shipping and returns for purchases over $35! You can also sign up for Walmart Plus, where you get Free Shipping with no order minimums and Free Delivery (where available) with orders over $35. I take advantage of home delivery several times a week and love that small convenience.

spotify free trial

Walmart+ members get 6 free months of Spotify Premium, so you can enjoy ad-free music.

Walmart Refer a Friend

I love my Walmart+ membership and all the benefits I enjoy. If you are a Walmart+ member, you can share a referral code with your friends, and you BOTH will get $20 off a future order. Here is MY code if you are not yet a member and would like to enroll now!

Walmart sponsors this post, and I will receive compensation, but the opinions expressed are my own.

50 Is Not Old partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me fund the free content we provide on our blogs.

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16 Comments

  1. Looks delicious and easy. I do use packaged salad mix quite a bit myself. It’s so convenient. I’m going to try the Great Value Marinara pasta sauce. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Debbie Nowakowski says:

    Hi Tania-I used your spaghetti meal this weekend for my family. Was cooking for 11 people and was pondering what I would serve that would be be quick and easy. Then I saw your post and was so glad I did. Everyone loved it except for one little picky eater (she never likes anything).🤷‍♀️ Thanks for all your wonderful posts!

  3. Thank you so much for these simple tricks…very useful

  4. sheri johnson says:

    Hey there, I absolutely love your posts, style tips & recommendations!! I also like food ideas, but take a look at the picture of all the plastic in that picture. Is there anyway as an influencer you could promote earthly friendly packaging?

  5. An easy meal, and who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs.

  6. Louise Fox says:

    Loved this post and the recipes! God bless you!!

  7. Love it when you share family stuff.
    Looks wonderful, especially the garlic knots and cannoli.

    1. My Aunt married an Italian, so she always made cannolis for us when I was a child. I’ve loved them ever since.

  8. I’ve never thought of adding sauteed peppers and mushrooms to the sauce. What a quick and great way to make it a little extra special!

    1. Janet, it make a huge difference in your sauce.

  9. Yum!! I shop at Walmart about 3x a week. Lol. Great variety and affordable.

    1. Just 3 times??? Lol! Sometimes I get deliveries 3 times a day!

  10. Lisa Blohm says:

    Great post but where can I find those dishes? Love them!

  11. Ann Meadows says:

    Thank you for this post, I love spaghetti and this looks easy. I buy Great Value at Walmart all the time and it is always good.

    1. Ann, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It was nice to spend time with my family and prepare them a delicious meal.