💰 Monday Money Madness

Marry Me Again (Vegetarian) Mediterranean Casserole

Comfort food doesn’t have to mean expensive.

This “Marry Me Again” Mediterranean casserole is creamy, protein-balanced, veggie-loaded — and designed to stretch ingredients without sacrificing flavor.

It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent… but secretly works hard for your grocery budget.

🥘 Why This Recipe Works for Money Monday

✔ Uses precooked rice (great for leftovers)

✔ Incorporates frozen vegetables (lower cost, less waste)

✔ Uses cottage cheese + white beans for affordable protein

✔ Flexible: vegetarian or add chicken ✔ Makes 6–8 servings

This is real-life cooking that feeds people well — without breaking the bank.

🍽 Marry Me Again (Vegetarian) Casserole

Pan Size

9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) casserole dish

🧺 Ingredients

• 6 cups precooked rice

• 1 cup vegetable broth

• 1 container (500 g) cottage cheese

• 2 cups pureed white beans (cannellini or navy)

• 1 capful A Spice Affair Mediterranean Blend

• 2 cups pureed or finely chopped frozen spaghetti mix vegetables

• 2 cups frozen broccoli

• 1 handful fresh spinach

• 1 cup black olives, sliced (or sun-dried tomatoes)

• 1–2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

• Extra virgin olive oil (for finishing)

  
  

Optional

• 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded

  
  

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.

3. In a large bowl, mix:

   • Rice

   • Broth

   • Cottage cheese

   • Pureed white beans

   • Mediterranean Blend

   • Vegetables

   • Olives

   • Balsamic

   • Optional chicken

4. Transfer mixture to casserole dish.

5. Cover loosely with foil.

6. Bake 35–45 minutes, until heated through and bubbling.

7. Remove foil for final 5–10 minutes if desired.

8. Let rest 5–10 minutes.

9. Drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil before serving.

🧮 Nutrition Per Serving

(Vegetarian Version)

Based on 8 servings

Approximate values:

• Calories: ~420 kcal

• Protein: ~19 g

• Carbohydrates: ~52 g

• Fiber: ~8 g

• Fat: ~14 g

• Calcium: High (from cottage cheese)

• Iron: Moderate (beans + spinach)

If divided into 6 servings:

• ~560 calories

• ~25 g protein

✔ Balanced carbohydrates✔ Strong plant protein✔ High fiber✔ Satisfying and filling

Adding chicken increases protein to ~28–30 g per serving.

💰 Cost Per Plate (Canada Estimate)

Ingredient Cost Approximation

Ingredient	Estimated Cost
Rice (6 cups cooked)	$2.00
Vegetable broth	$1.00
Cottage cheese (500 g)	$4.99
White beans (2 cans)	$2.50
Frozen veg mix	$2.50
Frozen broccoli	$2.50
Spinach	$1.50
Black olives	$2.99
Balsamic + olive oil	$1.00
Mediterranean seasoning	~$0.75

Total cost: ~ $21.73

Cost Per Plate

• 8 servings = ~$2.70 per plate

• 6 servings = ~$3.60 per plate

If adding chicken (~$6 extra):

• 8 servings = ~$3.45 per plate

• 6 servings = ~$4.50 per plate

Still budget-smart for a protein-balanced baked dinner!

💡 Why This Is Smart Budget Cooking

This recipe stretches:

• Cottage cheese (less expensive than shredded cheese)

• White beans (high-protein, low cost)

• Frozen vegetables (less spoilage)

• Rice (bulk-friendly, filling)

It’s an example of how layering affordable ingredients creates a dish that tastes far more expensive than it is.

💰 BONUS: QUICK MONEY MATH

If one family dinner out costs $60–$100…

And this entire casserole feeds 6–8 for about $22…

That’s a savings of roughly $40–$80 in one night.

If you swapped just one takeout night per month for this:

You could save $480–$960 per year.

That’s real money.

🧩 Deconstructed Option: “Marry Me Again” Your Way

Not everyone loves a mixed casserole — and that’s completely okay. If you or someone in your household prefers foods separated, this recipe works beautifully in a deconstructed format. Instead of baking everything together:

How to Serve It Deconstructed

1. Warm the rice separately.

2. Heat the vegetable + white bean + cottage cheese mixture in a saucepan.

3. Serve components side-by-side:

   • Rice

   • Creamy Mediterranean veggie mix

   • Olives or sun-dried tomatoes on the side

   • Optional chicken separately

4. Let each person build their own plate.

5. Drizzle olive oil over individual portions.

This keeps the flavors the same — but gives everyone control over texture and combinations.

Why This Works

✔ Supports picky eaters

✔ Helps texture-sensitive eaters

✔ Encourages kids to try components individually

✔ Makes leftovers easier to repurpose

It also turns dinner into more of a “build-your-own bowl” night, which can actually increase buy-in at the table.

Final Thought for Monday

Money Madness doesn’t mean cutting joy.

It means cooking smart, seasoning well, and feeding your people in a way that’s satisfying, nourishing, and sustainable. And honestly? This one might make someone ask for seconds.

Stirring up goodness,

Laura Grannary

The Pantry Planner