🚫 The No-Takeout Challenge: 7 Days of Home Cooking

By Rossi Voss | September 29, 2025

You’re not alone if you’ve ever:

Opened DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub “just to look”
Stared into the fridge and then Googled “food near me”
Felt guilty after spending $25 on delivery

But what if you could break the takeout cycle in just 7 days?

Welcome to the No-Takeout Challenge — a simple, beginner-friendly plan to cook at home using what you already have.

No fancy ingredients. No hours in the kitchen. Just real food, one pot at a time.

📅 The 7-Day No-Takeout Meal Plan

Monday: Creamy Red Lentil Dal

Time: 25 mins | Cost: $1.50/serving | Protein: 18g

1 cup red lentils
1 onion, garlic, cumin, turmeric
3 cups broth
½ can coconut milk (optional)

Add all to pot. Simmer 20 mins.
Serve over rice with lime and cilantro.

📘 From: 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook

Tuesday: Air Fryer Turkey + Veggies

Time: 20 mins | Cost: $2.50/serving | Protein: 30g

1 lb ground turkey
1 tbsp olive oil, paprika, garlic powder
2 cups frozen mixed veggies

Toss everything in the air fryer basket.
Cook at 375°F for 15–20 mins.
Serve with quinoa or toast.

📘 From: 100 Beginner's Air Fryer Rotisserie Recipes

Wednesday: Egg & Black Bean Scramble

Time: 15 mins | Cost: $1.25/serving | Protein: 20g

2 eggs per serving
½ cup black beans
1 bell pepper, onion, garlic
1 tsp cumin

Sauté veggies. Add beans to warm.
Pour in eggs. Scramble until set.
Serve with tortilla or toast.

Thursday: Pinto Bean & Sweet Potato Bowl

Time: 35 mins | Cost: $1.90/serving | Protein: 14g

1 cup pinto beans
1 large sweet potato, cubed
1 bell pepper, chili powder
3 cups broth

Sauté sweet potato and pepper 5 mins.
Add beans, broth, spices.
Seal → Manual 25 mins (Instant Pot).
Quick release. Serve with rice.

Friday: Turkey & Rice Soup

Time: 30 mins | Cost: $2.00/serving | Protein: 25g

1 lb ground turkey
1 onion, 2 carrots, celery
6 cups broth
1 cup rice
Thyme, bay leaf

Brown turkey and veggies (Sauté mode).
Add broth, rice, herbs.
Seal → Manual 10 mins → Quick release.

Saturday: Flex Day (Leftovers or Takeout)

Use this day to reset. Reheat a batch or go out — no guilt.

Sunday: Black Beans & Rice (Cuban-Style)

Time: 25 mins | Cost: $1.75/serving | Protein: 15g

1 cup black beans
1 cup rice
Onion, bell pepper, garlic
1 tsp smoked paprika, cumin

Sauté veggies. Add beans, rice, broth, spices.
Simmer 25 mins (or Instant Pot: 25 mins).
Fluff and serve.

🧾 Weekly Grocery List (Total: ~$30)

Red lentils (1 cup) – $0.60
Black beans (2 cans) – $1.20
Pinto beans (1 can) – $0.60
Rice (2 cups) – $0.80
Broth (4 cups) – $1.60
Onions (3) – $0.75
Bell peppers (3) – $1.50
Carrots (2) – $0.20
Ground turkey (1 lb) – $6.00
Eggs (1 dozen) – $2.00
Spices (cumin, paprika, turmeric) – $0.50
Sweet potato (1 large) – $1.00

Total: ~$28.00 (for 7 days, 4 servings each)

📥 Download the Free “No-Takeout Challenge” Printable PDF

I’ve created a printable No-Takeout Challenge checklist with:

7-day meal plan
Shopping list
Prep tips
Freezer instructions

👉 Get the Free No-Takeout Challenge Printable

No broken links. Just real help for real kitchens.

📚 More from Rossi Voss

Stockpot Cookbook: 139 Simple and Hearty Recipes – Perfect for soups, stews, and one-pot wonders.
100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook – Fast, filling meals using pantry staples.
100 Beginner's Air Fryer Rotisserie Recipes – Crispy, juicy meals in minutes.
82 Essential Instant Pot Fermentation Recipes – Make yogurt, kefir, and more.

— Rossi Voss
Author of the $0.99 Cookbook Series
rossivoss.blogspot.com

The No-Takeout Challenge: 7 Days of Home Cooking