Cheap recipes

Tomika - posted on 09/01/2009

A quick meal that we do is use store brought cheese (shredded) , store brought tomato sauce, and store brought small biscuits. Spray a muffin tin with a little cooking spray, than put a biscuit in the tins. Normally there are ten biscuits. Spread them out a little up the sides of the cups. top with a little sauce, a little cheese, and if you want you can top with any favorite pizza topping. Just following baking instructions for the biscuits and they are ready. Great for kids, hardly any clean up and about 4 can fill up one person.

I have also experimented with using the biscuits with baked chicken, stuffing, and a little gravy. Since they are small, you don't use much on each on, so they can really stretch your ingredients.

Heather - posted on 08/26/2009

a common mistake amoung many folks is the idea that you have to buy the more expensive cuts of beef in order for it to be tender! i have found that theory is blown out the water with 1 simple item in your kitchen a crock pot! i have resorted to buying the cheapest cuts of beef you can find at the store for beef roasts. 8 hours in a crock pot makes any beef tender. so twice a month i break out my crock pot and make beef roasts. with the left overs i make beef stroganoff(which is also very cheap as wide eggs noodles and rice are both cheap to serve it over. with any others that is left i pull it apart and make pulled beef bbq sandwhiches(hamburger buns are aswomely cheap also)my hubby likes to also slice the left overs thing and heat it up for a roast beef sandwhich at lunch time. the same can be done with any cheap pork roast. which left overs can be used for pulled pork bbq. some company also did a test on crock pots and it showed if you use your crock pot 2 times a weeek each month it only takes about 25 cents of electric to cook those 8 meals(which helps a ton on cutting back on your electric bill) my crock pot has become my best friend as far as saving on the cost of groceries and on my electric bill. hope this helps!

Carla - posted on 09/07/2009

Tator-Tat-Casserole

Take 1 to 1 1/2 lbs of Ground Beef, Chuck or Sirloin(whatever is on sale) & brown it with diced onions, garlic and pepper.

After browning drain really good and mix 1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup to the meat. (I just add 1/2 can of milk help with mixing of the soup)

Place the meat mixture in a 9 x 13 pan.

Next Slice Velvetta Cheese and place over the Meat.

Then place Tator-Tots on top of the cheese. (I usually place them in lines)

Bake at 400 for about 25-30 minutes to make sure the Tator-Tots are done.



Have fun cooking.

Carla

Dervla - posted on 09/06/2009

Post a reply! Get good with your leftovers!-unfortunately i'm talking mush here!Food Processor comes in handy. use raisins or bits of apples or pears in your dishes?adda banana! what about fruit juices? a little spice-tiny amounts of allspice or star anise will pick up flavours. Have jars of smokey barbeque sauce/mustard/pesto/soya sauce/honey on standby-they are very handy too-i find a spoon or so of basil/whatever type pesto from a jar works wonders-makes a fairly boring stir fry very edible. do you use sausage/salami/ham products-they can make the difference.all soups are good-could last a few days, especially if you add starches like potatoes/yams/ lotsa lentils or beans as 'fillers' when there isn't much meat. frozen green peas are handy and tend not to 'dull down' other flavours....one of the loveliest meals i ever had was boiled veg-all old bits!!-saute veg-big chunks of onions cabbage spuds carrots peas whatever you've got (tho i've never used tomatoes)-add bare tsp of mild curry powder salt a dessert spoon or 2 or 3 of cider vinegar(i use it a lot as it sweetens dishes) boil off the vinegar and pour on mild stock or good salty water, we ate it with grated cheese and it was lovely. what about quesadillas-layer flat cornbread sandwiches w. salsa(sweet oranges and green spring onions or 1 orange and lemons and halapeno/chili peppers onions 'n cookedchicken bits or beans(add a little sugar). do you use oyster sauce as i find a couple of drops also add lots of flavour to stirfries/beef dishes. can you grow your own spinach in your garden/balcony?i've found it hardy-an all year round variety is ideal tho it will 'bolt' to seed if it dries too quick...good luck!

Heather - posted on 09/05/2009

Here is a cheap and easy pasta dish with only 3 main ingredients:
I box of your favorite mini pasta
1 large can of Italian diced tomatoes
any cheese to add on top
Cook the pasta to your liking add the tomatoes top with cheese.
My kids love this over the canned spaghetti sauce and it is fast.

Kiela - posted on 09/03/2009

shepards pie is very easy and cheap you can inter-change veggies if you dont like them.. you brown some hamburger...and season to your liking and drain and set aside..get a can of veggies...i use greenbeans...(most people use vegall but i dont like that!...take a pan(cakepan whatever!) mix your veggies with a cream style soup i use mushroom...but if you have picky eaters use chicken...mix these two together *without the juice in the can dump it out* and season with salt n pepper...make a layer in the pan with the hamburger then put veggie/soup mix on top..and make some mashed potatoes *its great if you have leftover mashed potatoes* or sometimes in a hurry i have used instant potatoes it all works the same...put this on top on the hamburger topping and smear it around to cover...heat in the oven til its bubbly...easy...cheap and fast... also and easy chicken recipe is cut up chicken into bite size strips or chunks crush up potato chips..i usually use sourcream and onion.... roll the chicken chunks in the potato chips...this is SOOO good....i make it when we get to the bottom part of the bag of chips the crumbs no one wants...just cook in oven til browned..i usually cook at 350 deg. just DONT salt the chicken the chips give it a perfect flavor!..

Andrea - posted on 09/01/2009

My grandma used to make a hotdish for us grandkids when were we growing up.



2 cups macaroni (you can use any kind)

1 can of vegetable soup or tomato soup.



Boil mac, drain, add soup and a tablespoon of butter or margarine (optional) mix and serve.



My brother still makes the mac and tomato soup quite often. He makes it just like she did so whenever I go visit him I make him cook it for me. My mom sometimes makes it as well but she'll add hamburger or chop up hotdogs to put in it.



My man and I find quite a few recipies on www.allrecipies.com It's a pretty decent site to find things. I noticed someone mentioned campbellskitchen.com. That's a great site too. I was able to make a killer dish of beans with about 6 ingredients that I ALWAYS have on hand. Now when we have get togethers I always make them and they go pretty fast.



Also, if you have one in the area, check out the clearance section at a Borders or Barnes and Noble out. You can usually get a good cookbook there for a good price.



Good luck!

Tanya - posted on 09/01/2009

What I make for my family is a couple boxes of Mac N Cheese (prepare like normal) then cut up some Farmland or Eckrich Smoked Sausage into it and stir over med heat until the sausage is warm. The Farmland and Eckrich have a better taste than the cheaper smoked sausages. I'm a generic junkie, but Smoked Sausage is one thing I won't buy in off brand.

Cathi - posted on 09/01/2009

Ghetto Lasagna

Cook macoroni

Sautee Onions, sweet peppers, mushrooms(whatever veggies you want), with ground beef(optional)

Mix in Pot with macaroni and add a can of diced tomatoes

put in a cassarole dish cover with grated cheese and bake @ 350 for 20min

Not only is it a cheap meal, it's super fast and easy. It's a fav at our house.

Baked Chicken Penne

Cook Penne(or macaroni)

Cook a couple of chicken breast(can use a cheaper cut like thighs)

sautee whatever veggies you want

Mix in a bowl with tomato soup(mix soup with a bit of milk and water, not quite a full can) add seasoning, garlic, basil, orageno

Place in a casserole dish cover with cheese and bake @ 350 for 20min

Shepard's Pie

Boil potatoes

brown ground beef with whatever veggies

put beef in a casserole dish mash potatoes and put on top bake @ 350 for 20 min.

Leftover Chop Suey

If you do a roast and have left over meat. Cut it up small, add chopped celery, onions, bean sprouts and soya sauce in a fry pan. heat through, put on a bed of rice, and you're good to go!

Cabbage Casserole

Brown Ground Beef

Chop one head of cabbage

In a roasting pan mix with 1-2 cans of tomato soup(mixed) and one cup of rice(uncooked) place in oven preheated to 350 bake for one hour.

This is cheater cabbage rolls. It's good with sour cream if you like it.

Also, Marinades are awesome for saving money. You can buy a super cheap cut of meat and marinade it over night or throughout the day and presto! an awesome tasting main dish! There are many salad dressings you can use as a marinade that are fantastic!!! One more thing. Buy fresh produce whenever possible...fresh everything for that matter. Anything that you prepare yourself is always cheaper than stuff someone else prepared for you.

Melissa - posted on 09/01/2009

I love this little dish that I threw together one night.



3lbs of boneless chicken breast

1lb of broccoli

2 cans of cheedar cheese soup

1lb of speghetti noodles

2 tsp. of parmasan cheese



I take and boil the chicken breast till cooked, then I steam the broc. and boil the speghetti noodles while the chicken is cooking. Before I put the noodles in the pan to boil I normally half the noodles and then with the half noodles I half those then place them in the pan to boil. After everything is done cooking I take a bowl and with the 2 cans of soup I mix them with 2 cans of milk. Mix it until the soup and milk are a nice consistancy together. Then I put everything in the pot I used to boil the noodles and heat until the sauce is warmed. Then after it's done I put a little parmasan cheese on top. It's really good and it cost only $6.00 to make a meal for your family.

[deleted account]

Chrissy,
You should check out this blog too. http://simplyrecipes.com/ Elise has some wonderful recipes and they are easy too.

Chrissy - posted on 09/01/2009

I use allrecipe.com for everything. You can type in ingredients that you have or want and it will come up with recipes for it. I am all about cheap and delicious. I love kraftfoods.com also. Thanks for all of the great recipes all!

Karin - posted on 08/31/2009

CHILI DOG CASSEROLE



1 bag frozen tater tots



1 package hot dogs (8-10)



2 cans chili, any kind



2 cups shredded cheese



Line a 9x13 baking dish with the frozen tater tots, bake as directed. When done, cover the tater tots with the cans of chili. Cut the hot dogs into bite size pieces and spread on top of chili. Sprinkle on your cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.



2nd way:



2 cans (15 oz. each) chili with beans, divided

1 pkg. (16 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Wieners

10 corn or flour tortillas (8 inch)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese







Preheat oven to 425°F. Spoon 1 can of the chili into 13x9-inch baking dish. ROLL 1 wiener in each tortilla; place, seam side down, over chili in baking dish. Top with remaining chili; sprinkle with cheese. Cover. BAKE 30 minutes or until heated through.







3rd way:



8 hot dog buns



1 pkg of hot dogs



1 (15 ounce) can chili



1/4 cup chopped onion



1 tablespoon prepared mustard



2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).



Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Tear up the hot dog buns and arrange the pieces in the bottom of the dish evenly. Slice the hot dogs into bite size pieces and layer the pieces over the buns. Pour the chili over the hot dogs, sprinkle with the chopped onion, then spread some mustard over the chili and the onion. Top off with the cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.



4th way:





Chili Cheese Fristos



1-2 cans of chili



1 pkg of hotdogs



2 cups of cheese shredded



mustard



Layer the bottom of your casserole dish with your fritos,spread the 2 cans of chili over the chips then squirt musard over the top of chili,amount is your choice or omitt,layer your sliced hot dogs then cheese and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees

Leah - posted on 08/31/2009

chicken pot pie: leftover chicken, package of dry chicken or turkey gravy mix, pie crust, diced partially cooked potatoes (can cut up a can of potatoes as well), mixed veggies. mix the chicken with the gravy, the potatoes, and your mixed veggies (preferrably frozen). fill the pie shell with it and bake until bubbly.

Rhonda - posted on 08/31/2009

I have one that is simple and will not break you! Take A box of mac and cheese and cook it like normal. Then take some veggie that your family will eat and add it to the cooked mac and cheese. After that take canned chicken and add it one pot one mess and will not cost to much! I hope this helps!

Leah - posted on 08/31/2009

Here are some of my kids favorites: lunch: a package of whole wheat (I don't use white flour) tortillas. Spread each with the italian seasoned tomato sauce. Top with any meat or veggies you want. Cover with finely shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 for 7 minutes!



Bar-b-q beef: I use turkey instead, because of health and cost. Brown 1 package of ground meat. Add in equal amounts of barbecue sauce and ketchup, a few dashes of garlic powder, and dehydrated onions. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve on buns.



stuffed shells: canned pasta sauce (under $1), shell pasta, ricotta cheese, frozen chopped spinach (defrost and squeeze out the water). boil the shells and stuff with the cheese, and the spinach. Pour 1/3 of the can of sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. put shells on there and cover with any remaining sauce. If you have cheese in the fridge already, use it too!

Peggy - posted on 08/30/2009

cook up pasta....then add lots of veggies and small black beans, black olives, and some cooked up chicken chunks....mix together with ranch dressing or whatever...add shredded cheese and lettuce and delicious together. let me know if this goes o.k.

I had never tried small black beans....if you add them as you add the cheese it is good....beans don't have to be cooked . Peggy from Maine

[deleted account]

Feel free to check out my online cookbook. I have quite a few pasta and casserole recipes that are inexpensive. :D http://www.recipecircus.com/recipes/Kell... There are also lots of other online cookbooks to check through on the main page of recipecircus.com.

Kelly

Rhonda - posted on 08/30/2009

at what temp do u cook it

Angela - posted on 08/30/2009

Hi,

We have found that using packaged Hot Wing spices on boneless chicken thighs or chicken legs gives us that great Hot Wing taste without all the mess and cooking of wings.

Pour the Hot Wing spice packet into a zippy bag, add the chicken and shake until coated. Then either cook on the grill or in the oven. Served with baked beans and a salad it is a good dinner.



Another recipe that my kids really like is Baked Potato Casserole.

Wash and clean potatoes, we leave the peels on. Prick with fork and place in microwave until tender. If you place the potatoes on a plate and then cover with a wet paper towel they will not dry out. Once cooked, cut up into chunks and place in a glass casserole dish. Salt and pepper to taste, spinkle pats of butter, real bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese over the top and place back into the microwave and cook until cheese is melted. After removing from the microwave and placing onto individual plates you can then add sour cream and chives or other ingredients as you like.

Michelle - posted on 08/29/2009

netmums.co.uk has a fantastic food section with loads and loads of recipes for all budgets. I got some great ideas for party food on there.

Jennifer - posted on 08/29/2009

I buy chicken legs and thighs cause they're cheaper. Coat them with oil, salt and pepper and whatever other seasoning you like (red pepper flake, garlic, herbs). Sear it skin side down first in a skillet that's oven safe (all steel), than sear it for a few minutes on the other side. Stick it in the oven at 350 for about 30-40 minutes. To accompany this, roast veggies. Take broccoli, asparagus, whatever your faves are. Cut up and put in a baking dish, drizzle with oil, salt and pepper, red pepper flake (optional), garlic, herbs, whatever you like and roast at 400 for 15 minutes, buying fresh veggies is an in expensive option. I have also found that buying a rotissierie chicken in your grocery store saves time and at Walmart is cheaper than my regular store. You can also roast shrimp, cook some pasta, buy Classico's Alfredo sauce ($2 jar), mix together!

[deleted account]

Really cheap, quick and tasty too! 2 small packages of chicken flavor Ramen Noodles, 1 can of mixed vegies, 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce and a dash of pepper. Follow cooking instructions from Ramen Noodle packages, add can of vegies, tomato sauce and pepper. Simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes. Makes a great starter or side. Serves 4 for less than $2.

Lesley - posted on 08/29/2009

go to kraftfoods.com or kraft food and family love this! And they give you a link for budget friendly receipes! Great receipes.

Amanda - posted on 08/29/2009

If you have a slow cooker put a chicken in that and cook it slowly.

put a mixture of veg and pasta in and cook slowly its a great thing to have its a god send.or if you dont have that then cook slowly in boiler

Amanda - posted on 08/29/2009

i have a great book or 2 great books if you can get them and they are inexpensive they are the red and green 4 Ingredient cook books

otherwise there is a recipe i like to make and my lids love it and its lemon Meringue Pie.it only takes 30 min.

Base - 180grams plain crushed biscuits with 90grams melted butter

Press mixture in a 23cm pie dish.

cook in Pre heated oven 180degrees until slight golden brown take out of oven let sit while doing filling.

combine 1 can condensed milk (400g) 1/2 cup lemon juice 3 lightly beaton egg yolks . spoon mix in to pie crust.

Beat egg whites till stiff gradually add 1/2 cup caster sugar spoon on pie filling bake in preheated oven until golden for about 15 min

Tammy - posted on 08/28/2009

Quoting Tammy:

Batter:
1 cup of Flour
3/4 cup of water
3 eggs
1 teaspoon of salt (more if you like salty, I don't)
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1 tablespoon of Garlic powder
2-3 tablespoons of onion powder (this is what gives it the taste)
you can play with the seasonings I don't measure but this is about what I use
Mix it together with a fork to get the lumps out and it is good for Chicken (I use the frozen boneless skinless tenderloins that you get a 3-5 lb pack cheap just watch the sales) shrimp Mushrooms, Cauliflower or anything else you like deep fried, fry in oil until it is a light brown color and I fry the leftover batter cause my guys like that,
It goes far I was feeding two teenagers and a husband that can really eat and a 9 yr old that was coming in a close second and a 6 yr old and myself and it went far.

It goes good with Rice a Roni

Tammy - posted on 08/28/2009

Batter:

1 cup of Flour

3/4 cup of water

3 eggs

1 teaspoon of salt (more if you like salty, I don't)

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

1 tablespoon of Garlic powder

2-3 tablespoons of onion powder (this is what gives it the taste)

you can play with the seasonings I don't measure but this is about what I use

Mix it together with a fork to get the lumps out and it is good for Chicken (I use the frozen boneless skinless tenderloins that you get a 3-5 lb pack cheap just watch the sales) shrimp Mushrooms, Cauliflower or anything else you like deep fried, fry in oil until it is a light brown color and I fry the leftover batter cause my guys like that,

It goes far I was feeding two teenagers and a husband that can really eat and a 9 yr old that was coming in a close second and a 6 yr old and myself and it went far.

[deleted account]

I got a meatloaf recipe from kraftcanada.com:



1-& 1/2lb ground beef

box of stove top stuffing

2 eggs

1 cup water

italian dressing

chopped onion

shredded cheese



mix the beef or turkey with the stove top stuffing mix, the water, the eggs, as you are doing this- saute the onions in the italian dressing, then add to meat mixture

-bake in a loaf pan for 1 hour, when there is 2 minutes left, sprinkle cheese on top, pop back in the oven for 2 minutes.



as a side I made mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed veggies, it's really tasty, cheap, and easy:)

Cristeen - posted on 08/28/2009

Soupy Macaroni

1 lb meat (I use turkey because it's cheaper)

1 big bottle Tomato Juice

two cups macaroni noodles (or add more if you don't like it as soupy)

Andrea - posted on 08/28/2009

I've bought 2 cookbooks called 4 ingredients...volume 1 and 2....they use literally 4 ingredients for every recipe...great on a budget.....and they're written by 2 Australian Mums...FANTASTIC!...Here,s a couple of recipes from them.Sticky Chicken Legs[or thighs/pieces for that matter]Preheat oven to 180c[Moderate] place chicken in a single layer in casserole dish.....combine 1 can Tomato soup,1 pkt of french onion soup and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water[add some dried herbs if you have any handy]....pour over chicken....bake till done[turn pieces at about 1/2 time]...test to make sure juices run clear when chicken is pierced.....about 1 hour'll do it.....YUMMY....serve with rice and greens.[I use 10 legs and this does 4 serves, add more chicken if you need to]....Barrel of Biscuits......combine 1 can of condensed milk,3/4 cup sugar,500 grams butter and 3 to 4 cups of SR Flour.....this makes 4 batches.....divide mixture add extras...e.g. choc bits,jam drops,cocoa,sultanas then roll in crushed cornflakes.....bake at 180c[moderate temp] for 15-20 mins till golden......[roll into balls and slightly flatten with a fork to bake]......can be frozen cooked or uncooked.If uncooked separate layered balls with baking paper and slightly defrost before baking....YUMMY!....... Basic Chicken Mix........in a frypan cook diced chicken[no bones] and veges of choices and quantity[for you enough for 5 people] when a couple of minutesoff being cooked.....combine 1 pkt of chicken soup with 2 cups of milk or 1 cup milk and 1 cup water and add to chicken/vege mix....bring to a boil to thicken and reduce heat to simmer till cooked through.Now you can add this mix to pasta or top it with mashed potato like a shepherds pie.Versatile and YUMMY.

Rhonda - posted on 08/28/2009

Bacon 'N Cheddar Bubble Bread

Ingredients:

1 package (11.3 ounces) refrigerated dinner rolls

1/2 cup (2 ounces) finely shredded cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon real bacon bits or 1 slice bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled



Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray Mini-Baker with nonstick cooking spray. Separate dough into eight rolls; cut each roll into quarters. Combine cheese and bacon bits in Small Batter Bowl; mix gently. Toss each piece of dough in cheese mixture until lightly coated; place in baker.



2. Bake 20-22 minutes or until top is deep golden brown. Remove from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack. Run knife around edge of bread to loosen. Carefully lift bread onto serving plate. To serve, pull apart or slice into wedges.



Yield: 8 servings



Nutrients per serving: Calories 140, Total Fat 4.5 g, Saturated Fat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Carbohydrate 18 g, Protein 6 g, Sodium 70 mg, Fiber 1 g



Variation: Dill 'N Cheddar Bubble Bread: Substitute 1 teaspoon dried dill weed for the bacon bits. Proceed as recipe directs.



I found this on http://www.pamperedchef.com They have LOADS of helpful Ideas on it!

Amber - posted on 08/27/2009

This is a pretty cheap dish to make since you use ground beef and pasta. I don't know what you would call it, but it's good and filling.

-1lb ground beef OR frozen meatballs (You can make the ground beef into meatballs or just cook it, whatever you like/have time for)
-1 box of your favorite pasta (I like farfalle for this)
-2 carrots, diced
-A handful of mushrooms, sliced OR 1 can of mushrooms
-1/2 medium onion, diced
-1 clove garlic, minced OR a couple shakes of garlic powder
-1 1/4 cups hot water
-2 beef bouillon
-1/2 cup sour cream
-2 TBSP butter
-2 TBSP flour
-salt & pepper
-Any fresh herbs you have, or your favorite dried ones. I like to use Dill out of the garden, but really whatever you like the best will work just fine.

All you do is cook your meat/meatballs and remove them from the pan. Dissolve the bouillion in hot water and set aside. Get your pasta water going in a pot. Drain the fat out of the pan, then add your butter. Cook the veggies in the butter, adding your seasonings & dried herbs when the onions start to get soft. Add the flour to the veggie mixture and stir. Add your beef broth that you prepared earlier & mix thoroughly. Add the beef that you removed earlier, turning the heat up until the broth boils. Allow that to boil for a couple of minutes, then add in the sour cream & stir. Turn down the heat to a slow simmer & add any fresh herbs you're adding (if any). Simmer until the pasta is done. Drain the pasta and serve with the sauce & meat mixture.

Make tacos the same week to use up the rest of the sour cream.

Leftover tortillas and taco cheese make quesadillas. If you bake a chicken that week (very budget friendly) you'll have leftover chicken to put in your quesadillas. Leftover lettuce & tomato from tacos with the rest of the onion and mushrooms from the beef skillet makes a salad to go with your chicken.

Just remember that leftovers from one dish are the beginnings to another dish. :-)

Sandra (Sandy) - posted on 08/27/2009

This is a good budget meal that fills people up, and taastes GREAT:
Mexican Turkey Spaghetti (you can use ground beef, if you prefer)
Chop 1 onion and 1 green pepper and several cloves garlic. Brown in 2 Tbl. oil (I use olive oil). To skillet of semi-tender peppers & onions, add: 1 lb. ground turkey, brown.
Add black pepper and chili powder to taste. Add 1 large can diced tomatoes (with juice) and 1 can tomato soup. Simmer. Boil Spaghetti. Drain cooked spaghetti & add to skillet mixture. Toss. Serve with a green salad.

Dolley - posted on 08/27/2009

Oh my gosh I have so many cheap recepie ideas.
Here is one of my childs favourites.
Cook a whole chicken on a moderate heat and then use some for a main meal.
Take some scraps and set to one side. In a pan chop some whole tomatoes, one onion, garlic and add to half a litre of water and cook. After ten minutes of cooking add the chicken and some dried herbs I like parsley. Put the pasta on to boil...
The sauce can be used for a family dinner that is healthy and then the rest can be devided up for various lunches boiling the pasta when you get the mixture out of the fridge.

Dawn - posted on 08/26/2009

Hello...I'm there too. Here are a few of my cheap recipes:

1) Spaghetti. I buy the $0.96 sauce in a can (not jar) and then add a little ground turkey (about a 1/3 lb to a can of sauce), a little cooking wine, and some crushed red pepper to it. Add some garlic bread (plain french bread with minced garlic/butter broiled in the oven) and some veggies and you have a meal. It costs approximately $0.75 per serving.

2) A version of chicken fettuccinni: 1 bag shell noodles, 1 1/3 cups milk, a sprinkle of flour, 4 tablespoons margerine/butter, 1 1/3 cups parmesan cheese, 2 chicken breasts, mccormick steak seasonings. The sauce is made with 1 1/3 cups milk, a little flour, 4 tablesoopns butter and 1 1/3 cups parmesan cheese. Pour the sauce over the cooked noodles. I also boil the frozen chicken, then cube it and fry it for a minute or two with the mccormick steak seasonings and add it to the pasta for a great one-dish meal. Add some veggies on the side. This wil serve 4-6 adults. Approximate cost per serving is $1-$2

3) Burger over Rice --you can use ground turkey or beef, whatever is cheaper. I use ground turkey because it is $1.49/lb here. Fry it up, then add 2 cups water and 2 tsp beef bouillon and some flour to thicken. Basically, it becomes ground meat in a gravy. We then sppon it over rice and add a veggie on the side. Cost is about $0.50 per serving. One pound *easily* feeds my family of 5 (though 3 are kids).

Hope that helps some. Good luck!

Chris - posted on 08/26/2009

Here's a n ew one from Pampered Chef--it should be right around $2 per serving. My family loves it. . .



Zesty Ravioli Skillet



1/3 cup (75 mL) heavy whipping cream

4 cups (1 L) loosely packed fresh baby spinach leaves

6 oz (175 g) provolone cheese, grated

1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil

1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded

3 garlic cloves, pressed

2 cans (14.5 oz/398 mL each) diced tomatoes with onions, undrained

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

1/2 tsp (2 mL) coarsely ground black pepper

1 pkg (24 oz/700 g) small frozen cheese ravioli (about 65)

Halved grape tomatoes (optional)



Measure cream using Easy Read Measuring Cup. Wash spinach in large Stainless Mesh Colander; drain. Grate cheese using Ultimate Mandoline fitted with grating blade. Set aside cream, spinach and cheese.



Add oil to (12-in./30-cm) Skillet; heat over medium-high heat 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Finely chop jalapeño with Food Chopper. Add jalapeño to Skillet; cook and stir 1 minute or until crisp-tender. Press garlic into Skillet with Garlic Press; cook and stir 15-20 seconds or until fragrant.



Add tomatoes, salt and black pepper to Skillet; cook and stir with Bamboo Spatula 1-2 minutes or until simmering. Add ravioli; stir to coat. Cook, uncovered, 4-5 minutes or until tender. Stir cream into Skillet. Cook, uncovered, 1-2 minutes or until simmering. Sprinkle spinach over ravioli; cook, covered, 1 minute or until spinach starts to wilt.



Remove Skillet from heat. Top with cheese; cover Skillet and let stand 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with grape tomatoes, if desired

Shea - posted on 08/26/2009

Here you are Courtney hope your family enjoys... Pierogie casserole pre-heat oven to 350 ...1 box bow tie pasta cooked aldente... 5 cups of cooked instant mashed or homemade mashed (which ever is most cost efficient) 1 bag 8 oz grated or shredded cheese of your choice (we like a colby jack mix) 1 small yellow onion diced (tiny, not big cubes) sour cream to taste ..okay..while cooking your pasta and potatoes separately in a small pan saute' a cup of the diced onions until translucent. Stir onions into your potatoes. drain and set aside pasta not worrying about it cooloing down. In a medium baking dish spray Pam coating it nicely. Then add a layer of pasta, cheese , then potatoes repeat until gone. Bake until cheese is melted. Okay Courtney I realize it's kind of a side dish but it's filling and good. I could help you so much more if I knew what level of a cook you are or are willing to be. Homemade and bulk are usually easier and cheaper. I'm actually starting a beginners cook book for my daughter so when she leaves home (cry whine boo) she won't go hungry. lol my nephew will be going off to college as well and a lot sooner did I mention cry whine boo? lol Seriously if you need anymore help or would like to try other recipes let me know.

Chelsea - posted on 08/26/2009

Another good website to check is kraftfoods.com!

Chelsea - posted on 08/26/2009

Have you checked out cambellskitchen.com? I have found a lot of great recipes on there that are budget friendly! They have 10 recipes under $10! Here is one you could try!

Easy Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup Pace® Picante Sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

6 flour tortillas (6-inch), warmed

1 small tomato, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 green onion, sliced (about 2 tablespoons)

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350°F. Stir the soup, sour cream, picante sauce and chili powder in a medium bowl.

Stir 1 cup picante sauce mixture, chicken and cheese in a large bowl.

Divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas. Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side up in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour the remaining picante sauce mixture over the filled tortillas. Cover the baking dish.

Bake for 40 minutes or until the enchiladas are hot and bubbling. Top with the tomato and onion.

Tip: Stir 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed, into the chicken mixture before filling the tortillas.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with iceberg salad mixed with carrots and red cabbage and a red wine viniagrette. For dessert serve prepared refrigerated flan.

Cost per recipe: $8.54*

Cost per recipe serving: $1.42*

Total cost of meal (including serving suggestion): $13.24

*Cost calculations based on December 2008 national average prices