budget friendly recipes

[agmmbolam426]

I know that tacos, spaghetti, and meatloaf are budget friendly meals but you can only make them so much before getting sick of them! I wanted to see how many other recipes we could all gather to help everyone save money on their grocery bill and of course, save more money for Disney!!! So, everyone break out those recipes and help all your fellow Disers break their meal routine without breaking the bank!

Here is one that I made tonight. Chicken Parmesan Bundles. I buy chicken when it is on sale and freeze it and it really comes in handy. Spaghetti sauce and pasta are always on sale where I live so I normally have plenty on hand also.


4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1
pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1-1/4
cups KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, divided
6
Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
6
small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.), pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
1
egg
10
RITZ Crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
1-1/2
cups spaghetti sauce, heated
Make It

HEAT oven to 375ºF.

MIX cream cheese, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella and 3 Tbsp. Parmesan until well blended; spread onto chicken breasts. Starting at one short end of each breast, roll up chicken tightly. Secure with wooden toothpicks, if desired.

BEAT egg in shallow dish. Mix remaining Parmesan and cracker crumbs in separate shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg, then roll in crumb mixture to evenly coat. Place, seam-sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF). Remove and discard toothpicks, if using. Serve chicken topped with spaghetti sauce and remaining mozzarella.

 

[Happyjen27]

My big money saver is stretching the meatloaf with a can of pureed kidney beans. Nobody knows they are in there, they add protein and nutrition and make the loaf bigger.

Homemade soups are a big stretcher. When you serve soup and bread it's very filling, and still a full meal. In the winter I always have soup in the fridge to bring to lunches too.

I also cook in stages. Roast a whole chicken, serve that for dinner with some potatoes and green beans or broccoli. Then pick the meat off, boil the carcass for stock. Then I cube the chicken and make chicken salad. I use whatever other chicken is left over for the chicken soup using the stock I just made. That's 2 dinners (roast chicken and then chicken soup) and lunch (chicken salad) all for roughly 8.00 (I buy organic chickens on sale) plus side ingredients.

These aren't specific recipes per se, but strategies.

 

[pjlla]

It is kind of hard to say what is "budget" for other folks. Some areas of the country have different "bargain" foods than others. And folks all have differerent "standards" as to what they will and will not eat.

Just a few thoughts here.......

the recipe you gave sounds delish, but everything you mentioned was NAME BRAND ingredients. Perhaps it could be made cheaper with store brands? Also, it calls for a LOT of cheese and around here, cheese is pretty pricey. And boneless/skinless chicken breast is about the most expensive type of chicken to buy. Could it be made with boneless thighs?

I use a lot of the techniques that Happyjen27 mentioned. I add a can of fat-free refried beans to many ground beef recipes (chili, meatloaf, meatballs) to make it healthier and make it stretch further. I also add lots of additional veggies to many recipes for the same reason.

Tweaking recipes to include items that you can find cheaply and eliminate more expensive ingredients is a good plan as well. More meatless meals is another good plan.

I am more concerned about the HEALTH ASPECT of the food I am feeding my family (but don't get me wrong, the budget is also a big concern), so I might be apt to disregard a recipe that many other folks rave about, but make a meal that other might find too expensive. So it is HARD to give blanket suggestions about recipes.

I have had good luck reducing the grocery budget also buy eliminating many convenience foods that most folks thing of as necessities. We RARELY buy cold cereal... too expensive for questionable ingredients. I will sometimes buy Cascadian Farms organic honey O's and cinnamon raisin granola, but that is about it. Breakfast around here is frequently steel cut oats in the crockpot (excellent and easy), whole wheat bagels (from a bread store rather than the grocery store... excellent deals), or smoothies (I buy marked down bananas for 19 cents a pound, peel and freeze them immediately).

I also build meals off of what I can buy cheaply now. For example, I was able to buy four large containers of organic plain greek yogurt at the store two days ago (near their sell-by date). They were half price! One went in the fridge and three went into the freezer. Knowing I had them to use, I immediately changed a few of the planned breakfast and lunch meals to yogurt! DH eats eggs most days, but he had yogurt for breakfast yesterday. And DS's braces were just tightened and his mouth hurts, so yogurt for lunch yesterday and today hit the spot! I also found a recipe on Pinterest that called for 1 C of greek yogurt. I stored the recipe originally because I didn't have the yogurt in the house, but I will be pulling it out next week! We've already used one entire container of the yogurt and I pulled the next one from the freezer this morning! Anyhow, you need to be FLEXIBLE!

We have a lot of food issues in this house that can make grocery shopping expensive and frustrating (DS has multiple allergies, DH is on Atkins, I'm on WW, and DD won't eat anything from the sea). And I will be the first to admit that our grocery bill is far from the lowest. In fact, I was SHOCKED to discover that when I tried to limit our groceries in August, that I had to DOUBLE my original plan just to keep us in fruit and veggies until the end of the month! We rarely eat out as a family, rarely/never eat fast food, DD and DS both brown-bag their lunches to school (their choice) and I brown-bag my lunch when I work. DH works at home most days, so he is also eating at home. So perhaps my grocery bill looks big because my "eating out" bill is so small.

Anyhow..... I hope you get some GREAT ideas and recipes to help with your budget! ......................P

 

[tikkipoo]

You really can't tell that there are beans in meatloaf, etc? I might have to do that. I love beans, but DD hates them. However, what she doesn't know won't hurt her! That's a great idea!

I also stretch a meal by using the meat portion for different meals. I will make a beef roast for a meal, then use leftovers for either beef manhattans, mexican lasagna or some beef stew. If the roast is big enough, I have been known to do all three!

 

[pjlla]

You really can't tell that there are beans in meatloaf, etc? I might have to do that. I love beans, but DD hates them. However, what she doesn't know won't hurt her! That's a great idea!

I also stretch a meal by using the meat portion for different meals. I will make a beef roast for a meal, then use leftovers for either beef manhattans, mexican lasagna or some beef stew. If the roast is big enough, I have been known to do all three!

That is why I use the refried beans. They blend right into the meat. And FWIW, I think it adds a nice texture. The beans are kind of creamy. Don't add too many to meatloaf or meatballs though, or the mixture gets too loose to hold together..............P

 

[StuckInKS]

More meatless meals is another good plan.

I am more concerned about the HEALTH ASPECT of the food

We do meatless both for health and budget. Tonight we meatless chilli. It isn't fancy, but it is cheap and tastes good. A can of black beans, red beans, small tomato paste, 2 cans of diced tomatoes and a small pack of williams seasoning fed all of us with some left. The cans were less than $.70 each. We do dress it up with a pinch of shredded cheddar cheese (one 2lbs bag will go pretty far for us) and a few crushed up Town House crackers sprinkled on top (these also last for 3-4 chilli nights). I also got a $1.50 pk of hotdogs and $1 pk of buns so dh and kids can have chilli cheese dogs for lunch with the left over. Even with this effort, we still manage close to $300 a week in groceries...

 

[HeatherC]

Quiches are easy and budget friendly.

Soups are also great. We like Ham and Potato Soup. You basically peel and dice potatoes like you are doing mashed potatoes. But cook them in chicken broth...can also use water and boullion to save money. In separate pan make a roux...equal parts butter and flour. Add milk...when it starts to boil, add it to the potatoes along with ham or bacon or even broccoli. Makes a ton and kids love it.

Hamburger Soup is also cheap. Brown some ground beef...throw in the crockpot with a jar of crushed or diced tomatoes, beef broth and a jar of spaghetti sauce. Add a ton of veggies...corn, onions, carrots, celery, etc. Cook all day. Hour before dinner you can add small pasta or rice to it. Tastes even better the next day.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Cheapest meal I know, beans beans and more beans. Buy the dry ones as they are cheapest. Either soak over night or I will bring to a fast boil and turn it off and let sit 10 mins. I place them in bottom of crock pot. Next chop potaotes and add them on top of beans. Next is celery, carrots and onion. (you could add any veg)Add water to fill over half the crock pot as the beans will absorb some. Now the flavor. I have done Italian flavor, taco flavor, curry flavor, chinese flavor with soy and ginger. Just pick what you feel like. Let it cook on low. If you want to add chicken or meat you can but if I am poor I just do the veg.

 

[tzolkin]

You really can't tell that there are beans in meatloaf, etc? I might have to do that. I love beans, but DD hates them. However, what she doesn't know won't hurt her! That's a great idea!

My oldest doesn't like beans, but she loves things that I put beans in. I haven't done meat loaf, but I will add them to soups, taco/nacho ground beef, etc.

Some suggested refried beans because they're already smooth, but I usually use cannellini (white) or black beans. I usually just use a fork and mush them inside the can before adding. The cannellini ones are the least noticeable.

Now that DD knows she likes the dishes with beans, I don't take as much care to mush them. I might put half in whole and half mushed for texture or to thicken something.

 

[Woodmnky]

Speaking of beans - a cheap meal in our house is bean burritos.
Can of refried beans is $1.50 (although you could make the beans yourself for less).
Tortillas - $1.35
Cheese - $1.00 (we usually go through half a package)
Hot sauce - $1.50 (that is without coupons, sales, and the price for the whole jar).

Overall cost is $4 and that feeds 3 people dinner and 2 people for lunch the next day.

The bonus is that it takes less than 10 minutes to make.

 

[shoney]

My kids names this "spanish rice", but I don't know what I would call it....

It is basically a one pot, rice and ground meat dish.

Ingredients:
onion
garlic
bell pepper (any color)
1 lb. ground beef/turkey
1 cup rice
2 cups chicken broth (or beef) or could use water
1 lg. can of crushed tomatoes
Season with chili powder, salt, pepper, oregano and basil to taste

Saute onion, garlic, pepper in a large deep frying pan
Add meat to brown ...just to reduce fat...don't cook all the way
Drain
Add tomatoes, rice, broth and seasoning
Put on medium high to a boil
Reduce heat, cover and cook for about 50 minutes on low (until rice is cooked)
Top with a little shredded cheddar
Eat!

reheats well for leftovers/lunch the next day!

 

[mom2cookies]

Only dh around here likes beans, so bean recipes won't work around here lol. Some of the budget meals ( to feed 7) i make are:
Tuna with macaroni and cheddar cheese
buy a ham, have it roasted one night, mix with mac and cheese the next, boil the bone and any left over meat goes in potato soup with corn bread as a side.
I make my own tomato sauce so that helps and i know what's in it.
breakfast.. yep, breakfast for dinner... big pan of scrabbled eggs, fried potatoes and bacon or sausage.
Whole chicken, baked one night, boiled and picked to be chicken and dumplings the next night.

 

[kellia]

Breakfast around here is frequently steel cut oats in the crockpot (excellent and easy), whole wheat bagels (from a bread store rather than the grocery store... excellent deals), or smoothies (I buy marked down bananas for 19 cents a pound, peel and freeze them immediately).
P

Can you please give the recipe for the steel cut oats? Also, where do you get them? I've been wanting to try for a while, I usually just eat regular oatmeal.

Great tip for using the refried beans! I used smashed up black beans in meatloaf before, but dh could tell because of some of the skins and complained. No one else thought it tasted any different.

 

[auntmeme7577]

Can you please give the recipe for the steel cut oats? Also, where do you get them? I've been wanting to try for a while, I usually just eat regular oatmeal.

Great tip for using the refried beans! I used smashed up black beans in meatloaf before, but dh could tell because of some of the skins and complained. No one else thought it tasted any different.

The chapest place I've found for steel cut oats is the health food store, MUCH cheaper than the grocery store. I have always made them on the stove, but I know you can use a slow cooker . For the stove, Boil the water, add the oats, 1 part oats to 3 parts water,turn down very low and cook for about 25 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Sometimes when it's done cooking I add maple flavoring. We reheat in the microwave all week.

 

[tasha99]

Sometimes I make steel cut oats in my rice cooker (just following the proportions on the package). It boils over if I put the lid on, but with the lid off, if I start it before my shower, by the time I'm dressed and ready, the oats are cooked.

My big budget meal lately is split pea soup in the crockpot. I've started using bacon fat for seasoning instead of ham hocks. When I feel really flush, I thrown in some chopped bacon ends and pieces. Leaving out the ham hocks cuts the price for a pot of soup from $8 to $4--totally worth it, imo since it still tastes good.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

I am more concerned about the HEALTH ASPECT of the food I am feeding my family (but don't get me wrong, the budget is also a big concern), so I might be apt to disregard a recipe that many other folks rave about, but make a meal that other might find too expensive. So it is HARD to give blanket suggestions about recipes...

We have a lot of food issues in this house that can make grocery shopping expensive and frustrating (DS has multiple allergies, DH is on Atkins, I'm on WW, and DD won't eat anything from the sea). And I will be the first to admit that our grocery bill is far from the lowest. In fact, I was SHOCKED to discover that when I tried to limit our groceries in August, that I had to DOUBLE my original plan just to keep us in fruit and veggies until the end of the month! We rarely eat out as a family, rarely/never eat fast food, DD and DS both brown-bag their lunches to school (their choice) and I brown-bag my lunch when I work. DH works at home most days, so he is also eating at home. So perhaps my grocery bill looks big because my "eating out" bill is so small.

Anyhow..... I hope you get some GREAT ideas and recipes to help with your budget! ......................P

Are you looking for a job?
You would be a great nutrition educator!
There is a federal program in every state (SNAP-Ed.) that exists solely to teach limited resource adults how to do what you are doing and you would be great!

You really can't tell that there are beans in meatloaf, etc? I might have to do that. I love beans, but DD hates them. However, what she doesn't know won't hurt her! That's a great idea!

I also stretch a meal by using the meat portion for different meals. I will make a beef roast for a meal, then use leftovers for either beef manhattans, mexican lasagna or some beef stew. If the roast is big enough, I have been known to do all three!

She's right about the beans, and you can used regular canned beans and rinse them (to remove salt if that is an issue) before mashing if you don't want to use the refried...

This works really well for sloppy joes as well- one can of mashed beans can really extend your meal or enlarge your portion for significantly less calories.

Here is a recipe site for a SNAP-Ed. program with lots of healthy budget-conscious recipes... http://www.myeatsmartmovemore.com/Recipes.html

 

[scbelleatheart]

This blogger has some good ideas. This is one of her articles on eating for $4 a day plus snacks
http://finances.msn.com/saving-money-tips/6823686

 

[coffeecassie]

Jumbo baked potatoes are a favorite cheap dinner at our house. I bake them in the crock pot and let everyone top their own. We usually have a salad or veggie soup on the side.

 

[lukenick1]

Can you please give the recipe for the steel cut oats? Also, where do you get them? I've been wanting to try for a while, I usually just eat regular oatmeal.

Great tip for using the refried beans! I used smashed up black beans in meatloaf before, but dh could tell because of some of the skins and complained. No one else thought it tasted any different.

I would also be interested in steel oats in the crock pot.

 

[Darcy03231]

One way I've found to trim the grocery budget is to plan a big meal that can turn into more meals. For example:

Night one: Baked ham dinner with baked potatoes, vegetables, etc.

Night two: Ham & cheese croquettes with tossed salad.

If there's any ground ham left over I make ham salad out if it for sandwiches.

I also make pea soup with the ham bone.

Night one: Turkey dinner with all the trimmings

Night two: Turkey pot pie (or some type of turkey casserole)

Night three (depending on the size of the turkey): Turkey sandwiches and soup.

I also make turkey soup and turkey salad for sandwiches.

Now we don't eat the ham or turkey every night in a row, but I would do the ham one night, something else in between and then something with the left over ham on the third night.