Budget Meals... need recipes to make for family members having surgery!

[kimsuenew]

Hello Dis Pals!

Both my mother and my husbands mother will be having hip replacement surgeries two days apart this coming week. Both will be returning home after being released. MIL has my wonderful FIL to assist her but my mom will be challenged due to my father being disabled. I want to be fair however so what we do for one we will do for the other!

I would LOVE recipes, perhaps for casseroles or one pot/pan type of meals that I can make/bake in duplicate and take to both houses.

There are no restrictions on either side (allergies/health) so anything goes!

As we are struggling ourselves financially, I would like budget type recipes that will not cost a lot to prepare.

If anyone has any good recipes that will not "break the bank" or challenge someone that simply hates to cook/bake... please, pretty please, share them!

I was thinking of casseroles, macaroni and cheese, soups, ect... maybe comfort foods that could be eaten or frozen perhaps and reheated.

Thank you ALL so very much! Merry Christmas!

 

[CarlisleMom]

How about Lasagne? You could split 1 into 2 8x8 pans so each set of parents will have one. I do not cook my noodles before assembly. You can freeze and cook when needed. Disposable pans from the dollar store work great. I have even used loaf pans. Team up with salad in a bag.

 

[poohguys]

How about chili or a hearty soup. You could use more beans than meat in the chili. These could also be split in to portions and frozen so they could get a few meals out of it. Baked ziti is another option. What about beef stroganoff in the crock pot. Mc Cormicks makes a seasoning that you add beef cubes to and then when it is almost done you throw in 1 cup of sour cream and cook for 10 more mins. I usually do that while the noodles are cooking. My two picky eaters love it.

I hope everyone is feeling better soon

 

[HeatherC]

How about Pasta Fagioli Soup? I basically fry up some ground beef and onions and throw it in the crockpot along with some beef broth, canned tomatoes, a jar of pasta sauce amd carrots, celery and let it cook all day. I also add either great northern beans or small ditalani pasta. the longer it cooks, the better it tastes and it makes a ton.

Another awesome soup we love is Ham and Potato Soup. The recipe I use is on AllRecipes.

Zatarains Jambalaya mix is also great and affordable. I make two boxes of it and add some diced chicken, ham, shrimp, etc.. Makes a lot and is very affordable and yummy.

 

[torinsmom]

Check this thread as well. It was sort of the same question and the OP got lots of suggestions.

My mom has hip replacement last August and her recovery went amazingly fast. Hope your families' surgeries go well!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

This is my go-to recipe for anyone with surgery, baby, funeral, etc. It was originally made by my Grandma, thus the name It is very similar to a sloppy jo.

Grandma's BBQ

1 lb hamburger
1 small onion
1 T oil
2 T white sugar
2 T brown sugar
2 T white vinegar
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t. mustard
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup tomato juice
s&p to taste

Brown hamburger and onion in oil (I don't use oil, I just use a non-stick pan)until hamburger is done and onions are soft.

Add all other ingredients.

Bring to a simmer for a minimum of 5 minutes (the longer it simmers, the thicker it becomes and the better it tastes).

You can easily double the recipe, but then it will really need more than 5 minutes to simmer and get the flavors to meld.

The best thing about this recipe is that it can be frozen after cooked, or just delivered in tupperware. You can reheat enough for 1 or 2 sandwiches, or all of it.

I deliver with a bag of chips and hamburger buns.

This has long been a favorite of our family, my DS's Scout Troop and it is now even served at a community track meet, selling out over 10 lbs. of meat every year.