Cheap meal ideas for a family on a serious budget?

[hsmamato2]

I simmer trolls in a crock pot.

for all you serious posters....note the OP
thanks for the a.m. laugh Nelson

 

[nunzia]

We have quite a few super cheap meals that we still trot out.
Soup with ramen
Get a couple or three cans of soup, such as tomato, bean with bacon or split pea. Add the amount of water called for, when boiling add a package of ramen noodles broken up. When done add flavor pakcet and serve with biscuits. Tasty filling and cheap.

Quesadillas...kinda
Butter a large flour tortilla. Sprinkle on cheese, salsa, olives, whatever..you could even put on a bit of leftover meat, etc. Broil until melty and crispy. Flip together like a sandwich and put it on a plate..you can serve with sides of rice, fruit, etc..but really doesn't need anything else.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I subscribe to 5dollardinners.com/. They are emailed once a week, Sunday night I think.

Our budget meals include, which applies to anyone who wants to control their grocery spending:

pasta with jarred tomato sauce ($1 for one lb box of pasta, .99 for a big can of Hunts sauce).

tuna sandwiches and macaroni and cheese (6 oz tuna is less than $1, loaf of bread around a $1 for store brand, box Kraft mac & cheese less than a dollar)

hamburger macaroni (lb of ground beef on sale about $2.50/lb, .99 tomato sauce, $1 lb elbow pasta)

tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Chicken legs (sale $1.50/lb), potatoes(I've seen instant packets on sale for 50 cents each), veggie.

Oh how about a .50-$1 MEAL - Usually the Banquet entrees are 10/$10, Bottom Dollar had them in two ads in the past month for 50 cents apiece.

Shop sales. Our local supermarket often has buy one get one free. I usually take advantage of the beef or pork roasts that I slow cook in the crock pot.

 

[dfchelbay]

for all you serious posters....note the OP
thanks for the a.m. laugh Nelson

Sorry, I don't get it.

 

[Lintasare]

Sorry, I don't get it.

The OP is a troll. Read some of his past posts.

 

[Marionnette]

The OP is a troll. Read some of his past posts.

IF nelson is a troll at least he is OUR troll. We need to embrace him! Unlike pot stirring trolls, nelson is entertaining and good natured. Just play along and have fun with him!

 

[Lintasare]

IF nelson is a troll at least he is OUR troll. We need to embrace him! Unlike pot stirring trolls, nelson is entertaining and good natured. Just play along and have fun with him!

I do agree with you there, he is entertaining.

 

[nelson84]

I simmer trolls in a crock pot.

Looks like you are the troll. What kind of comment is that anyway. If that is your contribution to this topic then we all know who the troll is, you have thousands of posts and I bet most of them are just like this. I am just looking for a few cheap meal ideas to help with my budget and you have to do this. You are a mean and terrible person with your comments and nobody finds them funny or cute so lay off.

 

[punkin]

What difference does it make if he's serious or not, the ideas people posted are still good and useful.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I found it funny...

 

[Order66]

brown 1lb of ground beef in a frying pan
boil 1 box of medium sea shells (pasta) in a pot

when both are finished cooking, drain and then throw it all back in the pot together along with a 24oz can of diced tomatoes. Mix it all up and serve.

That's our cheap dinner, and my family loves it (even though it's probably considered boring).

Not here! My family calls it "goulash". That was my favorite as a kid and now it's my sons. Although I also throw in a can of tomato soup and some grated cheese and my mother adds some mushrooms.

We also do Mexican lasagna. Flour tortilla shells, taco seasoning/ground meat. Layer the meat, beans and/or rice and cheese, repeat. Top with some sour cream and/or salsa. Cheap and is good for at least two meals.

regards

 

[Krischaser]

Hi that sounds good. Do you bake it at all? Thanks

 

[Order66]

Hi that sounds good. Do you bake it at all? Thanks

Yes, about 25 minutes. You can pretty much make it with anything you'd put in tacos, tomatoes, olives, jalapenos, etc... obviously topping it with the cold stuff when served.

regards

 

[Mom_Rides]

Breakfast for dinner is always a cheap favorite around here. A dozen eggs runs about a $1.20 and turkey bacon or sausage links run about $2.50 tops. So less then $4 for dinner. And we don't use all the eggs so it comes out cheaper. My family also likes bean foldovers. Take a tortilla shell, spread refried beans on one half, sprinkle with cheese, foldover, top with a bit of cheese and bake for 15 minutes.

We've also been trying to use up our leftovers, which is something that we've not done before. Thursday nights are busy for us as our DD dances that night so we've elected that night to use up leftovers instead of hitting a drive thru or eat out.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Loving the idea of bean foldovers, thanks!

 

[Vandercapellen]

I found out about Angel Food Ministries last year and it has saved us a fortune. They sell "boxes" of food at WAY below any grocery store price. They have a few boxes to choose from. We order every month I don't think we will stop any time soon. Anyone can order. No religious or income requirements. (even though most of the pick up location are at churches)

Basicly you order online or at the pick up location about 1 week before the pickup date. You have to be there at the specific time and date to pick it up or they will donate your order to a local charity, but it is well worth it.

Check it out!!!

www.angelfoodministries.com

 

[GinnyEmma]

angel food quality is about like aldi's and is primarily overly processed. if you like that sort of thing the prices are beatable by shopping sales, and aldi's.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I found out about Angel Food Ministries last year and it has saved us a fortune. They sell "boxes" of food at WAY below any grocery store price. They have a few boxes to choose from. We order every month I don't think we will stop any time soon. Anyone can order. No religious or income requirements. (even though most of the pick up location are at churches)

Basicly you order online or at the pick up location about 1 week before the pickup date. You have to be there at the specific time and date to pick it up or they will donate your order to a local charity, but it is well worth it.

Check it out!!!

www.angelfoodministries.com

If you go this route, check out the Hillbilly Housewife website. She used to do a monthly menu with most of the food coming from Angel Food boxes. I don't know if she still does this or not.