Cheap Meal Ideas
- Thread starter HeavenEssence
- Start date
snowwite
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2005
- Messages
- 5,967
We make this but use low fat kielbasa instead of hot dogs and sometimes add carrots too.melag said:My mom makes this once a month for my dad (his absolute favorite) and it's pretty cheap...
I'll make this with between 4-8 hotdogs and add or take away potatoes to make up for them
You will need:
Hotdogs
Potatoes (really any kind)
Onions - whatevers on sale
Olive Oil (you could probably use vegetable)
Salt
Pepper
Garlic spice or salt (use less salt then)
Slice up the potatoes so their pretty samll and a little thick, sautee in olive oil for about 15 minutes then add the onions and hotdogs. Add spices. It's very easy and hard to screw up. Really you could do the onions and then the potatoes but just make sure the pot's are cooked.
Thanks for all of your recipes, you've inspired me.
LightBurnsBlue
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2005
- Messages
- 265
I just made this recipe...it tasted great! I found it on the WW boards (6 servings = 6 points each) but it tastes more like yummy junk food than diet food.
1 lb ground beef (calls for 96% lean, although you could buy cheaper beef)
1 can Campbell's Cheese soup
1 can Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup
1 20 oz bag crinkle fries (I used generic)
Brown ground beef (I usually always season my ground beef, I didn't in this case b/c the soups are very salty). Stir in soups until heated. Pour meat mixture into 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Cover with fries. The recipe said bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until fries are golden (mine took only 30 min).
I don't have kids...but I imagine this recipe would be very kid friendly!
1 lb ground beef (calls for 96% lean, although you could buy cheaper beef)
1 can Campbell's Cheese soup
1 can Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup
1 20 oz bag crinkle fries (I used generic)
Brown ground beef (I usually always season my ground beef, I didn't in this case b/c the soups are very salty). Stir in soups until heated. Pour meat mixture into 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Cover with fries. The recipe said bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until fries are golden (mine took only 30 min).
I don't have kids...but I imagine this recipe would be very kid friendly!
paslea_pooh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2005
- Messages
- 1,432
cruisnfamily said:
I went to their website and don't fully understand how it works, could someone explain better....thanks
paslea_pooh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2005
- Messages
- 1,432
2 cans of peas
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic (or more if you like garlic)
1/2 cup to 1 cup of ditalini or elbow pasta
1 can (8oz) of del monte sauce (or whatever brand)
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tsp of Italian Seasoning or whatever you like
Parmesan cheese
Cook pasta according to directions in a saucepan. Drain reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
In different saucepan, saute onions and garlic in olive oil, add can of tomato sauce, add tsp of seasoning, add peas with liquid, simmer until heated thru.... Add cooked pasta... You can add some of the pasta water so it's not so thick.
Sprinkle individual servings with parmesan cheese.
My kids love this, it takes no time at all, I make it when I don't feel like cooking, lol.
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic (or more if you like garlic)
1/2 cup to 1 cup of ditalini or elbow pasta
1 can (8oz) of del monte sauce (or whatever brand)
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tsp of Italian Seasoning or whatever you like
Parmesan cheese
Cook pasta according to directions in a saucepan. Drain reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
In different saucepan, saute onions and garlic in olive oil, add can of tomato sauce, add tsp of seasoning, add peas with liquid, simmer until heated thru.... Add cooked pasta... You can add some of the pasta water so it's not so thick.
Sprinkle individual servings with parmesan cheese.
My kids love this, it takes no time at all, I make it when I don't feel like cooking, lol.
horsegirl
<font color=red>I feel blonder than a cocker spani
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 4,152
I have gotten so much great info from this board, so I feel the need to share too. Below are a few yummy and different takes on salads and a quiche. I will add a few installments when I have time. My biggest time saver for cheap meal ideas is a bread machine. I use it all the time for rolls, bread and pizza dough. It saves a ton of money and everyone loves fresh hot bread, esp my kids! My DB gave us the bread machine and I love it. So easy!
Farmlands Broccoli Salad
1 bunch broccoli
½ cup chopped red onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 lb bacon, crumbled
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup raisins
Dressing- ¾ cup mayo
¼ cup sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
Combine first 6 yummy ingredients. Mix dressing separately, pour over salad
and refrigerate for 2 hours.
(Not the least caloric, but ever so scrumptious! And always a crowd pleaser)
Southwestern Bean Salad
Rinse and drain
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can garbanzo beans
Add
2 chopped celery stalks
1 chopped red onion
1 chopped tomato, (you can also use canned out of season)
1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
Dressing
¾ cup salsa (any kind-newmans peach adds a very dif spin)
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup lime juice
½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cumin
Mix dressing and pour over salad, refridgerate 2 hours.
(This is a nice make ahead lunch salad that my girlfriends love!)
My De-Light-ful 3 Bean Salad
Rinse and drain
1 can green beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can kidney beans
¼ cup green onions
combine
¼ cup red wine vinegar
4 packets equal, splenda or sweet and low
¾ tsp Italian seasoning
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
This is the easiest broccoli cheddar quiche Ive ever made quiche
1 ½ c. chopped broccoli-steamed for 5 min in microwave
1 ½ c. grated cheddar cheese
2 c. milk
1 c. flour, 1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 tsp. salt (opt.)
Pepper to taste
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease deep dish 9 inch pie plate. Cook broccoli for 5 minutes. Drain. Pour into pie plate, put cheese on top. Beat eggs, milk and Bisquick until smooth and pour over broccoli and cheese. Bake 30 to 40 minutes until set. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.
(This is a super quick and great recipe as you dont have to make a crust. The flour settles to the bottom and sort of forms itself! You can add anything to this for variation. The original called for a 10 oz pkg of frozen broc, but I like fresh better, and it is cheaper)
Farmlands Broccoli Salad
1 bunch broccoli
½ cup chopped red onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 lb bacon, crumbled
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup raisins
Dressing- ¾ cup mayo
¼ cup sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
Combine first 6 yummy ingredients. Mix dressing separately, pour over salad
and refrigerate for 2 hours.
(Not the least caloric, but ever so scrumptious! And always a crowd pleaser)
Southwestern Bean Salad
Rinse and drain
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can garbanzo beans
Add
2 chopped celery stalks
1 chopped red onion
1 chopped tomato, (you can also use canned out of season)
1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
Dressing
¾ cup salsa (any kind-newmans peach adds a very dif spin)
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup lime juice
½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cumin
Mix dressing and pour over salad, refridgerate 2 hours.
(This is a nice make ahead lunch salad that my girlfriends love!)
My De-Light-ful 3 Bean Salad
Rinse and drain
1 can green beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can kidney beans
¼ cup green onions
combine
¼ cup red wine vinegar
4 packets equal, splenda or sweet and low
¾ tsp Italian seasoning
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
This is the easiest broccoli cheddar quiche Ive ever made quiche
1 ½ c. chopped broccoli-steamed for 5 min in microwave
1 ½ c. grated cheddar cheese
2 c. milk
1 c. flour, 1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 tsp. salt (opt.)
Pepper to taste
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease deep dish 9 inch pie plate. Cook broccoli for 5 minutes. Drain. Pour into pie plate, put cheese on top. Beat eggs, milk and Bisquick until smooth and pour over broccoli and cheese. Bake 30 to 40 minutes until set. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.
(This is a super quick and great recipe as you dont have to make a crust. The flour settles to the bottom and sort of forms itself! You can add anything to this for variation. The original called for a 10 oz pkg of frozen broc, but I like fresh better, and it is cheaper)
paslea_pooh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2005
- Messages
- 1,432
1 can of corn
1 can of creamed corn
1/2 stick of butter or margarine (melted)
1 cup sour cream (regular or reduced fat)
1 box of corn muffin mix (Preferably Jiffy)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Mix first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Grease an 8X9 casserole dish. Pour in mixture. Bake 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Top with cheese and bake another 5 minutes.
This is a great and cheap side dish. My kids love it and inhale it whenever I make it.
1 can of creamed corn
1/2 stick of butter or margarine (melted)
1 cup sour cream (regular or reduced fat)
1 box of corn muffin mix (Preferably Jiffy)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Mix first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Grease an 8X9 casserole dish. Pour in mixture. Bake 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Top with cheese and bake another 5 minutes.
This is a great and cheap side dish. My kids love it and inhale it whenever I make it.
JennyMominRI
<font color=red>Live from Red Sox Nation<br><font
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Messages
- 12,433
This feeds 7,so you could cut it in half..You could also use leftover chicken from whatever
heesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
6 CHicken breasts cut up in small pieces
1 bag frozen Broccoli
1 lg or 2 smallscans creamed soup..I use cream of broccoli
1 cup milk
1/2 cup may0
1/2 c sour cream
1 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese
Bread crumbs
This is a railroaded recipe,meaning I never measure.
1. Combine soups,milk,sour cream , mayo, cheddar cheese in a baking dish
2 Add in chicken and broccoli..I put mine in uncooked,but you could precook or use leftoover chicken
.Sprinkle breadcrumbs all over the top and then toss on some extra cheese
Bake at 450 for about 45 minute,until it's bubbily in the center.
I've made this without the mayo,without the sour cream. I've made it with different cheese,swiss,gruyere,even velveeta...You can play with this recipe... I like evrything with some kick so I add some crushed red pepper
heesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
6 CHicken breasts cut up in small pieces
1 bag frozen Broccoli
1 lg or 2 smallscans creamed soup..I use cream of broccoli
1 cup milk
1/2 cup may0
1/2 c sour cream
1 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese
Bread crumbs
This is a railroaded recipe,meaning I never measure.
1. Combine soups,milk,sour cream , mayo, cheddar cheese in a baking dish
2 Add in chicken and broccoli..I put mine in uncooked,but you could precook or use leftoover chicken
.Sprinkle breadcrumbs all over the top and then toss on some extra cheese
Bake at 450 for about 45 minute,until it's bubbily in the center.
I've made this without the mayo,without the sour cream. I've made it with different cheese,swiss,gruyere,even velveeta...You can play with this recipe... I like evrything with some kick so I add some crushed red pepper
TammyAlphabet
DIS Veteran<br><font color=red>Life Member - "excl
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 4,055
rjthkids said:If at any time you are sick of all my posts on this thread, let me know. I don't want to come across as obnoxious or as if I don't think anyone else knows how to cook.
I think your posts are great! I don't have any imagination when it comes to cooking so don't worry, I mean, after all, we asked!
pearlieq
<font color=green>They can sit & spin<br><font col
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2004
- Messages
- 8,734
Black Bean Enchiladas
--1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
--1 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
--1/2 cup frozen corn
--1 cup shredded cheese (Any cheese works. I like a blend of mozzarella and co-jack. Low fat cheeses work very well.)
--1/4 tsp italian seasoning or oregano
--1/2 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and chili powder
--12 tortillas (preferrably whole wheat, but corn or white flour work as well)
--1 can enchilada sauce (or one recipe homemade sauce, see below)
--1/2 cup shredded cheese (full or reduced-fat work best)
Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 13x9 casserole dish. Mix beans, rice, corn, cheese, and spices in a large bowl. Warm tortillas per package instructions. Place about 1/3 cup filling in each tortilla. Roll tortillas and place seam side down in the casserole dish. Feel free to smush them together to get them all in. Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas to cover and top with cheese. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbling and heated through.
Homemade enchilada sauce
--1 8oz can tomato sauce
--1 14oz can diced tomatoes
--1/4 tsp italian seasoning/oregano
--1/2 tsp EACH of onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder
Add all ingredients to a large saucepan. Use a whisk or potato masher to crush tomatoes. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture is well blended and slightly reduced. Pour over enchiladas, top with cheese, and bake as normal.
--1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
--1 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
--1/2 cup frozen corn
--1 cup shredded cheese (Any cheese works. I like a blend of mozzarella and co-jack. Low fat cheeses work very well.)
--1/4 tsp italian seasoning or oregano
--1/2 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and chili powder
--12 tortillas (preferrably whole wheat, but corn or white flour work as well)
--1 can enchilada sauce (or one recipe homemade sauce, see below)
--1/2 cup shredded cheese (full or reduced-fat work best)
Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 13x9 casserole dish. Mix beans, rice, corn, cheese, and spices in a large bowl. Warm tortillas per package instructions. Place about 1/3 cup filling in each tortilla. Roll tortillas and place seam side down in the casserole dish. Feel free to smush them together to get them all in. Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas to cover and top with cheese. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbling and heated through.
Homemade enchilada sauce
--1 8oz can tomato sauce
--1 14oz can diced tomatoes
--1/4 tsp italian seasoning/oregano
--1/2 tsp EACH of onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder
Add all ingredients to a large saucepan. Use a whisk or potato masher to crush tomatoes. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture is well blended and slightly reduced. Pour over enchiladas, top with cheese, and bake as normal.
Debbie
DIScovering DIS magic-missing my colours
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2000
- Messages
- 6,426
Try this one! I haven't tried it, but it looks about right. 
Crock pot recipes
These are a few of my family's favorites
Chicken and Rice
Put boneless skinless chicken breasts in crockpot. Pour in a bottle of salsa. 10 minutes before you are ready to eat add 1 cup of rice. My DH and I eat it like this. My kids top it with sour cream and cheese.
Beef Stroganoff
Put stew meat in crock pot. Add one can of cream of mushroom and one can of cream of celery. Add 1/2 packet of lipton onion soup mix. When you are ready to eat cook one package of egg noodles. When you start the water for the noodles, add one tub of sour cream to the crock pot and stir. When the noodles are done, add them to the crockpot, stir and eat.
Italian Beef
Find a cheap roast. If you get a 5 pound roast add 5 packets of 7 Seas Dry Italian dressing mix (if your roast is 3 lbs add 3 packets etc). No matter what size roast, add one cup of water total. When you are ready to eat it should easily shred with a fork.
Italian Beef(another recipe
Add cheap roast and a can of Coke. It should shred easily with fork.
I cook my recipes on low all day. A lot of people do not like the crockpot but I love it. You put misc ingredients together and forget about it. Experiment. You really can't ruin it.
These are a few of my family's favorites
Chicken and Rice
Put boneless skinless chicken breasts in crockpot. Pour in a bottle of salsa. 10 minutes before you are ready to eat add 1 cup of rice. My DH and I eat it like this. My kids top it with sour cream and cheese.
Beef Stroganoff
Put stew meat in crock pot. Add one can of cream of mushroom and one can of cream of celery. Add 1/2 packet of lipton onion soup mix. When you are ready to eat cook one package of egg noodles. When you start the water for the noodles, add one tub of sour cream to the crock pot and stir. When the noodles are done, add them to the crockpot, stir and eat.
Italian Beef
Find a cheap roast. If you get a 5 pound roast add 5 packets of 7 Seas Dry Italian dressing mix (if your roast is 3 lbs add 3 packets etc). No matter what size roast, add one cup of water total. When you are ready to eat it should easily shred with a fork.
Italian Beef(another recipe
Add cheap roast and a can of Coke. It should shred easily with fork.
I cook my recipes on low all day. A lot of people do not like the crockpot but I love it. You put misc ingredients together and forget about it. Experiment. You really can't ruin it.
wdw_dine_junkie
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,485
HaleyB said:
I found this for the Low Fat Mix:
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=55564
and this for the regular mix:
http://mixes.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/158/Quick_Mix58169.shtml
HaleyB
I am not a robot
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2003
- Messages
- 6,912
I said on another board that I would post some TVP recipes so here is one I love. I am one of those peole that measures by eye so everything is approximate.
Pot stickers
Soak 1/4 c TVP in I/4 c hot water + 1/8 c orange juice + 1/8 c soy sauce
Grate some carrots I guess about 1/2 cup
add 1/2 bunch, or to taste, green onions (just the good part of course)
1 small can of water cheasnuts diced
a few cloves of garlic and some ginger (I like lots of ginger)
1 egg (optional, but it holds everything together better)
fresh mushrooms (about 2-4 oz) chopped
1/4 cup real mayo
Mix everything together, the TVP needs at least 10 minutes to soak, longer is better.
Use wonton skins and wrap up a tablespoon of the filling in each one. Seal edges with water (dip finger in water and wet edges, then seal). Place in a greased pan and then lightly brush with olive oil. Bake in the oven at 425 for 12-15 minutes (you want the edges to start to brown a bit).
Dipping Sauce
½ cup red jalapeno jelly
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
melt the jelly in the microwave.
If TVP is not your thing use a can of chicken. That was what the original recipe called for. This is a some what modified Pampered Chef recipe.
Pot stickers
Soak 1/4 c TVP in I/4 c hot water + 1/8 c orange juice + 1/8 c soy sauce
Grate some carrots I guess about 1/2 cup
add 1/2 bunch, or to taste, green onions (just the good part of course)
1 small can of water cheasnuts diced
a few cloves of garlic and some ginger (I like lots of ginger)
1 egg (optional, but it holds everything together better)
fresh mushrooms (about 2-4 oz) chopped
1/4 cup real mayo
Mix everything together, the TVP needs at least 10 minutes to soak, longer is better.
Use wonton skins and wrap up a tablespoon of the filling in each one. Seal edges with water (dip finger in water and wet edges, then seal). Place in a greased pan and then lightly brush with olive oil. Bake in the oven at 425 for 12-15 minutes (you want the edges to start to brown a bit).
Dipping Sauce
½ cup red jalapeno jelly
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
melt the jelly in the microwave.
If TVP is not your thing use a can of chicken. That was what the original recipe called for. This is a some what modified Pampered Chef recipe.
-
Why We Need 'Turning Red' PANDAmonium at Walt Disney World
-
Show Off Minion Love With New Loungefly Series
-
New Details Unleashed for De Vil's on the Disney Destiny
-
Walt Disney World Releases NEW Disney After Hours Event Dates
-
'Dolls: Let's Play Dead' Haunted House Coming to HHN
-
Photos of Continued Construction at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
-
Are Disney's Roaming Characters a Thing of the Past?
Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!
Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE
