Fast and Inexpensive Home Cooked Meal Ideas?

[cbg1027]

I eat out way too much, a big budget buster! Does anyone have any recipes they care to share for quick and easy meals? I have lots myself, but I get so tired of cycling through the same recipes over and over again. It's time for some new tastes!

I will eat just about anything and am not at all picky!

 

[GatorMama]

I'm in the process of putting together a list of good recipes that can be prepared ahead of time, separated into smaller portions and finished or re-heated at meal time. They do require some work, but not tons.


Annie's Eats meatball sliders- The recipe makes a batch of 20-24 meatballs and you only use one ball per slider, and just a smidge of sauce. The leftover sauce will be great for spaghetti. I'll just add some browned ground beef and sauteed mushrooms... maybe a little freshly sauteed onion too. The recipe was really surprisingly easy too. I always worry about the time it will take to make meatballs but this wasn't a problem AT ALL. I served on more potato/wheat dinner rolls. I bought two trays. One tray was perfect for our little family for one night and lunch the next day. The other tray is in the freezer until we eat the other half of the meatballs.

Chicken pot pie- make one batch of filling and fill 4-5 individual, store-bought (or handmade if you prefer) pie crusts.

I keep wanting to try this recipe:
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2006/06/weekend-herb-blogging-35-oregano.html

 

[lisam427]

one of my favorite websites that gives you recipes for inexpensive home cooked meals is hillybilly housewife.

please checkout the link below

www.hillbillyhousewife.com

 

[pamelaz]

Sure:

Mexican Casserole:
Ground Meat (if you want), 1/2 Taco Seasoning Pack, Can of Corn, Can of Black Beans - mix all together. Then put in oven at 350 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle some mexican cheese on top and put back in the oven for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Pasta + Vegetables:
Really cheap and easy!
Basically any type of pasta and vegetable together. I put a little bit of olive oil on top and have myself a great meal. Right now I'm really loving sugar snap peas (from my garden)

Soup:
Chicken Broth, Carrots, Celery, Egg Noodles (if you want)
Just put on top of the stove, bring to boil and then simmer.

Also, do you have a garden?
Can you grow your own veggies or herbs?
Although it's some work, this is definitely a great way to get some fresh vegetables on a very cheap budget, it still blows my mind that a few seeds makes a week's harvest.

 

[fireflymedic]

a quick and easy one is

big can of denty more stew (I add some 1/2 peeled baby carots because my kids love caretes), cup or two of water (at this point when stew is cool I spoon out any fat that may be floating around)

Frozen (i'm sure you could use any biskets though) bisckets that I thaw and cut in 1/2's or 1/4's

Put in large pot bring to boil, simmer for 20 minutes (stering acationslay) with lid off, than another 20 minutes with lid on

thats it.

 

[cbg1027]

Thanks you for the suggestions!

Also, do you have a garden?
Can you grow your own veggies or herbs?
Although it's some work, this is definitely a great way to get some fresh vegetables on a very cheap budget, it still blows my mind that a few seeds makes a week's harvest.

I wish I could grow a garden. I really miss having fresh tomatoes. I had a garden at my old house, but the new one I moved to about a year ago is a on a completely shaded lot. I tried to grow some tomatoes in pots, but I haven't found any spot that gets enough sunlight.

 

[mjantz]

I love my crockpot. Its not fast but it does mean a hot meal at the end of the day. One of my favorites is Italian Wedding Soup:

-leftover chicken (I use the leftovers from cooking a whole chicken)
-6 cups chicken broth (I use cubes & just add water)
-1 cup sliced carrots
- 1/2 cup each diced onions & diced celery
-16 or so meatballs
-1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup small pasta (I use orzo)

Dump in everything except the pasta. Let it cook all day & then put the pasta in during the last hour. YUM!! We love this soup at my house.


#2 recipe- Buffalo chicken sandwiches:

1 bag of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle of hot sauce
1 pkg of dry ranch dressing mix

Combine in the crockpot & cook all day. I usually start shredding it mid-afternoon. Great on rolls with blue cheese crumbles or pepper jack cheese.

 

[mrseace711]

I cook for a family of 6 so im sure my recipes can be cut in half = cheaper
Also note most of our food is purchased at Aldis big $ saver

Shepards Pie:
2 pounds ground turkey = @ 1.29 each (the frozen kind works well)
1 Box lipton Onion Soup Mix = $1.40 (I use both packets)
1 box Four Cheese Mash Potatoes = $1 (again I use both packs)
1 bag of colby blend shredded cheese = $2.29 ( unless I find deals)
1 bag frozen corn = $1.29

brown the turkey meat add seasonings to taste i use garlic and mrs dash seasoning and a lil season salt

whip up the boxed mash potatoes as directed

I layer the meat at the bottom of my glass dish and put in the onion mix with water per directions, i put a nice layer of cheese on, then the frozen corn layered more cheese, then the finished mash potatoes. Pop it in the oven when it starts to boil and the mash potatoes start to brown I pull it out add the last layer of cheese and wait for it to melt. I turn the broiler on for a minute or so just to brown the cheese VOILA

YUMMY kids LOVE it and ask for seconds and we still have left overs for my husband to take for lunch the next day.

Also in a rush Ill throw frozen chicken breast in the crockpot with some seasoning and italian dressing, come home to make some white rice and a veggie and dinner is done!! I use any left over chicken the next day with some baby spinach for a very delicious salad.

 

[Shelly D.]

We have been trying to eat at home a lot over the last month because we got hit was some large, unexpected expenses. Honestly, I hate been on a budget because it stresses me out and makes me feel so restricted. But, cooking our more meals at home has been one of the more pleasant outcomes. Our food bills are way down, my DH has lost 12 pounds after switching to sack lunches over fast food during the week, and I'm finding that I enjoy my time in the kitchen now that I'm a better meal planner. Anyway, here's what I made last night (and am eating leftovers for lunch right now!):

Greek Shrimp Pasta
1 lb thin spaghetti noodles
1 lb shrimp
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
salt and pepper to taste
crumbled feta cheese - as much as you like.

Boil your noodles as directed and while they are cooking, heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan. Then saute green pepper for 1-2 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes (don't drain), heat for 1 minute and then add salt, pepper and shrimp. Heat for 3-4 minutes stirring occasionally until shrimp are pink. You can also add some red pepper at this point if you like a bit of heat. Stir in the drained pasta noodles and sprinkle with feta.

I use whole wheat thin spaghetti and I buy shrimp frozen in a bag and just take out what I like. This is a really quick meal with very few ingredients.

 

[Shelly D.]

Also - I've started buying one of the huge rotisserie chickens at Costco for $4.99 each week and use that for a lot of meals. It's good and so quick. I cut it up once I get it home and then throw it in salads (great for lunches) and wraps, and also have used it for quesadillas or chicken soft tacos. It really saves time and they aren't very expensive.

 

[semo233]

If you don't have a crockpot, invest in one! They save SO much time and you still get a wonderful meal.

Also, check out crockpot365.blogspot.com. TONS of great recipes! My favorite is the rotisserie chicken! SO moist!

When we were kids, we called this "Stringy Meat":

One chuck steak or roast 2-4 pounds
One envelope Onion Soup Mix (dry)

Put meat in Crock and sprinkle Soup mix all over. cover and cook on low 8-10 hours, or on high 4-6 hours.

If you don't have a crock pot, just wrap the flavored meat in aluminum foil tightly and cook in 350 oven at least 3 hours.

Put all leftover meat and juice in the fridge overnight. Skim the fat off the top of the juice and any visible on the meat. Use the juice/broth and the meat to make beef barley soup or just the meat to make pulled BBQ beef sandwiches.

I never throw out leftover meat. I toss it into the freezer. Even a small piece can be sliced or chopped and used to top a salad. We have "big salads" at least every other week. I make a salad and top with almost anything I can from the fridge. Leftover pasta, small ravioli, veggies, cheese, chili, beans,etc.

 

[travelbug]

Check out this thread, which is full of great ideas and good conversation:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2529344&highlight=eat+at+home

 

[MissNurse]

Sure:

Mexican Casserole:
Ground Meat (if you want), 1/2 Taco Seasoning Pack, Can of Corn, Can of Black Beans - mix all together. Then put in oven at 350 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle some mexican cheese on top and put back in the oven for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

I make this almost exactly, but I add a can of Rotel and use the whole seasoning pack. We usually either eat it in burritos or put it over tortilla chips. Yummy!!!

 

[college_student]

I eat out way too much, a big budget buster! Does anyone have any recipes they care to share for quick and easy meals? I have lots myself, but I get so tired of cycling through the same recipes over and over again. It's time for some new tastes!

I will eat just about anything and am not at all picky!

go on http://allrecipes.com/