Quick (and Inexpensive) Dinner Recipes?

[TarzansKat]

In the interest of trying to stay on budget and not cave to ordering a lot of takeout after the baby comes, I'd love to hear any ideas for quick, inexpensive dinner recipes that I can make or freeze for after he's born.

I have a crock pot, so I'm open to those suggestions as well.

Anything you can think of that's relatively easy would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[TarzansKat]

Bumping up.

 

[bdoyledimou]

no idea where you are located, or what your meals are like generally, but here's a favorite for our family.


2 lbs lean ground beef,
large onion chopped
mushrooms sliced
2 cans of condensed mushroom soup. (MUST BE CONDENSED)
prepared mustard to taste (1 tbls)
worchestorshire sauce to taste (a couple of dashes)
salt and pepper to taste
dallop of sour cream.


Choice of
1 bag of Egg Noodles -or- 2 cups white rice -or- mashed potatoes

brown meat with onion and mushrooms, drain fat
add the condensed soup, mustard, "W" sauce and salt and pepper and blend well. Let it simmer for 4-5 minutes, add a dollop of sour cream and mix again, and serve over the starch of your choice.

The longest is preparing the starch, but that can be done in tandem.. usually takes me about 10-15 minutes to prepare and its SOOOOO good. It's also so easy the kids make it for themselves.


**edit** just noticed we both have the same due date... but your adventure is going to be much more fun and interesting!! Congrats!!

 

[Madison'smommy]

Bumping up.

I like to pre cook ground beef etc so its ready to throw together a meal at the last minute. I cook it and freeze in ziplocs in about 1 lb packages. Sometimes I will cook it with taco seasoning so it is ready for quick taco's as well. I also do the same with chicken breast, and make last minute chicken tacos. I make Quiche and it freezes well.

Hopefully friends and family will bring you dinners! Maybe you can divide them up into 2 portions and save some. When one of my friends have a baby, I usually try to make the meal and dide it in 2, one for now one for the freezer!

Congrats on your baby!

 

[JOLLYHOLLY]

I made this for the first time the other night and everyone loved it, even my two little ones!

Pesto Chicken

4- Boneless Chicken Breast
Breadcrumbs
Pesto Sauce Mix Packet
4 Slices Provolone (or Mozz.)

Set oven to 350. Rinse breast with water and coat in breadcrumbs. Place Chicken Breast in a greased baking dish. Break each sliceof cheese into 2 pieces and cover each chicken breast. Bake for 45min oruntil done.

While Chicken is cooking prepare Pesto Sauce accoring to directions on the packet.

Serve Chicken over Pasta and drizzle Pesto over the top.

This is delicious and easy. You can bake the Pesto Sauce on top of the Chicken but I like it crispy.

 

[TarzansKat]

**edit** just noticed we both have the same due date... but your adventure is going to be much more fun and interesting!! Congrats!!

Thank you for the recipe! Sounds easy and quick.

And congratulations on your pregnancy!

Congrats on your baby!

Thank you! Portioning the beef and pre-cooking is a great idea. Then I can just take out what's needed for a particular recipe. That would be easy enough to do.

This is delicious and easy. You can bake the Pesto Sauce on top of the Chicken but I like it crispy.

Thank you! That seems really simple, and not a lot of ingredients, which can be nice.

 

[MEM]

In the interest of trying to stay on budget and not cave to ordering a lot of takeout after the baby comes, I'd love to hear any ideas for quick, inexpensive dinner recipes that I can make or freeze for after he's born.

I have a crock pot, so I'm open to those suggestions as well.

Anything you can think of that's relatively easy would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

The easiest crockpot recipe I can think of has two ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts and a jar of your favorite salsa. cook on low for 8 hours and serve over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes - can also shred the chicken and serve in tortillas or on buns. You can stretch the meal by adding (at the beginning) a can of rinsed and drained beans - black, kidney, pinto, whatever you like and/or a box or half bag of frozen corn.

 

[TarzansKat]

The easiest crockpot recipe I can think of has two ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts and a jar of your favorite salsa. cook on low for 8 hours and serve over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes - can also shred the chicken and serve in tortillas or on buns. You can stretch the meal by adding (at the beginning) a can of rinsed and drained beans - black, kidney, pinto, whatever you like and/or a box or half bag of frozen corn.

Thank you, that's a great idea, and super easy.

 

[Praying Colonel]

This is a great time of year to get fresh veggies at a great price. Tomatoes, corn, squash, cukes, you name it. Many's the time we'll have a veggie meal in the summer: something like fried squash, corn on the cob, green beans and red potatoes, sliced garden tomatoes and cornbread. If you want to add in a meat dish, something like salmon patties is a good cheap way to add protein.

 

[Happiest mommy]

Loved the cooking and freezing the ground beef idea that I will be doing and the chicken and salsa sounds yummy with tacos

 

[Iott Family]

My crockpot(s) are my best friend!

Here are a few of our fav CP recipes that require little effort so I just toss it all together and then the kids and I are off to the zoo, park, pool, library, etc and when we get home there is a meal waiting for us!

BTW, we are a family of 6 so these recipes are portioned for our eating habits


Chicken Tacos

2 boneless skinless breasts
1 cup low sodium/fat free chichen broth
1 package taco seasoning- low sodium old elpaso is what we like

Mix broth and seasoning and all all ingredients to your crock. Cook for 6 hours on low. Shred with fork and serve with all your fav taco trimmings!


Pork BBQ sandwiches

1 pork tender roast
1 bottle of your fav BBQ sauce-we like Sweet baby Rays
Hamburger Buns

Put your roast in the crock and cook on low 6-8 hours until fork tender. Take it out and drain off all the fat and remove any visible fat then t=return to crock and shred with fork, add BBQ sauce and heat thru for 15 minutes, Serve on bun with your fav sides. We like coleslaw,potato salad, fruit salad, etc.


Italian Beef Sandwiches

1 beef roast-not a chuck roast, too fatty!
1 package italian dressing mix-Seven Seasons is what we use
1 cup beef broth-low sodium/fat free

Just like with the chicken tacos mix broth and seasoning packet, pour over roast and cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred with fork and serve on buns with your fav sides. We like to *** a slice of provolone on our sandwiches. And some peope add a jar of pepperocinis but that is not to our liking so we omit!


Summer Chili

2 pounds lean ground meat, cooked- 97/3 lean is our preference
1 large jar of your favorite salsa
1 can of red kidney beans, or black beans

and 3 cups of cooked rice


Add first three ingredients to your crock and cook on low 4-6 hours. Serve over rice to make a lighter rendition on a winter fav. If you have a lot of leftovers serve up beef burritos later in the week as a left over make over!



To amke crockpot clean up easy use the crock pot liners OR spray the inside of your crock with no stick spray

 

[secretpantssam]

I like to pre cook ground beef etc so its ready to throw together a meal at the last minute. I cook it and freeze in ziplocs in about 1 lb packages. Sometimes I will cook it with taco seasoning so it is ready for quick taco's as well. I also do the same with chicken breast, and make last minute chicken tacos. I make Quiche and it freezes well.

That's a great idea. I think I might start making extras of beef and chicken and freezing them fro when I'm super busy and don't feel like cooking!

 

[TarzansKat]

This is a great time of year to get fresh veggies at a great price. Tomatoes, corn, squash, cukes, you name it. Many's the time we'll have a veggie meal in the summer: something like fried squash, corn on the cob, green beans and red potatoes, sliced garden tomatoes and cornbread. If you want to add in a meat dish, something like salmon patties is a good cheap way to add protein.

I do love veggies in the summer, and have been meaning to get to our local farmer's market.

Loved the cooking and freezing the ground beef idea that I will be doing and the chicken and salsa sounds yummy with tacos

My crockpot(s) are my best friend!

Here are a few of our fav CP recipes that require little effort so I just toss it all together and then the kids and I are off to the zoo, park, pool, library, etc and when we get home there is a meal waiting for us!

To amke crockpot clean up easy use the crock pot liners OR spray the inside of your crock with no stick spray

I love your recipes! You've got some great, easy ideas there that I'm definitely going to try. I always forget to buy the crockpot liners when I go to the store.

That's a great idea. I think I might start making extras of beef and chicken and freezing them fro when I'm super busy and don't feel like cooking!

 

[MEM]

Personally, I don't bother with the liners - they're expensive and they tend to melt onto the crockpot and that can't be good. I just use a generous portion of Pam to coat the crockpot before I add the food.

 

[JamesMom]

Chicken & Rice casserole (my version )

1.5 pounds skinless chicken breast
6 cups cooked brown rice
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
4 cups frozen broccoli tips
.5 cup bread crumbs
4 slices American cheese.

Brown and drain chicken. Cut into dice sized pieces.
Combine soup, rice, brocolli & chicken in large dish
Sprinkle bread crumbs. Place cheese slices.
Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Makes about 8-10 servings for about $9.

 

[ccgirl]

I like to pre cook ground beef etc so its ready to throw together a meal at the last minute. I cook it and freeze in ziplocs in about 1 lb packages. Sometimes I will cook it with taco seasoning so it is ready for quick taco's as well. I also do the same with chicken breast, and make last minute chicken tacos. I make Quiche and it freezes well.

Hopefully friends and family will bring you dinners! Maybe you can divide them up into 2 portions and save some. When one of my friends have a baby, I usually try to make the meal and dide it in 2, one for now one for the freezer!

Congrats on your baby!

Ohh...I never thought of freezing the cooked hamburg. How long will it keep for? Excellent idea! Thanks!

 

[ccgirl]

Hi there,

I got some wonderful recipes from the thread below. The white chicken chili I loved...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2488839

 

[TarzansKat]

Personally, I don't bother with the liners - they're expensive and they tend to melt onto the crockpot and that can't be good. I just use a generous portion of Pam to coat the crockpot before I add the food.

Thanks for the tip!

Chicken & Rice casserole (my version )

Sounds yummy!

Hi there,

I got some wonderful recipes from the thread below. The white chicken chili I loved...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2488839

Thanks for sharing that link!

 

[Madison'smommy]

Ohh...I never thought of freezing the cooked hamburg. How long will it keep for? Excellent idea! Thanks!

I am not really sure how long it would keep for... but I usually only do about 4-5 pounds at a time. I put it in a ziploc, trying to keep the bag flat... it takes up less space to store and it thaws quick, since its not a huge chunk. I use it for sloppy joes, tacos, in spaghetti sauce, whatever.... It is really nice when I need a last minute dinner! If you typically like onions, you could even cook it with onions in it. Cooking it beforehand also makes clean up that much easier when you actually use it for dinner!

 

[musclemouse]

Love fast, easy and cheap dinners

COLA CHICKEN
3 or 4 chicken breasts
1 can (12oz) diet cola
1 cup ketchup

Place chicken in non-stick skillet. Pour ketchup and cola over top. Bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and cook for 45 minutes.

Uncover, turn up heat and continue to cook until sauce thickens and adheres to chicken.

SPINACH CHICKEN BAKE
2 cup diced chicken, cooked
1 10oz pkg frozen spinach
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
1/2 cup light mayo
1/4 cup mozzarella, low moisture part skim
1 cup parmesean cheese, reduced fat

(I use Mrs Dash to season chicken)

Stir spinach into chicken.

Mix together sour cream, mayo and cheeses with 1 tsp garlic powder.
Mix half cheese mixture to chicken. Place in baking dish (8x8 or 9x9) and pack down. Spread remaining mixture over chicken. Bake on 350 for 30 minutes.