Your family's favorite cheap meal?

[Goofyzgurl]

Boil some ramen noodles and crack an egg in with it and stir it around while the noodles are cooking, just finish cooking as normal. It'll kind of look like egg drop soup with noodles. My girls love it! Or you can cook the ramen al dente, drain, and add some oil just to coat the noodles, I usually use some olive oil, but I'm sure any cooking oil is good, and then add the seasoning packet that comes with it. You can add leftover strips of chicken or just eat as is. Ramen is the versatile budget meal. I love it.

 

[ladysoleil]

We also like Ramen stir-fry.

Cook the ramen noodles, no seasoning pack. Drain and set aside. In a lightly oiled skillet, quickly scramble up an egg or two, break it up into small pieces, and set aside. Then, add vegetables of your choice, some soy sauce and any cooked leftover meat you may have on hand- just about anything works, though we particularly like chicken breast and pork (I'll cook up an extra pork chop when I make them, just for stir fry later). If you're using raw meats, cook the meat first and then add the vegetables once it's almost, but not quite done.

Toss in the noodles, add the egg back in, and cook a few seconds more in the skillet, just enough to reheat the noodles and mix all the ingredients.

If you want to jazz it up a bit, add a spoonful or two of some hoisin sauce (chinese BBQ sauce, a small jar keeps just about forever in the fridge). Other tasty additions are cashews, crispy chinese noodles (again, you can get a big jar pretty inexpensively), mushrooms, peppers, anything you like, really. I also bought a bottle of garlic/ginger wok oil, which makes it taste great.

I like to make this when I have veggies in the crisper to use up and want something quick and tasty. Broccoli and carrots are particularly good for this.

This also works great to make fried rice, but in order to get it to turn out the best, use cold leftover rice. Fresh rice just sticks together in the skillet and doesn't taste as good for some reason.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Here are a few:

Baked Bean casserole:
Take a large can or two of baked beans and add some chopped onion, honey or brown sugar (or both) molasses, mustard, ketchup and hot sauce or barbecue sauce and some sliced hot dogs or ham. Bake it in a slow oven. Top with biscuit dough (homemade, Bisquick or canned, your choice) and some crushed potato or corn chips and bake until browned. Yum!

Ham or ham steaks with Paula Deen's pineapple casserole- basically a mixture of butter, crushed Ritz, pineapple, sugar and cheddar cheese plus some other seasonings baked in a casserole. Yummy!

Any soups or pasta dishes. Homemade chicken soup, vegetable soup, potato leek soup, cheddar cheese and broccoli soup- very few soups are costly to make.

Cream of Garbage Soup- This is what we call a homemade cream of chicken soup base to which we add whatever leftovers (rice, pasta, meats, vegetables, etc.) we have to use up.

Make a homemade pasta sauce (sneak in some carrot or zucchini if your kids don't usually eat veggies, or even if they do!) over some penne,

or heat some olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, add some pasta water and some undercooked spaghetti and some parsley or basil- yum!

or add some cauliflower and anchovies (you could leave them out if you object) to a regular pasta sauce and make a toasted bread crumb topping to go over it all. It's divine!

or take some pasta sauce and chicken and leave them to get to know each other a little better in a slow cooker all day on low. When you come home, the smell alone will make you smile. All you have to do is get some pasta or crusty rolls.

Speaking of crusty rolls, you can make gourmet toasted subs at home way cheaper- roast the meat yourself and top with your favorite cheeses and sauces or dressings. Even plain cheese on a toasted baguette is lovely.

Cutting back on the treats is an excellent idea- make a batch of homemade granola bars or homemade rice krispie treats and compare how much you saver versus buying the premade kind.

Someone's mentioned homemade pizza, but I will mention dessert pizza- make or buy sugar cookie dough and bake it flat on a sheet pan. Blend together cream cheese and a cup of confectioner's sugar with some vanilla. Top with whatever fruits you like! Berries, apples, peaches, cherries, etc. are the best. You can drizzle with melted chocolate or chocolate syrup, too!

As far as saving money- my best advice is to look at the sales and your coupons, make a week or so of meal plans and THEN make your grocery list and stick to it. Buying extra items or just buying what appeals to you without having meals already planned means that you will be more likely to throw out food you could have eaten and more likely to succumb to ordering in or going out. Always plan your meals before you shop! Just pick your main ingredients and look up internet recipes that use those ingredients- beans, lentils, rice, potatoes, pasta, etc. are always cheap, but look at the prices per pound on meats, too. Sometimes a steak on sale is still more expensive than a family pack of pork chops. Go with what's the best value overall. Good luck!

And to all the posters, thanks! There were some great recipes!

 

[justcruisin]

Sorry, no recipies but what works for me is taking CASH into the grocery store. Go in with a 20 and your car keys. When I do this, I find myself putting "junk" back on the shelf and getting down to the basics --- brocoli, rice and beans. Leave the fritos and soda on the shelf.

 

[SaraMc]

Lately we have been finding that Whole wheat pasta has been cheaper to buy then white pasta and score its better for you. We always have a box of that and some tomato sauce for when we need to be frugal.

I love making cola chicken. In your slow cooker 4 skinless boneless chickenbreats ( we buy in bulk from Costco) and put in a can of dietcoke, cup of ketchup and some basil and let it cook on low all day. YUMMY. We add a little garlic too.

 

[TiggerCate]

I am subscribing to this thread- the ideas are great!! Keep them up!

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

my family LOVES *Tuna-Pea Wiggle*

I have NO idea where the name came from, but it's a family favorite that I only make very occassionally.

I make a white sauce with milk, butter and thicken with flour. Then add in a can of tuna, and a can of peas. Serve over saltine crackers.

Sounds horrible, but tastes terrific.

I make the same thing but add green beans and serve it over toast.

Burritos:
tortillas
rice
beans
salsa
cheese
about $5 for 12

 

[Ladyw/theTramp]

One of my favorites.. especially for the winter is my my adaptation of "white Chicken Chili" It's really more like chicken bean soup!

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 or two cans of chicken broth
1 large or 2-3 small cans of great northern beans
(actually you can add as many as you want depending on the number of people to serve)
1 medium onion , diced.

Put it all in the crock pot on high with some black pepper and ground cayenne pepper (as much as you can stand)

When the chicken is done.. shred it within the soup and serve with cornbread and/or salad

It is filling and can un-stuff a stuffy nose if it's spicy enough!!

 

[ellyn2000]

Chicken Pot Pie----3 chicken breasts cooked and diced (I've started using the split chicken breasts because you can often get them on sale and a huge pack runs about $3 if it's .99 lb.. Layer diced chicken in bottom of a large baking dish. Cook 3 diced potatoes in some of the chicken broth from cooking the chicken. (I cook my chicken the night before, too.) Can also add peas and carrots to cook w/potatoes. When tender remove from the broth and layer over the chicken. Use 1 cup of the broth and bring to a boil with one can of cream of chicken soup. Pour over chicken & vegetables. I then top it with 1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust. I make my pot pie in a deep round cast iron skillet so the crust fits perfectly. Bake @375º until golden and bubbly. (The box has 2 crusts, so you can either have a bottom and top crust or freeze the other crust for another dinner) If you need a larger or smaller amount you can simply adjust the amount of chicken/vegetables/soup to meet your needs. Since I always have these items in my freezer and pantry I can make it anytime for very little.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Add cut up hot dogs to a can of Bushes bake beans. Serve with corn bread.

 

[LoveWDW]

We used to enjoy a meal of hot homemade bread, cheese cubes, and a salad.

 

[Goofy22]

Cream of Chicken and veggies

Use boneless chicken breasts and cut into strips 1 or 2 cans of cream of chicken soup and some water add the cut sting beans and let cook in crock pot. ( You can also add any other veggies you like)

Serve over Rice or Potatoes or noodles

 

[SandrA9810]

I used to hate my aunt whenever she made tuna caseroul. And she always had to add in the mix veggies with lima beans in it.
In any case, even kraft mac and cheese is pretty cheap. And toss in a little bit of hanburger meat to make it a little more fulfilling.
One of my favorite things to make is stuffed peppers. I pick up three peppers, and generally smaller pieces of chicken breasts are cheaper than the larger pieces. I forget what they call them, but there's about a 20 cent difference per pound.
Any case, season the chicken, then add in some garlic or onion, stuff in some shredded cheese, and shove the chicken in and bake.
Whole chickens are generally only about a 1$ a pound and if you got a good oven, they turn out pretty yummy. Add in a box of stuffing and a vegie for a whole meal.

Ramen noodles are about as cheap as you can get and there's so many things you can add to it. ABC's are about 75 cents a can and make a good lunch. Bagels and cream cheese are pretty cheap.
If you keep soda around, buy 2 liter bottles, they're cheaper than cans.

One time in my harry potter class, (we all take turns bringing in food), one kid made shepards pie. Mash potatoes, ground beef, corn, and cheese on top. Brought in an entire tray and nothing was left at the end. I had three helpings myself.

Any and all pasta dishes are cheap. And almost once a month the grocery store has sauce at buy one get one free. Ohh and winn-dixie will generally do best for meats, when they have a sale going on. Usually buy 1 get 2 free.

 

[DsnyDrmr]

I made this tonight, and it was a hit with everyone but my 5-yr-old who's picky anyway! Take about 6-8 small potatoes, cut them up in small pieces, spray a 13 x 9 with cooking spray, place potates in pan, then cover with sliced-up Kielbasa. Cover with foil, bake in 350 oven for about 45 min-1 hr. I served with corn and homemade applesauce. Enough for a family of 4.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

My mom made this when I was little, and now I'm making it for my family! We call it "Glop".
Brown and drain 1lb of hamburger and boil a cheap pack of small elbow macaroni. Mix them together in casserole dish with a can of baked beans (we like Bush's homestyle) and some shredded cheddar cheese. 350 for 1/2 hour--yum!!

 

[wide awake]

I see all these meals w/ chicken breasts. Ick, no flavor or moisture, and the most expensive part of the bird. Buy whole chickens and cut up yourself...use the thighs and legs for frying, the breasts for casseroles...IF YOU MUST. If you don't want to cut up the chicken it is much cheaper to buy thighs...more flavor too. As a PP stated...don't use convenience foods, make a list, and learn to use your leftovers.

Cheapo Meals :
1. Fried rice...brown 5-6 slices chopped bacon and one bunch chopped green onions in a big nonstick skillet or wok...when just about done add 4-5 beaten eggs, when eggs are in the pan sprinkle w/ salt...when eggs are about done add 5-6 cups cooked rice, soy sauce to taste, and thawed frozen peas. Easy, cheap, and yummy. You can use leftover pork or chicken instead of bacon, just add a little cooking oil...and if using chicken cook your rice in chicken broth.

2. Bean burritos...if you have the money...brown hamburger w/ taco seasoning or salt, pepper, garlic, and chili powder...drain...if not just use refried beans...put on flour tortilla w/ optional garnishes of chopped lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guacomole, chopped onions or tomatoes, fried potatoes, grated cheese, salsa...can also top w/ canned or homemade chili.

3. Baked chicken...buy a whole chicken...season inside and out w/ salt and pepper and garlic...roast...add cut up potatoes and carrots to the roasting pan, add a green veg and dinner is done.

4. Beans...buy whatever you like, follow the recipe on the back of the bag, making changes depending on what your family likes and what you have...serve w/ homemade cornbread, or bread or tortillas (flour or corn).

5. Chuck Roast. When it is on sale...season w/ garlic, salt and pepper...brown on both sides...add 2-3 cut up onions and a glass of water...bake covered at 350 until it falls off the fork...2-4 hours depending on size...add carrots and potatoes the last hour if you want. Serve w/ green veg, salad, or fruit.

6. Pork steaks...season, fry or grill...serve w/ what your family likes. Much more flavor than pork chops and quicker to cook.

7. Turkey thighs...season and bake...yummy w/ scalloped potatoes and veg, the leftovers make great sandwiches.

Americans are the only people that prefer poultry white meat...get over the white meat thing, save money and enjoy some poultry w/ taste !!! Any dish calling for white meat can be made w/ dark meat...cheaper and better.

 

[liamandcaili]

Whenever I am in a budget crunch, I tend to make a lot of pasta...pasta with sausages, olive oil and parmesan, pasta with spinach (I cut it into small pieces to make it less offensive to my children...they think it's basil ) cheese and pinenuts (I know they're expensive, but you don't need to use many) or a favorite of mine from some magazine is pasta with asparagus...when it's on sale. Cook the asparagus until tender. Blend it in a food processor with the zest of a lemon and olive oil. Cook the pasta. Toss with the sauce and top with parmesan cheese. Yum. Of course, my children hate that.

I also tend to make homemade macaroni and cheese...pasta, butter, milk, cheddar and monterey jack cheese, and a little Velveeta to make it smooth. If I really want to be a mean mom, I add green vegetables like peas, broccoli or spinach. DD gets very mad.

Then there are always quesadillas. DD will only eat cheese in hers. DS will accept black beans, with no flavorings. I add whatever is available to mine.

And of course, the freezer is your friend. In the colder months, I like to always have a supply of meatballs (you can make them out of ground chicken to save money and cholesterol!...just add a little more flavoring), ravioli, sweet potato burritoes (the recipe is longish, but PM me if you want it), and lasagne.

There are also the built-in leftovers. Roast chicken is great because you can turn the leftovers into a pot-pie, a soup or a sandwich. Pasta and vegetable leftovers can be made into a fritatta. Leftover mashed potatoes make excellent potato pancakes and I love leftover risotto, which I didn't mention previously but is a great money-saving meal, as risotto cakes.

Sorry this was so long...I just love talking about food!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Meatball subs:

I get a large bag of frozen Italian meatballs --- about a gazillion, inexpensive when you price it out. Bought french bread (unbaked) for .99. Baked that, took out enough meatballs for each sub. Poured BBQ sauce over them and microwaved. Placed meatballs and BBQ sauce in french bread topped with shredded mozzarella and heated in microwave to melt cheese. It was quick & yummy! And very inexpensive! (We just had fruit with ours.)

 

[vhoffman]

Jimmy Dean Sausage Balls

I can't take credit for this one, found it on the Jimmy Dean website. It not the cheapest thing, but not terribly expensive and goes over great.

2 pounds Jimmy Dean sausage (the ground up type)

1 cup bisquick

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

finely diced onion and celery

1 tsp garlic salt (more or less to taste)

mix all ingredients and bake on an ungreased cookied sheet 350 for about 20 minutes. Its important that the cookie sheet be ungreased, don't even spray Pam on it, or the meatballs will comes out "kissed" on the bottom.

They are great to make up in advance as they store well in the fridge, just heat up in the microwave. Great served with sour cream.

 

[lyeag]

3. Baked chicken...buy a whole chicken...season inside and out w/ salt and pepper and garlic...roast...add cut up potatoes and carrots to the roasting pan, add a green veg and dinner is done.

I do this all the time. After dinner take the chicken carcass, throw it in a pot with some salt, pepper, onion, garlic and cover with water. Simmer for about 45 min. Take out the chicken, add some boullion for extra flavor. Pick away the meat from the bones and put into the broth, add some carrots and celery, and rice or noodles. Chicken soup! Serve with rolls and salad. If you have a lot of left over chicken, you could use some to make chicken salad. I can usually get 3 meals from one 4 dollar chicken.