Great meals! Fast and easy on the budget.
Some suggestions:
These meals can be varied. I recommend you cut back on meat, add more vegetables and use coupons too. See my tips and suggestions on saving money in the kitchen.
Basic Chicken Soup
Spaghetti Pizza
One 31/2 lb. chicken or chicken parts
3 quarts water
2 medium carrots, halved
2 medium onions, halved
2 celery stalks (include leaves)
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp. salt
Bring all ingredients to a boil in large pot Skim off foam, discard. Reduce heat to simmer, uncovered until chicken is very tender about 2 1/2 hours (save time by using your crock pot).
Strain and cool. Remove meat from bones.
Skim fat from the broth. Freeze for up to six months.
For 4 servings: heat 6 C. broth, stir in ingredients of your choice (A.beans, tomatoes, italian seasonings B. black beans, white rice, squash, 1/12 tsp.cumin, 1/2 tsp. thyme C.Egg noodles, peas, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
D. Raw potatoes, cabbage, smoked sausage)
1 pkg. 16 oz. spaghetti
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk (I use skim)
4 C. shredded mozarella cheese
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 jars 16 oz spaghetti sauce
1/2 tsp. oregano
sliced pepperoni, canadian bacon or other toppings of your choice
Directions:
Break spaghetti into 2" pieces. Cook according to pkg. Drain and cool. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat eggls lightly in a large bowl. Stir in milk, 1 C. cheese, garlic powder & salt. Add spaghetti & stir. Spread in greased cookie sheet. Bake 15 min. Remove from oven & reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Spread sauce over spaghetti, sprinkle on oregano & cheese. Top with your favorite toppings. Bake 30 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before cutting.
Fried Rice Dish
Steak N' Stuffing
Use day old or leftover rice.
Fry in a pan.
Add eggs and cook, mixing.
Add meat (leftover bacon, bologna, hotdogs, spam, chicken tuna, etc.)
You can add drained, cooked vegetables (optional) and serve.
1. Pound out 1 or 2 steaks (cheap flank steaks or other steak you find for around $2 - $3)
2. Make stuffing, spread out on steaks. Roll up, hold in place with toothpicks.
3. Place in baking bag, add beef gravy (the mixes are cheap, quick and no lumps).
4. Bake about 350 degrees for 30-45 min.
5. Slice and serve with salad or other side.
Ramen Noodles Meals
1. Main Dish meal: Add ground meat (8oz), 1 C. chopped onion, 2 1/2 C. water, ramen noodles with flavoring packet, 2-3 C. frozen vegetables. Stir. Cover and simmer 3 minutes. Stir while cooking for 3 more minutes until most liquid is evaporated and noodles tender.
2. Soup Meal: Use Ramen noodles and flavoring with your choice of meat, vegetables, grated cheese on top. Serve with crusty bread.
3. Side: Serve your favorite Ramen noodles on the side of your favorite meat or meal.
Taco Rice
Make rice (1 C. uncooked = 2 C. cooked)
Stir in taco seasonings, top with lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes.
Books to help plan meals on a budget:
Cheapskate in the kitchen
Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a month
Living More with Less
The $5 Chef Family Cookbook
Spaghetti Meal
Liquids:. 2 C. chicken broth, 2 C. Water, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp. ground ginger, 1/2 tsp garlic powder or salt.
Vegetables: Your choice: 2 C. frozen peas, mixed vegetables, etc.
Add ons: Your choice: Cooked meats: chicken, tuna , ground beef or turkey and 1/2 cup shredded cheese, sliced keilbasa.
Directions
Mix liquids in skillet and bring to a boil. Add spaghetti, bring to boil until pasta is limp, liquid thinckened.
Stir in vegetables, simmer 6-8 minutes.
Stir in add ons of your choice.
This is a great way to use up leftovers, and you can make a different meal each time.
Serves 4
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