Sunday, November 4, 2007

Call for recipes!

Okay, we are on a tight budget with Christmas coming soon, so I was wondering ... What is the most cost effective meal you have ever whipped up? Something with a protein, starch, dairy, and veggie that costs very little per serving? I have several that my frugal step-mom has made over the years, and they are good and hot and filling, but am always looking for more great recipes.

So, if anyone wants to help me feed my family for next to nothing this month, post your favorite frugal recipe ... or if you already have, just link back to it in the comments section!

Thank you ladies! This blog has really helped me expand my recipes. I hope I have returned the favor.

9 comments:

Tanya said...

I posted a creamy tortellini recipe not too long ago on Kitchen Karma that is pretty cost effective. I usually buy a frozen (huge) bag of tortellini, so you can eat at least 3 meals from these tortellini (of course you want to spread out those meals in a month or so). The whipping cream (get off brand Walmart or HEB) for under 2 dollars, bulk ham lunch meat and 1 can of mushrooms and you have yourself a meal for under 7 dollars for the entire family. I end up freezing the ham until I am ready to make more tortellini. Of course you can also make a salad as a side dish, but then you are adding more cost to the meal. Anyhow, let me know if you have any more questions.

Briana said...

That sounds great! I have used the tortellini before, but usually with chicken(spensive) or italian sausage in the sauce. :) Thanks for the idea.

myra said...

I'm not sure what the price tag is on this recipe but the Mexican Cornbread Casserole I posted on Kitchen Karma is all the foods you listed rolled into one. It's got beef (you could substitute Turkey), cheese, corn, tomato and cornbread. It's almost a meal in itself.

Briana said...

that sounds like something Matt would love! And it looks easy too. :)

Caren said...

Ok, so these aren't "recipes" but here's what I do when the budget is tight:
Rice and Sausage in a bowl(Zattarains/Rice-a-Roni and Turkey Sausage)
Spaghetti (old stand-by)
Cornbread Casserole (from Myra)
Little Ceasars Fresh and Ready when I don't feel like cooking($5 for a large--feeds us both with leftovers)

Ynaffit said...

Mmmmm. We call it 'Chicken That Makes Its Own Gravy'
Bake chicken (parts, whole, whatever) in the oven at 350 for 45 minutes. Season it if you like, or not..... In a bowl, mix: 1) 1C either Fat Free sour cream, evaporated milk, or a combo of the two, plus 1C shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, pepper jack). Stir in canned onions and canned mushromms (drained) and spread over chicken. Then sprinkle with paprika. Bake 15 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles or potatoes or or or or or

Ynaffit said...

I also serve it over broccoli.... yummy!!!

Briana said...

those all sound so yummy!

Marianne said...

Remember that eggs are really cheap. Omelets with whatever you have leftover added to them makes a great meal.

I have a favorite cheap meal called Cornbread Cowboy Hash. Pretty cheap--feeds a family or two for several days.

1 lb ground meat
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn
1 can tomato sauce
3 T worchestershire
salt & pepper to taste
pkg cornbread mix or make your own

brown meat. Stir in beans, corn, tomato sauce, worchestershire. Salt & pepper. Stir. Make cornbread mix or your own and pour over top. Bake 425 until cornbread is browned. I make all of this in an iron skillet. One dirty spoon, one dirty bowl and the dirty skillet!!!!