Dinner for 4 - less than $8.

[mums the word]

Hi Connie, great to hear from you again. I have been wondering where you were and also wondered how you "weathered" Hurricane Sandy since you are in NY state. Hope all is well for you and your friends/family. What a mess that storm caused!

Sounds like you have been busy cooking some great stuff. That was very kind of you to look after your neighbour bringing her food and I know what you mean, it does make you feel good to help someone else doesn't it?

I can't believe the awesome deal you got on turkeys for .49/lb. I sure wish Canada had those deals. When is the American Thanksgiving, next week? I just love Thanksgiving and celebrating the harvest.

So we have spent about $2,000 on snow tires and brakes so as I said, I am trying to cut the food budget this month. If I find any good budget-friendly recipes I'll post them in this thread.

[mums the word]

Taco Macaroni Skillet

Tonight's dinner was delicious and the kids loved it!

1 lb ground beef $2.18
onions and garlic .25
1 can tomatoes .88
taco seasoning (Amazing Taco Seasoning) .20
macaroni $1.47
1/2 can evaporated milk .62
cheddar cheese $1.55

8 servings $7.15 (lots leftover for lunch tomorrow - woohoo!)

[mums the word]

Lastnight I recreated a recipe that mom always made for us kids "back in the day". She no longer has the recipe, but here is my version.

Mom's Skillet BBQ Pork Chops

pork chops $6.33
flour and spices .20
onions .20
ketchup .55
Splenda brown sugar .25
vinegar and soy sauce .25
2 tbsp onion soup mix .10
rice .50

4 servings = $8.38

My son decided to "kick it up a notch" and used some Frank's hot sauce on his as he has a cold and could hardly taste anything. To each his own!

[mums the word]

Here is another cheapie meal using that leftover Xmas ham.

Creamy Cheesy Ham and Pasta

half of a small ham (leftover) about $3.50
milk .50
parmesan cheese .65
garlic, butter and spices .45
penne pasta $1.29
peas (not in original recipe but added for colour and nutrition) .69
6-8 servings = $7.08

I served it with garlic bread on the side...yummy!

[DEEP]

Thanks for a great looking, cheap, redo with ham. I did break down and finally put mine in the freezer a few days ago. I will hang on to this recipe. I have all ingredients on hand, and this will be a great, nutritious way to use up all the left-overs.

[mums the word]

Hi Deep - Happy New Year to you! I haven't talked to you in a bit, I'm glad you are back.

Let me know how you like the ham dish, I thought it was really good.

[mums the word]

This is a nice comfort food dish that cost me about $6.39 to make. It serves between 4 & 6 people.

Italian Sausage Casserole



sausages (1 1/2lbs) $3.23
peppers $1.27
potatoes .25
canned tomatoes .99
onions .25

This would be nice served with some crunchy garlic bread.

[DEEP]

Bumped! Many great meals here!

[mums the word]

Hey Deep, haven't seen you post in a while, how are you? I have slacked off on entering posts on this thread as I don't think anyone but you and Connie read them!

I have made a few more low budget recipes recently so I'll try to post them in the next day or so. If you have any recipes to add, please feel free to post.

[mums the word]

Cavatelli and Broccoli or Asparagus (Buddy Valastro)

I got this recipe from the Food Network. It is sooooo cheap to make. The following is a breakdown of the recipe as written. If you have leftover cooked chicken or shrimp, you can throw that it in at the end to heat through and it is great!

half bunch of broccoli .50
freshly grated parmesan $1.00
pasta $1.49 (almost any type will do)
oil, garlic .35

$3.34 for 6 servings

(edited to correct recipe #)

[mums the word]

Easy Ham Carbonara



This recipe is very tasty and economical. I used some of the leftover Easter ham to prepare this.

pasta $ 1.49
leftover ham - maybe $2.00
broth .15
2 eggs .44
parmesan $1.23

$5.31 for 6 servings.

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

mums the word wrote:


Cavatelli and Broccoli or Asparagus (Buddy Valastro)

I got this recipe from the Food Network. It is sooooo cheap to make. The following is a breakdown of the recipe as written. If you have leftover cooked chicken or shrimp, you can throw that it in at the end to heat through and it is great!

half bunch of broccoli .50
freshly grated parmesan $1.00
pasta $1.49 (almost any type will do)
oil, garlic .35

$3.34 for 6 servings

(edited to correct recipe #)

mum- this is a fabulous recipe. I grew up, went through college, and still make to this day. It IS a BUDGET booster. Sometimes I use asparagas when on sale and although it may cost a bit more it is still so very budget minded. I will also use this as a side dish hot and cold (in the summer). Thanks for posting this recipe. DH is not huge on pasta dinners per se so when he is on business trips or dinners I make this a go to meal super fast and super easy. MOMS everywhere should bookmarkk this meal as a super QUICKIE.

[mums the word]

Hi Connie! When I saw the "Kitchen Boss" make this on TLC, I thought it looked good but there wasn't much in it, so how good would it be? I was shocked at how good it was. Sometimes, less is more! We love it and fight over leftovers for lunch the next day! I try to maked "planned overs" for the next day. Bonus points for being fast to make too.