Inexpensive dinners

[MrsA]

Tonight we're making omelets. I have eggs that will expire next week and some leftover peppers and onion and shredded cheese from meals earlier in the week, and I just had to buy some sausage so really we're only paying about $3 for the two of us and won't have to waste the scraps.

one of my husbands favorite meals is tomato soup and grilled cheese. it's quick and easy and super cheap!
i've also been making a lot of warm sandwiches lately...grilled ham and cheese, french dip, that kind of thing. sandwiches are cheap and they're more satisfying and more like dinner when they're warm. and go great with all the nearly free soup i have stocked up in my cupboard!

Re: chicken alfredo
My chef friend taught me how to make this one night, she cut up the chicken into thin strips then coated it in lots of spices from my spice rack (basil, thyme, parsley, garlic, as many as you want, i like a lot of flavor), then stir fry it in some oil. cook the pasta and heat up the sauce, then mix all three together. We also take fresh spinach and cook it up with some wine (broccoli would be great too) and toss that in there. The added spices and veggies add a LOT of flavor.

[vagabond2]

my DS is a really picky eater, but he loves tacos sooo I make a chili that he likes which is very filling especially for growing kids!

1/2 lb ground beef (cooked & drained/rinsed of fat I'm real particular about that)
2 cans dark red kidney beans
2 pkgs taco seasoning
1 can tomato sauce

cook all together and serve over rice with corn bread and a salad

I usually serve chili/rice/corn bread and a salad, I haven't made this in a bit since DS is away but I used to call it my $5 meal.

I just bought taco seasoning .50 pack, tomato sauce .18, beans .69 can and ground beef 1.00 1/2 lb = 3.56 for chili so I'd say its pretty darn close today.

[AlInAz]

Put 1-2 cups leftover cooked meat in crockpot
Add about 4 cups broth (or more if you like)
Any leftover cooked veggies or package of frozen
Any leftover cooked pasta, rice, canned beans, potatoes, etc.
Favorite seasonings: garlic, onion powder, sage, thyme, Italian seasoning, etc.
Since everything is cooked, you are just heating it through

My favorite right now is Salsa Chicken Soup. Add 1 cup or more salsa to chicken and veggies (I use carrots, onions, corn, celery). Serve with the crushed up pieces of Tortilla chips at the bottom of the bag that nobody wants to eat anyway and some shredded cheese. YUM

Allison

[mnm'z]

Originally Posted by JDOGGETTE99

Anyways, does the chili have a real strong flavor? This sounds pretty good. Anything with cheese sounds delicious!

I thought it had a fairly strong taste, but I loved it. As far as a canned chili, it was super tasting. Really enjoyed it, does not remind me of Hormel.

Originally Posted by vagabond2

1/2 lb ground beef (cooked & drained/rinsed of fat I'm real particular about that)

Yay, someone else who does this. I'm usually criticized for rinsing my beef. WHY do you do that? Doesn't it taste funny? Blah, Blah, blah....... I've been rinsing the fat off my beef for years and years, funny thing nobody notices unless they see me doing it. It's so much healthier and you do not taste any difference at all.

[MrsA]

Originally Posted by mnm'z

Yay, someone else who does this. I'm usually criticized for rinsing my beef. WHY do you do that? Doesn't it taste funny? Blah, Blah, blah....... I've been rinsing the fat off my beef for years and years, funny thing nobody notices unless they see me doing it. It's so much healthier and you do not taste any difference at all.

i've never even thought to do that, but it's a great idea! next time i cook it i'm gonna do that for at least half and see if there's a taste difference and if not the next time i'll do it on all of it. thanks!

[dalakehouse]

Homeade french toast is always cheap. We used to have it alot when my kids were little and they always loved it. Sounds funny for supper, I guess, but when you're broke, it's just another "egg supper" that is cheap.
Staci

[dalakehouse]

I also have old plastic ice cream tubs in the freezer. When I have leftovers that contain beef or are vegetables, or even spaghetti sauce, I add to this "slop". I have another one that has chicken stuff leftovers. When it gets a lot in it, I thaw it add a little of this and a little of that and waalaa soup. You make a huge pot of soup and freeze half of that.
Staci

[vagabond2]

Originally Posted by MrsA

i've never even thought to do that, but it's a great idea! next time i cook it i'm gonna do that for at least half and see if there's a taste difference and if not the next time i'll do it on all of it. thanks!

mnm'z and I assure you that your heart will approve the healthier version

[vagabond2]

Originally Posted by dalakehouse

Homeade french toast is always cheap. We used to have it alot when my kids were little and they always loved it. Sounds funny for supper, I guess, but when you're broke, it's just another "egg supper" that is cheap.
Staci

LOL in this household of 4.....there are 3 with egg allergies: and we never had any of those cheap suppers..........poor DH suffered until he realized years later he was eating healthy before it became popular

[DeniseD]

Breakfast for dinner is always an inexpensive alternative. Check out allrecipes.com for more budget friendly dinners.