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Budget Conscious Kitchen

Looking to save some money on your next grocery bill? Share your ideas on how to stretch your dollar and still create tasty meals for your family.

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Best Meals Made: 12 Dollars or Less

I know there is a thread for 10 dollars or less… but I feel like the prices at the grocery store prices are inching up on us. So I wanted to expand it… just alittle. Smile

If it's not 12 and under... let us know the break down... what does it add up to? 13? 15?

This is one of my favorites:
I did this off of Pea Pod to show it can be done with 12 Dollars.
http://www.peapod.com/


What you need:
Spinach Bulk
          1 BUNCH       $1.99/ EA           $1.99                
 Saladena Cheese Feta Crumbles
          4 OZ PKG       $13.96/ LB           $3.49                
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta Rotini Whole Wheat Blend
          13.2 OZ BOX      $.17/ OZ           $2.29                
Carmelina Beans Cannellini White
          14.2 OZ CAN      $.12/ OZ           $1.69                
Our Family Tomatoes Diced with Garlic & Onions
          14.5 OZ CAN      $.07/ OZ           $.99    
Total: $11. 44     

How to make it:
Cook noodles as directed. Take stems of spinach. Drain and wash beans. In a sauté pan add cans of tomatoes (un-drained) and beans. Simmer on low-med until heated. When noodles are done add spinach only a few minutes before serving.  Add feta as topping.

*Every time I entertain with this, people ask for the recipe.
* If you want to add something- buy some good crusty bread for dipping.
* Excellent as leftovers (IMHO).
* Please note the Brand names above aren’t important- I was just showing what PeaPod was giving me exactly.
* Has fed four comfortably… If you are serving 5/6. Add another can of tomatoes and beans and up your noodles.
* For canned tomatoes- you can get them however prepared. I’ve tried them all- chili ready, stewed, garlic and Basil…


Enjoy! Sincerely, Cate

2/12/2009 3:20 PM
3 Replies to Best Meals Made: 12 Dollars or Less

I have grown up with a meat roll that is a bit different.


1 Can cream of muchroom soup


1 small onion


1 lb hamburger


bisquick


Ketchup and mustard


brown hamburger and onion drain fat, add 1/2 the can of soup and about 1/4 cup ketchup and a squeeze of mustard...mix together.


make the bisquick dough and form into a rectangle about 1/4 inch.  put the hamburger mixture on the dough and spread it out to within 1/4 inch of the sides.  Roll like a rolled cake and slice into 2 -3 inch wheels and place on baking sheet flat not standing upright.  Bake aprox 30 minutes at 350,  or until golden brown.


With the remaining soup , in a saucepan add water to make a thin sauce.  Everyone can add the sauce as they like.  Enjoy.


 


Annother one I grew up with that doesn't sound good but really is wonderful


Globs (Whipped cream hamburgers)


1# hamburger


about 8 Tablespoons of whipping cream (whipped to stiff peaks no sugar added)


1 small onion chopped


salt and pepper to taste


mustard


 6 Buns


*Mix top 4 ingredients together


Spread mustard on all the buns and spead the hamburger mixture on all of the buns.  Place on a cookie sheet or broiler pan.


Bake aprox 20 minutes and then broil till the bun edges ar bron and the meat is completely done.


Enjoy.


 


 


 

4/15/2009 7:26 AM

Taco Bake for $12.75


 


1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner ($1.50)


1 lb. ground beef  ($4.00 - $5.00)


1 pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix ($1.25)


3/4 cup Sour Cream ($1.25)


1-1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided ($2.50)


1 cup Pace Chunky Salsa ($2.25)


 



HEAT oven to 400°F. Prepare Mac & Cheese as directed on package. While Macaroni is cooking, cook meat with taco seasoning as directed on package.


STIR sour cream into prepared Dinner; spoon 1/2 into 8-inch square baking dish. Top with layers of meat mixture, 1 cup cheese and remaining Dinner mixture; cover with foil.


BAKE 15 min.; top with salsa and remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until cheese is melted.



  • This is super easy and quick to make

  • Makes 6 servings of 1 cup each

  • If you don't mind using store brands, this could cost even less.  I make this using extra lean ground beef (which is more expensive).

  • You probably have most of this stuff in your pantry/refrigerator already


4/15/2009 8:52 AM

pdljmpr61: Sounds good! How much Bisquick do you use in that first recipe?

sharonm65: Yum! Thank you for telling us the cost breakdown and the notes at the end. Helpful info!

Sincerely, Cate


4/15/2009 9:43 AM

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