Economy Cooking from your pantry

[FrontPorchIndiana]

My fallbacks:

Tuna Casserole

1 pkg egg noodles, cooked
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 can peas, drained
1 can tuna, drained
crushed potato chips or saltine crackers for crumb topping

Mix into a baking dish and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.


Spaghetti

1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 pkg frozen onion/red & green peppers
1 lb hamburger or italian sausage (if I have them)
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp dried oregano
Whatever pasta I have on hand

Brown the meat if you have it. Add the onions and peppers and cook until softened. Add the sauce and herbs and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes. Serve with pasta.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Hot Dog Stir-Fry

1 pack (8 ct.) Hot dog weiners---- $0.75
1 (16 0z. bag) frozen mixed stir fry veggies---- $2.00
1 bag of Boil n bag rice ---- average $0.33 per bag

Total cost around $3.25

My family loves this recipe and when I make it I have to make a double portion. Not a bad price when doubled for 5 people.

 

[Wifezilla]

Being a low-carber, all those starchy foods that can make a meal cheap are off limits.

Instead of noodles, I use shredded cabbage cooked in butter. Cabbage noodles are great topped with chicken alfredo.

I use cauliflower as a potato replacement. Buy when it is on sale and steam and mash.

Tuna is cheap AND low carb. Sometimes for lunch I just make a quick tuna salad and spread it on thin, raw jicama slices.

Ground turkey is often cheaper than ground beef. I buy it by the case whenever it is on sale. It makes a good meatloaf if you add some chopped mushrooms, some parm, a few eggs and some spices.

Salad greens are cheap...especially when you grow your own! Make your own dressing with olive oil and some balsamic vinegar dressing. Add some pieces of leftover grilled chicken and a few cubes of cheese and you have a great meal.

 

[ams3651]

Im making my go to side dish, at least once a week. Baked corn. I use 1 qt bag frozen corn, 1 can creamed corn, 1/2 c cornmeal, 3 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1tsp baking powder, salt, pepper, 2 eggs, 1/2 can fat free canned milk, parsley, couple spoons of margarine. Keep in mind I dont measure, Im just telling you what I think it is, doesnt have to be perfect. Mix well together and Microwave on high 4 minutes, stir well, microwave on high 2 minutes at a time, stirring in between till firm.

My mom used to make this in the oven and loves how I do it in the M/OV its so fast.

 

[Judymae]

My all time fav:

1 box of mac-n-cheese, prepared like usual
1 onion chopped
1 pkg of hot dogs, sliced

Saute onion and hot dogs while mac-n-cheese boils. Mix the mac-n-cheese (when all done) with the onions and hot dogs. I LOVE this!!!

 

[ams3651]

Quote:
i add frozen peas with this as well

 

[ninjapoodles]

We did that today, since we're iced in.

mixed up:
A can of refried beans
1/2 c. sour cream
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp. each: onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder

Spread filling into 8-10 corn tortillas that have been steamed to soften, roll up.

Pour 1/3 can enchilada sauce into bottom of a baking dish, place rolled tortillas in dish, then pour remainder of enchilada sauce over the top. Add more shredded cheese if desired.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Yummy, filling, full of protein and fiber, and CHEAP.

 

[Judymae]

Quote:
i add frozen peas with this as well

I gotta try that!! I love peas with anything.

 

[Wifezilla]

An old hot dog recipe mom used to make...

1. boil hot dogs
2. cool slightly and split length wise, but not all the way through
3. stuff with mashed potatoes
4. top with cheese slices

Broil until cheese is melted

I should be able to convert this to low carb by using the mashed cauliflower instead of the potatoes. These sound weird, but they are really good

 

[Judymae]

Quote:
I love those!!! If we don't have mashed taters to fill them with we spoon salsa and sliced cheese in the middle.