Cheap Meal Ideas

[Leigh]

Does anyone have any really good meal ideas for really cheap? I mean like $5.00 or less for a whole meal or maybe just a little more.

Thanks in advance!

[MaryL]

spaghetti sauce/noodles and a slice of bread

macaroni and cheese (box) and hotdog slices

eggs and toast

pancakes/sausage

frozen pizza

tacos (meat/soft shells)

chicken and rice

BLT sandwiches

(I'm a very simple cook...no elaborate meals here!! )

***add a fruit or vegetable for each meal, of course***

[kat]

A pot of pinto beans, pan of cornbread, some potatoes and a few tomatoes and onions will feed you for 2 or 3 days. I think back to my childhood when we did eat beans 3 even 4 times a week. (I thought innocently because we loved them) And I really do love them to this day. It's my family that doesn't.

Mac & cheese with hot dogs, ham, or tuna
Big pot of homemade soup with cornbread or sandwiches are another way to stretch a meal budget.
You can stretch your meat by using it more as a condiment in your food rather than a main course. And it's healthier too.
Family Circle Mag. or Women's Day (can't remember which) always has a month of inexpensive meal ideas on a little calendar.

[angie r]

www.miserlymoms.com
www.frugalfamilies.com

[Diane]

Great ideas. There are lots of nights when I make a lot of these for dinner. BLT's or grilled cheese sandwiches with a salad or a can of soup. (or home made) , French Toast and a few pieces of bacon. Dh loves it when I make breakfast for supper. I've made those "Easy Omlets" recipe that Ann posted a few times adding little cubes of ham, tomatos, onion, cheese, salsa. I haven't tried adding the hash browns yet but I think that would be a great additioin. One of our favorite pizza's is probably one of the cheapest you can buy... those Party Pizza's. They're only 98 cents at Wal Mart. LOL I don't know what it is about them, but they're so good. When I did day care I tried giving them other kinds of pizza's... but they never ate them like they did the Party Pizza's. LOL Serve that with a salad and you've got yourself a very cheap meal. Try boiling egg noodles and adding a can of beanless chili when they're done. (at least I think that's what it is... will have to check to be sure... LOL) I've never tried/tasted it before but my sister loves it. LOL

Actually, when you start thinking about it, there are quite a few meals out there that are well under $5.00. LOL

[Leigh]

Thanks gals... those are all great ideas!