When it comes to meal time the less prep time with less money is better. Hearty and healthy is the key while leaving time for family. Try two budget friendly rules for fast and frugal meals.
Macaroni is not only a satisfying staple, but it's easy on the grocery bill as well. With generic boxes of macaroni and cheese selling for as little as $.20 a box, it can make one of the cheapest and heartiest meals. Plus, the kids love it! If the prepackaged fare isn't to your taste, purchase a box of macaroni itself for $.50 a box and make a meal from scratch.
Breakfast is usually a meal that's easy on the pocketbook, so why not make it for dinner instead? Often mornings are rushed and those appetizing morning meals go uncooked, opting for cold cereal instead. Keep the cereal for the mornings, and look forward to healthy breakfasts in the evenings. With some prepackaged waffle/pancake mixes and a dozen eggs the evening meal can cost less and fill more.
About The Author: Kelly Ann Butterbaugh is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to a variety of magazines as well as online newsletters. She teaches writing in the public school as well as at the collegiate level. Contact her at Englishteach@rcn.com or visit her website at users.rcn.com/
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Make it dried beans! One of the tastiest and cheapest dishes I make is Great Northern Beans & Ham. I usually plan on it when I have leftover ham and preferably a meaty ham bone. A 2 lb package of dried Northern beans at Aldi's is .99. Add to that a little meat and seasonings and you have a delicious and inexpensive meal. Great with cornbread...of course! Also you can freeze leftovers or use in other meals or even soup.
Beans are very nutritious and I think I read that they contain more fiber than any other food!
I always have a house full of boys, and they can definitely put some food away.
here are 2 recipes to make a house full leave smiling without hurting your wallet.
texas style mac and cheese
-1 pound ground beef
-2 boxes mac and cheese
-1 pkg. taco seasoning
brown ground beef while boiling macaroni, drain both. mix macaroni and beef, add cheese sauce* and taco seasoning and serve hot.
Cheesy golash-
1 pkg. mini cheddar dogs/or cheddar sausages
2 cans mushrooms (preferably cut, or steams and pieces)
2 boxes mac and cheese
cook cheddar dogs while boiling macaroni.
drain macaroni, add cheddar dogs and drained mushrooms. stir in cheese sauce* , serve hot.
*if your mac and cheese comes as a powder, make sauce as directed on box separate from macaroni.
Have been making the tune macaroni and cheese for years. About 40 years ago I found the recipe on the mac and cheese box. In our family we call it "the casserole" because it was the only casserole I made. I add caraway seed and some times frozen peas.
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