Cheap Cooking

With rising food costs, I thought a good thread would be inexpensive meals that can be made.

Very good idea for these days.....this recipe is good, easy and pretty cheap...

E: american chop suey

I think this would be a great idea.  Over the years, my favorite inexpensive meal has always been a pot of pinto beans with a pan of cornbread and a side of mac and cheese.  This was usually a "just before payday" meal.  If we were flush, we would have a green salad to go with it. :)

Shepherd's Pie

1 lb. hamburger

1 can tomato soup (use the store brand)

Small package of frozen mixed vegetables (you can also use any leftover veggies you might have in the refrigerator

Instant Mashed Potatoes (or leftover mashed potatoes)

Brown hamburger with some minced onion. Drain. Add tomato soup, simmer on low heat about 15 minutes. Put meat in greased casserole dish. Put veggies over the beef layer. Put mashed potatoes on top and spread to edges of dish.  Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are browned.

Serve this with fresh bread and a salad or some fruit and it makes a filling cheap easy meal.

Bean Soup

1 package great northern beans, cooked

1 can tomatoes

1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 chopped onion

Cook the beans until done.  Add the tomatoes and the ground beef that has been browned with the chopped onion.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer about 20 minutes on low heat until flavors blend.  Add more water if necessary to make a soupy consistency.

Serve with corn bread, and your favorite dessert.

(This was always one of my family's favorites. You can easily get supper, lunch the next day, and enough to freeze for later from one pot.)

My DH fixed this a lot when he was single, but we like it for a quick meal. It is fairly cheap to put together, even though the cost of cheese has gone up considerably.

Slop

1 lb ground beef (ground pork is good, too)

1 can ranch style beans

1/2 medium onion

season to taste (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc...)

1 1/2 c sharp cheddar cheese

Brown meat until just pink, add onions and seasonings. Let onions cook until clear.  Stir in  beans and let simmer for about 15 or 20 minutes. Spread cheese on top and let melt. You can use less cheese, but we like it cheesy.

Hamburger Soup:

bump for more good cheap cooking!

I like to make stir fries, lots of variety there!! Also, one of my DH's favorites, Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes or toast!!

Cowboy Beans

2-3 cans of pork n beans

1 lb hamburger

1/2 c chopped onion

salt and pepper to taste

Serves 4

This is such a simple recipie yet I could eat it everyday my Mother used to make it a lot when i was a kid and money was tight.  It is still one of my brothers and i favorite meals

Its good with bread and butter or some rolls 

Can easily add more to make for more people

This goes hand in hand with the  Board project I made a couple of years ago when we thought we'd loose the board.

 FYI...  I've been away, but now and back.  There was so much riff-raff here I tried a new board, but they deleted me when I got too busy.   Anyway... I've been here since the 90's...  and really haven't left.

Anyway... I took a thread of some 300 odd recipes that in a nutshell was about the most shockingly easy recipe you make.  I organized it and it's in a Word file or PDF... you can PM me and I'll get it to you -- just let me know what format. 

Best wishes... and it's nice to be back.

Barb

I have received Mrs. Lucci's recipes via email... they are great and in a great format!!  I strongly suggest you contact her!  They are wonderful!

Barb, the budget living group would love these.  would you like to join us?  you just have to "sign up".   Would you consider posting your offer for the email version there?

Thanks