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Your favorite simple, budget-friendly recipes
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,528
    It's grocery day once again. I'm stuck trying to make this damn list, and I'm sick to death of the same crap every week.

    I'm looking for some easy, cheap family meals and I want to know what YOUR favorites are! Give me recipes, women!

    And GO!
    Get me a damn beer.
  • sanityseekersanityseeker
    Posts: 2,367Member
    top ramen.....hot dogs....mac and cheese.....you're welcome! :D
    Biting's excellent. It's like kissing. Only there's a winner.
    "Dobby never meant to kill! Dobby only meant to maim or seriously injure.” -Dobby
    Genealogy: Where you confuse the dead and irritate the living.
  • NoMoreMonkeysNoMoreMonkeys
    Posts: 533Member
    2lbs of chicken
    1 can cream of whatever soup (i use celery)
    2 cups of dry instant rice
    I cup of milk
    cheese (optional)
    crushed up potato chips as topping (added at the end of the cooking time)

    Cook the chicken, throw it all in a baking dish and stir and cover.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Uncover, add potato chips and cook for 10 more minutes. 
  • LA_PygmyHerderLA_PygmyHerder
    Posts: 1,239Member

    Tomato basil pork


    4-5 pork chops cut into cubes


    1 bell pepper


    1 onion


    1 can tomato basil soup


    rice


    Cook the pork, onions, and bell pepper in a large skillet. Add tomato basil soup, serve over rice.


    My family loves this. This serves 5. And my boys and DH always get seconds.

  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    Yamisetta (I think)
    Eggs noodles cooked and mixed w cream of chicken soup
    Ground beef cooked and mixed w tomato soup

    Alternate layers of beef mixture, noodle mixture, cheese slices
    Bake @ 350 til bubbly heated through
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,528
    Virtual arm punch, @sanityseeker >:P

    Eta: Yumyumyum ladies! Thank you!
    Get me a damn beer.
  • sanityseekersanityseeker
    Posts: 2,367Member
    ;))
    Biting's excellent. It's like kissing. Only there's a winner.
    "Dobby never meant to kill! Dobby only meant to maim or seriously injure.” -Dobby
    Genealogy: Where you confuse the dead and irritate the living.
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    Hamburger Gravy
    Ground beef cooked w or wout diced onions, drained
    Mix in cream of mushroom soup and milk to desired gravy cinsistency.
    Or
    Brown the beef and onions, sprinkle w flour and stir until browned to desired color, add milk slowly (4-5 c)
    Continue cooking and stirring until thickened
    Serve over mashed potatoes or noodles

    You can mix in peas
    Or I like to serve w peas n carrots
  • MomToAnOnly
    Posts: 37Member
    Pasta Carbonara

    4 strips bacon or pancetta cut into small pieces
    2 cloves garlic minced
    1 handful green onions, chopped
    1 handful fresh basil, chopped
    1/2 package spaghetti or linguine
    2 egg yolks
    1 cup of the cooking water from the pasta
    1 cup frozen peas
    1/2 cup fresh parm cheese

    Cook Spaghetti to al dente, drain and reserve a cup of the cooking water. Saute bacon until it is just turning brown, add garlic, add peas. Add basil and onions and cooked pasta and right away add tempered egg yolks. Temper egg yolk by adding them to the hot cooking water and stirring up. add parm and stir until blended. serve immediately.

    I also like to add roasted tomatoes to this.

  • PhDMommyPhDMommy
    Posts: 714Member
    Off the top of my head because I don't have the recipe with me:

    1/2 -1 lb sausage or hamburger
    1 lb  penne
    1 jar tomato/spaghetti sauce
    8 oz cream cheese
    8 oz sour cream
    cheese to top

    Brown meat then simmer in sauce for ~20 min.  Cook pasta as normal.  Mix cream cheese and sour cream together.  When pasta is done add to meat sauce.  Put a layer of meat/pasta in a baking dish and top with dollops of cream cheese/sour cream mix and sprinkle with cheese. Repeat (layer of pasta, sour cream, cheese)  Place in hot over (375ish) for ~25-30 min or until bubbly. 

    I generally serve this with a salad and garlic bread and have gotten raves every single time I make it.  I think there is just something about the cream cheese/sour cream mix that makes it special.  I also often sneak in a few veggies in the sauce (diced fresh tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, etc)
    Ts'i mahnu uterna ot twan ot geifur hingts uto.
    No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
  • fatchickonabikefatchickonabike
    Posts: 5,495Member

    This is the recipe that got my daughter to like broccoli.


    Broccoli and bowties


    2 cups uncooked bowtie pasta
    2 tbsp unsalted butter
    2 garlic cloves, minced
    2 tbsp olive oil
    1 head broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
    pine nuts (optional)
    Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
    Zest of 1 lemon
    Juice of 1 lemon
    Salt and pepper 


    Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add broccoli and boil 3 minutes. Remove from water to a large bowl. Set aside. In same water, boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in bowl with broccoli.


    If using pine nuts, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently, about 5 min.


    Zest and juice the lemon and dice the garlic. 


    In small skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add lemon zest and garlic mixture and sauté about one minute. Off heat, add lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Pour over pasta and broccoli mixture, tossing well. Serve with toasted pine nuts, if using, and Parmesan cheese.


     

    "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof bullshit detector.” - Ernest Hemingway
  • BirdieBirdie
    Posts: 1,751Member
    1 can soda (coke, dr pepper or diet either)
    1 cup ketchup
    1 onion
    1 bell pepper
    1 clove garlic
    Stir together til simmering
    Add chicken of choice
    Simmer til chicken is cooked through

    SMSM_s_5

  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    Me thinks me will try @Birdies recipe tonight!

  • piekswifey
    Posts: 64Member
    Ham and Beans with rolls

    Beans 
    Ends and pieces of Ham
    Sugar 
    Beef seasoning
    Onion powder
    Franks red hot sweet and spicy sauce 

    Homemade Bread
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,528
    Drooling and writing, drooling and writing
    =P~

    Who needs Google when you have ScaryMommy?
    Get me a damn beer.
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    You can also do chicken gravy w cream of mushroom soup and put it in the crockpot
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • LA_PygmyHerderLA_PygmyHerder
    Posts: 1,239Member

    if you like indian food I got 2 recipes


    Curried rice and veggies


    2 egg yolks


    1/2 small bag frozen mixed veggies


    1/2tsp tumeric


    1 tsp curry powder


    1/4 tsp cayenne


    1/2 onion


    1 bell pepper


    pot of rice


    Cook rice as directed


    in a skilley, saute' onion, bell pepper, and veggies (use butter, just tastes better)


    mix egg yolk and spices, pour over onion, bell pepper, and veggies. Cook till egg is down.


    Mix with rice.


     


    Cabbage and cocnut


    1 head cabbage


    handful unsweetened coconut


    tbsp mustard seed


    oil


    Cook mustard seed in oil is large wok or skillet until they "pop", add cabbage. When cabbage is nearly done, add coconut.


    I hated cooked cabbage till this recipe. It is AWESOME


     

  • sanityseekersanityseeker
    Posts: 2,367Member
    baked potato soup in the crock pot....soooooooooooooo good!

    Biting's excellent. It's like kissing. Only there's a winner.
    "Dobby never meant to kill! Dobby only meant to maim or seriously injure.” -Dobby
    Genealogy: Where you confuse the dead and irritate the living.
  • paytonsmommy
    Posts: 7Member
    Pizza Casserole 

    1 lb ground beef
    1 green pepper
    1 onion
    can of pizza sauce
    bag of tatter tots
    2 cups cheese your choice

    cook ground beef with onion and pepper pre heat oven 375*
    mix beef mixture with tots and sauce and cheese bake 30 minutes 
    delicious enjoy :)
  • fatchickonabikefatchickonabike
    Posts: 5,495Member

    Crustless quiche<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


     


    4 eggs


    1 ½ cups shredded cheese (I use old cheddar)


    ½ cup milk (I use 1%)


    ½ cup cream (I use half-and-half - 5%)


    2-3 oz cooked ham, diced (in a pinch I’ve even used cut up cold cuts)


    One small onion


    Vegetable oil


    Unsalted butter


    About 3 tbsp bread crumbs


    Salt and pepper


     


    Coat a glass pie dish with unsalted butter, then add bread crumbs and shake dish until evenly distributed over entire surface.


     


    Place the diced ham in the bottom of the pie dish.


     


    Dice the onion. Heat vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté onion until golden, about 3-4 minutes. Place over ham in pie dish.


     


    Shred cheese and place over ham and onion in pie dish.


     


    Combine eggs, milk, cream and pepper in bowl; beat with fork until evenly mixed. Pour over mixture in pie dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with a green salad and fresh crusty bread.

    "The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof bullshit detector.” - Ernest Hemingway
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,277Administrator, Moderator
    Do you have a crockpot?

    3 ingredients:
    2-3 chicken breasts
    1 can pineapple chunks (1-1/2 cups fresh)
    Hawaiian style or Teriyaki marinade/sauce

    Optional:
    Diced onion
    Thinly sliced green bell pepper
    Minced garlic & salt/pepper

    Throw it ALL in together. I usually whisk the garlic, salt pepper into the sauce then coat the vegetables then pour it over the chicken breasts. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. (I prefer low. It seems to taste best after slow cooking.) Serve over rice and you're done! I usually top with some sliced green onions and serve with fruit and/or fresh green beans.

    You can add so much variety here. Sometimes I do homemade BBQ sauce, sometimes I throw in extra veggies I have on hand, sometimes I shred the chicken and make Hawaiian wraps, or serve on buns. Lots of possibilities! It's easy, cheap and delicious. My favorite quick meal. You only use a crockpot and a pot for the rice, so easy cleanup too.

    If you're wanting to serve with green brand or another veggie. Make a foil packet, throw in the veggies and drizzle with olive oil or a pat of butter then sprinkle on some salt & pepper. Close it up and put it on the crockpot for the last hour. Then your side dish is taken care of with no extra hassle and the veggies steam perfectly in the crockpot. Easy, peasy.

    I make double batches and do something different with it the next night. If we had it over rice then I'll serve it on wheat rolls with homemade cole slaw or handcut fries the next night. My husband HATES leftovers, but he doesn't mind this at all. It's that good :)

    community-manager


  • AutumnAutumn
    Posts: 898Member

    Pizza Bread

    One loaf of French bread(I have a small family; you may need more!)
    Jar of pizza sauce
    Mozzarella cheese
    Pepperoni and other toppings

    Preheat oven to 425.  Slice the bread in half lengthwise, then half again.  Place on a baking sheet.  Spread sauce, toppings, and cheese.  Bake until the cheese is melted.  I slice it into servings after baking.

    YUMM!  :D

  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,528
    @Sammie, that may be my new favorite meal! Finally going to put my crock pot o good use!
    @Autumn, that so simple and sounds delicious! Why didn't I think of that before? That's totally on the menu for next week :D
    Get me a damn beer.
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,775Administrator, Moderator
    One night a week, we have breakfast for supper:
    Momma's blend omelettes (eggs, diced ham, onions, cheese)
    and breakfast potatoes (whole potatoes, diced medium, roasted in the oven)
    Simple, delicious, CHEAP

    Taco night. I doubt you need a recipe for that LOL It's awesome, cheap, and tasty.

    We have roast night (LOVE my crock pot).

    We're having lasagna (homemade) Friday night, but honestly--for what I spent on supplies for that meal, I could have bought a frozen one and saved about $10 on that one meal :(

    community-manager


  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,528
    @Love, we do breakfast night too! Love it. I was thinking about biscuits and gravy tonight. Yum! I've never tried to make omelets, but that's going on the list, too!
    I thought about lasagna, but you're right..super pricey to make homemade. Sounds soo good though!
    Get me a damn beer.
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,551
    Thank you ladies for planning my meals for the next month. I will throw out:

    Rice, beans, plantains and chicken.
    Chili
    (1.5 lbs of beef, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 2 cans drained kidney beans, one can of black beans, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 onion diced or shredded, spice with paprika and cayenne pepper and salt to taste)

    gourmet grilled cheese and soup night- grilled cheese with turkey/ham/avocado/tomato whatever toppings you like, and either homemade or canned soup

    Kitchen sink pasta casserole- whatever the hell you have in the fridge that's going to go bad, chopped up. Cook 1-2 boxes of penne/ziti/rigatoni, and throw in 1-2 jars of pasta sauce (depends on how saucy you like your pasta, we use 2), mix your chopped leftovers into the pasta and throw the whole thing into a baking pan. Cover the whole thing with cheddar cheese and bake on 350 for 25 minutes.
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,775Administrator, Moderator
    @Chocoholic you make casserole like I do LMAO Throw it all in a pan with some noodles and sauce and smother it in cheese LOL

    community-manager


  • AnonUser25
    Posts: 547Guest
    We like breakfast for dinner sometimes
    Breakfast muffins:
    I use a dozen eggs
    Little bit of milk
    Cheddar cheese
    Bread
    Sausage or bacon
    Cook bacon or sausage and have it ready on the side
    I scramble the eggs with milk
    I rip the bread up in small pieces and shove a couple into a greased muffin pan
    I put the cheese and sausage or bacon in with the eggs
    Pour in the eggs over the bread until about 3/4 of the way filled
    Cook at 350 for 15-20 mins
    I just a stick a toothpick in and if it comes out clean then they're done :)
    Btw using the dozen eggs makes about 15 muffins or so.

    Do you like chicken parm? I have a really simple casserole recipe if you do :)
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • notscary
    Posts: 358Member

    I make this probably once a week. It is delicious

    Honey-Mustard Chicken

    2 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
    3 Tablespoons Honey
    2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
    1 Teaspoon Lemon-Herb Seasonin
    1/2 Teaspoon minced garlic

    Mix all together and coat over the chicken.  Bake at 400F for about 35 mins
    Before baking you can sprinkle sliced almonds on top (sometimes I do sometimes I don't)

  • ChickieChickie
    Posts: 129Member
    1-2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
    1 bottle of Italian salad dressing

    Mix it up, cover & bake & 350 for 30-45 minutes.

    I usually crack open a can of green beans as a side & some canned biscuits or rice.
    sometimes karma needs a nudge
  • nessamommynessamommy
    Posts: 671Member
    Breakfast Lasagna
    8 lasagna noodles
    10 eggs
    1-2 cups chopped ham
    1-2 green peppers
    1-2 onions
    2 jars alfredo sauce
    2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
    1 cup milk
    1/2 cup dried parmesan cheese
    Set oven to 375
    Boil lasagna noodle according to package.
    Scramble eggs and milk together * i add onion powder, garlic powder and pepper here.
    use 9x 13 glass casserole dish
    put a dollop of alfredo sauce on bottom of dish.
    layer 4 lasagna noodles on bottom
    put chopped ham, green peppers, and onions on top.
    put 1/2 of jar of alfredo on top then layer with remaining lasagna noodles
    put scrambled eggs on top of lasagna noodles *sometimes I mix in bacon or bacon bits
    pour remaining jar and a half of alfredo on top.
    put chedder cheese on very top and bake for 30 minutes.
    Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.
    Let dish sit for 10 minutes

    * I hope I'm not leaving anything out, I have this memorized.  i got it from my Taste of Home Cookbook, dh LOVES it!
    It also tastes better if you put it together the night before and refrigerate it all night then cook it next day.
    I do different variations all the time!
    If life gives you lemons, squirt lemon juice in life's eye!
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,726Member
    You Americans are SOOO weirddd!!!! With your weirrrrddd food!!! :P 
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    Bump
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,775Administrator, Moderator
    Bookmarking!

    #recipes

    community-manager


  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,528
    All of these are making me hungry!!! Glad you guys bumped this. It's that dreadful grocery day again and I need to make that damn list..
    @Sammie- I made that crockpot chicken..and it's my new favorite recipe! I shredded the chicken and served it over rice. Drool-worthy!
    Get me a damn beer.
  • MegsueMegsue
    Posts: 1,848Member
    This one is sooo simple and cheap, and an absolute staple in my house:

    1/2 lb hamburger, cooked n crumbled
    1lb your fav pasta (I use rotini)
    jar fav pasta sauce
    8oz bag mozzarella

    Cook pasta, add sauce and hamburger. Put in baking dish, smother in cheese, put in oven to melt cheese.
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    a taco salad I do ..........
    Ground beef n pkt of taco seasoning (prepare n cool)
    Bag of salad mix
    Nacho doritos
    Catalina dressing
    Shredded cheese
    Any other veg

    Mix all together. Enjoy
  • Katescrazymom
    Posts: 1,848Member
    Yum, thanks for the inspiration!
  • Tattooed_SMTattooed_SM
    Posts: 131Member
    I found this recipe on Pinterest and it is now a family favorite at our house. The second time I cooked it, I added garlic powder to the chicken and the sauce. It made it even better. Will def do that for now on. Great, now I want some for dinner tonight! lol



    another one of our favorites is chicken and rice casserole. 

    - 1 package of 3 chicken breasts (my mom always uses a whole hen but that is just too much work)
    - box of rice
    - 2 cans of cream of chicken soup
    - 1 or 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (depending on how much rice you cook)
    - lots of cheese!

    Cook your desired amount of rice (I always use a hole box of rice b/c I have a pretty big casserole dish) and bake your chicken. When the chicken is done, cut it up and put it in a casserole dish. Add the rice, soups and some cheese and stir it all up until its thick (you don't want it to be runny though, that would be ewie). Cover the top with more cheese. Bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. I always turn the oven to broil for the last few minutes so the cheese is brown. Aaaaaaaaaaand, your done! It always makes enough for us to have for a left-overs night (plus, it is always better the next day)
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    Anything w an ingredient "lots of cheese" has to be good!
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    @Sammie & @Birdie, do you ever use meatballs or pork in your recipes?
    @Sammie, w meatballs, your recipe sounds like an easier version of Waikiki Meatballs.
  • BirdieBirdie
    Posts: 1,751Member
    @mommyliciousx4 I haven't but it sounds like it would be delicious! I love meatballs in BBQ sauce and grape jelly (mixed together in crockpot)

    SMSM_s_5

  • AnonUser37
    Posts: 1,765Member
    Cheeze it chicken (great if the kids leave the box open, because it doesn't matter if they're stale)

    Boneless chicken breast--as much as needed to feed your family
    Salt/pepper them, coat them in sour cream
    Roll them in the crumbled cheese its and bake!

    Its not terrible healthy but it IS yummy lol



  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    I did the chicken, marinade, and pineapple chunks....YUM!

    Here's another favv of mine:
    Crispy Herb Baked Chicken
    Your fav chicken pieces
    Potato flakes
    Parmesan cheese
    Garlic powder
    Any spice you want
    Melted butter

    350 oven
    Mix. Flakes cheese and spices together
    Dip chicken in butter (coat)
    Coat in flake mix
    Place on a foil lined baking sheet and bake til chicken is done

    I love thighs and it takes about 35 minutes
  • tiredmommy1718tiredmommy1718
    Posts: 11Member

    I just found a recipe on youtube the other day and it is very yummy and very very healthy for you.

    1 cup of quinoa

    1 carrot

    broccolli

    kale

    lemon

    spagetti sauce

     

    You chop up the kale, carrot, and broccolli and steam for idk about 15 min. Boil 2 cups of water in another pan for the quinoa and once boiling simmer and pour in quinoa cook 10-15 min. After all cooked put veggies and spagetti sauce in pan with quinoa. slice lemon and squeeze some juice on quinoa mixture and there ya go!!!! sooo yummy!

  • BeautifulDefianceBeautifulDefiance
    Posts: 755Member
    I have recipes for everything, (being a chef was my dream) from olive garden Alfredo sauce and Zuppa Tuscana to deviled egg potato salad. Try this one: cube and brown chicken. Put it in the crock pot with cream of mushroom soup, fresh mushrooms, a package of Lipton onion soup and cook for 4 hours. Put over rice or pasta. Super yummy. You can substitute meatballs if u like
    I prefer not to think before speaking. I like being just as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of my mouth.

    SMSM_s_5

  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    I made @Birdies recipe tonight and it was delish!
    The ingredients had me wondering, I admit, but it was easy and good.