What are some EASY, inexpensive meal ideas to feed a large family?!


Question: What are some EASY, inexpensive meal ideas to feed a large family!?
We are moving in June and I will have 8 adults to feed every night!! I am on a grocery budget and I need to find different meals that will fill everyone up, affordable, that will also taste good- :)
So far I have--Spagetti, Chicken & yellow rice, frozen pizza!
I need something different for each night of the week and also maybe not to repeat it but every other week
Like hamburger night can be either Hamburgers or Hambuger Helper or maybe Meatloaf!
All Ideas will probably be used!
Thanks all you wonderful Mom's out there will a lot of mouths to feed! :) LOLWww@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Here are a few E-Z recipes you might want to try!. Good Luck & enjoy!.

COLA CHICKEN (And more variations of recipe)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup catsup
1 12oz!. can cola (pepsi, coke, etc!.)

Put chicken in a non-stick pan!.
Mix together catsup and cola, pour over chicken!.
Bring to a boil!. Cover, reduce heat and cook 45 minutes!.
(turning chicken a few times, while cooking!.!.!.to prevent from sticking to pan)
Uncover, turn up the heat and continue to cook until the sauce
becomes thick and adheres to the chicken!.
It turns into the most incredible BBQ sauce!. Yummmm!

You can double the recipe and use more pieces of
chicken!.!.!.!.wings!.!.!.would be ideal!.!.!.add some hot sauce!.!.!.!.presto "Hot Wings"!

I have used Ribs, just as good!.

I tried this recipe with 'meatballs'!.!.!.!.was equally
as good!.!.!.served over rice!.

I found another variation!.!.!.!.!.omit the catsup and add a small jar of Salsa (any variety)!.
I have tried using Salsa (omitting the catsup!.!.!.!.not)!.
You'd think a recipe with only '3' ingredients couldn't be messed up!.!.!.!.wouldn't you!?!?
Well!.!.!.while I was preparing to fix the 'Cola Chicken' recipe
using Salsa!.!.!.!.!.I was also trying to carry on a conversation with my
husband!.!.!.(just proves!.!.!.I can't do two things at once)!.!.!.!.mixed Salsa & Catsup (before I realized I was supposed to leave out the catsup) & Cola!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.still turned out really tasty (to me)!.!.!.might be a little sweeter than some of you like!.

I fixed chicken wings, (using the above recipe)
but!.!.!.I added the spices from a MILD (I don't care for "HOT") Buffalo Wings packet!.!.!.(the kind you get to bake in the oven)!.!.!.!.!.I thought it was really good!.!.!.!.!.(but you/I can't find a 'bad' way to fix chicken)!.

Finally!.!.!.!.!! I fixed the 'SALSA' chicken!.!.!.!.!.!.that's good , too!.

Another (bright)idea!.!.!.!.!.I thought of trying!.!.!.!.!.!.replace the
catsup with a bottle of Shrimp Cocktail Sauce!.!.!.and add a bag of (pop corn) shrimp!.!.!.!.!.!
Fixed the shrimp with cocktail sauce!.!.!.!.!.!.eh!.!.!.wasn't all that
great!.!.!.was OK!.!.!.probably won't be fixing it again!.

also tried beef stew cuts!.!.!.!.!.!.that was pretty good!.!.!.!.!.I can see
myself making this again!.
Served both over rice!.!.!.!.!.think the stew cuts would have been just as
good over noodles!.

Try little cocktail weiners/sausages…for appetizers!.





CRUNCHY ONION CHICKEN

1 1/3 cups French’s Original French Fried Onions
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 egg, beaten

LIGHTLY CRUSH:

Onions in a plastic bag!.

DIP:
Chicken in egg

COVER:
With onion crumbs, press firmly to adhere to chicken!.

BAKE:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees!.
Place chicken on lightly greased baking pan!.
Sprinkle with additional onion crumbs, if desired!.
Bake for 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center!.




CHILLI DOG CASSEROLE
1 pkg!. (8) hot dog buns
1 pkg!. (8) hot dogs (use more if you like)
1 can Chilli (15 oz!. without beans, use more if you want)
1 small onion (chopped)
2 cups shredded cheese
mustard


DIRECTIONS: Pre-heat oven 350 degrees
In a 9" x 13" baking pan, break up hot dog buns (bite size) and spread in pan!.
Cut up hot dogs (about 1/2" size) spread over buns!.
Spoon/spred chilli over hot dog/buns!.
Sprinkle onions over all!.
Squirt mustard over entire mixture (don't spread!.!.!.just make a few lines both ways across mixture)
Cover with shredded cheese!.
Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly!.
(Hint: If using extra hot dogs & chilli, don't add extra buns!.)

"Canned Soup"!.
(My Way!)
Whatever cans of veggies I have, that I like, in cabinet it goes in the pot!.!.!.!.!.along with all the juices in the cans!.
Cook on stove top or Crock pot!.
Enjoy!

Canned:
corn
peas
carrots
gr!.beans (any variety)
lima beans
wax beans
tomato (any variety)
potatoes (whole or sliced!.!.!.or both whatever you like)

You get the idea!.!.!.!.lol!.

also add a package of shredded cabbage (cole slaw mix)!.

You can even add a package of onion soup mix!.

If it gets to dry and needs more liquids!.!.!.!.add tomato juice!.!.!.V-8!.!.!.etc!.


(I’ve not made this one yet)
EASY BEEF STROGANOFF

Ingredients:

3/4 lb lean ground beef
1 jar Heinz HomeStyle Savory Beef Gravy (12 oz Jar)
1 can mushrooms, drained (7 oz can)
1/2 cup sour cream
4-6 cups hot cooked noodles
salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a medium skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned and thoroughly cooked!. Carefully drain liquids and return to stovetop!. Stir in Gravy and mushrooms, and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally!. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, until thoroughly combined!. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately over hot noodles!.

Preparation Time: 1-15 minutes
Cook Time: 25+ minutes


(I’ve not made this yet, either…!.just received it!.)
"Corny Beanie Weenies!."
(from a country preacher in Mississippi…wife & 2 teenage sons)

Mix one can of good baked beans
We use a good sized can of beans (14-16 ounces, I think) and
get a kind that we like (maybe with brown sugar, onion, and bacon)!.
There are several kinds of good baked beans!.

and a package of Oscar Meier Weiners (all sliced up)!.

with a can of whole kernel corn (drained)

Any way, heat up these three ingredients, and serve with brown bread
(maybe toasted !?) and a glass of milk!.

It doesn't get any easier than this, and is suprisingly good!

P!.S…!.!.Might put ingredients ina casserole dish and top with corn muffin mix!.



POT ROAST
Your choice of beef (to fit crock-pot)
1 pkg!. dry Ranch dressing mix
1 pkg!. dry Italian dressing mix
1 pkg!. dry Brown Gravy mix
1 cup water
Put beef in pot!.
Mix together all the dry mixes…!.then add water …pour over meat and cover & cook on high 4-6 hours!.
Until meat is tender!.
The first time I mad it I didn’t have the Italian Dressing mix…!.so I added a pkg!. of Onion Soup Mix…!.I have to say I liked that better!.
If you use more water you might want to add more Brown Gravy mix…!.to make a thicker sauce!. Was gonna add
potatoes and carrots…but never got around to it!.


HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

2 lbs!. frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (thawed)
1 bunch green onions, chopped
sweet pepper chopped (red – green – yellow – orange – or a mixture of all)
1 lb!. Sausage, cooked until pink disappears, crumbled
1 cup ham cubes
4 slices crisp bacon, crumbled
1 small can sliced mushrooms
1 small can sliced black olives
2 – 8oz!. packages of shredded cheese
? cup milk
12 eggs beaten
Tabasco (optional)
sour cream & salsa (optional)

Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan, wipe excess with paper towel!.
Spread potatoes on bottom (cand be lightly browned in a skillet first if desired)
Sprinkle sausage over potatoes…then
Peppers…
Mushrooms…
Ham!.!.
Onions (reserve about ? cup)
Mix eggs & milk together……!.I added about 2 TBLS!. Tabasco…more to your taste… pour slowly over all!.
Cover with shredded cheese…!.then sprinkle over all
Remaining onions…
Olives…
Bacon…
Cover and refrigerate overnight!.
Uncover and bake at 375 degrees for 35 – 45 minutes…until browned and cheese is melted!.
Serve with sour cream and/or salsa!.




OLD SETTLER’S BEANS
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 lb!. ground beef
1/2 lb!. bacon
1 chopped onion
Brown in skillet and drain excess grease!.

ADD:
16 oz!. can Red Kidney Beans (drained)
24 oz!. can Pork & Beans (drained)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup Catsup
2 TBLS!. Molasses
1/2 tsp!. dry mustard

Mix Thoroughly !
Cook in a crock pot until!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!


MARINATED VEGGIE SALAD
1 lb!. can French style green beans
1 lb!. can small peas
1 lb!. can white corn
1 - 4oz!. jar pimento (chopped)
1 cup shopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup sugar (I used artificial sweetener)
2/3 cup vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 tsp!. salt
1 tsp!. pepper

1!.)Pour green beans, peas, corn & pimento in a colander to drain over a
large bowl!. Discard 1 1/2 cups of liquid!.
2!.)Put veggies in a large bowl and fold in onions, celery and green
peppers!.
3!.)Mix together thoroughly the remaining ingredients and toss with
veggies!.
4!.)Cover and let sit over night in refrigerator!. (The longer it marinates the better!.)

Desserts/Snacks


POUND CAKE

Combine:
2 sticks butter
1 2/3 cup sugar

Beat in:
5 eggs (1 at a time)

Add:
2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon rum extract

Mix thoroughly and bake 1 hour at 325 degrees!.



E-Z Candy
(All recipes are mixed the same!.)

Melt ingredients, seperately in microwave until runny!.
Mix together and pour into serving dish!.
Chill until firm, cut & serve!.

Chocolate Fudge:
16 oz!. container of Fudge Frosting
1 bag of Chocolate Chips (any flavor you like)

Peanut Butter Fudge #1:
1 small jar Peanut Butter (18 oz!.)
2 bags of Peanut Butter Chips

Peanut Butter Fudge #2:
1 small jar Peanut Butter (18oz!.)
16 oz!. container of White Frosting

Marshmallow Nougat:
1 small jr Marshmallow Creme
1 bag White Chocolate Chips
1 tsp!. Almond Flavoring
1 small bag Chopped Nuts

(I've made this without the flavoring & nuts!.!.!.!.I want to try
rolling
into balls and dipping in a chocolate coating!.!.!.!.sounds good to
me!.)

I've doubled all the above recipes!. The Marshmallow Nougat
recipe!.!.!.doubled and added a container of white frosting (had an
extra one!.!.!.!.so thought!.!.!.!.why not!)

I use a double boiler!.!.(prefer the double
boiler)!.!.!.add chips in first !.!.!.then rest of
ingredients!.!.!.!.!.saving
nuts and flavorings for last!.


Kreamy Kool-Aid Pie

1-(6 g) package un sweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix
1-(14 oz!.)can sweetened condensed milk
1-(8 oz)container Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed!.
1-(Www@FoodAQ@Com

I'm a family of 6 so I know what you mean!. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes always makes a lot in my house!. I use 2 lbs of ground turkey, grated onions, minced green and red pepper, a half a bottle of heinz 57 sauce, seasoning salt , pepper, garlic powder,Worcestershire sauce,1 egg, a sleeve of unsalted ritz crackers crushed and make into a loaf and bake!. Sometimes I top with ketchup and molasses for a topping!. I boil about 9 potatoes and make mashed potatoes and serve with green peas!.

also, you can also do sandwhiches and soup or pastina with chicken broth and parmesean or mac and cheese

And stir fry or fajitas with a side of rice always makes a lot in my house too!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I actually like to cook and cannot stop at making small amounts of food for two!. I cook for four to six people just in case I want to invite someone or two to stay and eat lunch or dinner with us!.
fillet of sole or salmon with a salad and a baked potato
hamburgers on a bun with a salad and a cooked veggie
Shepherd's pie casserole with a salad
chicken or beef meatloaf with a side of mixed veggies
Bean salad as a side with tuna wraps
beef stew with mashed potatoes
cabbage rolls unstuffed and fresh green beans
I like my meals to take no more than 1 hour to prepare from beginning to end, so my recipes must be very quick and organized!. I plan them for that
These suggestions have many menu variations that can be found on the recipe web-sites for exact ingredients!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I live in a family of 9 so I understand what you're going through!. Every other week, we always include a taco bar!. Get a box of tacos and a bag of tortillas, that way they have a choice between tacos or soft tacos!. Have lots of different toppings like meat, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, black olives, sour cream, chilis, whatever you like!
Good Luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com

My favorite quick and easy meal is beef stroganoff!

1 lb ground beef
1 bag wide egg noodles
2 can (8 oz) Cream of mushroom soup
1 (8 oz) of sour cream

Cook ground beef, drain!. Boil pasta, drain!.
Combine all ingredients in a big pan! Let simmer about 5 minutes or until all the ingredients are hot! THEN ITS DONE! Add salt and pepper to taste!

I always serve with a salad and buttered bread!.

This makes 4-6 servings! and leftovers are so goooood the next day! I hope the family enjoys it! =)

For such a big family I would double this recipe!Www@FoodAQ@Com

Chicken enchiladas are easy and stretch!.Flour tortillas,chopped onions,chopped up chicken meat(or beef)and 2 cans green enchilada sauce!.Put your onions,meat and 1 can of sauce to heat thru!.Take a slotted spoon and scoop out meat,roll inside a tortilla!.line them up in a large pan(spray with Pam so no sticking)!.Pour all sauce in over the enchiladas and top with cheese and bake for 30 mins at 350!.Serve beans and rice or just a green salad!.!.!.!.Hope this helps!.I make 2 per person for my gang!.!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Eggplant parmasean is filling and not to costly!. Lasagna is another good meal, either veggie or meat!. Oven fried Chicken goes far!. Chicken Divan!. Have a salad night with tuna, potato salad, coleslaw, carrot salad, tabouli, BBQ hamburgers and Hot Dogs!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

yes i understand!. do boil turkey wings and rice or noddles and you can add whatever veggie of your choice good luckWww@FoodAQ@Com

These are large batches of my family's favorite meals!

3 Bean Chili

2-2!.5 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cans each black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans
2 cans petit diced tomatoes
2 cans condensed tomato soup
3 packets chili seasoning mix

Brown the meat and onions!. Add the chili seasoning packets and stir, cooking a minute or 2!. Add the beans, juice and all, the tomatoes, juice and all, and the tomato soup!. Simmer 30 minutes and serve as desired!.

Poor Man's Beef Stroganoff

2-2!.5 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 (8 oz) container sour cream
salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Brown the meat and onion!. Stir in the soup and salt, pepper, and garlic powder!. Stir in the sour cream and simmer about 10-15 minutes!. Serve over egg noodles!.


Spoonburgers

2-2!.5 lbs ground beef
2-3 tablespoons flour
2 cans french onion soup

Brown the meat!. Sprinkle in the flour and cook a minute or 2!. Stir in the soup and simmer 10 minutes!. Should be the consistency of sloppy joes!. Serve on hamburger buns!.

Good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com

boiled pasta with tomato and basil sauce, cooked with plenty of onions and served with grated cheese!. eat with toasted buttered bread!.

tortilla: shallow fry onions and sliced boiled potatoes inside a large casserole!. add eggs separately beaten with salt, pepper, grated cheese!. then cook till set!. turn once using another big casserole or a large serving plate!.

mash ans sausages!.

huge pot of lentils, hard boiled, then drained then shallow fried in a casserole with sausages!. delicious

polenta; buy polenta from any supermarket!. very cheap but nutritious and filling!. cook in hot water!. serve topped with tomato sauce, to which you can add peppers, mushrooms and anything you may fancy!.

pork chop meal: shallow fried!. salt, pepper and lemon juice!. can use some rosemary during cooind, to give it that good taste!.

cook pizza of your own!. flour, salt, oil, milk, and yeast!. rest in warm place away from drafts for 2 hours!. then spread on a baking tray and top with: tomato sauce (raw) and mozzarella or any other cheese!. cook for 15 minutes at 160!. use any toppings you like!. very cheap but tasty and filling!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I come from a family of 11, so at one point we were in the same boat as you!.

What we often had was:

Casserole
Meat-Loaf
Tacos
Sloppy Joe's
Pastas (especially because there's so many types of sauces and noodles out there so it's versatile)
Roast Beef & Gravy
Baked Mac & Cheese
Tuna Casserole
Beef Stroganoff
Chop Suey
Tater Tot Casserole
Corned Beef Hash
and pretty much anything that can be made in a slow cooker!



Breakfast Casserole:
INGREDIENTS:
4 slices bread
12 to 16 ounces bacon or sausage, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
PREPARATION:
Grease the bottom of a 9"x13" pan!. Tear up 4 slices of bread and place in the bottom of the pan!. Sprinkle cooked crubled bacon or sausage over bread pieces!. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the bacon or sausage!. Mix eggs, milk and mustard together; pour over casserole!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

We have 4 in our family, but we have hugh get togethers with our family at least twice a mth!.


King ranch casserole:

1 pkg fresh chicken tenders
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 pkg corn tortillas
1 pkg shredded chedder cheese

I usually try to cook bacon in the morning, so that I have the bacon grease to cook the chicken in!. It adds a lot of flavor!.
Cook chicken and cut into small chunks!. Add rotel and simmer for a few minutes!. Then add cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup!. Let it cook just long enough to warm!. Take a few of the corn tortillas and cut them in half!. In a cake pan, add a small amount of the chicken mixture!. On top of that, put a layer of the tortillas!. Then add some cheese!. Continue layering until all of the chicken mixture is gone!. Make sure to keep plenty of cheese for the top!. Bake at 350° til top is golden and bubbly!.
___________________________________

Tortilla soup:

1 pkg chicken tenders
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can rotel tomatoes
1-2 cans chicken broth
1 pkg graded chedder cheese
1 pkg corn tortillas
3 diced avacados

Again it adds a lot of flavor if you cook the chicken in bacon grease!. Cook chicken and cut into small pieces!. Add rotel and simmer!. Add cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and broth!. While soup is simmering, cut tortillas into strips and place under the broiler until crispy!. Serve!.
I usually put tortilla strips, avacados, and shredded cheese in bowls, and put the out on the table!. This way everyone can add what they want!
You can double or triple this recipe, depending on the size of your group!. Freeze the leftovers for another meal!. Even better the next time around!
Hope this helps, and let me know if you need more ideas!Www@FoodAQ@Com

Why not do a casserole!? Chicken and broccoli!. I usually take a 4 chicken breast, cook them with good seasoning, either on the stove, or baked!. I wouldn't recommend boiling though, that takes all the flavour out of the chicken!.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (109 degrees C)!.
In a bowl mix cheddar cheese soup, or mushroom soup (whatever you like), sour cream, milk, an egg!. Mix in chicken and broccoli!. Pour into casserole dish!. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and shredded cheese!. Bake for 30 minutes!.

Another is lasagna!. My husband always used to think it was expensive to make, however, it cost almost the same as spaghetti!. If you buy the sauce it keeps the cost down!. also, I would suggest buying the noodles that you don't have to cook before hand!. It makes it a lot easier to layer!.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)!.
Cook the meat, drain fat and add the sauce!. In another bowl I like to add ricotta cheese, one egg, and Parmesan cheese!. Then you can start layering!. Put meat on the bottom, cover with mozzarella cheese slices, noodles, then spread the ricotta mixture!. Keep doing this until you have built up they layers ending with the mozzarella slices!. Cover with foil and bake for 25mins!. Check on the back of the lasagna noodles!. Some vary on times!. Remove foil and bake until cheese is nice and bubbly!!

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great!!Www@FoodAQ@Com





The consumer Foods information on foodaq.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007 FoodAQ - Terms of Use - Contact us - Privacy Policy

Food's Q&A Resources