Cheap, Easy Meal Recipes?!

Budget Minded Recipes
Here's a few you might like!.
Enjoy!.!.!.!.!.Pat in Indiana!.

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!.

How about using the little cocktail weiners/sausages!?



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!.


Mushroom Chicken

4 boneless/skinless chicken breast (or any pieces you like)
1 can cream of mushroom soup!.
1 can water

Place chicken in crock pot (or sauce pan for stove top cooking)
mix soup & 1 can of water together
pour over chicken
cook on medium heat until boiling then reduce heat and cook until chicken is really tender & falling apart!.

Serve over noodles or rice or dressing!.!.!.!.or!?!?!?


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




"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!.



E-Z Cake Recipes

NO EGGS, NO OIL, NO WATER !.!.!.!.!.!.!.JUST 1 12oz!.SODA AND MIX!.


WHITE CAKE MIX………………………………!.!.7-UP OR STRAWBERRY SODA
CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX!.!.!.!.!.!.!.CHERRY SODA (BLACK FOREST)
ORANGE CAKE MIX…!.ORANGE SODA
PINEAPPLE MIX…!.PINEAPPLE SODA
SPICE MIX…!.!.ROOT BEER SODA ETC

POUR CAKE MIX IN BOWL
ADD SODA USE LOAF CAKE PAN
BAKE 350 DEGREES AS BOX SAYS!.
(PREPARE PAN WITH SPRAY)
Your choice of frostings or use cool whip!.





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!.


CAKE MIX COOKIES
White Cake Mix
2 Tablespoons water
2 eggs
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts
powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients, except powdered sugar!.

Drop batter (about a teaspoon per cookie) into a bowl of powdered sugar!.

Roll in sugar until it is an approximate shape of a ball!.

Place ion a lightly greased cookie sheet!.

Bake at 350 degrees about 18 minutes, until lightly browned!.

Cool on wire racks!. Makes about 4 dozen cookies!.

(Use any flavoring or cake mix you desire!.)



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-(9 inch) Graham Cracker Pie Crust (or Cookie crust)
Cool Whip for top (optional)

1!. In a medium bowl mix Kool-Aid and condensed milk, thoroughly!.
2!. Fold in Cool Whip!.
4!. If desired, spread more Cool Whip on top!.
5!. Chill for a minimum of 4 hours!.

I’ve used: Strawberry…Cherry…Lemon-lime (Key-Lime Pie)…!.Lemonade (Lemon Pie…might add some yellow food coloring for a more lemony look!.)Www@FoodAQ@Com

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Black beans, rice, cornbread
Pasta (any kind) with ground beef meat sauce
Chili
Chicken noodle casserole ( Boil egg noodles till tender!. Place them in a casserole dish with a can of mushroom soup and some peas, some chicken(pre-cooked), black pepper to taste!. Mix well!. sprikle top with a crumb mixture (saltine crackers finely ground 1pack, parmesean or romano grated cheese1/4cup, and oil-enough to moisten all the crumbs!. Bake till golden on top!.

Salmon noodles- Can of Salmon (or any other fish you like) a small can ot tomato sauce (Ketchup can be substituted) season to taste (garlic, pepper, grated cheese) and a little vegetable oil (~2 tablespoons) mix well and warm up on stove top or microwave (cover in microwave so you don't get gremlins :+) Add to some cooked pasta and stir!.
One thing I do when on a tight budget, is serve the food in a more decorative way than usual!. ie-crackers or chips around the edge of a bowl of beans etc!. Then the kids don't complain about beans!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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http://answers!.yahoo!.com/question/index;!.!.!.

I went through yahoo answers and looked up "cheap meals" in "search for questions" before, that helped me!.!.!.

This was a link I've used and likedWww@FoodAQ@Com

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Hotdogs are cheap and very tasty :) Kids also love macaroni-n-cheese!. :)

You can even add chili to the hotdogs and that makes them even more delicious!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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Just googled & found a bunch of stuff!.!.!. this one looks like a good place to start!. :)

http://www!.frugalrecipes!.com/Www@FoodAQ@Com

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peanut butter sandwiches and popcornWww@FoodAQ@Com

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Baked Potatoes

Large baked potato for each person
Sweet onion sliced
Butter

Wash baked potato!. Split the baked potato lengthwise down the center!. Place a pat of butter into the potato!. I use about 2 tbls!. Add a slice of onion on top of butter!. Use more or less onion!. I normally use ? onion per potato!. Place the potato halves together and wrap with foil!. Wrap it again!. Needs to be double wrapped!. Place in pan or directly on grill!. Cook at 350 for 1!.5 to 2 hours!. Knife should pierce all the way through foil and potato when done!.


Oven Fried Potatoes

5 potatoes washed and cut into bite size pieces
1 onion chopped into large pieces
Garlic salt
Salt
Pepper

Preheat oven to 350* or cook on grill!. Place potatoes and onion into large bowl!. Add about ? cup vegetable oil!. Mix until potato and onion pieces are coated!. Season with garlic, salt and pepper!. Mix well!. Place in aluminum pan or pan lined with foil!. Cover with foil and cook 1!.5 hours!. Potatoes and onions will be tender!.


Squash Casserole

1 pkg Colby jack cheese shredded
1 yellow squash
1 zucchini squash
1 can corn drained
? onion
1 can stewed tomatoes

In saucepan, slice both squash and onion into bite size slices and boil with salt and pepper!. Boil until tender!. Only use enough water to barely cover the squash!. Add stewed tomatoes and corn!. Simmer about 7 min!. Remove from burner!. Spread shredded cheese, more or less depending on taste buds and cover until cheese is melted!.


Croutons

Day old bread
Parmesan Cheese

Slice bread into bite size cubes!. Place into shallow baking pan!. Add a little bit of oil to pan!. Bake at 300* for 25 minutes!. Stirring once!. Remove from oven and sprinkle on cheese!.



Yummy Beans
(can be cooked on grill)

4 cans Pork N Beans (DO NOT USE STORE BRAND)
1 onion
1 bell pepper
? cup Karo Syrup (light)
Brown Sugar
? jar BBQ Sauce (I prefer the Hickory Smoke Flavor)
Cheap Foil Pan

Chop up onion and bell pepper add to pan!. Drain beans and add to pan!. Add salt and pepper to taste!. Add BBQ and Karo Syrup!. Mix well!. Add brown sugar ( I like to use @ 1 cup) Mix Well!. Cook at 350* for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly!. Stir often


Potato Salad

1 ? cups Cooked Diced potatoes
3 tbls chopped celery
1 tbls chopped onion
2 tbls mayo
? tsp mustard
1/8 tsp salt
Dash of pepper

Mix potatoes, celery and onion!. Set aside!. Mix mayo, mustard, salt and pepper!. I use more mayo and mustard for my family!. Stir into potato mixture!. Chill in fridge for 1 hr before serving!.

Chicken Fried Steak

Steak
Egg
Milk
Flour

Salt and pepper steaks!. Mix egg and milk into bowl!. Soak steak on both sides!. Pour flour into separate bowl!. Put steak into flour coating both sides!. Repeat!. Heat oil to medium heat!. Cook steaks until no longer pink!. Flip steak often!.

Lasagna

Box of Lasagna Noodles
2 lbs ground beef
2 lg cans tomato paste
2 pkgs spaghetti sauce mix
Lg carton cottage cheese
2 tbls parsley
1 egg
1 lg pkg mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350*F!. Place noodles in boiling water!. Boil 15 min, drain and let stand in cold water!. Brown meat and drain!. Add tomato paste, 1 can water (use paste can) and sauce mix to meat!. Cover and simmer!. Place cottage cheese in bowl, add parsley and egg!. Grease a layer pan!. Layer starting with meat sauce, noodles, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese!. Repeat!. Make sure meat sauce is on top!. Bake 40 min!.


Ranch Beef Skillet Supper

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg seasoned rice and black beans
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Ro-Tel)
1 pkg frozen corn kernels ( I use a can sometimes)
? cup cilantro (sometimes I make without)
1 cup shredded cheese

Cook beef in large skillet!. Drain!. Stir in rice, beans, tomatoes, corn and 2 ? cups water!. Bring to a boil!. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minor until water is absorbed!. Sprinkle on cilantro and cheese!. Eat with tortilla chips!.


Easy Sugar Cookies

2 ? cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
? tsp baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 ? cups white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat over to 375* F!. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder!. Set aside!. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth!. Beat in egg and vanilla!. Gradually blend in dry ingredients!. Roll dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets!. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven or until golden brown!. Let stand 2 min on cookie sheet before removing to cool on racks!.


Banana Pudding

2 box vanilla pudding
1 box vanilla wafers
8oz sour crème
1 container of cool whip
5 bananas chopped
3 cups of milk

Mix pudding in milk!. Add sour crème and mix!. Fold in cool whip!. Layer wafers, bananas and pudding mix in pan!. Keep in fridge!.

Chocolate Crème Pie

1 ? cups cold milk
1 lg package Chocolate instant pudding
1 container Cool Whip, thawed
1 prepared graham cracker crust, 9 inch

Pour cold milk into large mixing bowl!. Add pudding mix!. Beat with wire whisk until well mixed!. (Mix will be thick) Gently stir in cool whip!. Spoon into crust!. Refrigerate the pie for 4 hours or until set!.


Hobo Dinner
(can also be cooked on grill in Aluminum Pan)

1 pound ground beef
5 potatoes peeled and cut into steak fries
4 lg carrots peeled and sliced lengthwise
1 onion, peeled and sliced into rings ( I always do 2 or 3 onions)
Salt
Black pepper
Garlic Salt

Preheat oven to 400* F!. Line a 9x13x2 inch pan with foil!. Shape the ground beef into patties and place in pan!. Layer the vegetables on top of the patties!. Starting with potatoes, carrots and then onions!. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt!. Cover with foil and seal the edges!. Bake for 1 hr or till desired doneness!.


Mexican Casserole

1 lb hamburger
1 small chopped onion
1 can crème of chicken soup
1 can crème of mushroom soup
1 can rotel, partially drained
1 can ranch style beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Crushed tortilla chips

Brown hamburger and onion!. Drain!. Mix together soups, rotel, beans and corn!. In a casserole dish put down a layer of crushed tortilla chips!. Make sure the bottom of the pan is covered with the crushed tortilla chips!. Add the hamburger and onion mix!. Add the cheese!. Pour the soup mixture over meat!. Cover with another layer of chips!. Bake at 400*F until bubbling!. Top with more cheese and bake until cheese melts!.
Serve with tortilla chips or tortillas!.

Poor Boy Enchiladas

8 Flour tortillas
2 cups shredded cheese
1 med onion chopped
1 can Wolf Brand Chili no beans

Preheat over to 350* F!. Heat tortillas in microwave for 15 seconds!. Mix onion and cheese together in bowl!. Place a medium size amount of cheese onion mix into flour tortilla and roll!. Place in a greased baking pan!. Use a toothpick to hold tortilla together!. Heat the chili for 2 min in microwave!. Pour chili over enchiladas!. Cook for 20 min!.




Chili

1 ? lbs ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 can kidney beans rinsed and drained
2 cans rotel
? cup salsa
1 tbls chili powder
Salt
Pepper

Brown ground beef and onions!. Drain meat!. Place meat and onions into crock-pot!. Add the remaining ingredients!. Stir well!. Cook on low for 5 hours!. I add milk to the boys bowls since it is too spicy for them!.

Mexican Cornbread

1 box corn bread mix
1 can creamed corn
1 egg
? cup milk
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
1 small onion chopped (some people only use half)

Brown ground beef!. Drain add taco seasoning and ? cup of water!. Simmer for 5 minutes!. While meat is cooking mix cornbread mix, egg and milk!. Spread half the mixture in casserole pan!. Pour meat on top of cornbread mix!. Spread corn, than onion, than cheese on top of meat!. Top with remaining cornbread mix!. Bake at 400*F for 30 min or until golden and set!.

Tator Tot casserole

2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion chopped
Large can of Crème of Mushroom Soup
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Tator Tots

Preheat over according to tator tot instructions!. Brown ground beef and onion!. Drain and place in 9x13 baking pan!. Mix soup with small amount of water!. I use maybe 3 tbls!. Pour soup over meat!. Cover with cheese and add tator tots!. Cook for time on tator tot instructions!.


Taco Pie
1 can crescent rolls
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 lb hamburger
1 bag plain tortilla chips
1 small container of sour crème
1 ? cups cheddar cheese
1 onion chopped (optional)

Brown meat and onion!. Drain meat!. Add taco seasoning and ? cup water!. Simmer 5 minutes!. Spray a lrg casserole dish with cooking spray!. Line dish with rolls and add about 1 cup crushed chips!. Top with meat mix!. Spread sour crème and sprinkle cheese over all!. Spread more crushed chips on top!. Bake at 350*F for 25 minutes!.


Breakfast Burritos

1 lb pork sausage
12 eggs
? cups Cheese shredded
1 tsp butter
10- 12 flour tortillas

Brown the sausage and add eggs!. Do not drain sausage!! Scramble eggs!. When done remove from heat!. Heat tortillas for 15 sec in the microwave!. Spread butter onto tortillas, add 1 spoonful of cheese and egg mix in each tortilla!. Roll tightly and wrap in plastic wrap!. Keep refrigerated until ready to eat!. Use within 5 days!.
To reheat: Heat on high for 45 sec in microwave!.


King Ranch Chicken

? cup butter
1 medium green bell pepper chopped
1 medium onion chopped
1 can crème of mushroom soup
1 can crème of chicken soup
2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies (Ro-Tel)
2 cups cooked chicken cubed
12 corn tortillas
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Preheat oven to 325*
Tear corn tortillas into bite sized pieces and set aside!. In a lg saucepan, cook bell pepper and onion in margarine until tender, about 5 minutes!. Add soups, tomatoes and chicken stirring until well blended!. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray!. Alternately layer tortillas, soup mix and cheese repeating for 3 layers!. Bake 40 min or uWww@FoodAQ@Com

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For breakfast, there is nothing quite so satisfying as oatmeal!. Buy the big round box, not the little packets!. It will stretch further!. You can decorate it with fruit!.!.!.choc chips, maple syrup!. For cold cereal, you never have to pay full price!.!.!.there are always coupons for big names, and sales, and store brands and bagged cereals are just as good when your fav name brand is not on sale!.

Cold cereal may not be a bargain however, if you factor in the cost of milk, esp if you have a hard time keeping fresh milk in the house and throw out a lot of milk!.

Peanut butter is a very family friendly and cheap protein!.

Bananas are consistently cheap fruit!. So are raisins!. We are getting into cheap melon season and berries and grapes should be coming down as well!. Apples and oranges are high this time of year!.

Juicy Juice is pretty economical for being 100% juice!. So is Dole 100% Juice, and comes in a lot of interesting blends!.

Ground turkey is about half the price of hamburger, and is healthier, and is a direct sub in any hamburger recipe!.

Rice is cheap, so are dried beans!. Together they are a complete protein!. This is a staple dish around the world!.

Cabbage is a cheap veg all year, so are iceburg lettuce and carrots!. Cucumbers will be coming down in price soon, as will tomatos, and there is usually a special on some type of potato!. For other veg sides, I would honestly buy frozen!. Not much sacrifice in nutrition, plus you get portion control, you can make exactly the amount you want without wasting!. And they don't spoil in a couple days like fresh produce!.

Only buy as much milk as your family can drink!. Don't overbuy because it is expensive!. Oddly organic milk and lactose free milk seem to last a LOT longer if you tend to throw out milk!. It is more expensive but there is a better chance you will be able to use it up!.

For meat!.!.!.whole chickens!.!.!.roast one of these up for a cheap yet elegant dinner for any occasion, including entertaining!. Others!.!.!.whole turkeys!. You can also buy flash frozen legs and thighs for grilling, BBQ, and frying!. Stay away from lunch meat which is worse for you, and more expensive due to packaging and processing!.

Hillshire farms sausages are a handy and relatively cheap meat product!. You can toss them in a pot with potatos, cabbage, and feed your family of four for about 5 bucks!.

Stir fry and casseroles are good because rather than having a whole portion of meat, you can use less and not miss it!.

I like store brands because I usually don't notice a difference between them and the name brand, and they are significantly cheaper!. Buying store brands I almost always save more than a brand name with a coupon, which makes coupons obsolete for me!.

I also buy a lot of bulk products, make huge batches of basic foods with it (my two big items are spaghetti sauce, and taco meat) and then freeze it!. No waste, easy cleanup (one big mess instead of making the same thing over and over) and I make use of sales!.This is my version of convenience food and it is better, more nutritious, and cheaper!.

Make sure you have proper storage containers and manage your leftovers!.

Make menus and try to follow them to get the most from your budget!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

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