During this time of year, I am always on the lookout for cheap Fall meals. I’m not looking for just any cheap meal, though. As crazy as our house becomes during the first few weeks of school between Back to School Nights and the wrapping up our summer activities, the last thing I have time to do is spend hours in the kitchen preparing dinner. My solution is that during the Fall months I often prepare a couple of extra dinners on Saturday that I can make ahead of time for the coming week. Those are the types of cheap meals I’m looking for.
Does that sound like I’m hoping for too much? I don’t think so. I’ve found a few favorites that I rely on, but I’m always on the lookout for something new. If I share a few of mine, will you share yours?
Macaroni Bake – This hearty pasta bake is filling and easy to make. A pound of hamburger (sautéed), a couple of cups of pasta (boiled), two cans of tomato soup and a can of corn are all combined in a casserole dish. Then, simply bake in the oven for twenty minutes or so to enjoy a bubby, tasty meal. A simple salad is the perfect complement to this dish.
Chicken Casserole – Although this dish takes a long time to bake, its prep time is really fast. Boil five or six chicken breasts until they are thoroughly cooked. Place them in a casserole dish and cover them with ½ can of cream of chicken and ½ can of cream of celery soup. Add two cans of vegetable mix on top and then the rest of each can of soup. (I stop here to freeze the meal and start again on the day I want to eat the meal.) Bake the mixture at 350 degrees until it bubbles. Layer the contents of a can of refrigerated biscuits across the top to form a crust and continue baking until the biscuits are done. Yummy!
Mom’s Meatloaf – No meal is as comforting as a warm slice of meatloaf. We use two pounds of hamburger, ½ cup of bread crumbs, an egg, two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of dry mustard, 2/3 cup of barbecue sauce, and a dash of salt and pepper to create our meatloaf. Mush the whole mixture together (my kids love to help with this). Place into two loaf pans and cook for thirty minutes or so.
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We make crock pot chili, easier than a box of mac and cheese and it lends itself to lots of leftovers. It’s a hot meal that’s comforting as the days get colder. And we make it for under $3.00 for a big batch.
Yes, but for this recipe, my first question would be: Do you know how to correctly shop for chicken? When its not on sale it can be as high as $5.99 per pound. On special where I go it is $1.99 per pound. Anyone that pays more than this is wasting their money.
Another idea–try out some new veggies. I recently saw fresh green beans for $1.19 per pound at my farmer’s market. Without even thinking I know that is cheaper than just about any other veggie out there. We picked some up, boiled them for 6-8 minutes, sauteed them with a little red peppper, fresh garlic and salt and pepper, and they were out of this world!!