Budget Meals

[DohDohBird]

Rice with gravy is a dirt cheap comfort meal. Just make up a batch of your preferred gravy, white or brown, and boil some rice. Sometimes I put bits of veggies or meat in, but it's delish by itself.

[mardhines]

I am famous for freezing leftover tidbits of foods, ( even as little as a couple of tablespoons), in one large freezer container. I combine these with ramen noodles, the soup base, along with what ever else I may have on hand. These might be, onion, a carrot, celery, a can of spam, diced, and make what my family likes to call.... Gruell. It doesn't sound great, but "most" of the time, it is very tasty, and nutricious, and fills the empty tummy.

[momof5]

boil hot dogs and then cut them almost half but not all the way and then add some mashed potatoes and then cheese and broil that for a few minutes yummmy

[suey]

I like to cook bacon and eggs for dinner or grilled cheese and tomato soup. They are favorites and never get a negative response frm anyone.

[QueenSissi]

Soup is always a must at our home and we usually have for dessert fruit cut into small pieces with yogurt. Everybody likes it and it is dinner...

[daylatedollarshort07734]

Garbage can soup. Just as it sounds. Instead of throwing away that tablespoon or two of peas, carrots, etc left after dinner it goes into a bag or bowl in the freezer. I do the same with a single piece of beef, chicken, etc. As time has gone by I have learned to store veggies that would be appropriate used together in the same container. When you want to make soup just take out the items you want to use add some water, a few bouillon cubes some tomato sauce if you want and the spices your family likes. When done to your liking add some cooked rice or pasta and serve. Always turns out great, the family loves it and actually will ask for it !!

[ange_shephard]

My favorite thing to make when money's tight and it's just before payday is usually what my mom called "Tuna Melts" it's made with a can of drained tuna, mixed with mayo and mustard, spread onto a piece of bread with a slice of cheese on top. You cook it until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasty. I can usually make 8 of them with this which feeds 4 people.

Another thing that my kids enjoy is "Pizza Dogs", which is hot dog wieners on a piece of bread (or hot dog bun if you have them), pizza sauce (I mix mine from tomato paste, water and spices...usually Italian Mrs.Dash, but you can use ketchup if you don't have any other sauces), a slice of cheese (I usually have mozza slices, but grated cheese of any choice works),, and top with oregano. Place in the microwave until cheese melts.

[nascar88racing]

Chicken Mush



Chicken boullion or broth (enough for a bowl, cup, etc.)
saltines


Heat the chicken boullion/broth then add saltines. Tastes like chicken noodle soup without the chicken and the noodles.

I eat this alot when theres no money/groceries.

[Ms Gee]

Soup with left over vegies and what ever meat on hand. Fresh bread or warmed up bread.

[BarefootMama]

My fave 'bare bones' recipe is actually pea soup!

I started buying dried peas from the bulk bins at the grocery store and now have a nice stash. Its a great, quick meal. If you have some meat on hand, you can add that too or else just have it plain. Yummy!