Top 10 Budget Meals

Here is a list of 10 easy meals you can make with many of the foods you stockpile through couponing.

1. Mac and Cheese – This is a meal that’s easy to make and a favorite with the kids. Mix one box of macaroni or similar pasta with a block of cheese. Velveeta works well, but the store brand is probably cheaper. After boiling and draining the noodles, add the cheese and the milk. You might also consider adding chopped sausages, ground beef, or canned tuna for some protein.

2. Tortilla Pizza – This is much cheaper than buying a frozen pizza (unless they’re on sale) and can be fun for kids to make. You’ll need a pack of tortilla bread, a jar of pizza sauce, a pack of shredded cheese, and whatever toppings you choose. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place the tortillas on a cookie sheet then add the sauce and toppings. Cook in the oven for 5 minutes.

3. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry – Who said that Ramen noodles had to be eaten on their own? This meal will make them taste completely different. All you need is a one or two packages of Ramen noodles, a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, and meat to go with it (chicken or beef usually work well). Boil the noodles and brown the meat, then cook it all together with some oil and other seasoning. This dish will taste best if you match the Ramen flavoring with the meat you cook.

4. Beef and Rice Casserole – For this meal, you need a pound of ground beef, 2 cups of rice, one package of onion soup mix, a can of cream of mushroom soup, and 4 cups of water. Brown the meat, then combine all the ingredients and bring the mix to a boil. Cover and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.

5. “Hamburger Helper” Casserole – No, you don’t need to go buy boxes of Hamburger Helper for this recipe – this will probably taste better! You need one pound of ground beef or turkey, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 chopped onion, garlic, one can of creamy soup, and ½ cup of water. Brown the meat, then combine all of the ingredients until heated thoroughly. Serve with cooked noodles.

6. Taco Salad – This definitely beats going to Taco Bell. Cook one pound of ground beef in taco seasoning. Place it in a bowl and combine with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips. You might want to serve this with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole as well.

7. Egg Noodle Lasagna – This recipe is made with a crock-pot, so it’s great for a long Saturday or Sunday around the house. You’ll need 7 – 8 cups of egg noodles, 3 tablespoons of butter, a pound of ground beef, 2 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce, 7 ounces of diced cheese (Velveeta or store brand), and 3 cups of shredded mozzarella. Cook and drain the noodles, then toss in butter until the noodles are fully coated. Then brown the beef. Next, put ¼ of the sauce in the cooker, followed by 1/3 of the noodles and beef. Then layer another ¼ of the sauce and 1/3 of the cheese. Continue to layer the ingredients in this way until you have nothing left. Cook for 4 to 5 hours.

8. Pizza Bake – This recipe makes a type of pizza casserole that works well if you don’t have anything for the crust. You’ll need one pound of ground beef, 16 ounces of pizza sauce, 2 cups rotini noodles, 2/3 cup milk, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, and garlic and oregano for seasoning. You might also consider adding “topping” ingredients like pepperoni or mushrooms. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brown the meat, then stir in the pizza sauce and any seasoning or toppings. Cook the rotini noodles and combine with the milk. When all this is finished, pour half of the meat sauce in a casserole dish, followed by the rotini and the shredded cheese. Repeat this layering once more. Then cover and back for 25-30 minutes.

9. Chicken Noodle Soup – This is a warm winter favorite that’s easy to make. Depending on how many you serve, boil 3-6 chicken breasts in water, then take the chicken out, shred it, and put it back in the same water you boiled it in. Add chopped onion, carrots, peas, chicken broth/cubes, noodles, and seasoning. Boil until the noodles are completely cooked.

10. Shepherd’s Pie – This is an English favorite for a cold day. All you need is hamburger, beef broth, potatoes, and any combination of vegetables – corn, carrots, peas, onions, green beans, etc. Brown the hamburger and mash the potatoes. Cook the vegetables with the meat and broth for a few minutes, then put the meat and vegetable combination in a casserole dish. Layer the mashed potatoes on top and bake in the oven at 300 degrees F for 20 minutes.

This has been a guest post by Joseph Morris.

Joseph is a food enthusiast who loves to find new ways to cook on a budget. He also owns the site http://www.culinaryartscollege.org/ for students interested in getting a degree in culinary arts.

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