Thursday, December 3, 2020

Less Than 5 - Frugal and Easy

 People are watching their dollars every where.  Christmas is coming and much of the extra funds are going for that.  People are staying home and using what they have on hand.

BORED of the same old meals?
Today I will share with you a couple recipes that are less than 5 ingredients (should have in the pantry) and they are super easy and frugal.


OLD FASHIONED SPOON BREAD
1 C flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
Blend these together and ADD 3/4 C water.
Drop by tablespoon into a heavy skillet filled a 1/4 in deep of hot oil.  Flip over when bubbles appear along the edges.  Heat to golden brown on each side.
Kind of looks like an English muffin, but is very soft on the inside.  Top with butter and dab of jelly - Mmmmm.


SALSA LASAGNA  (no meat needed)
16 oz. can refried beans or equivalent of homemade
1 C salsa
9 lasagna noodles (cooked)
1 C cottage cheese
1 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese

Combine beans and salsa and heat in a small saucepan - till warm (makes it spreadable).  Spread 2 Tbsp. or so in an ungreased 8x8 pan.  Place 3 noodles on top.  Layer with half of remaining salsa mixture & half of cottage cheese and then 1/2 C cheddar.
Repeat layers beginning with noodles - top remaining noodles with cheddar.  Bake at 350* for about 30 minutes until bubbly.


MINER'S STEW
1 lb. ground beef - browned
8 potatoes - peeled and sliced
1 onion - sliced
8 oz. tomato sauce
salt & pepper to taste
Layer beef, potato and onions in an ungreased 2 quart baking dish and set aside.  Mix tomato sauce with a can of water and pour over casserole.  Salt & pepper to taste.
Bake, uncovered at 350* until potatoes are tender - about 1 1/2 hours.


POTATO BEEF CASSEROLE
5 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion - diced
1/2 lb. ground beef, browned
1 can cream of mushroom soup (10 3/4 oz. can)
Place potatoes and onion in an ungreased 13 x 9 pan.  Mix browned meat and soup together and add 1 CUP water.  Stir and spread over potatoes.  bake at 350* for about an hour.
**I always think alternatives - cheese soup, cream of broccoli, cream of celery.......Mmmmm
Super hearty and comforting.


There you be.  Easy - peasy recipes - that use few ingredients - that are frugal - and come from the pantry shelves.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!

SHOP YOUR SHELVES!!!!!! 

25 comments:

  1. Some quick, easy and frugal recipes! Have not made spoon bread but will have to give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great recipes! Quick and easy are great when both time and money are scarce. Here are some of my favorite meals that have 5 ingredients or less:

    * Pasta Salad ( great way to use up leftover meats, veggies, cheese, etc. just clean out your crisper drawer and add a dressing and your set.)

    * Soup ( Any kind of meat, starch, veggies, will do. Keep some cheap beef and chicken bouillon cubes on hand and know one will know they're eating leftovers!)

    * 7 Up Biscuits (just made these yesterday and they're simple and delicious. Only ingredients needed are Baking mix (can be made homemade), 7 up ( I use generic or you could use an clear or club soda), sour cream and butter (or margarine). Add some white gravy and you have a warm, delicious and filling meal.

    * Egg Quesadillas ( tortillas, eggs, butter and cheese or etc. toppings) Place a teaspoon of butter or fat (bacon grease, etc.) in a medium size pan, on medium heat, once butter melts, add two beaten eggs in pan and then place your tortilla on top of your egg mixture, press the tortilla down on the egg gently and let cook for 3-5 or until you can flip the tortilla over and the egg is cooked and sticking to the tortilla. Once flipped, add your cheese, spices and any other toppings you may or may not want and then fold the tortilla in half and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until browned as desired. These are a family favorite that we eat for both breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner! We like put just cheese in them, or other times we will put cheese and jalapenos, leftover taco meat, bacon, etc.

    Hope everyone has a cozy, warm and wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot to mention size of tortilla. If you are using two eggs you want to use a medium size tortilla, if you are using one egg, then you want to use a taco size tortilla. Hope this helps!

      Delete
    2. And we always use flour tortillas.

      Delete
    3. Yummo - thank you for the many ideas. I love the sharing that goes on here.
      There are so many ways to stay frugal and have easy and delicious meals with what you have.
      Thank you so much for the reminders and ideas!!!!

      Delete
  3. Thanks for the meal ideas. I have never made spoon bread. All the suggestions sound good.
    Thanks Fern for the egg quesadilla too. I think that would make a good camping breakfast too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome!
      Yes, that would be great for camping! Anytime - but for sure camping.

      Delete
  4. All of these made in a cast iron skillet, I can smell those potatoes and onions frying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh they sure can. Never thought of mentioning that!
      Thanks

      Delete
  5. I have made the last two and we love them. Filling and hearty meals for very little cost.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Got to love filling and hearty for frugal and quick!
      Thanks

      Delete
  6. Great ideas. I haven't heard of spoon bread like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Something fun and easy. I like little surprises like that!
      Thanks

      Delete
  7. Those sound really good, Cheryl. Thank you for posting them. A lot of people probably have a can of cream of mushroom soup too since Ibotta was allowing people to get it for free at Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I figured we all have a can of cream of something soup in our pantries. That is a staple at my house!
      Hope you enjoy

      Delete
  8. Potato Beef Casserole has my vote! I actually over bought on cream of soups.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There you go! Great minds think alike!!!! I tell ya, I always over buy on 'cream of' soups for the winter. They come in so stinking handy.
      ENJOY

      Delete
  9. Great recipes..I want to try the potato recipe soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ENJOY it. So easy to make and most of us have ingredients at home.
      Thanks

      Delete