Thursday, January 19, 2023

Super Easy Meal Ideas for Pennies

 We all eat differently and we all like different things.  I have never made meals complicated - even when cooking for two.  G was never real picky, and he didn't care if he had one thing or several - he just liked to eat.  Me too.  If I am full - that is what matters.  

There are many things that can be made for pennies.  We CAN stretch that grocery budget - it just takes a little thought.  Use up what you have and re-invent leftovers in new ways.  No waste.  

We all know the basics:
SOUPS
CHILI
These are pretty basic.  Soups can be anything.  Whatever you have - put it together with some broth or stock or tomato base - veggies, pastas, rice, meat pieces = SOUP!

Mac n Cheese - add some leftover taco meat, hamburger, tuna, chopped hotdog, sliced smoked sausage, maybe some peas or broccoli - whatever you got.  Add maybe a side of salad or veggie of any sort and you have a filling meal

Pancakes or waffles - serve as is or with a side of meat or eggs.

Biscuits and gravy or toast and gravy.  You can make toast from older buns, bread or even use English muffins or bagels - whatever you have.  Gravy is so inexpensive and easy to make

Cabbage or kraut and sausage or hotdogs.  Maybe add mashed, fried or smashed potato as a side.  Super tasty and little cost.  Above is a little baked and smashed potato that is fried.  Mmmmm 

Fried rice or lo-mein.  Throw in all the leftover veggies, bits and bobs of meat and a little seasoning and BOOM you can have a meal in a pan.  So super easy.  A little rice or a little cooked spaghetti (use for lo-mein) - easy - and so very frugal

Burritos are so easy and use up any leftovers or you can make breakfast ones as well.  Makes for a great meal.  Top with veggies, eat plain, or top with sauce
Same type of tortilla used as a roll-up.  A little fresh veg, maybe leftover meat, cheese and some dressing.  Roll it and eat it.  Less calories than a sandwich with bread.  Tortillas can be purchased pretty darn cheaply or you can make your own for just pennies.  They are so super easy to make!

Baked potatoes - top with just butter or use whatever you have.  Top with leftover stew, chili, cheese, taco meat, sour cream or dip, a little ranch dressing, cheesy veggies - you name it.  There is no limit to the toppings.  I can make a nice baked potato with toppings and maybe a side salad and I am more than full.

Spaghetti - some pasta (use what you have) and sauce.  Can add meat or not.  Can top with cheese or not.  Can add garden veggies.  Such an easy and versatile meal.

Tuna patties - use tuna instead of salmon.  I can of tuna will make one large patty or 2 smaller ones.  I add cracker, breadcrumbs, or crushed chips of any sort for a binder with an egg.  Fry.  Above is a sandwich made with the tuna patty and served with leftover corn & Brussel sprouts - sauteed together.

Goulash - in my area - that is macaroni, ground beef, tomato sauce and a little cheese.  I know different regions of the country call other things goulash.
Throw in some cut up bell peppers and use rice instead of pasta, and you have unstuffed pepper skillet!!!!!!

A bowl of rice or pasta - with any assortment of leftover veggies or meat or gravy or sauces on top.  


Homemade pizza - a favorite for me.  You can make a traditional pizza, use - tortillas, English muffins, French bread, hamburger or hotdog buns, whatever you have on hand.  Add a little sauce (spaghetti sauce is fine) or add some salsa - whatever.  Top with just veggies or just meat or combo.  Add anything your heart may desire.  Any type of cheese.  I make up French bread pizza (now a fav) and - this will make at least 4 meals - if not more (with added side salad).  I bake, cut and freeze leftovers for quick meals later.  
I get the bread when it is on clearance for $1 or less a loaf and use whatever I have in my frig.  It really is a cheap meal.  So easy.  There are NO rules.


Maybe this will give someone and idea or two for something different to make.  Meals do NOT need to be complicated - they need to fill you and nourish you.  They do not need to cost hardly any money.  There are so many ways to stretch those food budgets.  You can make these meals for one or more.
Use what you have - you will be amazed at how many choices you can have and how little money you will spend.
HAVE FUN!!!!!


Surround yourself with people who are good for your spirit

42 comments:

  1. Yup, that's a good way to go these days. I just made a big pot of vegetable loaded fried rice yesterday. Threw in half a cabbage and some leftover veggies from other meals. Mit was delicious and very filling. I didn't add meat, hubs warmed up a frozen piece of ham with his.

    I didn't taste macaroni and cheese until college! We never ate any kind of pasta at home. One of my dorm buddies made it with cut up fried hot dogs and shared with me. I thought it was heavenly!! I still love it, but with homemade macaroni and cheese.

    I also love chili on spaghetti with a melty American cheese slice on top. It was my favorite thing at Bob's Big Boy. Really a treat cuz I only got to go there with a relative.

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    1. Love fried rice. Sounds good. NO pasta till college??? WOW.
      Mac n cheese is still a major favorite for me. I love baked mac n cheese - but will eat in all manner of ways!
      Chili mac - Mmmmm. I think of Steak & Shake - they always had chili mac - I make it sometimes at home with leftover chili.
      Love how we can come up with our own versions of restaurant foods.

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    2. Cheryl, I can't give you a direct quote because it might sound culturally inappropriate lol, even though it's MY culture lol. But , I asked my mom why we never ate macaroni (my word for all pasta because "pasta" wasn't a thing in my circles.) Her reply? "We're not Italian. Italians eat macaroni. We're "*******. We eat beans.". It's funny to think that I never questioned that lol.

      I also had lasagna for the first time in the dorm caf. I thought it was the bee's knees!! Loved it and never missed the nights it was on the menu!! So much for my mom's bean theory!!

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  2. So many yummy ideas! Homemade soup is ever so much better than canned. A while back I opened a can of what looked good on the label soup and it was heartburn inducing! The Urban Farmer made a beautiful veg soup with ground turkey and it was so good but Italian seasoning is not my friend so he ate the rest of it. Something in that seasoning blend that I am sensitive to, I guess.

    I don't remember having any sort of pasta when I was growing up. We ate what my dad liked and that was it.

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    1. Homemade soup is always better than canned. I do canned now and then if in a hurry and no homemade is thawed. Not the same.
      I amazed that you and Debby never had pasta growing up. Boy, we did. Mac n cheese (mom made the best ever), spaghetti and mom always put macaroni in chili to stretch it.
      I love a pasta salad too.

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  3. Yum! Didn't know it was called Goulash in Indiana, but the leftover Sloppy Joe meat from Saturday + homemade beef broth + a can of petite diced tomatoes + elbow macaroni made Goulash for dinner last night and one more meal. And as Donna said, we're so spoiled by homemade soup that canned soups aren't as appealing anymore. We also do chili over spaghetti pretty regularly with shredded cheese on top. It sure is a treat!

    Leftover pork chops from Tuesday will become pork lo mien with fresh cabbage and other veggies + a little spaghetti. I'll bake meatloaf today (the mixture is in the fridge). I used the last 6 stale slices from a loaf of bread + a marinara cup from a pizza place + 3 eggs and ground beef. Meatloaf sandwiches are so good!

    What tickles me is our youngest son is cooking the same way on his own. He lives in a very remote area 30 minutes away, so I've been sending him home with meats I've already frozen from store sales here. Also eggs. He truly makes the most of it all, but grew up watching me do the same. Nothing goes to waste. I love that!
    --Elise

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    1. An extra word about meatloaf/meat patties for those who are GF and even meatless eaters:

      --over the years I've found you can use oats, crumbled corn bread, crushed corn flakes, etc. as a filler... the egg holds it all together! I've used crushed potato chips, too. You know the dregs at the bottom of the bag? Yup! Also makes a great oven-fried chicken coating.

      --black bean, kidney bean or lentil "burgers" taste more like a burger when adding McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning to the mixture... again, I use more egg to hold the mixture together well when cooking. I've even done mixed bean "burgers". Just be sure to cook thoroughly.

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    2. Sounds like Momma taught her son well. That is pretty darn neat. All these meals sound so good. yep goulash here. I think East coast it is totally different - more like Chinese food. That is what I have heard.

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    3. Elis like you I can use anything odd thing laying around as binder. I make meatloaf burgers sometime. I haven't made a real meatloaf in ages (for me) - but the burgers sure are tasty. Just mix it all up the same and make burgers and fry. Can stick some in freezer for later. Bean burgers are really good too. (homemade ones)

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    4. Cheryl, I actually use meatloaf similarly to your meatloaf burgers. Chilled meatloaf can be sliced more firmly (doesn't fall apart) and the slices can be frozen. My brunch today is the ends of the meatloaf on leftover dinner rolls. A 1/2 apple on the side for something sweet. But if you love Italian Style veal parmesan, dip slices of meatloaf in an egg bath, coat with bread crumbs and pan fry, then top with some marinara and cheese! Craving chicken fried steak? Coat in flour instead of the bread crumbs and fry. Great with gravy.
      :-)

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  4. One thing I've become exceptionally aware of in dealing with my mom's health is the importance of protein in the diet. Even if I'm doing a vegetarian dish, I work to incorporate protein of some kind. If not meat, legumes or nuts ... If I'm having a salad, I'll top it with a sprinkle of bacon bits and/or sunflower seeds or nuts; pumpkin or squash soup gets topped with the roasted seeds; veg chili has kidney beans. Morning toast, one side gets peanut butter ...

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    1. Beans - such a great protein. I use them a lot. Eggs, nuts, peanut butter - Mmmmm bacon!
      Great reminder! Thanks,

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  5. The last pot of soup I made had 1c of leftover pumpkin, the last bits of frozen butternut squash, sauteed veg (onions, peppers, celery), turkey broth from the freezer. Added grated carrots & rice to make a delicious soup. I love repurposing leftovers and using up all the bits and bobs.

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    1. That sounds really good. I just love how every time you make soup it can be so very different. Great use of leftovers!

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  6. Many great ways to use up those bits and bobs coming up with something new.

    I actually love leftover baked beans on toast. Makes a great meal.

    God bless.

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    1. Yes it does - maybe a little cheese on top and yum! I have had that for lunch before!
      Love using up and not wasting!

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  7. Cheryl, thank you for sharing your life and ideas with us. Wanted to share what I do with the small cans of tuna. For patties I do not drain the liquid off , but add a little more thickening to it and make several more. Patties are still delish. One small can makes several meals for two of us.

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    1. I really enjoy tuna patties. I believe I like better than salmon. Just a milder taste. Thanks for the tip - will try that next time.

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  8. We’ve been eating lots of soup! And made a big batch of chili today, froze 2 jars for other dinners plus we still have leftovers. It’s the time of year for comfort food!

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    1. It sure is that time of the year. I had chili the first of the week and put some in freezer as well. Love comfort food!

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  9. Thank you Cheryl, you have some very good starter ideas here! We love soups and things like that. I just love how creative you are, and just so free trying new things like salsa on a pizza...That sounds like a neat alternative! I'm a veggie gal and use lentils many times in place of meat and we eat quite a few eggs as well. Egg pasta is good, you just put eggs cracked carefully in a casserole of pasta sauce (we call it pasta gravy), then bake. It's good over pasta.

    Have a sweet evening and thank you for sharing all of your good ideas. I appreciate you! ~Amelia

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    1. Thank you. I am not really afraid to try most things. If things are good by themselves - odds are they will be good together!
      Egg pasta sounds interesting. Never heard of that before.
      Most things are good - if just given the chance!

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    2. Eggs in tomato sauce, aka huevos ranchero or shakshuka

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    3. Mona, I've not had those dishes, but the Italians serve this at Easter a lot...we just call it "Egg pasta" over here. But the oldtimers probably had another authentic name. lol

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  10. Cheryl, At Easter time the old time Italians cook the pasta gravy with some fresh fennel in it and then instead of Italian cheese sprinkled on top they add sweetened browned breadcrumbs in olive oil. For us on normal dinner nights? I just plop the eggs right on heated pasta gravy with a little olive oil and bake it gently til cooked and it's a good easy dinner over pasta. : )

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    1. I have truly learned something new today. Had never heard of eggs on pasta or sauce called gravy. All so interesting. I love learning what others do that is regional or ethnic.

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    2. Hahaha, yes, I can always spot an Italian when they say 'gravy' instead of sauce. lol I'm half Italian and half German, so I was blessed to have some various cultural styles as far as cooking, especially with the Italians - plus I'm married to a feisty little Italian. lol

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    3. So interesting. Had never heard that before. Love it.

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  11. When I don't want to open a can of tomato sauce for pizza I used bbq sauce.

    Also when I have needed a meal fast I will eat beans over rice with bbq sauce over it. Not fancy but very filling.

    ~margaret

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    1. BBQ sauce for pizza sounds good to me! I have seen people use white sauce as well. Plain old tomato sauce with some seasonings would work too. No rules.
      Beans over rice with bbq sounds just fine. I agree - as long as I am full - I am easy to please.

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  12. Yesterday I used up a bit of frozen turkey, a few handfuls of aging fresh spinach, a cup of frozen enchilada sauce (I freeze in 1c portions), 4 aging tortillas.....add some cheese and voila! Turkey spinach enchiladas emerged from the oven in 30 minutes. YUM!

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    1. YUM - sounds very good. I used leftovers to make fried rice today! Love this!!!!!

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  13. We look in the refrigerator to see what is there, and whatever it is, that is what we eat. Or, we use it in the meal. I think our meals are delicious. Tommy is happy, too. Tonight, I took two hamburgers and put dry onion soup mix over it and baked it in the oven. Also, in the oven I put carrots, snow peas or sugar peas, and broccoli, baked it and we had a feast. We could easily have had a delicious meal without the onion soup mix, but it was in need of eating because of the date.

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    1. Using up what is in the frig is really great. That way nothing goes to waste. Your meal sounds very good.

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  14. I know I ate something tonight, just don't remember what. I was having a bad migraine and took a sedative. I know I did bake some chicken breasts, boiled some little red and gold potatoes, put them in a butter sauce, roasted some carrots. I baked a pound of bacon and made a batch of pancakes. These are all some basics for the next few days for breakfast and dinners. I was going to make a pie or cake but I ran out of energy. I will do that tomorrow. Have a great Saturday!

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    1. Doing all that cooking would give me a migraine! Hope you are feeling much better. That is a lot of good food. Sounds like you have a great selection for the next few days!

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  15. This was a great blog,post, Cheryl. And so many good ideas in the comments too. I’ve not tried the tuna Pattie’s. I may have to try those soon.

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    1. Thank you. I think you will like them. They are just a milder flavor than salmon. I fix them the same way. It is a pretty cheap meat!

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    2. It IS a great blog post! I keep rereading it cause it's got so many good points

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  16. Yum. Lots if good eating going on.
    I once had Goulash at a Hungarian restaurant. Very good and Very different from my Mom's which was basically whatever was leftover. I believe the authentic Hungarian Goulash has paprika as the main spice.
    EM - thanks for the GF suggestions. I do save the GF bread ends and crumbs, but at the price of a loaf of GF bread, it makes you shudder to use it in meatloaf. Also, the texture isn't the same. So I've been using my crumbs as topping on a casserole.
    Ellie
    Central Az

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    1. I am sure the original was different. Probably spices, as you say. It was just a simple, cheap and basic meal at our house.
      Good use for the crumbs - I love that on top of casseroles.

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  17. I made a list of what needs to be used from my fridge & above freezer. Homemade applesauce, homemade spaghetti sauce, Mozz cheese. Cooked pork roast, chicken & bacon. Frozen beans, corn. Cooked potato casserole. Lettuce, peppers, zuc, carrots, celery & a cabbage. There are so many things I can make from these. However Mr. Picky will only eat a few. Tonight heated up spaghetti meat sauce with garlic toasts for dipping. (his idea) Much of the fresh produce will store for a bit. I'll probably end up eating the "leftovers" for lunches on salads with the potatoes as a side.
    I hate food waste and DH doesn't really like leftovers more than once in a lunch. I just have a hard time cooking for 2 when I used to make big meals for that hard-working Farmer and 2 growing sons. As we are aging we are eating so much less.

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