Budget Friendly Meals

Candied Mealoaf with Mashed Potatoes

1 package lean ground beef
1 package onion soup mix or 1tbls onion powder
1-2 eggs
1/2 cup quick oats

Mix together well.
Mix 1 cup of ketchup with 1/2 cup brown sugar in bottom of loaf pan.  Press meatloaf mixture into pan on top of kethcup and brown sugar mixture.  Bake at 350 for about an hour.  Serve with Mashed potatoes and a frozen veggie.

Shepherds Pie

1 package ground beef or ground pork
1-2 tbls ketchup
1-2 tsp worcestershire sauce
half a chopped onion or onion powder
1-2 cups frozen mixed veggies

brown beef add onion and cook until almost done (skip this step if just using onion powder).  Add spices and sauces and veggies.  cook until veggies are almost done.  Pour into bottom of 9x13 pan.  Top with mashed potatoes.  sprinkle shredded cheese on top if you want.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until sides start to brown.

Chicken Noodle Soup

1 roasting hen
2 large carrots roughly chopped
2-3 stalks celery roughly chopped
1 onion cut into four pieces
1 TBLS poultry seasoning
1tsp sage

Put hen in large stew pot and cover with water.  Add all other ingredients.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.  Cover the pot and let simmer for up to 3 hours.  Remove Chicken and set aside to cool.  Strain broth into bowl.  Dump out the rest of the ingredients.

Pour half the broth back into pot.  Add fresh carrots, celery, potatoes and bring to a boil.  When potatos are half done add noodles.  Meanwhile, seperate chicken from bones and split into two or three portions depending on family size.  Add one portion to your soup. Taste your broth.  I usually end up adding a bit of chicken bouillion season to add some extra flavor.  Freeze the rest of the broth in a ziplock.  Freeze leftover chicken for another meal.

Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas

10-12 tortillas
cubed or shredded chicken (I use a the leftover chicken from the chicken noodle soup).
Chopped fresh spinach.  I'm sure the actually amount.  I use lots, probably a little over half a bag of the pre-washed stuff you can buy in the pre-bagged salad section.
Shredded Cheddar cheese, probably about 3 cups ( i know this part is not so budget friendly but i justify it by using the leftover chicken).

Spray both sides of a tortilla with olive oil spray (or regular Pam type spray, buy the cheap brand).  on half the tortilla layer some chicken, then spinach and then cheese. Fold tortilla in half and press down gently.  I fit two of these on a baking sheet.  Bake at about 450 for about 10 minutes.  Keep an eye on them.  As soon as they start to brown up their done.

German Lentil Stew


2 cups lentils or split peas
1/4 cup dried barley
1 cup peeled chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 peeled chopped sweet potato (light yellow flesh is sweet potato not bright orange)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup cubed ham (optional, i usually leave out)
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
5 drops hot sauce (i usually leave this out)
1/4 tsp caraway seed
1/2 tsp celery salt
1 bay leaf
1 tbls parsley (dont always add this because I always seem to be out)

Dump all ingredients into slow cooker.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours, high for 4-5 hours.  Remove bay leaf before serving.  Add a touch of milk or a dollop of sour cream if you like.

5-6 ingredient Chilli


1 large jar/can of spaghetti sauce
1 can red kidney beans
1 can brown beans (i prefer the ones in maple syrup)
frozen or canned corn
Chilli powder
taco seasoning (or whatever other spices you like)

cook in slow cooker or on stove top.  you can also add a can of black beans if your family likes them.  I do but the rest of the fam does not :)

Fried Perogies and Sausage


1 bag frozen perogies
1/2 ring of garlic sausage (or any other sausage or ham you like or have on hand)
1/2 chopped onion
butter or oil

boil perogies just until they start to float, drain.  Heat butter or oil in large frying pan, add half the onions, half the sausage and half the perogies.  Fry until onions are clear and the sausage and perogies are nice and brown.  I really like mine almost burnt but its up to you how fried you like them.  Do the same with the second batch.  This makes a nice big amount so if you have a smaller family than us (6) you might want to half it all.

Chicken Thighs with Homemade Shake and Bake 


1/2 family size package of boneless skinless chicken thighs, thawed.
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs (or regular bread crumbs work too)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix spices together well and coat each piece of chicken.  lay on baking tray and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.  Serve with rice, or potatoes.