Thread: Budget Meals

Pancakes are always good in a pinch. Baked beans with hot dogs cut up in it with cornbread-always a favorite. Many years ago when I was a kid-a glass of milk with cornbread cut up in it with fresh green onions on the side. Didn't know any better....

one of my fav. budget meals instant mashed potatoes, topped with browned ground beef and gravy.

Another cheap fav. Is box mac and cheese topped with canned chilli.

My family's favorite bare bones meal (often we throw it in the menu as it is yummy and quick!) is Hamburger pie.

1 lb hamburger
1/2 onion chopped (or however much you have or like)
2 cans of cut green beans
1 can tomato sauce
salt/pepper to taste (I like garlic too added in)
pie crust for top and bottom of pie plate (can make it if it is super tight or purchase if I find on sale or in the freezer from the last sale)

brown hamburger, with chopped onion, salt and pepper with garlic to taste, drain and return to pan.
Add tomato sauce and green beans (drained) warm through.
Lay the bottom pie crust in the pan, add in hamburger mixture, top with top pie crust, flute edges and make a few small slits on the top to vent.
Bake at 375 for ab out 30-45 minutes or until crust is browned and cooked.

Slice like a pie and serve.

My kiddos go bonkers for this and think it is cool to have pie for dinner

Sheppard's pie... meat, veggie, potato... can be inter changeable with what ever we have!

When my cupboards are bare, I will usually make my version of a Shepherd's pie by using up whatever leftover meats I have in the fridge, as well as vegetables that are "on their last leg". I combine this with ground spicy Italian sausage. Mix it all with a gravy of some sort and top it off with dollar store mashed potatoes and my kids love it (even the one that doesn't like vegetables!!)