Need CHEAP recipe to feed 4 people

mizyvee

Do the bump

ckmama

Breakfast for dinner is usually the cheapest you can get. You can make omelets or scrambled eggs and toast for under $5 and have left overs.

Buy whole chickens to cook instead of chicken breast, they are much cheaper and left overs can be reused for gumbo, chicken salad, or sandwichs with BBQ sauce. Cut the skin off to cook it lower fat. You can get a whole chicken for under $5

Go to the veggie aisle and buy the veg on sale. You could get enough with leftover for under $5. Grab a bag of rice for under $2 and that will feed for several days.

You could feed a family of 4--2 meals for under $10. Plus they can be healthy.

You can make a big pot of Taco soup, meatless or with 1/2 lb of ground meat or chicken from your whole chicken left over, all you need is 3-4 cans of beans .75 cents each, water (free), packet of taco seasoning .75, and onion .50 cents, and a can of corn or frozen, whichever is cheaper. Cook the meat if it isn't already and then dump it all in a crockpot. Cheap and easy. And healthy, well except for the sodium. But this makes about 10 cups of taco soup. All for about $6.

barbdip

Great ideas thanks

GURLEY_GIRL3

BUMP

RoadDog

Two ways to go about it.

1 - Find a recipe and buy the ingredients -- Expensive

2 - Check your fridge and pantry, find out what's available to you and create a recipe -- Inexpensive


What's in your fridge and pantry?

LuckyLeprechaun

chili and rice. regualr white rice and your favorite canned chili.

the easiest. recipe. ever.

steam the white rice.
Microwave the chili.
(for really generous portions, a can per person, for regular size portions, a half can per person).
Pour chili over rice. Garnish w/shredded cheese if you like.

MommyRobot

4 Chicken Breast
Tomato Sauce
Mozzarella cheese

Grill breasts with Italian Seasoning
Throw some sauce on top
Add a little cheese
In the oven to melt the cheese

I serve with pasta for the rest of the family, and I have fresh, steamed green beans with mine.
$10

amandakay23

Bump

jdelisle

Bump

jadedone

Have you ever made a Spanish Tortilla?

Really easy, filling and cheap:
~ 8 eggs ($3)
1 -1.5 lb of potatoes ($2)
1 large onion ($1)
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil
Spices: try italian seasoning, thyme and/or paprika
Recipe (use a nonstick pan to reduce the oil content) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tylers-ultimate/spanish-tortilla-recipe/index.html

You can add other ingredients as well. I've added sausage, leftover veggies.....

Add a side salad for $3.5 and you are still under $10.

Lentil and Sausage Stew
1.5 c of dry lentils ($1)
1 c of brown rice ($1)
4c of chicken broth ($2.50)
2 smoked sausages (you can add more) ($4-6)
1 onion ($1)
2 carrots ($1)
2 stalks of celery ($1)
4-6 cloves of garlic ($0.25)
1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
Dried spices: oregano or thyme, paprika, chile flakes, cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste

This is about $12, and easily would serve about 6 people. It is also really easy to save money on this recipe. You can use less sausage or cheaper sausage. The recipe is something like this: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lentil-sausage-soup-recipe/index.html. But you do not need wine, or parmesan to make a tasty dish. Use any sausage you like. You can serve it over rice or jut add more water and cook the rice in the broth (or try barley or farro)

Also, chicken curry with garbonzo beans is really good as well:
1 lb of chicken breast ($4)
1 can of garbonzo beans ($1.5)
1/2 can of light coconut milk ($2)
1/2 an onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 lime ($1)
2-3 cups of your favorite veggies (think stir fry veggies: mushrooms, peppers, carrots, bok choy) ($2-5)
curry powder (about 2 heaping teaspoons)
chile flakes
chicken broth or water
salt and pepper to taste
steamed rice ($2)

Sautee the onions and garlic with the spices. Turn the heat up and sear the chicken. Add the coconut milk and about 1 cup of water or broth. Add the chickpeas.. Turn the heat to low or simmer. Cook until chicken is mostly done and the beans are heated. The sauce should reduce by nearly half. Add your veggies and cook for a few more minutes until the veggies are cooked through. Done. Serve with rice and lime wedges. Add cilantro if you have some.
The chickpeas give you an extra dose of fiber.

I like to combine sausage and beans for a quick meal. If you made my soup above, use the other half of the package od sausage for a quick sautee:

Slice the sausage on the bias or in slices and brown in a bit of oil with some onions. Add 2 cans of your favorite beans (rinsed), some cumin and/oregano. Add a bit of water and cook for a few minutes. Then add some frozen spinach (or other green. Or fresh). I usuallt chop up a roasted pepper or 2, they are always in my pantry. You can serve with rice or pasta, or alone. Add a bit of cheese if you like. Also add leftover veggies like peppers. Or leftover fresh herbs. Yummy flavor pairing and hearty. I love sausage, so this is a great way for me to decrease my intake.

Spaghetti carbonara is another winner And you can easily make it lower fat by swapping the cream for lowfat milk and using less butter and cheese. You can also use cream cheese to give it a creamier texture, and you can user low fat bacon. Add a peas or arugula to give it some extra veggies. And use whole wheat pasta. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/spaghetti-alla-carbonara-recipe/index.html

MrsKelly73

Salsa chicken!!... a family favorite

Place Boneless skinless Chicken Breast or Thights in a cassarole dish. Spoon left over salsa or freshly made (or jar...but not as good!!!) over chicken. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes on 375 or until done.

I usually make extra and use the left over meat for chicken tacos. I also make a larger batch of mexican rice and have rice with it both nights. Also a cheap side dish. If anyone would like the recipe for that I can add it.

ttabangel

good ideas

juliec0619

1 Can of black beans-$2.00
2 Cans of dices tomatoes with green chilies-$3.00
1 packet of taco seasoning-$1.00
1 lb of lean ground beef-$4-$5.00

Brown hamburger and add the other ingredients. Simmer for about 20 minutes. It makes a chili that can be poored over whatever you have at home (rice, baked potatoes, etc) or eatin by itself. I like it with fat free hot dogs which I stock up on when they are on sale because they can be pricey if not.

lisamt83

Bump!!