This easy to prepare recipe is inexpensive and freezes well. A perfect dinner on a cold day or a great meal to take to someone in need.

Spaghetti Pie

Ingredients

• 1 box spaghetti noodles boiled and drained ($0.50 on sale plus coupon)
• 1 pound browned ground beef or turkey ($0.99 turkey at either Aldi or Commissary)
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce ( $1 purchased in bulk)
• garlic powder, minced onion, pepper ($0.25)
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese ($0.50 Cooper brand at Commissary)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese ($.50 on sale at Commissary w/ Kraft printable coupon)

Brown meat and boil noodles. In a large pot mix together all the ingredients except the mozzarella cheese. Pour spaghetti mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Add mozzarella cheese and bake another 5 minutes uncovered. If you are freezing this dish let it thaw completely before baking and add about 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time.

Total cost $3.74

This meal serves eight and was a big hit with the kids. Even my non-spaghetti sauce kids liked it!

For more bargain meals visit $5 Dinners.

Dave Ramsey talks a lot about beans and rice, because it is an inexpensive meal and if you are trying to get out of debt you need to eat cheap. Personally, I think beans have gotten a bad rap. Beans and rice don’t have to taste bad! If prepared correctly they taste great and are full of protein, without the high cost. Black beans are a favorite at my house because they can be used in many different recipes.

You can buy black beans in a can or dried. Depending on the sales, dried beans are usually cheaper, but canned are more convenient.

To prepare dried black beans rinse, then soak overnight in water.

In the morning dump the water and place beans in a crock pot.

Cover the beans with water. Add spices, I like to add salt, pepper, garlic and either minced or chopped onion.

Cook all day on high.

When finished cooking the beans will retain their shape but can be crushed easily with a spoon.

Super cheap meal: Basic Beans and Rice

• 1 bag black beans prepared in the crock pot $2.00 beans plus spices
• 3 cups of uncooked brown rice $0.50
• chicken broth free from whole chicken

Cook rice according to directions substituting chicken broth for the water. Mix together with black beans. Serve.

Total cost for 8 (with leftovers) servings $2.50 or $0.31 cents a serving.

Cheap meal: Mexican Chicken Skillet

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped onions $.30
• 1 TBS olive oil $.10
• 1 TBS minced garlic $0.10
• 2 cups cooked chicken (chopped) $.75
• 1 can corn (drained) $0.55
• 2 cups black beans cooked $0.40
• 3 cups cooked rice (when making your rice decrease the amount of water by about 1/2 cup and add 1 cup of salsa)$0.50
• Salsa $1.00

Cook your rice according to the directions, except add salsa with your water.

Coat large frying pan with olive oil. Saute onions and garlic and add chicken.

Add beans and corn.

When everything has been heated through add the cooked rice. Serve immediately.

A few notes: Add as much or as little rice as you like. I used 3 cups of uncooked rice for this recipe. I like to use more rice because then I can use less chicken. I also used brown rice. When mixed with the salsa it tastes great and the kids don’t seem to mind!

Total cost for a meal for 8 = $3.70 or $0.46 cents per serving

Cheap Meal that Tastes Like a Million Bucks: Black Bean Burritos

Prepare the Mexican Chicken Skillet. Place mixture in large tortilla, add a tablespoon of cheddar cheese. Roll up and wrap in foil. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Top with shredded lettuce and sour cream.

• 1/2 cup chopped onions $.30
• 1 TBS olive oil $.10
• 1 TBS minced garlic $0.10
• 2 cups chicken (chopped) $.75
• 1 can corn (drained) $0.55
• 2 cups black beans cooked $0.40
• 3 cups cooked rice (when making your rice decrease the amount of water by about 1/2 cup and add 1 cup of salsa) $0.50
• Salsa $1.00
• Tortillas $1.00 (if homemade)
• Cheese $0.75
• Sour cream $0.75
• lettuce $0.50

Total Cost $6.70 or $0.84 per serving

Three meals all for less than a dollar a serving. I realize some of these meals take a bit of preparation, but sometimes we have more time than money. Black beans, rice and tortillas can be made ahead of time, so these meals can be prepared in less than 20 minutes!

This post is linking to What Can I Eat That’s Glutten Free, Tasty Tuesday, and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday.

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

Update: If you have a minute, read through the comments, my readers have added some awesome tips and ideas for cooking whole chickens. I have also posted a whole chicken in a crock pot video tutorial for those who are interested.

I am convinced that buying a whole chicken is one of the best values for your grocery budget. I regularly see whole chickens on sale at various grocery stores for under a dollar a pound.

The problem with whole chickens is that no one wants to touch them, or mess with them once they are cooked. I was once like that too, but then I realized how much money I could save by buying whole chickens and I quickly got over my “whole uncooked chickens give me the heebie jeebies” thing and got cooking.

Cooking a whole chicken in the crock pot is super easy. First unwrap the chicken, remove the bag of who knows what from the cavity and give the chicken a quick rinse. I have not gotten to the point where I can do something creative with the innards in the bag, but if you have any ideas feel free to post them in the comments.

After rinsing the chicken place in a crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick.

You do not need to put any liquid in the pot, just the chicken.

Then sprinkle your favorite spices on the chicken. I usually sprinkle garlic and paprika.

Place the lid on the crock pot, set on low, and walk away for about 7 hours.

7 hours later you will have a beautiful cooked chicken ready to serve for dinner.

Remove the chicken from the crock pot, cut and serve. Do not dump the liquid in the crock pot.

If you do not want to serve the chicken for dinner, allow the chicken to cool and then remove the meat from the bones. You can use the meat like you would any other cooked chicken, in casseroles, chicken salad, chicken pot pie, pastas, etc.

Once you have removed all the meat from the bones, put the bones back in the crock pot and add about five cups of water. I also put the skin back in the crock pot since my kids won’t eat it.

Set the crock pot on the low setting and cover. Leave overnight. In the morning you will have a crock pot full of bones and chicken broth, and your house will smell like Boston Market for the next day or two.

Strain out the bones and you have homemade chicken broth for free!

Not only is it free, it is free from all the preservatives, salt, and other junk you find in some of the store bought chicken broth. I store my broth in large yogurt containers.

I got about 50 ounces of broth from one chicken. After you put the broth in a container, place in the fridge to cool. When the broth has totally cooled a layer of fat will be on the top.

Scrape the fat off with a spoon and the broth is ready to be used or can be stored for up to six months in the freezer.

Meal #1 (served 7)

Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

• Chicken $4.00
• Mashed Potatoes $1.50
• Veggies $0.79
• Biscuits $1.00

Total cost $7.29 or about a $1 per person

Meal #2 (served 7)

Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Chicken Free from leftovers
• Rice $0.50
• Cream of Chicken Soup $0.75
• Veggies (I used chopped broccoli and carrots)  Free from leftovers
• Spices $0.25
• Cheddar Cheese $.50

Cook rice according to the directions. Chop leftover chicken, and veggies. Mix with cream soup and add spices. (I used garlic, minced onion, and red pepper flakes). Combine the cooked rice with the chicken mixture. Spread in a 9×13 casserole dish, sprayed with nonstick. Bake covered for 15 minutes at 350 degrees, then uncover, top with cheese and bake until the cheese melts.

Tip: If you want to use brown rice for this recipe, replace half the water with your chicken broth. Even your pickiest eaters will love it.

Sorry, no pictures, the kids devoured this casserole before I could get the camera.

Total cost $2.00 or $.30 per person.

By purchasing one chicken I was able to make two meals and get about $3 worth of chicken broth from a $4 chicken.

This post is linking to DIY Day.

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

I love potato soup, unfortunately many of the recipes are really heavy on the butter and cream. While I don’t think there is anything wrong with those ingredients, I try not to consume them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was excited when I found this recipe in the Vita-Mix cookbook. I changed it slightly and now it is a gluten free recipe. Served with a loaf of whole wheat bread this hearty soup is an inexpensive, healthy and quick meal on a cool evening. 

Cream of Potato Soup (Commissary prices shown in parenthesis)

• 3 cups potatoes, peeled quartered ($0.89)
• 1 small onion      ($0.30)
• 1 carrot chopped ($0.10)
• 2 sticks celery chopped ($0.20)
  
• 1 cup cauliflower cut into pieces ($0.50)
  
• 2 cups chicken stock (free- make your own)
• water
• 1/4 cup milk you can use skim ($0.25)
  
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic ($0.05)
• 1 teaspoon salt ($0.05)
• cheese for topping ($0.50)

Put potatoes, onion, carrot, celery and cauliflower into a large pot. Add chicken stock. Add just enough water to cover the vegetables.

Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender.
Remove one cup of vegetables from the pot with a slotted spoon. Set aside.
Pour the the rest of the soup, including most of the liquid into a blender or food processor. Add milk, garlic and salt.

Blend for about two minutes.

Add the remaining cup of vegetables and blend for a few seconds.
Serve with a sprinkling of cheese or sour cream.

The best thing about this soup is that it tastes like the fattier version, but really you are getting a lot of veggies packed into a bowl. This soup was also a big hit with my kids, they asked for seconds, thirds….

Total cost for 4 servings $3.34, add a loaf of homemade whole wheat bread for an additional $1.

Total cost for the meal $4.34

This post is linking to $5 Dinner Challenge, Tasty Tuesday, What Can I Eat that’s Gluten Free, Slightly Indulgent Mondays, and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday.

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

Spaghetti squash is another cheap, healthy meal. Fall is a squash season so you can buy squash for under $0.70 a pound, which is usually cheaper than store bought spaghetti noodles. Squash is really good for you too. It is low in saturated fat, and cholesterol. It is also a good source of Niacin, Vitamin B6, Potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.

Squash is also naturally gluten free. You can find more gluten free meals at The Gluten Free Homemaker.

But squash can be overwhelming, they look fun and are inexpensive, but if you buy them and they rot in the fridge you have wasted your money. Preparing squash, especially spaghetti squash, is very simple and even beginning cooks can add this delicious and inexpensive dish into their meal plan.

There are several ways to cook a spaghetti squash. You can boil the entire squash for 30 to 40 minutes, or bake the squash. To bake the squash either cut it in half or poke holes all over the squash with a fork. I would recommend the poking it with a fork method because cutting a spaghetti squash is very difficult. It cut mine in half tonight because it takes less time to cook, and I was in a hurry.

Cut the spaghetti squash in half and scrape out all the seeds before baking.

Save the seeds.

Fill the pan with about 1/4 inch of water and place the squash, rind side up in the pan.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until the squash is tender.

Once the squash has cooked take a fork and scrape out the inside of the squash.

It should look just like spaghetti.

You can scrape out the squash all the way to the rind.

Serve with your favorite spaghetti sauce.

Cost breakdown:

• Spaghetti Squash $1.40 (2 lbs @ $.69 per lb)
• Spaghetti Sauce $1.59
• Mixed Greens $1
• Homemade Bread $1

Total cost for six servings $4.99

Don’t throw away those seeds! Rinse the seeds and remove all squash.

Dry off the seeds and then lightly coat with olive oil. Add a dash of salt.

Bake for about 15 minutes on a pan lined with parchment paper in a 275 degree oven.

Let cool and eat!

This post is linking to 5 Dollar Dinners Bargain Meal of the Week, Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

If you shop at the commissary you probably know their prices change every two weeks. Not only do sales run on a two week basis, but many of their everyday low prices change as well.

Commissaries.com is a website that lists every item on sale at your local commissary. You have to be eligible to shop at the commissary and log in with your last name, social security number and birth date to view the sales. The best part of this site is that you can view your local manager specials which vary from store to store.

Military Shoppers is a site which publishes the commissary sale fliers every two weeks. It is a great way to get a quick look at the weekly specials.

As I mentioned in a previous picky eater post, I am not a fan of mushrooms. I can eat them, but when given the choice I prefer to skip the fungus and move on.

My husband loves Beef Stroganoff, so I finally found a recipe that tastes pretty good without the mushrooms.

Beef Stroganoff – No Mushrooms

• 3 Tablespoons of butter
• 1 Tablespoon garlic
• 1 teas salt
• pepper to taste
• 2 pounds sirloin tip, cut into thin slices (I use top round cut into thin strips)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream (do not use fat free)

Slice steak into thin strips, and chop onion.

Melt butter in skillet (or wok). Add beef and cook until brown.

About 3 minutes after starting the beef add onion, salt, pepper, and garlic. I added too much butter, you should not have this much liquid in your pan.

When the beef is browned turn down the heat and add sour cream.

Do not let the sour cream boil, just heat through and serve over noodles.

If you want mushrooms in your recipe add sliced mushrooms when you add the onion.

Cost breakdown for 8 servings purchased at your local commissary.

• Butter $.25
• Salt $.05
• Pepper $.05
• Garlic $.10
• Steak $3.80 @ $1.90lb
• Sour Cream $1.35 (cheaper with coupon)
• Noodles $1.19

Total Cost $6.79 or $0.84 a serving. For more $5 Dinners visit the $5 Dinner Challenge.

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

If you shop at the commissary you probably know their prices change every two weeks. Not only do sales run on a two week basis, but many of their everyday low prices change as well. Each Monday I will be posting a bargain meal, created from current commissary deals.

Commissaries.com is a website that lists every item on sale at your local commissary. You have to be eligible to shop at the commissary and log in with your last name, social security number and birth date to view the sales. The best part of this site is that you can view your local manager specials which vary from store to store.

Military Shoppers is a site which publishes the commissary sale fliers every two weeks. It is a great way to get a quick look at the weekly specials.

Back in the day when my we were broke this meal was a staple in our home. It was cheap and easy to make. I would suggest adding a lot of veggies to make up for the processed meat. This meal can be made without using the oven for even more summertime savings.

Sausage and Rice

• Eckrich smoked sausage $1.89
• Mahattma yellow rice $0.70
• Frozen Peas $0.89
• Corn on the Cob $1 (4 ears)
  

Grill sausage. Cook rice according to package directions. Add peas to rice while the rice is cooking (this will cook the peas). Slice sausage and add it to the rice and peas. Grill or boil the corn and serve.

Total cost for 4 servings: $4.48

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

If you shop at the commissary you probably know their prices change every two weeks. Not only do sales run on a two week basis, but many of their everyday low prices change as well. Each Monday I will be posting a bargain meal, created from current commissary deals.

Commissaries.com is a website that lists every item on sale at your local commissary. You have to be eligible to shop at the commissary and log in with your last name, social security number and birth date to view the sales. The best part of this site is that you can view your local manager specials which vary from store to store.

Military Shoppers is a site which publishes the commissary sale fliers every two weeks. It is a great way to get a quick look at the weekly specials.

Summer has arrived and so have the sales at your local commissary. Don’t forget to check out my Commissary sales page for some great coupon matches this week!

Teriyaki Chicken

• Tyson Chicken Thighs $0.79 (per lb)
• Mrs. Dash Teriyaki 10 minute marinade $1.58
• Rice $0.50
• Fresh Pineapple $2.00

Marinate chicken thighs for 10 minutes. Grill. Serve over rice with cut pineapple. A perfect summer meal that keeps your kitchen cool!

Total cost $4.80 (4 Servings)

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

If you shop at the commissary you probably know their prices change every two weeks. Not only do sales run on a two week basis, but many of their everyday low prices change as well. Each Monday I will be posting a bargain meal, created from current commissary deals.

Commissaries.com is a website that lists every item on sale at your local commissary. You have to be eligible to shop at the commissary and log in with your last name, social security number and birth date to view the sales. The best part of this site is that you can view your local manager specials which vary from store to store.

Military Shoppers is a site which publishes the commissary sale fliers every two weeks. It is a great way to get a quick look at the weekly specials.

Summer has arrived and so have the sales at your local commissary. Don’t forget to check out my Commissary sales page for some great coupon matches this week!

Steak Salad (this meal isn’t the healthiest, but it tastes great and it might get your kids to try salad because it contains cheese and fries!)

• 1 marked down flank steak (or leftover steak cut into strips or cubes) $2
• 1 head of romaine lettuce $1.69
• 1/2 bag generic thick cut french fries $1.00
• shredded mozzarella cheese $0.50
• ranch dressing $0.25 (actually you can get this for free right now with a the commissary sale on Kraft dressing combined with the $1.50 off coupon)
• (assorted vegetables)

Marinate your steak (your choice of marinade) for a few hours. Cook fries according to the directions. Broil or grill your steak and then slice into thin fajita sized strips. On a plate or wide bowl place lettuce, steak, fries, and top with shredded cheese. Serve with ranch dressing and  whole wheat rolls.

Total cost for 4 to 5 salads $5.44.

]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/bargain-meal-of-the-week-steak-salad/feed/ 1 http://thehappyhousewife.com/bargain-meal-of-the-week-bbq-chicken-sandwiches/ http://thehappyhousewife.com/bargain-meal-of-the-week-bbq-chicken-sandwiches/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:27:57 +0000 TheHappyHousewife http://thehappyhousewife.com/?p=5753 For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales. If you shop at the commissary you probably know their prices change every two weeks. Not only do sales run [...]]]>

For great meals for less you can purchase at your local store visit $5 Dinner’s new feature, Bargain Meal of the Week. Bloggers around the country create a bargain meal based on their local store sales.

If you shop at the commissary you probably know their prices change every two weeks. Not only do sales run on a two week basis, but many of their everyday low prices change as well. Each Monday I will be posting a bargain meal, created from current commissary deals.

Commissaries.com is a website that lists every item on sale at your local commissary. You have to be eligible to shop at the commissary and log in with your last name, social security number and birth date to view the sales. The best part of this site is that you can view your local manager specials which vary from store to store.

Military Shoppers is a site which publishes the commissary sale fliers every two weeks. It is a great way to get a quick look at the weekly specials.

Summer has arrived and so have the sales at your local commissary. This week the commissary is running specials on bbq sauce and baked beans.

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (serves 8-10)

• Whole chicken (4 lbs) @ $0.81 a pound
• Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.89 a bottle (or free if you printed the $1 coupon)
• Large can VanCamps baked beans $0.89
• Corn on the cob $0.25 an ear (break in half to feed more people)

Cook chicken on low in the crock pot all day. Once chicken has cooked, let it cool and then remove meat from the bones. Save broth from the crock pot to use later. Mix chicken and bbq sauce. Serve on homemade whole wheat rolls.

Total Cost $8.02 or $1 per person.