Steak Fajitas - $6.00

1 Tbs oil

1 large onion                         $0.50

1 large bell pepper                $1.00

1 pound steak strips            $3.00

1 Lawry's Fajitas mix            $1.00

1 large tomato                       $0.50

1/4 cup water

Tortillas                                 $1.00

Sour Cream (optional)        

Cheese (optional)

Salsa (optional)   

Total                                       $6.00

Note: “optional” items not included in price

Slice Onion and Bell Pepper into strips.

Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Remove from skillet.

Cook and stir steak in same skillet on medium-high heat 3 minutes or until browned. Add Seasoning Mix and water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Return vegetables to skillet. Add tomato; cook until heated through.

Spoon meat mixture into warm tortillas. Serve with assorted toppings, if desired.

Homemade Pizza - $4.50

2 Boxes Jiffy Pizza Crust Mix       $2.00
1/2 Jar Spagehtti Sauce                $0.50
1/2 lb Cheese                               $1.00
1/2 Onion
1/2 Bag Peppers                          $1.00
Total                                           $4.50

Preheat Oven to 425.

Grate Cheese and chop onion (optional).

Prepare Pizza Crust based on Jiffy Box instructions and add ingredients as directed.

Stuffed Chicken Parmesan - $5.00

6-8 Breaded Chicken Patties               $3.00

½ Jar Spaghetti Sauce                         $0.50

½ Pound Mozzarella                            $1.50

TOTAL                                                  $5.00

I usually get my chicken patties at Costco – a box of 40, but I showed the price as if you got a small box at any grocery store (on sale usually 2 for $5 or 2 for $6).

Preheat oven to 350.

Take frozen chicken patties and put in microwave until unthawed (usually about 1 minute).

While chicken is unthawing cut half a pound of mozzarella cheese into small slices or shred cheese (I prefer shredded cheese)

Cut a “pocket” into each patty and stuff each pocket with mozzarella cheese.

In a dish place each stuffed chicken piece and cover with half a jar of Spaghetti Sauce.  Sprinkle any remaining cheese on top and put in oven for 15-20 minutes.

Chili Cheese Potatoes and Broccoli – $5.25

SALE NEWS: Farmer Johns Hot Dogs and Stater Bros brand buns on sale $0.99 each. Also stock up canned veggies for $0.69 each.

1 can Nacho Cheese (buy at $0.99 only store or on sale)              $1.00

2 can Chili (buy at $0.99 only store or on sale)                               $2.00

1 bag of Frozen Broccoli                                                                     $1.50

½-1 pound bag of potatoes (buy at $0.99 only store or on sale) $1.00

Total                                                                                                       $5.25

I stole this idea from Tracy – Thank you Tracy!!

Preheat oven to 400.

While oven is heating clean potatoes and chop into bite sized chunks.  Put potatoes in a dish and cook in the oven for 30 minutes or until cooked to desired tenderness.  If you prefer you can use whole potatoes (poke with holes! And cook for an hour)

While potatoes are cookie microwave broccoli in a bowl covered with plastic wrap (this will keep the moisture in for a more “steamed” texture.  The microwave instructions should be on bag – if not do a minute at a time until no longer cold.

Heat chili (I get bean and meat chili, but you can use whatever you prefer) and cheese in separate pans on the stove about 5 minutes before potatoes are done.  Instead of Nacho Cheese you can also use shredded cheese, but I like the extra kick from the Nacho Cheese.

When everything is complete scoop potatoes on to each plate and top with broccoli, chili, and nacho cheese.  It’s amazing – and even if you don’t like broccoli the chili/cheese combo hides the flavor.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Pasta - $5.50

1 Can Spaghetti Sauce ($0.99 Cent Store)        $1.00
3 lbs Chicken ($0.99/lb on Sale)                        $3.00
2 Eggs                                                               $0.50

Parmesan Crust                                                 $1.00
1 cup grated Parmesan
4 tsp Oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp pepper

Total                                                                $5.50

Chicken thighs/drumsticks at $0.99/lb or if you prefer boneless skinless chicken breast at $1.99/lb (this would increase cost of recipe to $8.50)

The chicken part is low carb recipe so if you are trying low carb you can substitute the noodles for an alternate side, but I'd still use some spaghetti sauce for dipping! (If you have leftovers from other recipes like the English Muffin Pizzas this is a great way to use it!) The crust probably only costs about $0.50 to make if you buy your Parmesan in bulk like we do, but in case you don't I used to more expensive price.

CHICKEN Option 1: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

Put 2 lbs (about 4 breasts) into large plastic bag and use kitchen mallet (or roller) to pound chicken into thin pieces.  Cut each chicken breast into large strips for easier cooking or leave in one piece for a "prettier" meal.

CHICKEN Option 2: Bone In Chicken - I suggest Drumsticks

Break 2 eggs into one bowl and use whisk to stir.

In a separate bowl combine all ingredients for the Parmesan crust

Next, put noodles in water and cook according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking add oil to skillet - enough so the bottom is barely covered and turn on medium heat.

Once oil is heated take prepared chicken and dip in egg then roll in Parmesan crust mixture until fully coated.

Place chicken in skillet (as much as will fit) and cook for 5 minutes on each side.  If cooking drumsticks you may need to do quarter turns ever 2.5 minutes.  To keep crust for becoming overcooked/burnt shake pan every 2 minutes just to move the chicken around a bit.

While chicken is cooking put sauce in sauce pan and heat until slightly bubbly.  Don't forget to check your noodles and stir too!

To finish put pasta and chicken on plate and drizzle sauce all over everything! Yummy!

Pigs in a Cloud with Fruit and Veggies - $3.50

SALE NEWS:  Stater Bros has All Chicken and All Turkey hot dogs on sale this week for only $0.99!  Great time to stock up on some “healthier” hot dogs :)

1 pack hot dogs (any kind always buy on sale)                              $1.00

4 slices of cheese slices (buy in bulk or sale)                                  $0.50

½ box instant cheddar mashed potatoes ($0.99 cent store)          $0.50

1/8 giant can of corn (from Costco)                                                  $0.75

1/8 giant can of pears (from Costco)                                 $0.75

Total                                                                                                       $3.50

This is one of my favorites!

Preheat oven to 350.

While oven is heating take cook instant potatoes based on box directions.

While water/milk is heating for mashed potatoes take each hot dog and slice it almost in half long ways (it should be a little attached so it can be opened like a book).

Open each hot dog and lay it flat with cut side facing up on a cookie sheet.

Fold each slice of cheese in half so you will have 8 rectangles.

When mashed potatoes are finished spoon 2-3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes onto each hot dog.

Optional: Top each hot dog with 2-3 tablespoons of corn (I like mine like this, but if you don’t you can serve your veggie on the side).  You can also add some green onion or grilled onion to them for a little kick - not included in price above.

Place one rectangle slice of cheese on each hot dog (this will hold corn in place too).

Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until mashed potatoes look very lightly toasted.

Serve with Fruit and/or Veggies!

Note: For canned fruits and veggies we buy a giant can from Costco that lasts approximately 8 meals each. Please contact me if you have questions about how to get the prices mentioned above.

Pigs in a Blanket with Fruit and Veggies - $4.75

1 pack hot dogs (any kind always buy on sale)                              $1.00

4 slices of cheese slices (buy in bulk or sale)                             $0.50

1 tin of crescent rolls (any brand)                                              $1.50

1/8 giant can of corn (from Costco)                                           $0.75

1/8 giant can of pears (from Costco)                                         $0.75

Total                                                           $4.75

Super quick meal and very little mess.

Preheat oven to temperature based on instructions from crescent rolls tin.

While preheating oven take a cookie sheet and roll out all eight crescent rolls from tin.

Take each slice of cheese and fold it in half diagonally giving you two triangle shaped pieces of cheese.

Place a triangle of cheese on each crescent roll.

Take a hotdog and starting at the big end of the crescent roll – roll the dough around the hot dog tightly (to avoid cheese leakage). 

Look for any exposed cheese and pinch and push dough around to cover exposed cheese.

Depending on the size pack of hotdogs you had you may have extra hot dogs to cook without crescents (since one of our kids prefers no crescent this works well for us!)

Bake hot dogs and crescents according to cooking instructions for the crescent roll and you’re done!  Serve with fruit and/or veggies.

Note: For canned fruits and veggies we buy a giant can from Costco that lasts approximately 8 meals each. Please contact me if you have questions about how to get the prices mentioned above.

English Muffin Pizzas and Fruit - $3.75

1 pack of English Muffins (from the $0.99 store)                            $1.00

1/2 Jar of Hunts Spaghetti Sauce (from the $0.99 store)                $0.50

1/2 pound of cheese – (from grocery store)                                    $1.00

1/4 bag of frozen bell pepper strips (from grocery store)              $0.50

(You can use any toppings you like)

1/8 giant can of peaches (from Costco)                                            $0.75

Total                                                                                                       $3.75

This is a great meal to make with the kids help for a more interactive meal time.

Preheat oven to 325.

While oven is preheating slice English Muffins and place on cookie sheet.  Place English Muffins in oven while you complete the following steps to get the crispy (this prevents the sauce from making them soggy later)

Get all additional ingredients ready (open cans, bags, and grate cheese).

After the English Muffins have been in the oven for about 5 minutes remove them.  Top each Muffin with 1-2 tablespoons of Spaghetti sauce or more if you are like me and like a lot of sauce yum!  I put all leftover sauce in a Tupperware to freeze for later or it will last in the fridge for a couple of weeks.

Cover each Muffin with toppings and put cheese on last (this keeps the toppings on the pizza).  Some people may use more or less cheese – you know what you like.

Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes and serve with a side of fruit.

Note: For canned fruits and veggies we buy a giant can from Costco that lasts approximately 8 meals each.