Chicken and Spinach Alfredo - $7.00

1 lb Bonless Skinless Chicken               $2.00
1 lb Pasta of Choice                              $1.00
1 Jar Alfredo Sauce                               $1.00
1/2 Bag Frozen Spinach                          $1.00
Salt/Pepper
Extra Garlic (Optional)
Total:                                                    $7.00





Cook pasta according to package directions and begin sauce while it is cooking.

To make sauce cut chicken into small cubes (I use 2 lbs for extra chicken, but you can easily use 1 lb and be fine).  Sprinkle chicken cubes with Salt/Pepper and cook until pink is gone.  This is also when I throw in tons of extra minced garlic.

While chicken is cooking thaw and drain spinach.  Once chicken is cooked add spinach and sauce and continue cooking until sauce is warm.

Drain Pasta and pile on the sauce and enjoy!

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.

Green Bean Spaghetti - $5.00

SALE NEWS:  I said it before, but I’ll say it again – canned veggies on sale for $0.69 a can.  Great time to stock up!

2 cans of cut, sliced, or whole Green Beans (on sale)                                        $1.50

1 can Spaghetti Sauce ($0.99 cent store)                                                          $1.00

1 lb Hamburger Meat (On sale for $2.50/lb)                                                     $2.50

Total                                                                                                                       $5.00

This is a GREAT Low Carb meal for your family. Add some carbs for $1.00 more by tossing with pasta of your choice (as shown in picture).

In a large skillet brown the Hamburger meat.

While the Hamburger is cooking pour both cans of green beans into a pot (with juices from can) and let simmer over medium heat.  Cut green beans have the least amount of 'green bean flavor' but not as good of texture.  If you like green beans like we do (and you aren't trying to hide them or their flavor) I suggest cut or even better whole green beans.

Once Hamburger is fully cooked add the can of spaghetti sauce and any additional seasoning you may want.  If you like mild flavor the sauce should be fine as is.  We like a little more punch to ours so we add some garlic powder or minced garlic (big jars of minced garlic can be found at the $0.99 cent store!) and some black pepper.

Let hamburger and sauce simmer on low for about 10 minutes.  While this is simmering remove green beans from stove and drain all juice.  Pile green beans onto each plate (like you would spaghetti noodles).

After hamburger and sauce are done simmering top green bean with sauce and enjoy!  This does a great job of masking the flavor of the green bean so even my kids will eat it.

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!

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.