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.

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!

Hobo Dinners - $5.50

SALE NEWS:  Nothing too good this week, but a new ad tomorrow!

1 bag baby carrots                                                                                               $1.00

2 large brown potatoes                                                                                       $1.00

1 white or yellow onion                                                                                       $1.00

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

Total                                                                                                                       $5.50

This one is also great for camping – just cook over a campfire!   You can switch from fresh to canned veggies too and cut the cook time down to 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375.

Cut large portions of aluminum foil 1 for each person you are feeding – or for each portion if you are planning to have leftovers (this will be used to contain the yumminess – the more you are stuffing in the bigger these should be).

While oven is heating clean and cut potato into bite sized chunks and divide among foil pieces

Cut onion into desired size (we like them bigger and bite sized in our house) and divide among foil pieces.

Open bag of carrots and divide among foil pieces (cut into smaller chunks if desired) and top with 1 tablespoon of butter and salt/pepper to taste.

In a separate bowl add hamburger meat, and seasoning to taste (I use/prefer 1 tbs paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper).  Mix together with hands and then form 1 inch balls and divide among foil pieces.

To ensure the juices don’t leak out do not “roll up” foil.  Instead pile ingredients into the middle of the foil and fold up the 2 long side to meet at the top/middle and roll together to form a tight seal.  Then fold up last two edges to form a tight seal.

Place on cookie sheet in oven for 45-60 minutes and enjoy!

Potatoes and Carrots are my favorite veggies to add, but you can mix it up with things like corn (on the cob as well), green beans, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, or peas.  Ground Turkey is also an amazing substitute but typically more expensive then beef.

A New (Stolen) Idea

I'm going to try and make this quick and to the point.

We follow Dave Ramsey's plan for money/budgeting.  While perusing his website one day I ran across eMeals.  Which is essentially a company you pay a small monthly fee to and they send you a grocery list every week with recipes for the week for dinners.  The base the meals on a local store to you and what is on sale that week. Great idea right?!  I think its quite ingenious.  Not something we do, but still ingenious.  They even have diet specific plans like “Glutten Free”, “Vegitarian”, or “Low Carb” (tons more too) The average cost is around $80-$90 a week for 3-6 people and they also have a 2 person meal plan for small families that is cheaper of course per week. Depending on the store you pick (for example if you chose to shop at Walmart it may be even cheaper) your weekly costs could be even lower.  That is a little to much for what we can afford at the moment, but that may be good alternative for your family.

Anyway, after my last post where I included the hot dog sale as my inspiration for the meal I chose I figured I’m going to try to stay on that theme.  I will try to only post meal ideas based on grocery store sales.  I’ll try to mix up what stores I use, but honestly I’ve noticed a lot of the stores put items on sale at the same time.  So today you do not get a meal idea, sorry.  I have a few posts ready to go as soon as a good sale comes along.  I will get a meal for you soon, but I wanted to let you in on my small change of plan.

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.