What are some good cheap dinner recipes?

Gas prices are causing us to need to cut back in some other bills...so I am trying to cut back on groceries right now. What are some good casserole/one dish meals that do not cost a lot to make? We are a family of 4. We're kind of getting sick of spaghetti...but any creative ideas with spaghetti are appreciated also. Only 2 of us eat seafood...so preferably not any seafood recipes.What are some good cheap dinner recipes?
My mama's recipe for meatballs is super simple and out of this world...and it's quick!!





season ground beef as desired (though, you don't really need any seasoning), spices, onions, whatever. Roll into balls (about the size of a golf ball) and brown thoroughly in a skillet. I usually make 4 or 5 meatballs/person, so for a family of four it might take about a pound of meat...maybe less. In a small saucepan heat (med-low) a jar of heinz chili sauce with 3 Tbsp. of grape jelly (long enough for the jelly to melt). Combine cooked meatballs and sauce and serve over white rice w/a side of green beans!!





Another thing to think about is chicken/broc/rice casserole. Last time I made mine (and I know there are THOUSANDS of ways to make this), I just used the chicken, broc, and rice (all already prepared...rice cooked, chicken boiled and cubed) and mixed together with a can of cream of cheddar cheese soup and 1/2 cup bread crumbs...was pretty good.What are some good cheap dinner recipes?
I send this one out when people are looking for cheap eats. While it is spaghetti, a new twist it is





Spaghetti Pizza:


A Kid Favorite:


1 pound box spaghetti noodles


1/2 cup milk


1 large egg


1 Jar Marinara Sauce


1 pound lean ground beef


2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese


13 x 9 glass baking dish





In a large stock pot boil water to cook spaghetti, follow package directions. Drain. Measure milk in large bowl, add egg, mix well, add spaghetti and mix well.





While spaghetti is cooking brown lean ground beef in large saute pan. Drain excess fat, return to pan and add the marinara sauce. Simmer on low.





Lightly grease a 13 x 9 glass baking dish. Pour spaghetti into dish, top with meat mixture and spread cheese on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes uncovered or until cheese has melted.





You could use a mild sausage or turkey sausage for a different twist.





At the following link on my site, you will find a few other casseroles that are inexpensive to make. Things like Tater Tot Casserole, Everything Dish, Broccoli Chicken Bake and a few breakfast casseroles that are great for dinner as well.





http://www.cooking-is-easy-and-fun.com/I鈥?/a>
Four Cheese Macaroni Casserole





Ingredients-


3 cups uncooked macaroni


1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and chopped


1 teaspoon Italian seasoning


1 teaspoon dried oregano


1 teaspoon basil


salt and pepper to taste


1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese


1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese


3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese


1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese








Preparation-


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).


Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil over high heat. Add macaroni, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and pour hot pasta into a casserole dish.


Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together tomatoes, italian seasoning, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.


Stir into the hot pasta 1 cup of Cheddar, 1 cup of mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Continue to stir until the cheeses have melted. Then stir in tomato and herb mixture. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Cheddar, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup feta over the top of the casserole.


Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 25 minutes.
Here's one my family likes:





Cheeseburger Macaroni --


1 lb. ground beef


1/4 onion, minced


1 cloves garlic, minced


14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes


2 cups raw macaroni, (cook according to package directions and drain)


1 can Campbells Cheddar cheese soup


salt %26amp; pepper to taste





Saute the onion and garlic in a little olive oil. Add the ground beef and brown. Add the diced tomatoes, including the liquid in the can. Simmer until the liquid is mostly reduced...5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the macaroni and Cheddar cheese soup. Heat through.





You can always add more cooked macaroni if you need to stretch the dish a bit.
Try Zatarain's Dirty Rice or Jambalaya Mix. With the dirty rice mix you have to use ground beef. With the Jambalaya Mix you can use chicken or smoked sausage.( *It taste best with sausage).





My version of ghoulash:





Ground Beef with vegetarain beans(pork and beans without the pork) with chopped onions, picante sauce, and tomato sauce. Serve over white rice.





Pasta Salad with veggies: Tri-colored rotini pasta with chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and green olives. Mix with Robusto Italian Dressing. Add a little seasoned salt and black pepper. Chill in the frig.





Chicken Pettazini:





Spaghetti with chopped, grilled, boneless chicken breast, Four Cheese white sauce or the Roasted Garlic and Parmesan cheese white sauce. You can also add green pepper if you like.
Here's a great one that's satisfying. It is vegetarian (actually vegan) if you don't mind, but it tastes great! I don't have an exact recipe, but all it is is rice (white or brown) with sauteed green beans, red potatoes, onion, green bell pepper, and great northern beans. Season it with salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic (or garlic powder). It's very tasty and inexpensive.





Another one I do a lot that isn't expensive is baked penne or ziti. All you need is penne or ziti pasta, cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella. Cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes in boiling water and drain. Put in a baking dish and mix in cheese and sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until it looks brownish on top and is bubbling.
We're in the same boat!





Shepard's Pie:


-Brown 1 pound beef/ ground turkey


-Add 1-2 cloves of garlic, 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, and 3/4 cup ketchup


-Cover and simmer 20 minutes


-Coat casserole dish w/ nonstick cooking spray





1st Layer - meat sauce


2nd Layer - Green beans and corn


3rd Layer - mashed potatoes


Top with cheddar cheese (as much as you want)





350 degrees (preheated oven) for 30 minutes - bake uncovered








Meatloaf


1 1/2 pounds ground meat


1 slice of bread


1 egg


1 package of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix


pepper to taste


4 TBSP ketchup


1/2 cup half and half





*SAUCE*


4 TBSP apple cider vinegar


2 TBSP packed brown sugar


1/2 cup ketchup





preheat oven to 350 degrees





Mix sauce together until smooth and set aside





Add all ingredients together. Put in a loaf pan. Pour suace over and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes. Do this whether you use the sauce or not








Keilbasa Dinner


BBQ Sauce ----


1 cup ketchup


1/2 cup cider vinegar


1 tsp chili powder


1 1/2 cup water


celery seed %26gt; pinch


3/4 cup brown sugar


1 tsp nutmeg and paprika


1/2 tsp black pepper


hot sauce to taste


--COOK 'TIL THICKENED--





1 lb kielbasa sliced (like quarters)


BBQ sauce (made already or use 1 cup store bought)


1 cup water





simmer kielbasa, sauce, and water until thickened. Serve over cooked white rice
Try to use the cheapest meat cuts, that are usually also the tastiest as you would discover. Just get hold of a family size slow cooker, it makes the toughest of meat into the tenderest.





There's the old fashioned beef stew and dumplings. Flour the meat and brown it, put in pan and add 2 sliced onions to the frying pan once it done, put in pan too with 4 sliced carrots. Pour a pint of stock ( I always use veg stock) in the frying pan, stir and bring to the boil, pour in pan. Let it cook for 45 minutes , test for doneness and when it's just about to be done add the dumplings.
yea try this,


1 pk puff pastry.


1lb good quality sausages.


4 rashers smoked bacon.


4 medium mushrooms.


1 large onion.


salt %26amp; pepper.


skin sausages, place in large bowl.


fry onion, mushrooms, (do not wash them dust them with a teatowel), bacon, season.


cool on kitchen paper.


when cooled mix in with the sausagemeat.


roll puff pastry into a rectangle and cut down each side, leaving a solid in the middle, place your mix down the center,and plait, eggwash, and bake for about 1 hour on 180. or until brown and puffed.


also very nice cold.
although this isnt the cheapest thing to make its not very expensive either... my grandma calls it plantation chicken dinner... and its delicious...for a good homecooked taste.. and your tight on the money...





you need a can of corn, pees, and green beans... you need cubed chicken, and a can of cream of chicken.. you pour that into a casserole dish and you cook it for about 15 to 20 mins.. thne take it out and stir it up... you then need a box of biscuiq... you make the bisquik like you are going to make rolls but you actaully put it on top of the casserole your making.. but you still put it on there like in the big clump... then you bake that for the recommened time on the back.. its makes a crust cover.. but its like biscuits on the top... its so good. and not to expensive.
Dice up a can of Spam (not the computer kind), boil up some noodles, drain them, put them back in the pan with the Spam and a can of diced tomatoes, warm and season as you like.
My favorite bachelor food: baked potatoes with canned or home-made chili %26amp; cheese on top. Extremely easy, filling and cheap.
Try out http://www.cdkitchen.com . They have some really great recipes that are tasty and pretty healthy.





Have fun!
There are now wonderful foods in the supermarkets that are good, easy, and some are quick. Don't be shy in asking a clerk to help you.


Save the following for future use or when you need something FAST.


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1. How to Cook in Foil-videos:


http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/cookingscho鈥?/a>


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2. Dinner Recipes-videos:


http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/CookingScho鈥?/a>


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3. Favorite Recipes:


http://www.fbnr.com/finder/searchlists/1鈥?/a>


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Take a look at these chicken recipes:


http://www.campbellsoup.com/Supper_Bakes鈥?/a>


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20-Minute Meals:


http://www.bhg.com/bhg/slideshow/slideSh鈥?/a>


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Microwave Cooking:


http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/111鈥?/a>


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From YahooAnswers - ';Average Joe'; recipes with pictures to guide you:


http://www.averagejoecooking.com/recipes鈥?/a>


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4. In a rush? Check out the PRE-COOKED beef tips, roast, pot roast, pork roast, chicken, ham, meatload. You will find these packages near the meat section, they are not frozen. Ask a clerk for help in finding them.


Use this for your meat dish with a side dish or two of vegetables, rice, or potatoes which can all be found in the freezer section or on shelves.


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5. Desserts of all types can be found in the bakeries, in the freezer sections, or on the shelves. And don't forget there is always ice cream to depend on.


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6. Another thing you can do is cook in a slow cooker or a crock-pot. You put the meat into the crock-pot in the morning and it slowly cooks all day long. The meal is ready at dinner time. Crock-pots can be bought at your grocery store, and at department stores. BE SURE to read the booklet that comes with the crock-pot.


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Beef Recipes in Crock Pot:


http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/beef-鈥?/a>


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Chicken Recipes in Crock Pot:


http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/chick鈥?/a>


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TEXAS crock pot recipes:


http://www.texascook.com/crockpot/


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7. In a hurry or on your way home from work? Pick up a roasted chicken that you can buy in the deli section.


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8. Frozen dinners are a good choice and are on hand in your freezer for a quick meal. Always buy the top brands for delicious flavors.


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9. Sauces (not juices) such as Italian, clam, Alfredo come in jars and cans, just pour them onto cooked pasta.


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10. Quick put together desserts:


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Sweetened Condensed Milk videos-turn on your sound:


http://eaglebrand.com/videos.asp?v=fudge鈥?/a>


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Chocolate Passion Bowl (video):


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8 MINUTE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE


Click this link:


http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1813,1521鈥?/a>


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Look for the ready to eat cheesecake tubs. You can make a quick cheese cake or spread onto graham crackers:


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FROZEN PEANUT BUTTER PIE-no bake


http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1937,150鈥?/a>


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Video - Pie Crust, How to Make and Bake:


http://www.cooking.com/recipes/videos.as鈥?/a>


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Microwave Dessert recipes:


http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/113鈥?/a>


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11. Tossed Salad (video):


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Caesar Salad - chef style (video):


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Quick five minute Caesar Salad (video):


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12. Guacamole Dip video (peppers can be left out if you wish):


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14. Ramen package cooking - Video;


Good for campus cooking;


Package comes with flavor packet.


Cost about twenty five cents at grocery stores:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMo405LJy鈥?/a>





15. Video On How To Cook A Rib Eye Steak (turn on your sound), click this link:


http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make鈥?/a>


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16. Ramen pre-packaged noodles with a spices packet included, click this link for recipes:


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17. Look through these chicken %26amp; pasta recipes:


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18. Southern Fried Chicken - Video (after short ad):


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19. Pulled Pork - Video (after short ad):


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20. Seafood Recipes:


http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Seafood/Ma鈥?/a>


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BBQ on the outdoor grill - Videos:





21. Grilled Salmon - fun Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSOb8krTB鈥?/a>





22. Grilled Burgers - fun Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skHWu05uw鈥?/a>





23. Grilled chicken breast - fun Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oixRJLofx鈥?/a>





24. Grilled roasted whole chicken - Video;


How to light grill:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9hPh6A2q鈥?/a>





25. Grilled spare ribs rack - Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETXRScuvj鈥?/a>





26. Grilled falling off the bone baby back ribs - Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVg1t3K27鈥?/a>





27. Grilled steaks %26amp; what types of steaks to grill:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A2YrcjB8鈥?/a>