Freeper Kitchen: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

[MamaTexan]

They called it "the noodle stuff".

Add a can of (drained) corn, and you have what we call goulash ;)

[kevkrom]

Basic pesto is a great way to look gormuet without spending a whole lot, especially if you grow your own basil:

• 1 c. basil leaves
• 3/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• olive oil

1. In food processor or blender, mix leaves, cheese, and garlic until the consistency of paste (if it's too wet, add more cheese; too dry, add more basil)
2. Add oil slowly, while continuing to mix, until the desired pesto consistency is reached
3. Add to 1 lb cooked pasta, serve as a side, 8 portions.

[freeangel]

One can usually find some inexpensive pork chops somewhere. Sprinkle garlic powder and paprika freely on both sides and then brown on both sides. Add a can of mushroom soup on top and spread around with 2 0r 3 tbs of water. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes and serve with noodles. The gravy is great.

[looney tune]

I got one that's almost the same, but with chicken. Brown some chicken breasts & throw in a a baking pan with a can of cream of chicken soup, diluted with chicken broth. Bake it til it's done (35 minutes or so). Serve it with rice or noodles & a salad.

[Sax]

Get a frozen turkey - pound for pound there's a lot a meat, it's relatively cheap, and it last a while. Roast it, eat it with mashed taters or stuffing, make cold sandwiches later, boil (then scrape and remove) the carcass for a tasty stew - water, carrots, potatoes, thyme, cream, pepper, onions, celery, whatever you'd like. Make turkey meat chili, tacos or enchiladas too.

[Sax]

Sound familiar - my college staple was ziti noodles, tuna, and spaghetti sauce. Packed with carbs & protein. I still make it a couple times a year for nostalgia!

[laceybrookesdad]

2 boxes of macaroni and cheese, 2 cups frozen peas, 2 cans of tuna. My kids make this all the time and I have to admit Dad likes it too!

[HungarianGypsy]

Mmmmm! I have pork chops in my freezer right now.

[Sacajaweau]

Tuna & peas...on toast. Cheap & takes ten minutes.

Can of Tuna, frozen peas, cup of milk (or more if you like). Salt & pepper to taste.

Throw it all in a pot till it begins to boil. Thicken with cornstarch. Scoop onto slices of toast.

[SoDak]

I'm kind of finished with the nostalgia of tuna goop, I'm happy those days are behind me.

[SoDak]

Tuna is cheap protein. And, it's quite good for you. I got so tired of it, I don't think I have any at all in my cupboard.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Spanish Rice:

1 reg.-size can of Tomato Soup
1 lb. ground beef, salt/pepper and browned
2 cups of Cooked Minute Rice
Chili Powder to taste
Chopped green peppers to taste
combine in large skillet and simmer

Pasta Salad:

2 cups of cooked Rotillini (sp)
chopped green pepper to taste
chopped red or yellow peppers
chopped Vidalias when in season or sweet onion
chopped cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
Small can of sliced ripe olives
Lots of Parmesan Cheese
Italian Dressing
Chill it and enjoy.
(you can throw in small broccoli flowerettes)

[A knight without armor]

True, but this is about being on the cheap. It is much cheaper to just add your hamburger to the least expensive box of macaroni & cheese. Period. Add onion if you have it.

I find some of these ideas too fancy for cheap eating. If you have cheese, meat, a bunch of vegetables, etc., you have a regular meal, not a cheapo.

One of my favorite cheap meals is eggs and toast.

[tapatio]

Frito Pie

1 pound Velveeta cheese, cut in cubes
1 can (10 oz.) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 package (10 oz.) regular size Fritos
2 cans (1 pound, 8 oz. each) chili without beans or about 5 cups homemade chili
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Spray a medium-size baking dish with non-stick spray. Combine the cheese and tomatoes in a saucepan and heat slowly until the cheese melts. Heat the chili in another saucepan.

Place half the Fritos in the baking dish. Spoon half the chili over the Fritos. Cover with a layer of cheese sauce. (There will be cheese sauce left over to use as a dip.) Scatter the remaining Fritos over the cheese. Cover with the rest of the chili and sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

Yields four servings.


Tamale and Frito Pie

1 can (1 pound) chili or about 3 cups homemade chili
2 cups regular size Fritos
6 tamales, removed from the corn husks (see note)
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers, shredded

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9 x 11-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Heat the chili in a saucepan until it just comes to a boil. Remove from the heat. Crumble the Fritos and spread in the bottom of the baking dish. Lay the tamales on top of the Fritos. Cover with the hot chili.

Bake uncovered 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the shredded cheese and bake 5 to 10 minutes more, until the cheese melts and the mixture is bubbly.

[samiam1972]

Cheap and EASY!!!

3 can soup

1 can corn
1 can black beans (draining optional)
1 can Rotel tomatoes

Heat and serve. Approx. 4 servings. This is great with a quesadilla...throw some cheese inside a buttered tortilla and warm in a skillet til crispy. Delicious!

[Eepsy]

1 tin chunk tuna (33 cents on sale)
1/4 c BBQ sauce (20 cents or less)
4 slices whole wheat toast (30 cents)

1. Mix tuna and BBQ sauce in the morning, refrigerate.

2. When you're hungry, heat it up, apply to toast.

3. No, it doesn't taste like fish.

Serves two