Creating “Big Family” Meals On A Budget

Dinner time is the menu I focus on most. I have to think cheap meals for a big family. My budget allows for me to spend about $5 per meal.

Ya, not a lot for my big family but with time and effort I have been able to create basic healthy meals that my kids will actually eat.  Most of the menu’s under the $5 family meals tab will feed a family of 4 people.

I have found simple ways to add more ingredients to make sure there is enough to feed everyone and make ahead freezer meals.

 

How To Make That Recipe Feed A “BIG FAMILY”

  • Spaghetti – I add an 1/2 extra package of noodle, 1 can tomato sauce and extra seasonings.
  • Pasta with white sauce – 1 add 1/2 extra package of noodles, 1 cup sour cream and extra seasoning.
  • Casseroles – again I add extra noodles or rice, double the can ingredients and extra seasoning.

I buy canned fruits and vegetable the case each month. The main reason being they are great fillers, the kids can have 2nd’s or even 3rd’s (yes I’m dreaming I know that such a request would never be made in my house). I only buy fresh fruits and vegetable that are in season and on sale otherwise I could not afford them.

Whenever possible I always make extra. This serves 2 purposes. First you never know who is going to stop by for a visit so there is always enough for an extra plate or two and second (a term that makes my kids cringe) LEFTOVER’S! I make ahead freezer meals for the rest of the week. I package left overs in those Ziploc plastic containers and my husband will take them for lunch the next day or I freeze them then the kids and I will eat leftovers throughout the week for breakfast or lunch depending on what the left over is.

With these suggestions dinner doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. It just takes a little planning and some effort and you will have simple cheap recipes for big families and a little extra money in your wallet.

If you have any cheap and easy dinner ideas I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

Take a look at this article for more Family Meal Tips and Tricks : Kitchen Tips and Recipe Rescues

September 26th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Dinner Recipes, Best Crockpot Recipes, Casserole Cooking, Cooking Tricks & Tips, Dream Dinners Made Cheap, freezer meals recipes, Kids Recipes Made easy, Simply Delicious Desserts | 23 comments

Super Cheap Family Meals Kids Love

Creating a super cheap family meals the kids will enjoy is simple.

My kids love hot dogs and hot dogs are cheap.

Add a box of macaroni and cheese and I promise you will have an instant kid approved meal.

But instead of using a boring bun turn the family meal into something fun.

Let the kids help make this $5 family dinner.

 

Pigs in a Blanket

1 pkg. hot dog ($0.69 at wal-mart)

1 can crescent rolls ($0.97 at wal-mart)

2 box of macaroni and cheese ($0.50 each at wal-mart)

1 can carrots ($0.50 at wal-mart)

Pre-heat oven according to crescent roll directions. Unroll crescent rolls and pull apart one at a time to wrap around 1 hot dog for each roll (this is the fun part for kids!). Bake according to directions on can. Cook macaroni and cheese according to directions on box while pigs in the blanket are baking. Serve with carrots. Feeds 4-5.

TIP: Use the left overs for an easy make ahead lunch.

Kids also love this simple and cheap family recipe: Chicken Spaghetti

September 26th, 2008 | Tags: , , | Category: Dinner Recipes, Kids Recipes Made easy | 5 comments

Super Easy Family Meals for Less Than $5

My house gets pretty crazy during the week so I have to plan super easy family meals my husband can help prepare.

He is not the best cook, as a matter of fact I think my children will grow up remembering two things about Dad’s cooking – COLD or BURNT!!

I can’t complain though, he gets up every morning and prepares the kids a warm (okay semi-warm) breakfast and he never complains about having to fix dinner.

I always make sure we have sandwich fixing’s on hand just in case I’m running late and Dad covers dinner duty.

Here is our favorite dinner sandwich from the $5 dinner meals.

 

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches or BLT’s

(Leave the tomato off and my kid’s are in heaven.)

Quick Easy Dinner Ideas

Quick Easy Dinner Ideas

1 pkg. bacon ($1.50 at associated stores, the Big Buy brand)

1 head lettuce ($0.97 at Wal-Mart, save the remaining for another meal)

1 tomato ($.75 this depends on store and sale price)

1 loaf bread ($.97 at Wal-Mart)

1 can peaches ($0.69 at Wal-Mart)

Fry bacon until fully cooked. Wash lettuce and pull off enough large pieces to make your sandwiches. Was and slice tomato. Toast bread they add 1 tsp of mayonnaise to each slice. Add 3 slices of bacon, 1 piece of lettuce and 2 pieces of tomato. Make a sandwich, cut in half and serve with diced up peaches. Now that’s quick and easy. Feeds 4-5.

Want to try another Kid Friendly Meal? Look at this simple recipe: Chicken Pasta

September 26th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Dinner Recipes | 2 comments
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