My Mom’s Goulash – My Poverty Meal

I ran across a goulash recipe today from Recipezaar called Poverty Meal and I had to laugh.

As a child my mom made something very similar to this but she called it Goulash. I think I like calling it the Poverty Meal instead as that is exactly what it was.

We grew up poor and my mom did her best to provide for us. I could always tell how broke we were by the ingredients she used, no kidding.

If times were good the recipe included vegetables, ground beef, cream of mushroom soup and cheese. If we were broke it became a simple tomato sauce and noodle dinner.

I have made this a few times for my family and I need to include it in my menu planning more often as my kids actually like it and eat it well.

It’s one of those quick dinner recipes that  definitely fits well within my $5 dinner meals and depending on the ingredients you use it could actually be less than $2 to prepare. So here is my version of a Poverty Meal or as my mom calls it her Goulash recipe.

My Mom’s Goulash Recipe – My Poverty Meal

Quick Dinner Recipes

Goulash Recipe

Inspiration from Recipezaar, family recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef (ground turkey works well too)
  • 2 small cans of tomato sauce
  • 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 pkg. elbow macaroni
  • 1 can of mixed vegetables (optional)
  • 1 cup of cheese (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Meal Preparation Directions:

  1. Prepare elbow macaroni according to directions on package, drain and put back in pot
  2. Cook ground beef or turkey until done, drain grease
  3. Add tomato sauce, cream of mushroom soup and mixed vegetable to pot of macaroni, mix well
  4. Add ground beef or turkey and salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Top with cheese if desired.

Meal Assembly:
Serves 4-6. Add a dinner salad and sliced french bread for a nutritious cheap family meal.

TIP: Double the batch for a make ahead freezer meal next week. Need tips to begin make ahead meal planning? Here is a great article: Quick Tips For Make Ahead Meals

Looking for something different? Try this Quick Dinner Recipe: Easy Tuna-Fish Casserole

Or better yet try this kid approved meal: Easy Meatloaf Recipe

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January 24th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Dinner Recipes, Casserole Cooking, easy ground beef meals, freezer meals recipes | 3 comments

Quick Chicken Broccoli Casserole For Dinner

If your looking for quick Chicken Casserole Recipes, then look no further. I have said it before, I find some of the best family meal ideas right on the Campbell’s soup can.

I found a great side dish  called Broccoli ‘n’ Cheese Casserole on the label but wanted to make a meal of it so I added in some chicken and pasta and it turned out to be one of the best Chicken Recipes for a casserole.

My family loves it and yes its another one of those great $5 dinner meals to add to your cheap meals recipe collection.

Chicken, Broccoli ‘n’ Cheese Casserole

Chicken Casserole Recipes

Chicken Casserole Recipes

Found on Campbell’s Soup can and added to it

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 30 minutes
Serves 4- 6

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken cut-up (use what cheap or already in the freezer)
  • 3 cups corkscrew pasta (rotini), cooked and drained
  • 1 can (10 3/4oz.) Campbells’ Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 bag (16oz.) frozen broccoli flowerets, thawed
  • 1 tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • 1 tbsp. melted butter

Meal Preparation Directions:

  1. Stir soup, milk,mustard, broccoli and cheese in a 2-qt casserole dish or pan.
  2. Mix in chicken and pasta.
  3. Mix bread crumbs with butter and sprinkle over mixture.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot.

Meal Assembly:
Add a dinner salad and side of fruit.

TIP: Double the batch for a make ahead freezer meal next week.

Need something different? Try this easy Mexican recipe: Straw Hat Casserole

For more great dinners with chicken here is list of 7 simple and quick dinner ideas: Chicken Recipes

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January 15th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Dinner Recipes, Casserole Cooking | Leave a comment

The Perfect Crockpot Holiday Side Dish

I wanted to wrap up my week of Holiday recipes with one final Holiday side dish that will knock your socks off.

I love a recipe that requires the use of a crockpot and what easier way to get your Holiday side dish from your home to your Holiday party still warm and delicious.

I made this the other night for my family, exactly as the recipe is listed and it was an instant hit with the kids!

We will never buy boxed macaroni and cheese again! (O.K. well probably I will but I won’t enjoy eating the box stuff after having this.)

I found this recipe while surfing on Yahoo Answers. Thanks to Shylah Petkus for permission to print.

Trust me when I tell you this recipe ROCKS!!

Please double or even triple the batch for the perfect freeze ahead lunch meal.

My husband gets to enjoy this for lunch tomorrow.

Macaroni and Cheese in the Crockpot

Recipe Submitted By: Shylah Petkus
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook time: 2-3 hours

Here is how I make the mac and cheese:

Boil shells until al dente (undercook) and drain well
Heat 2 cups heavy cream on the stove. Add in:
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. prepared horseradish *optional
1 tsp. chopped garlic
3 T butter

After it is hot, add in 1/4 cup CREMORA or COFFEE MATE non dairy coffee creamer (the dry stuff) (yes, add it) (i promise)
Begin to whisk in 1/2 block of shredded VELVEETA. It’ll be hard to grate, so if you have to use some chunks, that is ok.

Keep whisking over low/medium heat until it is incorporated.

Pour your pasta into the crock pot.
Pour cheese sauce over the top. It will be soupy!!!
Cover crock pot.
Heat on low for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, cover the top with a crumble of the seasoned croutons you have on hand. I usually add in 2 or 3 graham crackers when I pulse it to grind it into crumbs. Gives it a little sweetness that people adore.

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December 15th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Best Crockpot Recipes, Dream Dinners Made Cheap | 2 comments
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