Cheap Meals For Your Family

Everyone is looking for Holiday Dip ideas that are cheap and easy to prepare so I dusted off some of my favorite Holiday Cookbooks and pulled out a few of the cheapest recipes that will be a hit for you Holiday Party but won’t put a dent in your wallet.

Chicken Dip Recipe

(also called Buffalo Chicken Dip)

Meal Preparation Ingredients:
·    2 cans (10oz.) chicken chunks
·    2 pkg. cream cheese
·    1 cup ranch dressing
·    1/4 pepper sauce ( I use Franks REDHOT)
·    1 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese
Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Place cream cheese in shallow casserole dish and microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
2.    Stir in drained chicken, ranch dressing, pepper sauce and 1 cup of the cheese.
3.    Sprinkle top with remaining cheese.
4.    Microwave on high 2-4 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 6 cups – serves 20 to 24. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips or celery sticks.

7 Layer Mexican Dip Recipe

(also called bean dip, 7 layer dip)

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

• 1 can re-fried beans (16oz.)
• 1 container sour cream (16oz.)
• 1 pkg taco dry seasoning mix
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup guacamole ( can use the dry guacamole seasoning mix)
• 1 cup of chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup sliced green onion
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives

Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Spread re-fried beans in shallow serving dish.
2.    Mix sour cream and seasoning mix until well blended. Spread over re-fried beans.
3.    Top with cheese, dollops of guacamole, tomatoes, onions and olives.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 8 cups – serves 20 to 24. Serve tortilla chips.

Easy Sunset Dip

Meal Preparation Ingredients:
·    8 oz. softened cream cheese
·    1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
·    1 cup chunky salsa
Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Spread cream cheese in 9″ microwave safe dish.
2.    Sprinkle cheese on top and microwave on high 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts.
3.    Top with chunky salsa.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 3 cups – serves 8 to 10. Serve with tortilla chips or Frito’s scoops.

Creamy Ranch Dip

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1/2 cup of ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup grates Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup bacon bits
• 2 Tbsp. sliced green onion

Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Mix all ingredients and refrigerate.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 1 1/2 cups. Serve with crackers, or cut up fresh vegetables
TIP: Use leftover dip as a tasty sandwich spread or tortilla roll up spread.

I would love to hear about your family favorite dip recipes or Holiday Meal Ideas. Please leave a comment or sent me an email. Happy Holidays -Machelle