Cheap dinner ideas

Snikle512

With Christmas expenses coming up we are running a little tight. Im looking for ideas from you ladies on what you do to stretch your food budget during tight times.

cristykaye

Spaghetti. We always have leftovers. Crockpot of beans, my mom always fixes a side of fried potatoes with it.

GRC6713

Spaghetti, beans, chili, any kind of soup! Cheap and always has left overs!

CamrynnsMommy

I like to make dinners that have leftovers, but that I can use the leftovers in a different way.

Last night we had chili, tonight we had chili dogs or you could do Cincinnati chili.

Roasted whole chicken, use left over meat to make chicken chili or quesadillas.

Ham (ham can be expensive, but can be used for multiple nights.). We use leftovers for ham and cheesy potatoes, breakfast casserole or ham and potato soup.

Other cheap dinners: breakfast, goulash, tacos, chicken and yellow rice.

Katemr1146

Spaghetti or quesadillas are always our go-to cheap, pulled together meals. Soups are good too for using left over veggies and meat.

That+One+Girl

Red bean and rice, soup (use leftover bones for homemade broth), baked potatoes with hummus and cheese, pasta. if we have a larger lunch then dinner tends to be popcorn apple and cheese slices. I try to make a few days meat free and get protein from beans/nuts it took a bit of planning when I started but it saves a lot
Always check out store ads too you can save a lot by shopping sales (if you don't already) and always check out 'manager specials' many times if meat is dated soon they will mark it down and if you can't use it that night then freeze it for later. Also if you live in an area with ethnic stores produce can be very fresh and cheep (hubby is Japanese so he can sometimes get better deals and product then when I go in)

Good luck

jane8188

Stir fry, put what ever vegetables you like, buy what ever meat is on sale, and the noodles are pretty cheap. For the sauce I can usually use things I already have, soy sauce, peanut butter, and brown sugar, also if I have lemon juice I'll add that too. If you like it spicy you can add hot sauce. It usually makes a lot. Yum.

Snikle512

Love all of these ideas. I have not really been hungry lately but the kids eat tons! I'm going to see what's on sale and compare to this list tomorrow! Thank you ladies!

Jillzy86

Red beans and rice, lasts us a few days.

kalette

Potato soup, Spaghetti or pretty much any pasta, Scrambled Eggs.