Featured Recipe...
Tamale Pie
Corn tortillas
Meat - beef or chicken
Enchilada sauce - green or red
In a square baking dish layer ingredients, you must put enchilada sauce on the bottom first, then corn tortillas, sauce, meat, tortillas, etc.
You can make this any size you would like. I feed six people so I make a large one and usually have leftovers.
Bake at 350 for 30 min. Melt cheese on top, serve with sour cream. The sauce makes the tortillas soft and then you think, you are eating tamales.
Serve with beans and a salad.
Submitted by Allison and Mark
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Sounds delicious, guys! Wow, we have had several Mexican recipes submitted this month and they all sound good! - Michelle
Daddy's Cowboy Chili
Featured Recipe...
Here is a family recipe from my father. We lived on a ranch, and money was always tight. I can remember my father cooking this dish at least three times a month. The beauty of this dish is that you can use whatever you have in your pantry or refrigerator, making it a great recipe for utilizing any leftovers you may have. The chili also gets better after sitting in the fridge for a day or two, so it is wonderful for leftovers itself.
Daddy’s Cowboy Chili
1 lb ground beef – you can substitute any kind of meat (leftover chicken or meatloaf works great)
1 can corn, drained
1 can whole beans – I prefer baked beans, but any kind will work
4 T. ketchup
2/3 cup picante sauce (or other salsa type condiment)
Soy sauce to taste
Brown meat in a deep skillet and drain any fat. If you use leftover meat, just chop or shred it & heat up in skillet. Add canned ingredients, ketchup, picante and soy sauce to meat, stir well. Let mixture heat until bubbling & remove from heat. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then serve with cornbread & salad for a great stick-to-your-ribs meal.
Submitted by Kendra G. DuBois
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Kendra, I know your family must enjoy cooking your father's cowboy chili recipe, thank you for sharing it with us! - Michelle
Here is a family recipe from my father. We lived on a ranch, and money was always tight. I can remember my father cooking this dish at least three times a month. The beauty of this dish is that you can use whatever you have in your pantry or refrigerator, making it a great recipe for utilizing any leftovers you may have. The chili also gets better after sitting in the fridge for a day or two, so it is wonderful for leftovers itself.
Daddy’s Cowboy Chili
1 lb ground beef – you can substitute any kind of meat (leftover chicken or meatloaf works great)
1 can corn, drained
1 can whole beans – I prefer baked beans, but any kind will work
4 T. ketchup
2/3 cup picante sauce (or other salsa type condiment)
Soy sauce to taste
Brown meat in a deep skillet and drain any fat. If you use leftover meat, just chop or shred it & heat up in skillet. Add canned ingredients, ketchup, picante and soy sauce to meat, stir well. Let mixture heat until bubbling & remove from heat. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then serve with cornbread & salad for a great stick-to-your-ribs meal.
Submitted by Kendra G. DuBois
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Kendra, I know your family must enjoy cooking your father's cowboy chili recipe, thank you for sharing it with us! - Michelle
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
Featured Recipe...
Hi Michelle, this recipe has become a regular in our house. Usually you have most of the ingredients on hand already.
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless work well) usually buy on super sale and freeze a bunch
1 can black beans
1 can corn (one time I used frozen corn and it was fine)
1.5 cup salsa (anything you need to get rid of works fine)
Place chicken on bottom, mix other ingredients and spread on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. After cooking, I shred the chicken and mix it all up! EASY to do.
Serve with tortillas and other taco like toppings. I also like to eat with chips too the next day for lunch. I always have free sour cream and cheese available.
Submitted by Shauna
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Looks like a mouth watering recipe for anyone who likes Mexican dinners, thanks Shauna! - Michelle
Hi Michelle, this recipe has become a regular in our house. Usually you have most of the ingredients on hand already.
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless work well) usually buy on super sale and freeze a bunch
1 can black beans
1 can corn (one time I used frozen corn and it was fine)
1.5 cup salsa (anything you need to get rid of works fine)
Place chicken on bottom, mix other ingredients and spread on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. After cooking, I shred the chicken and mix it all up! EASY to do.
Serve with tortillas and other taco like toppings. I also like to eat with chips too the next day for lunch. I always have free sour cream and cheese available.
Submitted by Shauna
--------------------------------
Looks like a mouth watering recipe for anyone who likes Mexican dinners, thanks Shauna! - Michelle
Alfredo Sauce for Fettuccine
Featured Recipe...
Store bought Alfredo sauce tends to be a bit pricey and my family doesn’t really like the taste of it so I came up with my own homemade recipe. This is my 18-year-old's favorite meal.
Fettuccine Alfredo
8 oz. cream cheese, cut in 1-inch cubes (do not substitute low fat or the sauce will be too thin)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (I use the store brand in a shaker can)
1/2 cup butter or margarine (I prefer butter but in a pinch I have used margarine)
2 cups milk
1 lb. fettuccine noodles
Dash of nutmeg (optional, but it adds a nice flavor)
Pepper to taste
Cook pasta by package directions. In a large sauce pan combine butter, cream cheese and milk. Cook on med., stirring constantly until smooth. Be sure to watch carefully to avoid scorching turn down heat if necessary. Add Parmesan cheese stir constantly and allow to simmer until desired thickness. You can add more Parmesan cheese if you like a richer flavor. Add nutmeg and pepper.
Serve over pasta.
Serve with a salad and loaf of Italian bread and this is a nice hearty and frugal meal. This is even a nice meal for when you have company. This meal including the salad and bread costs around $5 and it feeds my family of 6.
Allicia Brownlee
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I used to make homemade Alfredo for my family all the time, Allicia, will have to try this one! - Michelle
Store bought Alfredo sauce tends to be a bit pricey and my family doesn’t really like the taste of it so I came up with my own homemade recipe. This is my 18-year-old's favorite meal.
Fettuccine Alfredo
8 oz. cream cheese, cut in 1-inch cubes (do not substitute low fat or the sauce will be too thin)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (I use the store brand in a shaker can)
1/2 cup butter or margarine (I prefer butter but in a pinch I have used margarine)
2 cups milk
1 lb. fettuccine noodles
Dash of nutmeg (optional, but it adds a nice flavor)
Pepper to taste
Cook pasta by package directions. In a large sauce pan combine butter, cream cheese and milk. Cook on med., stirring constantly until smooth. Be sure to watch carefully to avoid scorching turn down heat if necessary. Add Parmesan cheese stir constantly and allow to simmer until desired thickness. You can add more Parmesan cheese if you like a richer flavor. Add nutmeg and pepper.
Serve over pasta.
Serve with a salad and loaf of Italian bread and this is a nice hearty and frugal meal. This is even a nice meal for when you have company. This meal including the salad and bread costs around $5 and it feeds my family of 6.
Allicia Brownlee
----------------------------------------
I used to make homemade Alfredo for my family all the time, Allicia, will have to try this one! - Michelle
Blueberry Syrup - Minced Garlic in a Jar
Featured Recipe...
Blueberry Syrup
I noticed you don't have a blueberry syrup yet... my grandpa shared this easy and QUICK recipe with me and I thought your readers might like this.
5 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen (or any fruit you would like)
2 cups sugar
Enough for 2 people
Combine in microwave safe container and "nuke" for 1 minute. Take a fork and smash berries not all just enough for the juice. If you grow and freeze your own it only costs for the sugar. I made some today and it cost me about $2 for everything and I had enough berries to freeze for next time!
Minced Garlic in a Jar
OH AND instead of buying crushed garlic in the little jars, buy garlic, put it in the food processor then put in a jar with a little canola oil. You can have a Mason jar for the price of 2 of the little ones... just another little tid bit i picked up from grandpa!
Hope your kids love it as much as we do!
Submitted by Leslie
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Fresh fruit is so delightful, thank you for sharing this recipe with us, Leslie, and extra food tips are always welcome! :o) - Michelle
Blueberry Syrup
I noticed you don't have a blueberry syrup yet... my grandpa shared this easy and QUICK recipe with me and I thought your readers might like this.
5 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen (or any fruit you would like)
2 cups sugar
Enough for 2 people
Combine in microwave safe container and "nuke" for 1 minute. Take a fork and smash berries not all just enough for the juice. If you grow and freeze your own it only costs for the sugar. I made some today and it cost me about $2 for everything and I had enough berries to freeze for next time!
Minced Garlic in a Jar
OH AND instead of buying crushed garlic in the little jars, buy garlic, put it in the food processor then put in a jar with a little canola oil. You can have a Mason jar for the price of 2 of the little ones... just another little tid bit i picked up from grandpa!
Hope your kids love it as much as we do!
Submitted by Leslie
--------------------------------------
Fresh fruit is so delightful, thank you for sharing this recipe with us, Leslie, and extra food tips are always welcome! :o) - Michelle
Bean, Cheese and Rice Burritos
Featured Recipe...
Thanks for your wonderful website and blog! It's a blessing to families like mine striving to make the most of a tight budget. I especially appreciate the great meatless ideas coming in recently - those really help the budget!
Here's one I came up with for more meatless nights that my husband likes:
Bean, Cheese and Rice Burritos
1 can black beans, drained
1/2 to 1 can diced tomatoes and chilies, drained
2-3 cups prepared rice
Sprinkling of shredded cheese
Dash ground cumin, if desired
Flour tortillas
Mix all of this in a glass bowl and microwave a few minutes until hot. Serve in tortillas! The mixture also freezes well.
Submitted by Sarah Bass
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This looks like a quick veggie recipe with some kick, Sarah, sounds delicious! We can only get away with meatless dinner nights when hubby is out of town but it really does help the budget. I will have him try this and see what he thinks, thanks for sharing! - Michelle
Thanks for your wonderful website and blog! It's a blessing to families like mine striving to make the most of a tight budget. I especially appreciate the great meatless ideas coming in recently - those really help the budget!
Here's one I came up with for more meatless nights that my husband likes:
Bean, Cheese and Rice Burritos
1 can black beans, drained
1/2 to 1 can diced tomatoes and chilies, drained
2-3 cups prepared rice
Sprinkling of shredded cheese
Dash ground cumin, if desired
Flour tortillas
Mix all of this in a glass bowl and microwave a few minutes until hot. Serve in tortillas! The mixture also freezes well.
Submitted by Sarah Bass
-----------------------------------
This looks like a quick veggie recipe with some kick, Sarah, sounds delicious! We can only get away with meatless dinner nights when hubby is out of town but it really does help the budget. I will have him try this and see what he thinks, thanks for sharing! - Michelle
Easy-Cheesy Crock Pot Potato Meal
Featured Recipe...
I would like to submit this recipe in the frugal dinner contest! It's delicious and I use it whenever I have leftover holiday ham. Enjoy!
Easy-Cheesy Crock Pot Potato Meal
My Family loves this meal after Christmas. It's a great way to use up some of your left-over ham. Wipe the inside of your crock pot with vegetable oil. Mix together the following ingredients below, then place in crock pot.
6-8 slices of leftover Holiday Ham (cut into bite sized pieces)
8 medium potatoes, sliced with skins (I like red potatoes)
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 cup grated SHARP or EXTRA SHARP Cheddar Cheese
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
Pepper and paprika to taste
1 can corn, drained
Cover and cook on high for approx. 4 hours (depending on how thick you slice your potatoes and how thick the skins are). Be sure to stir about 3 times during cooking. After potatoes are done, stir in a can of drained corn.
Submitted by Lori Knowles
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Thanks Lori, we love crock pot recipes for our busy families! - Michelle
I would like to submit this recipe in the frugal dinner contest! It's delicious and I use it whenever I have leftover holiday ham. Enjoy!
Easy-Cheesy Crock Pot Potato Meal
My Family loves this meal after Christmas. It's a great way to use up some of your left-over ham. Wipe the inside of your crock pot with vegetable oil. Mix together the following ingredients below, then place in crock pot.
6-8 slices of leftover Holiday Ham (cut into bite sized pieces)
8 medium potatoes, sliced with skins (I like red potatoes)
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 cup grated SHARP or EXTRA SHARP Cheddar Cheese
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
Pepper and paprika to taste
1 can corn, drained
Cover and cook on high for approx. 4 hours (depending on how thick you slice your potatoes and how thick the skins are). Be sure to stir about 3 times during cooking. After potatoes are done, stir in a can of drained corn.
Submitted by Lori Knowles
-----------------------------------------
Thanks Lori, we love crock pot recipes for our busy families! - Michelle
Breakfast Biscuits
Featured Recipe...
Breakfast Biscuits
This is a simple recipe that my kids LOVE!!!!!
2 packages of Jiffy buttermilk biscuit mix
8 eggs scrambled
15 slices of cooked bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Make mix according to box. Add bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheese. Bake according to box, serve warm.
Submitted by Michael Dickmann
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What an easy breakfast or breakfast/dinner, Michael! I bet your kids do love this and ours would too. - Michelle
Breakfast Biscuits
This is a simple recipe that my kids LOVE!!!!!
2 packages of Jiffy buttermilk biscuit mix
8 eggs scrambled
15 slices of cooked bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Make mix according to box. Add bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheese. Bake according to box, serve warm.
Submitted by Michael Dickmann
---------------------------
What an easy breakfast or breakfast/dinner, Michael! I bet your kids do love this and ours would too. - Michelle
Snow Balls
Featured Recipe...
I was reading your recipe for potato candy with peanut butter, and I was reminded of the Snow Balls I made as a child. You just have to remember that a baked potato contains a lot of water and when you start adding the icing sugar it is quite soupy.
Start with a small potato.
Snow Balls
Bake a potato, remove skin, and mash.
Mix icing sugar in with a bit of vanilla until you can form small balls (a bit smaller than a golf ball).
Roll each ball into melted semi-sweet chocolate.
Roll into coconut.
Set these out on a plate and put in fridge to set up.
Submitted by Lois Juzak
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I have not had these with coconut, Lois, I bet they are good! - Michelle
I was reading your recipe for potato candy with peanut butter, and I was reminded of the Snow Balls I made as a child. You just have to remember that a baked potato contains a lot of water and when you start adding the icing sugar it is quite soupy.
Start with a small potato.
Snow Balls
Bake a potato, remove skin, and mash.
Mix icing sugar in with a bit of vanilla until you can form small balls (a bit smaller than a golf ball).
Roll each ball into melted semi-sweet chocolate.
Roll into coconut.
Set these out on a plate and put in fridge to set up.
Submitted by Lois Juzak
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I have not had these with coconut, Lois, I bet they are good! - Michelle
Super Easy ' N Cheesy Mac & Cheese
Featured Recipe...
I just discovered Better Budgeting today, and I think the whole site is FANTASTIC!
I had to share my favorite mac-n-cheese recipe with you. Super easy and super good. This uses Velveeta, which I know is expensive, but in our local grocery store (Kroger's) they have a store brand Velveeta they call Nice 'N Cheesy, which works fine. For a 2-pound box, Velveeta is about $6, while Nice 'N Cheesy is about $4.
Super Easy 'n Cheesy Mac & Cheese
1 pound box of elbow macaroni, cooked & still hot (or amount to fill whatever baking dish you're using)
2 pound box Velveeta-type cheese (you won't use the whole box, but probably more than half)
Milk
Margarine
For a 2 qt. casserole dish, pour half the macaroni in the dish, slice the Velveeta and COVER every bit of macaroni. If you can see it, cover it up. Dot with margarine. Repeat for a second layer. Pour milk over it all till it is about half way up in the dish. Bake at 350* for 30 min until everything is all melted together.
I have a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate I like to use, and I only use one layer in that, but adjust it to what you're cooking it in. This is FABULOUS, and I have never had anyone not like it!
Submitted by Nancy White
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Years ago when my husband and I were first married one of our best friends used to make her mac 'n cheese with Velveeta and it was always delicious! Thanks for also telling our readers about the store brand, Nancy! :o) - Michelle
I just discovered Better Budgeting today, and I think the whole site is FANTASTIC!
I had to share my favorite mac-n-cheese recipe with you. Super easy and super good. This uses Velveeta, which I know is expensive, but in our local grocery store (Kroger's) they have a store brand Velveeta they call Nice 'N Cheesy, which works fine. For a 2-pound box, Velveeta is about $6, while Nice 'N Cheesy is about $4.
Super Easy 'n Cheesy Mac & Cheese
1 pound box of elbow macaroni, cooked & still hot (or amount to fill whatever baking dish you're using)
2 pound box Velveeta-type cheese (you won't use the whole box, but probably more than half)
Milk
Margarine
For a 2 qt. casserole dish, pour half the macaroni in the dish, slice the Velveeta and COVER every bit of macaroni. If you can see it, cover it up. Dot with margarine. Repeat for a second layer. Pour milk over it all till it is about half way up in the dish. Bake at 350* for 30 min until everything is all melted together.
I have a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate I like to use, and I only use one layer in that, but adjust it to what you're cooking it in. This is FABULOUS, and I have never had anyone not like it!
Submitted by Nancy White
-------------------------------------
Years ago when my husband and I were first married one of our best friends used to make her mac 'n cheese with Velveeta and it was always delicious! Thanks for also telling our readers about the store brand, Nancy! :o) - Michelle
Iced Mocha - Budget Copy Cat Recipes
Featured Recipe...
Hi Michelle, I love your site, especially the free budgeting worksheets. Very helpful. One of the best ways I've found to remove a lot of wasteful spending from my budget is by making a serious effort to make my own coffee drinks. At $4+ each at a coffee shop, when I looked at where my money was going, I realized that an obscene amount was being put towards something I could do much cheaper for myself. I've come up with a stand-by recipe for an iced mocha that I think is pretty good. It's not a dinner meal recipe, but I thought I'd share it. It's inexpensive and does not require any fancy expensive espresso machinery, though I do recommend buying a coffee grinder and French press. I've had my French press and coffee grinder set for years, and that $30 total investment has saved me hundreds versus going out for coffee every day (for me, I'm saving $50+ a month). Enjoy!
Iced 'Mocha'
Makes 2
Heat 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Place 1 T. chocolate syrup (or more if you prefer) in the bottom of each of 2 tall glasses. Prepare strong coffee with the water and 5T coarse, fresh ground coffee, using a French press*. Let sit 4 mins., then press. Poor a small amount of the coffee into each glass, and use a long spoon to mix the syrup with the coffee until well blended. Add 1/4 c. of milk and plenty of ice to each glass. Pour remaining coffee over top and stir to combine. You may need to add more ice at the end. Serve immediately.
Try substituting other flavored syrups, such as vanilla or hazelnut, for the chocolate. They're inexpensive and available at many beverage stores, such as BevMo.
*A French press is $10-$20, available most general home stores, such as Walmart. And in my opinion, well worth the investment if you are a coffee fan. Use it with 100% arabica coffee, and its better than anything you can get at a coffee shop - at a fraction of the cost.
Submitted by Julia
----------------------------------------
Yummy, Julia, I love mochas too, hot or cold! :o) We try to make our own coffee at home as often as possible...great for saving money. - Michelle
Hi Michelle, I love your site, especially the free budgeting worksheets. Very helpful. One of the best ways I've found to remove a lot of wasteful spending from my budget is by making a serious effort to make my own coffee drinks. At $4+ each at a coffee shop, when I looked at where my money was going, I realized that an obscene amount was being put towards something I could do much cheaper for myself. I've come up with a stand-by recipe for an iced mocha that I think is pretty good. It's not a dinner meal recipe, but I thought I'd share it. It's inexpensive and does not require any fancy expensive espresso machinery, though I do recommend buying a coffee grinder and French press. I've had my French press and coffee grinder set for years, and that $30 total investment has saved me hundreds versus going out for coffee every day (for me, I'm saving $50+ a month). Enjoy!
Iced 'Mocha'
Makes 2
Heat 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Place 1 T. chocolate syrup (or more if you prefer) in the bottom of each of 2 tall glasses. Prepare strong coffee with the water and 5T coarse, fresh ground coffee, using a French press*. Let sit 4 mins., then press. Poor a small amount of the coffee into each glass, and use a long spoon to mix the syrup with the coffee until well blended. Add 1/4 c. of milk and plenty of ice to each glass. Pour remaining coffee over top and stir to combine. You may need to add more ice at the end. Serve immediately.
Try substituting other flavored syrups, such as vanilla or hazelnut, for the chocolate. They're inexpensive and available at many beverage stores, such as BevMo.
*A French press is $10-$20, available most general home stores, such as Walmart. And in my opinion, well worth the investment if you are a coffee fan. Use it with 100% arabica coffee, and its better than anything you can get at a coffee shop - at a fraction of the cost.
Submitted by Julia
----------------------------------------
Yummy, Julia, I love mochas too, hot or cold! :o) We try to make our own coffee at home as often as possible...great for saving money. - Michelle
Winning Recipe of Our August Contest: Hot Dog Cornbread
Contest Winner - August 2009
My kids loved this growing up and now my grandsons do, too! This is one of the recipes I made when we had babysitters because at least two of them also loved it!
I use the cornbread recipe that I know by memory. The closest is probably that on any cornmeal package. You can also use cornbread mix. In Texas, we always make cornbread with yellow cornmeal.
Hot Dog Cornbread
3 hot dogs
2 T. mustard
2 T. sweet relish
Make cornbread as usual and pour into 9x9 inch dish. Cut hot dogs into thirds and then slice lengthwise almost all the way through. Carefully place the hot dog pieces in the cornbread in three rows of three. Stir together mustard and relish and fill the hot dog cavities with this mixture. Bake the cornbread as usual.
You can also fill hot dogs with cheese or other favorite condiments, but we love the mustard and relish!
Submitted by Charlene R.
--------------------------------------
Congratulations, Charlene!!!
(See Blog for Contest Details)
My kids loved this growing up and now my grandsons do, too! This is one of the recipes I made when we had babysitters because at least two of them also loved it!
I use the cornbread recipe that I know by memory. The closest is probably that on any cornmeal package. You can also use cornbread mix. In Texas, we always make cornbread with yellow cornmeal.
Hot Dog Cornbread
3 hot dogs
2 T. mustard
2 T. sweet relish
Make cornbread as usual and pour into 9x9 inch dish. Cut hot dogs into thirds and then slice lengthwise almost all the way through. Carefully place the hot dog pieces in the cornbread in three rows of three. Stir together mustard and relish and fill the hot dog cavities with this mixture. Bake the cornbread as usual.
You can also fill hot dogs with cheese or other favorite condiments, but we love the mustard and relish!
Submitted by Charlene R.
--------------------------------------
Congratulations, Charlene!!!
(See Blog for Contest Details)
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