My Favorite Go-To Cheap Meals
My BIGGEST secret to sticking to my meal plan each week is to incorporate my favorite, go-to meals. The best part is that these meals are made from inexpensive ingredients and are quick and easy to make for those busy nights!
White Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
3 Chicken breasts (Boneless, skinless)
1 can whole kernel corn (do not drain)
1 can black beans (drained, rinsed)
1 can rotel (do not drain)
1 package ranch seasoning
8 oz. cream cheese
Directions:
Lay chicken breasts in bottom of lightly greased crockpot (or use these crockpot liners for easy clean up https://amzn.to/3ODxCTs). Pour all canned ingredients on top of chicken. Add ranch seasoning and cream cheese. Place lid on crockpot and cook for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. Using two forks, shred chicken and mix together well with all ingredients.
(I have a family of 6 so I double the recipe so we have enough for leftovers.)
Chicken Crack Casserole
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 1/2 cups dry elbow noodles
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped, cooked bacon
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups crushed RITZ crackers
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bring pot of water to a boil and cook noodles until desired tenderness (about 10-12 minutes). In a bowl, combine chicken, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. When noodles are finished cooking, add them to mixture and stir well to combine. Spread into prepared pan. Combine crushed crackers and melted butter in a bowl, then sprinkle over chicken mixture. Bake uncovered 30 minutes.
Chicken & Fried Rice
Ingredients:
2 cups white rice
2 eggs
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/2 cup Yum Yum sauce
Directions:
Prepare rice according to the package on the stovetop or using a rice cooker. (We eat a lot of rice and this is the rice cooker we use and love! https://amzn.to/3w958ut). While rice is cooking, cut chicken into small pieces and add to large skillet or wok with olive oil over medium-high heat. Stir often and cook until chicken is 165 degrees F in the center (about 6-8 minutes). Set cooked chicken aside. When rice is finished cooking, add to skillet or wok along with eggs. Stir continuously until egg is cooked. Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and cooked chicken. Stir together and cook for additional 3 minutes. Serve in a bowl and drizzle with yum yum sauce.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
16 oz Olive Garden Italian dressing
16 oz Penne pasta
1/4 tsp black pepper
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions:
Add chicken to crockpot. Don’t forget to use those crockpot liners for easy cleanup! Pour one 16-ounce jar of Olive Garden Italian Dressing over chicken. Add parmesan cheese and black pepper. Add one block of cream cheese. Place lid on crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 6 hours. Shred the chicken in the crockpot with forks. Cook 16 ounces of penne pasta according to the package directions on the stovetop. Add the drained pasta to the crockpot and stir everything together. I serve this meal with steamed vegetables or salad and breadsticks.
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Mini Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 can manwhich sloppy Joe sauce
1 can crescent rolls
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
(Again, I have a large family and I double this recipe)
Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray (1 can crescent rolls makes 8). Cook beef in skillet over medium-high heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; drain excess grease. Add sloppy Joe sauce; cook until heated through. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Press 1 crescent roll into each muffin cup, making sure to cover the bottom and sides of cup. Divide sloppy Joe mixture evenly into each cup. Sprinkle each cup with shredded cheese. Bake 14-18 minutes or until dough is deep golden brown and filling is heated through. Serve with fries or tater tots.
Potato Soup with Ham & Cheese Sliders
Ingredients: Potato Soup
1 bag of frozen, shredded potatoes (26-32 oz)
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 cups chicken broth
1 2.5 oz bag of real bacon pieces
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz cream cheese (cut into cubes)
1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions:
Add all ingredients to crockpot (use crockpot liner for easy cleanup). Stir together well. Place lid on crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Ingredients: Sliders
1 12 pack of Hawaiian rolls
Sliced ham of your choice (I use 9 oz. of honey ham)
Sliced cheese of your choice (I use pepper jack)
Sauce of your choice (I use Chick-fil-a sauce)
2 Tbsp melter butter
1 Tbsp brown sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut top of rolls off and set aside. Layer bottom half of rolls with ham and sliced cheese. drizzle with sauce and place the top half of rolls back onto sliders. Combine melted butter and brown sugar and brush over top of rolls. Bake 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted. (Quick Tip: I use a pizza cutter to quickly divide the sliders once they come out of the oven).
Slow Cooker Beef Ramen
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 cup matchstick carrots
1 red bell pepper (sliced)
2-3 scallions (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 14.5 oz can chicken stock (or beef stock for a more robust flavor—that’s what I use)
2 ramen noodle packets (discard the seasoning packets)
sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
scallions for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Brown and drain ground beef. Add the beef to the slow cooker. (You guessed it, use those crockpot liners to make clean up quick and easy! https://amzn.to/42EbL4i ) Add carrots, red bell pepper, and scallions to the slow cooker. In a bowl, mix together the garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and chicken or beef stock. Pour the sauce into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on low 4-6 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, add dry ramen noodles(discard the seasoning packets). Stir those around frequently to make sure they get all covered and cook evenly. When the noodles are tender it is ready to serve. Optional: top with more scallions and some sesame seeds.
Biscuit Pizzas (a kid FAVE!)
Ingredients:
1 can (or 2 if you have a large family like mine) bicuits
1 jar pizza sauce
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
Pizza toppings of your choice (We use pepperoni and bacon)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place biscuits on a greased baking sheet a few inches apart from each other. Brush pizza sauce onto each biscuit. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese onto each biscuit. Top each biscuit with your favorite pizza toppings. (My kiddos LOVE adding their own toppings to their biscuit pizza!) Bake for 14-17 minutes or until bottom of biscuits are golden brown.
If your toddler loves to be in the kitchen with you, check out this awesome Kitchen Step Stool/Toddler Standing Tower— https://amzn.to/49wdPNW
These last two are super quick and easy, and since they can be customized so many different ways, I incorporate them into my meal plan every other week.
Tacos
When I cook taco meat, I make enough to have several meals off of it. I simply switch up how I serve them to keep my family from getting burnt out on the same leftovers for multiple meals. One night we have tacos, the next night we use the taco meat to make quesadillas, and the third night we have nachos with whatever meat is left over and lots of yummy toppings.
Breakfast Foods for Dinner
Breakfast foods are usually inexpensive, and like tacos, this meal can be changed up and customized several different ways. Some examples I incorporate into my meal plans are:
pancakes and sausage
omelettes
biscuit and gravy with bacon
waffles and scrambled eggs
These quick and easy meals have been a lifesaver for me when it comes to meal planning on a budget. If you find yourself grappling with where to begin when it comes to meal planning, these recipes provide an excellent starting point. Incorporate these delicious and budget-friendly meals into your routine alongside the meal plan guide for a seamless and successful start to your meal planning journey.
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