Our family runs from the moment we wake up and planning dinner ahead of time is essential for us to survive on a budget. When I began to be a stay at home mom, I never thought that I would be too busy to cook for my family. After taking on several part-time jobs, running kids to school, laundry, cleaning, doctor appointments, as well as other commitments-it is a miracle my family gets dinner at all.
I decided that in order to balance all of these dishes so to speak, I had to come up with a plan. After searching the Internet for quick easy meals, I realized that my family was not a gourmet chef type of family. I loved the fact that these meals exist, but if I honestly served some of these I think my kids would die of malnutrition. Not to mention the big hole in my pocketbook. So feeling disappointed, I came up with my own list based on what my kids like, easy and cheap.
There is nothing wrong with doing some of the box dinners, already made dinners or other shortcuts at the store. Most are convenient and cheap. So here are five quick and easy meals for the normal, simple southern family.
1. Jambalaya- Seriously, you want something you can fix fast and be able to do other things while it cooks. Buy Zatarains or Tony Chachere's rice for around $1.50 for the box. Buy some Emeril’s or other brand Cajun sausage sold at our stores for around $5. You could also save and buy chicken when it is on sale for $2 a pound for boneless/skinless. Add some frozen garlic bread for a $1 and some canned corn for 50 cents. You can also add a bagged salad for $2. Both options stay under $10.
2. Quesadillas-This is perhaps the cheapest and most loved meal in my family. It is also the quickest. Buy a large can of refried beans-$1.50, tortillas for $1 and grated cheese for $2. You can also add some precooked fajita chicken for $5 or cook your own for about $3 for a pound of chicken and seasoning. Add a salad and boxed Mexican rice and still stay under $10.
3. Spaghetti-Easy and cheap as well. Noodles are always under a $1 although you can opt for whole wheat pasta for a little more. Jar sauces range from $1 to $4 and taste just as good. Also, can add a pound of ground meet for $3. Add some canned green beans and peaches for under $1.50-there is another $10 meal.
4. Chili-My mom made this on cold nights. It was super fast since she worked and very cheap. Cook ground beef ($2.50) and mix with Williams Chili Seasoning (.50). Mix into a pan with four cans of Bushs Chili Hot Beans ($2) and four cans of tomato sauce($2). Let simmer for 20 minutes. Add some cheese and crackers to make up the $10 or my husband likes his with rice. All garnishments will still keep it under $10.
5. Easy Sloppy Joes-Buy some ground meat (turkey or beef). Combine sloppy joe mix and one can of tomato paste (.33). Add buns for $1. Include some grapes, peaches in a cup or other fruit for under $2. Add some fries or tator tots heated in the oven for $2.
The great things about these meals are that they make a lot of food. So you can plan leftover nights into your meal planning. You can also have a breakfast night. We just cook sausage and egg and mix together, top with cheese and let the kids make their own breakfast tacos. With fruit, it is another cheap, very fast meal.
The trick is planning ahead so that you are not running to the store every night and tempted to change the menu and realizing that every meal does not have to be a gourmet meal. Real people eat real simple food such as tacos, spaghetti, sandwiches, etc. Don’t make it a complex thing. Use the resources in the store-even Hamburger Helpers are great deals. The important thing is just connecting with your family at the dinner table and being nourished. So get creative and see how many quick meals you can make under $10. Feel free to include them in the comments!
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