Cheap Dinner Meals for Budget Cooking

Planning a menu based on cheap dinner meals allows shoppers to cut grocery costs by buying larger quantities of an item to be split among several meals. Unit costs typically decrease for larger quantities of an item. This Cheap Dinner Meal plan uses budget cooking and planning for three weeks of dinner meals. Costs of approximately $75 are based on grocery sales and cover the main courses with some of the accompanying side items also. A grocery list is found at the end of this article showing the items to purchase in preparation of these budget cooking menu items.

Meal Planning helps to reduce the grocery budget. If these items are out of your cost range, consider what meals allow you to serve a cheap dinner and substitute those to the meal plan before shopping. These dinners can be prepared in any sequence by freezing items and cooking when scheduled.

Cheap Dinner Item 1: London Broil and Rice

Place one piece of London Broil in a crock pot. Add one can and tomato soup and half can of water. Top with 5 or 6 red potatoes. If you have onions, add some. If not, add onion and garlic salt to the pot. If you have carrots, add those too. Cheap dinners take advantage of what is available and adapt to what is not. You can add Italian seasoning or basil if you like. Cook on low about 6 hours. Serve over plenty of rice. Save your leftovers in a freezer container, they will become part of a tomato based soup.

More London Broil for Meal Plan items 2 and 3

If frozen, thaw the remaining London Broil in the refrigerator. Remove about 30 min before cooking to allow it to warm up a bit. Rub it in dry mustard, salt and pepper. Heat a bit of oil in a cast iron skillet. Slice the beef into thin strips, sear until no longer pink. Reserve about 1/4 of it to use for meal 3. Place it in a zip lock freezer bag and freeze until you want to make the 3rd meal.

Meal 2: Budget Cooking Stroganoff

2 Tbsp. butter
London broil, sliced into strips
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
salt and pepper
4 Tbsp. flour
1 can beef broth (make from a pack)
1 tsp. yellow mustard
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 can mushrooms (optional)

Heat a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Melt the butter. Add the beef and brown. Push the beef to the side. Add the onions to the juices and cook for about 3-5 mins., or until tender. Push those to the side. Add the flour to the juices and cook for one minute. Then add the beef broth and the mustard, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for one hour. Then add the water, sour cream, and mushrooms. Cook on low until heated through. Season with more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve this cheap dinner meal over pasta or rice.

Meal 3: Leftover London Broil Soup
Make this recipe from the London Broil you set aside from Meal 2

2 cans Tomatoes
12 tsp Bouillion
1 bag frozen Vegetables
6 tsp Worcestershire Sauce,
1/2 lb London Broil cooked
Garlic Powder
Pepper

Boil 6 cups of water. After boiling add bouillon and tomatoes. Dice cooked London Broil and add to broth with vegetables. Add Worcestershire Sauce, Garlic Powder and Pepper to taste. Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Serves 6 Add your leftovers to the soup container in the freezer

Cheap Dinner Meals Starting with a Rotisserie Chicken

Buy one chicken from the deli. This meal will usehalf of the meat pulled off and served as the main course. Serve with veggies and toast or make toasted chicken sandwiches from it. Left over veggies and chicken should be added to the soup container you started when you made the first meal.

Budget Cooking Using More Rotisserie Chicken with Rice

Pull off the remaining chicken from the bones. If making the meal the day following the original rotisserie chicken meal,, continue with this recipe. To serve at a later time freeze the chicken. Chop chicken and stir fry in a small amount of oil with some chopped onion and garlic if you have it. If not, add garlic seasonings. Heat 2 to 3 cups of water with chicken bouillon. Add to the chicken and onion. Add 2 to 3 cups of rice, and place all of the mixture in a rice cooker. Cook until done. This is a fast, easy, low cost chicken and rice meal. Leftovers for this can go to the soup container too.

Meal Plan Items 6, 7, 8 from Chicken Leg Quarters (see Grocery list at the end for quantity to purchase)

Meal 6: Chicken with Cornbread dumplings
3 leg quarters, cooked, chicken pulled off and chopped
1/2cup chicken broth
1/2cup half-and-half, milk, or canned milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/2 bag frozen veggies green beans, peas or corn, thawed and drained
4 sheets (12X12 inches) heavy-duty foil, lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray
Cornbread mix

Preheat oven to 450°F. Combine chicken broth, half-and-half, salt, thyme, pepper and sage in large bowl. Add chicken, and veggies; stir to coat. Divide mixture evenly among four sheets of foil, reserving liquid. Fold up sides of foil around chicken mixture. Mix a package of corn bread mix according to package directions. . Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls around edge of chicken mixture. Adjust foil around chicken mixture leaving tops of packets open. Pour reserved liquid into foil packets, about 3 tablespoons per packet. Double fold sides and ends of foil to seal packets, leaving head space for heat circulation. Place packets on baking sheet. Bake 18 to 24 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from oven. Carefully open one end of packets to allow steam to escape. Open packets and transfer contents to serving plates. This cheap dinner meal can be prepared over a campfire or grill also.

Three Week Meal Plan Item 7: Chicken, Bacon Alfredo
Cook 3 more leg quarters and pull the meat from the bone
8-12 oz pasta
2 garlic cloves, minced (can substitute powder)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 T oil
3 T flour
1 T cornstarch
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t dried basil
1/4 t parsley
2 1/2 c milk
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
1 c diced fully-cooked chicken pieces
4 or 5 slices bacon

Cook pasta according to package directions.Saute garlic, onion, and bacon in oil. When onions are translucent, add 1 1/2 cups of the milk and bring to a boil. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, basil, parsley and the remaining 1 cup of the milk. Gradually stir milk and flour mixture into the hot skillet. Boil and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat and add cream cheese and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Add meat if desired; heat through. Drain pasta, add to sauce, and toss to coat. Add additional pepper and salt to taste.

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches and Fries: Easy Cheap Dinner Meal 8
Cook remaining 3 leg quarters, pull meat from the bone. Add the following:
2 cups Tomato Ketchup, 2 tbsp water, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, hot sauce to taste.
You can mix the sauce ahead and let it simmer while your chicken is cooking. Mix chicken in sauce. Serve as chicken sandwiches, and serve with fries.
Any left over chicken, even if just a spoonful can be tossed in the left over container in the freezer

Three Week Meal Plan Item 9: Hot Dogs and Fries
This is a simple low cost meal but you have enough from a pack of buns to have 2 dogs per person. Make enough fries to satisfy your family and save the rest of the bag for later. This uses one pack of your hot dogs you have one more left for another meal later. Freeze remaining hot dogs for later

Number 10 on the Cheap Dinner Meal Plan: Corn Dog Muffins and Fries
2 (8.5 ounces) packages Quick corn bread mix
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 ½ Cups Milk
8 Hot Dogs, cut in chunks
1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease muffin tins. In a large bowl, stir together cornbread mix brown sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk and then stir into dry mixture until moistened. Mix in cheese. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add hot dog pieces to each muffin. Bake in preheated oven 14 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with the rest of the bag of fries. The muffins should make 18. Corn bread is filling and you may find that having it with fries is not a good idea, if so, make a dish of veggies instead.Freeze the 2 left over dogs for later

Three Week Meal Plan Items 11, 12, 13, 14 from the 3 lbs ground beef

Divide the 3 pounds of beef into 4 packs

Meal 11: Make a Hamburger Sandwich for a Cheap Dinner Meal
Place 6 slices bread, buttered in shallow oblong casserole, in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes to toast lightly
Combine 1/2 lb ground beef with 1/3 onion and and saute until lightly brown. Remove from heat and season with salt pepper and 2 tsp mustard. Spoon meat mixture over bread slices in casserole. Top with some shredded cheese and 6 slices of bread (not toasted) Beat 3 eggs and 1 1/2 cup milk and pour over sandwiches.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until milk is absorbed and sandwiches are browned. Cut apart and serve. Serves 6.

Meal 12: A Typical Cheap Dinner Meal:Spaghetti
Brown meat, add sauce, cook noodles, simple and low cost!

Three Week Meal Plan Item 13: Hamburger Lattice Pie
3/4 to 1 lb. ground beef
2 tsp. instant minced onion
1 to 2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 egg
1 c. baking mix
1/4 c. butter, softened
3 tsp. boiling water

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix ground beef, onion, chili powder, oregano, garlic salt, pepper and egg. Spread evenly in ungreased 9 inch pie pan. Combine baking mix and butter in small bowl. Add water; stir vigorously until dough forms a ball and cleans the bowl. Dough will be puffy and soft. Pat dough with floured hands into 9- inch square on waxed paper. Cut with scissors through waxed paper into 10 strips. Crisscross strips on meat mixture, peeling off paper. Form edge around inside rim with ends of strips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. 4 to 6 servings. You can add peas or green beans to the meat, or have them as a side dish

Make a Pizza Sandwichfor the 14th Cheap DInner Meal
1 lb. ground beef
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 tsp. oregano
2 c. Baking mix
1 egg
2/3 c. milk
Shredded cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, grated

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Cook and stir ground meat until brown; drain. Mix in 1 can tomato sauce and oregano; simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Stir baking mix, egg and milk to a soft dough. Spread half of the dough in greased 9"x9" pan. Pour remaining can of tomato sauce over dough spreading evenly. Layer cheese, meat mixture, and Parmesan cheese. Cover with remaining dough. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Serves 4 to 6.

Meal 15: Use Hot Dogs for an Easy but Cheap Dinner Meal
Hot Dog casserole
Sliced potatoes
Sliced onions
Sliced hot dogs
1 can tomatoes
Salt and pepper

Into a greased casserole put a layer of potatoes, a layer of onions and add a layer of hot dogs. Repeat layer of potatoes and onions. Pour tomatoes over top. Add Salt and pepper to taste. Dot with butter Bake covered in slow oven until potatoes and onions are well done.

Cheap Dinner Item 16: Bacon Potato Frittata
8 oz. bacon, diced
2 lg. potatoes, peeled & cubed
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt, divided
6 eggs
1 c. shredded cheese
1 c. milk
1/3 c. baking mix
2 tbsp. melted butter
chopped onion and green pepper if available

Cook bacon in skillet until browned. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 4 tablespoons bacon fat from skillet. Cook potatoes, onion, green pepper, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt in bacon fat until potatoes are tender, but not soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in bacon. Beat together eggs, cheese, milk, baking mix, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pour egg mixture into a greased quiche dish or a 9 x 9 inch baking pan. Spoon the potato mixture on top of eggs. Bake in 375 degree oven for 20-30 minutes until set. Remove frittata from oven. To serve, cut into wedges. Serves 6.

Three Week Meal Plan Item 17: Soup from the leftovers

Make soup from your leftovers, if needed add a can of tomato sauce and a bag of left over veggies from the freezer. You can add a potato to stretch it. Serve with toast, or over rice. This cheap dinner meal varies every time served based on what you have added to your freezer container.

Pasta Cheap Dinner Meal: Pasta and Veggies
Cook one bag of spaghetti, cook one bag of frozen veggies.
Make a white sauce for the veggies.

EASY WHITE SAUCE
1 c. milk or Half and Half
2 tbsp. butter, softened
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper

Bring the milk to a simmer in a 2-quart saucepan over moderate heat. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, blend the butter and flour together with a spoon to form a smooth paste.
Using a wire whisk, vigorously beat the butter-flour mixture, 1 rounded teaspoonful at a time, into the hot milk. Cook, stirring constantly, over moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce is smooth and thick. Season with the salt and pepper. Makes 1 cup.
Add parmesan cheese or substitute chicken broth for half of the milk to add more flavor. Add to veggies, and toss in spaghetti.

Make Cheap Dinner Meals: Breakfast for Dinner
Pancakes and Bacon

For an easy budget meal, make pancakes from the baking mix and cook bacon to go with them.

Budget Cooking Easy Beef and Broccoli, Meal 20

1/2 lb. beef , sliced thinly
1 lb. broccoli
1 clove garlic
1 x 1 inch ginger, sliced (optional)

Combine: Dash of pepper 1 tbsp. cornstarch 1 tbsp. water 1/4 tsp, sugar, 1 tsp. salt. Mix with meat. Parboil broccoli in 1 cup water (save water). Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons oil in fry pan. Add garlic and ginger until brown. Fry beef (coated with mixture) until medium rare; add broccoli and water. Bring to boil. Serve hot with rice.

Cheap Dinner Meal Plan Item 21: Beef Fried Rice
1/2 lb. sirloin tip
1/2 tbsp. broth or water
4 eggs, slightly beaten
3 1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil
MARINADE:
1/2 tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbsp. cold water
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. oil
SOY SAUCE MIXTURE:
2 1/2 tbsp. dark soy sauce
3 tbsp. light soy sauce
2 1/2 tsp. oil(sesame if you have it)
Dash of white pepper
3-5 green onions with tops, chopped
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. fresh garlic, minced
2 c. bean sprouts
1/2 tsp. salt.

Trim fat form beef; cut beef with grain into 2 inch strips. Cut strips across grain into 1/8 inch slices. Toss beef with 1/2 tablespoon cooking wine. Mix marinade; add beef and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 1/2 hour.

Add 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil to beef mixture and mix well in order to separate pieces of meat. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a wok over high heat; add minced garlic, then the beef. Stir fry beef until color changes. Add bean sprouts and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir fry 1 minute. Remove from wok. Heat wok with 3 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil; rotate to coat side. Add 4 eggs; cook and stir until eggs are thickened throughout but still moist. Break eggs to small pieces and remove from wok. Add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil to wok; rotate wok to coat side. Add rice; stir fry 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce mixture. Stir fry until thoroughly heated and well mixed. Combine rice, green onions, beef and eggs. Stir fry and mix well, about 1 minute. Serve hot.
If you do not have the onions or bean sprouts, add seasonings for flavor.

The following grocery list provides the items to make at least the main course for these cheap dinner meals. The prices are based on northwest Florida grocery prices in Fall 2008. Some are based on sale price. Your prices may vary.

Cheap Dinner Meal Plan Grocery List

London Broil Buy two 2 lb packs (on sale B1G1 should be about $5.00 to buy)
Rotisserie Chicken on sale for $6.99
Chicken Leg Quarters 10 lb bag $7.90
Ground Beef 1.89 a pound, buy 3 pounds $5.67
Hotdogs 2/$4 buy 2 packs $4.00
Top Round $3 a pound, buy 1.5 lb @ $4.50
Bag red potatoes $3.50
Bacon B1G1 2 packs would be $3.49
Rice $1.00
Fresh Broccoli 1 lbs $1.00
Frozen veggies 4 bags $4.00
Hot Dog Buns $1.00
Eggs 18 count pack for $2.00
Fries/tater tots, B1G1 2 bags for $3.49
Spaghetti 2 boxes 1.89
Tomato soup .89
Shredded cheese $2.00
Box of Baking Mix $2.00
Bread 2 loaves 2.49
Broth 1.50
Tomatoes 2 cans plus as much tomato sauce as you can get for $4, $4
Corn muffin mix (2) 1.00
Onion buy 2 1.00
Cream cheese $1.00
Spaghetti sauce $1.00
Milk 3.50