Cheap Pasta Meals Under $5.00

Cheap meals are becoming a necessity as the cost of living rises all around us. Unfortunately what used to be cheap isn't as low cost as it used to be. Cheap pasta meals used to total around two dollars each. With the rising cost of grocery items, a cheap pasta meal comes closer to the five dollar mark. Even though the costs have risen, pasta is still one of the most cost conscience meals we can make. To get your cheap pasta meal collection started, consider using the following five recipes.

Cheap Pasta Meal #1: Spanish Macaroni

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups water
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes (or 2 1-pound cans)
1-1/2 cups macaroni, not cooked
1 tablespoon chili powder

Cook the ground beef in a frying pan. Drain the fat. Add all the other foods and mix with the meat. Bring to a boil. Then turn the heat down to low. Cover. Cook on low heat until the macaroni is done (about 10 to 15 minutes). Stir 1 or 2 times so the macaroni will not stick to the pan.

Cost: Ground Beef, $1.50; Green Pepper, .50; onion, .50; tomato sauce, .40; tomatoes, 1.50; macaroni .50;

Total Cost for Cheap Pasta Meal #1 Under $5.00: $4.90

Cheap Pasta Meal #2: Chili Mac and Franks

2 table spoons butter
1 pack hotdogs thinly sliced
1 cup uncooked macaroni noodles
1 Can stewed or diced tomatoes
1 cut water
2 teaspoon chili powder

Melt butter in large skillet
Add hotdogs, macaroni, tomatoes and water, sprinkle seasoning and stir.
Cover and simmer 20 min until noodles are done

Cost: Hotdogs, Buy on sale for $1.50 or less; Macaroni .50; tomatoes, $1.50 maximum for large can

Total Maximum Cost for Cheap Pasta Meal #2 Under $5.00: $3.50

Cheap Pasta Meal #3: Tuna Noodles

1 pack Egg noodles
1 can cream of Mushroom soup
1 can green peas
2 cans tuna
1 cup shredded cheese

Cook egg noodles until slightly done. Mix with cream of mushroom soup, peas, and tuna, put in 9x13 pan, cover with some cheese, cover w foil, and heat up!
If you have green chili or salsa or broccoli you can add that for variety.

Cost: Noodles, .90; Cream of Mushroom, .90; Green Peas .60; Tuna $1.50; cheese $1.00

Total Cost for Cheap Pasta Meal # 3 Under $5.00: $4.90

Cheap Pasta Meal #4: Gravy Noodles

Boil a box of pasta, your choice!
Mix up 2 packages of gravy Brown or country, turkey, you pick the type.
Mix together with cooked noodles.
Add beef tips or chicken pieces if you have any. Serve with veggies.

For Variety: Try Beef tips with brown gravy, chicken pieces in either chicken or turkey gravy...or get the small can of chicken. Got left over sausage? Toss that in some country gravy.

Cost: Pasta, $1; Gravy, $1.00; Maximum of $3 for some type meat to add

Total Cost for Cheap Pasta Meal #4 Under $5.00: Under $5.00 depending on cost of meat

Cheap Pasta Meal #5: Creamy chicken noodles and vegetables

3 packages creamy chicken ramen noodles
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables ie broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower.
Cook the vegetables according to the directions on the package in a pot big enough for the vegetables and noodles.
Add enough water to bring to 3 cups and then bring water to boil with vegetables.
Then add broken noodles and ramen seasoning packet.
Stir and cover. Cook about 2-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure that all of the noodles get soft.
Done when the noodles are soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

You can add cubed or shredded chicken to this, which would make it cost about 2 dollars more.
If you need more noodles add more and 1 cup of water for every package of noodles.

The big problem with this recipe is the sodium content from the seasoning packets. If sodium is a concern, only use one seasoning packet and add in some onion or garlic or other spices and herbs for flavor.

Cost: Ramen, .75; vegetables, $1.25; Chicken, $2.00

Total Cost for Cheap Pasta Meal #5 Under $5.00: Under $4.00

Hopefully you will find one or more of these recipes to be one your family likes and you'll be able to serve more $5.00 dinners to help make ends meet in trying financial times.