Ghetto Gourmet: Thanksgiving Side Dishes that Won't Break the Bank

Now is a good time if any to pinch your pennies and that includes cutting back on your grocery bill. It may be hard to imagine skimping out with the upcoming holiday meals, but it is easier than you think to serve up Thanksgiving dishes that are wallet friendly.

Whether you are serving Thanksgiving dinner yourself or attending one, it is both polite and financially smart for guests to bring a dish or two to pass around. Generally, the host(ess) should only be responsible for providing the turkey, and the guests should bring the sides. It doesn't have to be an expensive dish to make, just tasty (and hopefully somewhat healthy...)

Apple Cider Glazed Baby Carrots

3 cups apple cider

2 tablespoons butter

1 ½ tablespoons dried thyme (or basil)

4 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Two 16 oz. bags of baby carrots

These measurements serve 8, so please adjust accordingly.

Bring all ingredients into a simmer covered in a large skillet, cover, and cook for 10 minutes before uncovering and bringing to a boil. Stir occasionally for another 5 to 10 minutes until the cider has reduced to a thick glaze.

Fruit Ambrosia

1 cup red seedless grapes

1 cup pineapple tidbits

1 cup mandarin oranges (canned)

1 cup mini marshmallows

1 cup sour cream

These measurements serve 6 to 8, so please adjust accordingly.

Mix all ingredients together and then store covered in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight. Most people tend to make fruit ambrosia with whipped cream, and this recipe is just as sweet with its surprising "mystery" alternative (sour cream).

Easy Green Bean Casserole

1 can cream of mushroom soup (condensed)

4 cups green beans (cooked)

1 1/3 cups French fried onions

1/8 teaspoon pepper

½ cup milk

These measurements serve 6 so please adjust accordingly.

Combine the soup with milk and pepper in a casserole dish, then stir in beans and 1/3 of the fried onions. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Top with the remaining fried onions and bake for another 5 minutes.

Real Macaroni and Cheese

1 bag elbow macaroni (or a creative variety)

1 brick extra sharp cheddar cheese (white)

1 brick extra sharp cheddar cheese (yellow)

½ brick swiss cheese

Bread crumbs

Butter

1 can stewed or diced tomato (optional; can also substitute with salsa)

This recipe is supposed to serve 6 to 8, but it's so tasty that you'll probably want to increase measurements to account for seconds and thirds.

Boil and cook pasta. While you are doing that, shred all of the cheese into a big pile. Once the pasta is done cooking and drained, stir in plenty of butter and then stir in all of the cheese and tomato. Scoop into a casserole dish and top with bread crumbs. (You can also crumble plain bread for a cheaper solution.) Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes; or until the top is a slight brown color.

Other Money Saving Tips for Thanksgiving:

If preparing a complete side dish to serve doesn't fit your budget, you can always buy a few cans of cranberry sauce (some plain, some with the cranberries.) You can serve these tastefully by bringing cranberry sauce in a dish, mashed with a fork. (As opposed to serving in the can shape...)

Invite many people over... or eat with nearby friends or family. With the price of gas and the impending financial situation, it's smarter to celebrate Thanksgiving locally, and with a large group of people contributing dishes.

When you are hosting Thanksgiving, make extra food. Not only will you be sure there is enough to feed all the people you are having over, but there should be enough for leftovers. (A big moneysaver!)