What is your cheapest favourite meal?
By madebyrobyn
@madebyrobyn (616)
Australia
June 3, 2008 11:35pm CST
I would have to say my spaghetti bolognaise is my most favourite of our cheaper meals. I only use 200gm of beef mince that I mince myself in the food processor, 4 zuchinnis grated, 3 carrots grated, a handful of green beans chopped, a whole cellery chopped and 2 large tins of whole tomatoes. It costs me a total of $12 for a huge pot full and I cook up a bag of 49c no name pasta and use a few handfuls of grated cheese and for a total of $16 I feed our family of six for two nights.
I buy the tinned tomatoes in bulk when they are on special and always get the whole tomatoes as they are cheaper and somehow tastier. I also try to grow my own herbs to make all my meals yummy.
What is your cheapest favourite meal and how to you make it so cheaply?
Oh and I have a big pot of my bolognaise on the stovetop right now, makes the whole house smell delicious, we shall have a lovely big hearty meal tonight!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@jerzgirl (9291)
• United States
5 Jun 08
That sounds so wonderful - and filling the sauce with the veggies does help cut back on how much beef you need to use! May I ask what spices you add to this?
I actually had one of my favorite cheap meals tonight - macaroni and cheese mixed with stewed tomatoes (cooked canned tomatoes seasoned with onions and green peppers).
Another cheap meal (or side dish, depending on what you're serving) is cooked macaroni mixed with stewed tomatoes (diced, preferably) and seasoned according to your liking.
But, I do love bolognese. I'm thinking it's time to make some!! 
1 person likes this
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
6 Jun 08
I usually add fresh basil and oregano, garlic an salt and pepper :)
Your macaroni and cheese meal sounds yum too!
@jerzgirl (9291)
• United States
6 Jun 08
I'm saving your combination for future reference, to be sure! I just can't believe no one else responded to this one!! I've seen lots of questions like this with plenty of responses, but I guess sometimes it's hit or miss - and I have my own "misses", you can be sure! 
Thanks for the seasonings!
Thanks for the seasonings!1 person likes this
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
6 Jun 08
Yeah strange re no more replies! - maybe no one wants to share their secrets with me!
@spectrum42 (393)
• United States
9 Jun 08
My cheapest meal is probably rice and beans. I buy both of those things in bulk, so they cost very little. I'll cook a cup or two of rice and add in about the same amount of black beans. We season it with salsa, tomato sauce or lemon/lime juice and add spices like chili powder or cumin.
1 person likes this
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
10 Jun 08
That does sound like a cheap, filling, wholesome meal. I wish that my children would eat more beans but they don't seem to like the consistancy. I might have to keep making bean type dishes and see if I can make them try them more often. I love cumin in cooking and I have found out recently that it is very good for you. I wouldn't have thought to add lemon or lime juice to beans, would give it a little zing and a fresh taste - good idea.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
24 Jun 08
That sounds really good!
And such a deal for so much food.
Sounds like one of my home cooked dishes.
I'm always accidentally coming up with
thrifty yet delicious meals that everyone
enjoys. And I don't know how I do it.
Just years of practice, I guess.
I used to be a terrible cook.
But after my daughter was born, I had to learn.
I love cooking now.
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
24 Jun 08
Well when you remember any of your 'accidental thrifty delicious meals' let me know! It is funny how motherhood is a learn on the job kind of thing - as they say practice makes perfect, I am sure you can make a yummy meal on a tight budget by now!
