These are some of our go-to meals when we are poor. Aldi really helps cut the costs even further. :) Thankfully, many of these can be easily adapted for food storage meals as well. Each of these "recipes" fills Paul (a BIG eater) and me up for dinner AND usually provides at least one serving of leftovers for a nice work lunch the next day.
GRILLED CHEESE & TOMATO SOUP
Comfort food at its finest. :) Heat a griddle to 350 (or pan to medium on the stove). Put a slice of cheese in between two slices of bread. (Depending on what you have, you can also sprinkle the insides with dried or grated basil, thinly sliced tomatoes, leaf lettuce, etc.) Butter the outsides of the bread sandwich and cook in pan or on griddle until golden brown. Serve with a can of tomato soup cooked according to directions.
BLACK BEANS & RICE
Simple, quick, and hearty. :) Cook up the rice you want in a rice cooker. Put 2 cans of black beans (not rinsed or drained) in a pot on the stove. Pour in a little vinegar to taste, and add sea salt. Drain 1 can of corn and add. Heat thoroughly. Spoon bean/corn mixture over rice and eat. :)
BEAN SANDWICHES
Taken from an old roommate. :) Toast 8-10 slices of bread well, and lay on a baking sheet. Layer each slice with a slice of cheese (optional), a spoonful or two of baked beans, and a slice or two of cooked bacon. (We've added sliced pickles and it was pretty good too, although you have to be in the mood for it.) Heat in 350 oven for 5-10 minutes. Eat with a fork.
CORN DOG CASSEROLE
Carnival food, redefined. :) Spoon out a can of baked beans in an 8" baking dish. Drizzle ketchup and mustard on top, until well covered. Drop in a full package of hot dogs, sliced. Mix up a package of Jiffy or other cornbread mix and spread evenly over the hot dog/bean mixture. Bake until cornbread is baked through (usually 1 1/2-2 times as long as the package says because of all the extra moisture from the beans). Serve with ketchup and mustard.
SUSHI
I've already written a whole post about this one, HERE. :)
CHICKEN CURRY
When you want to go exotic. Hahaha. :) Cook up the desired amount of rice. Cut 1-2 chicken breasts FINELY (no more than 1/4 or 1/2 chunks) and cook in a pot. Add 1/2 bag of frozen peas and cook until heated through. Add 1 can cream of chicken soup and 1/2 can of water and mix until smooth and creamy. Sprinkle with 1-2 tsp. of curry powder (or more, to taste...I do lots :) and mix until thoroughly mixed. Spoon over rice and serve hot.
CHICKEN & RICE
From another roommate. This one isn't the cheapest of all the cheap meals, but it's still cheaper than a lot of our other meals so I'm including it. Pour 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 can cream of celery soup, 1 cup uncooked rice, and 2 1/2 cups water in a 9x13 baking dish and bake until well mixed. (Sometimes I add in 1/2 a bag of frozen broccoli, too, which is yummy.) Add 2-3 chicken breasts on top (you can cut it up but it's not necessary) and sprinkle a package of onion soup mix over the whole thing. Cover with foil and bake in a 350 oven for 1 1/2 hours or 'til rice is tender. Serve hot.
LETTUCE WRAPS
For a messy fun time. :) Cut up 1 large chicken breast into SMALL pieces (the smaller the better--you want it to seem almost ground when it cooks). Cook in a little olive oil just until cooked through. Add 1/2 bag of frozen corn and cook through. Sprinkle with either chili powder or a mix of ground chipotle chili pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder until WELL seasoned. Then cover with soy sauce--about 1/4 c, give or take. Add 2 tsp. of balsamic vinegar. If you want, you can add 1 Tbsp. of sugar (it's delicious, but I don't always do it). Mix and heat well. Spoon into soft lettuce leaves and wrap up and eat.
GAMIS
I don't know why my parents called these "gamis," but this is a childhood favorite of mine. It's basically an open and sweet sloppy joe. :) Brown 1 lb. ground beef well in a pan. Add ketchup until the texture is easily spoonable. Add brown sugar to taste. Spoon the beef mixture over toasted bread and eat with fork.
GOOD OL' SPAGHETTI
Cook up 1/2 package of spaghetti according to directions on package, drain, and add 1 full jar or can of spaghetti sauce. Add 1 can DRAINED mushrooms and 1 can DRAINED diced tomatoes. Heat it all up and serve warm. :)
CREAMED TUNA ON NOODLES
One of Paul's favorites. :) Cook a package of pasta of your choice and drain. In a separate pot, pour in 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 1 can water, and mix well. Add in 1/2 package frozen peas and heat mixture thoroughly. Dump in 2 cans drained tuna and a few splashes of soy sauce. Serve creamed tuna mixture over pasta.
MAC 'N' CHEESE 'N' TUNA
Pretty much the one I'm sick of most--but it's a classic standby for po' folk. :) Cook up 2 packages of mac 'n' cheese as directed. **If using frozen veggies (peas & carrots &/or corn are recommended), cook and drain with the noodles.** Add in 1-2 cans of drained tuna and, if using canned veggies, 1 can of veggies. Heat a few more minutes. Serve in bowls with ketchup--trust me. :)
TUNA PATTIES
Another childhood classic. :) Mix 4 cans of tuna, 2 cups cracker crumbs, and 4 eggs in a bowl. Season with soy sauce and 1 ground chicken bouillon if desired. Shape into patties and fry in butter. Serve with ketchup and a side of canned veggies.
LEFTOVER VEGGIE SOUP
I really only do this when I've used up several 1/2 bags of frozen veggies from the recipes above or have lots of small portions of fresh veggies in my fridge that I need to use up. If you tried to make it without the veggies being leftovers, it could get expensive fast. Anyway, add in a bunch of veggies to a pot--sautee the harder ones first, like sliced carrots or peppers. DO NOT sautee your onions--they are way better in the soup if they just cook with the soup. Likewise, frozen veggies don't need sauteed since they are already soft as they thaw. Anyway, dump in all your veggies (anything but lettuce goes--spinach is way good) and add in canned V8 or another tomato-based juice until it's a soupy texture. Cook on low or medium-low for 2 hours, or until flavors blend well and all the veggies are soft enough to eat, adding in more V8 as necessary. Serve warm with a loaf of French bread. YUM!
What are some of YOUR favorite cheap go-to meals? I'll admit, I get really sick of most of these meals after one or two times, and I can't make them again. I could use some inspiration for the next time poverty hits. :)
