What are some good menus for someone on a really small budget?

here are some budget friendly dinner ideas, hope this helps:

-chicken breast with artichokes and angel hair

-sturfrys (you can use up leftovers,or just use what you have)

-chili

-pulled pork sandwiches with sweet potato Fry's

-tacos

-shrimp is pretty inexpensive and can go along way (shrimp kabobs, grilled shrimp, shrimp in pasta, shrimp cocktails)

-couscous

-stuffed mushrooms

-eggplant Parmesan

-lasagna

-pasta (and then make a penne casserole later in the week if theres leftovers)

-Gnocchi

-pork chops

-tuna casserole

-chicken breast one night...chicken tacos the next night (leftovers)

-if you cook a ham, use the bone to make split pea soup

-homemade macaroni and cheese

-chicken lo mien

-chicken and pepper egg roles

-cal zones

-with leftover chicken or fish you can make a greek salad and add that

-meatloaf

-Shepard's pie

-crab or tuna cakes

-jambalaya

-Ratatouille

Oh my I can relate to this. Me being 16 and the one who's been cooking since my mom died when I was 11, I've had to learn a lot about cheap cooking. The thing with cooking on a limited budget is it has to be cheap, you just don't want the same boring thing every day. I have lots and lots of cheap recipes I could give you so please feel free to email me at goblinkween@gmail.com

One of the recipes is super cheap. Costs about $8 for the entire meal, and it's even better the next day when reheated.

Boil pasta, any kind will do, and as much as you want. When it's cooked drain it and put it back into the pot and add some melted butter or some olive oil (I prefer the oil since it's healthier) then add any kind of meat you want. Canned chicken, canned turkey, canned tuna, or any left over meat you might have and any kind of herbs and spices you have. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, thyme, rosemary, parsley. Really anything works and it's super yummy!

Chicken and Rice. It takes less than an hour to cook and it's the perfect thing to cook when you're rushing somewhere. It's also one of my favorite homemade dishes to cook and eat.

1. Buy a whole chicken- you can also use chicken breasts if it's cheaper or more convenient for you-, a bag of rice, and a vegetable(optional): you also need chicken broth and a half stick of butter.

2. Heat your oven to 400 fahrenheit(i have a gas oven, by the way), cut up the chicken season well with Morton Brand Nature's Seasoning's.

3.Place in a glass dish or casserole dish; place in lower rack of your oven.

4. Cook the rice using the package directions; after the chicken is in the oven for 25 minutes, glaze the chicken with soft butter by wiping it over the top of each piece.This is so the chicken won't get too dry.

5.Then pour the chicken broth in between the pieces of chicken, make sure you don't pour the broth directly on the chicken.

6.Place back in the oven for at least 20 more minutes or until the chicken is browned and done. Remove from the oven and give it at least 5 minutes to cool.

7. Cook or prepare your vegetable. I usually serve rice and corn with my chicken.

I know the word "carbs" seems to be off limits nowadays, but it's a really inexpensive way to fill any meal. The way I turn into a healthy alternative though is by substituting whole wheat products for conventional ones. Whole wheat pita sandwiches, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc. You'll see it tastes great. Another technique you can use is buying things in bulk at Costco, or shopping at a discount grocery store like Food 4 Less. After shopping there, I started saving on a number of things.

Keep the guest list as small as possible. The less people there are, the less food and alcohol, you have to supply. Milk your friends and family connections for as much as possible. Have your wedding at a home, or in a park or garden, instead of a church or hall. Don't rent limos when you have cars that works just fine. Do as much as possible yourself. Have a computer and printer? Make your own invitations. Consider looking for a photographer on Craigslist. Just be sure to look at their portfolio, and make sure you like their work. But you can get this a lot cheaper by hiring someone who doesn't already do it as their day job. Consider doing things low key, instead of super fancy... I just bought up decorations for my wedding yesterday. Plastic table clothes, plastic plates and cups, table glitter, and paper balls and bells, some tulle and ribbon, cost me just under $200 I'm considering renting a hotdog vendor to supply all the meats. My cousin's friend did the same thing and for 80-100 people, it only cost $500. The guy supplies beef, chicken and veggie burgers and dogs. I'll supply some pastas and salads, and the alcohol. It's fun and low key, but definitely not suitable for a high class wedding.

Pasta is a good choice, but for a healthy choice you can try whole wheat pasta. You can make a whole bag to prepare ahead and just add a little oil after you have strained it. Of course chicken is not expensive if you buy the whole chicken and cut it up yourself. Instead of buying cut pieces. You can also do a lot with it. the breast can be used for tenders, cutlets and even stuffed. Hamburger meat is also a good choice. You can buy a mid to high quality and mix with a mid to lower grade quality to still have a good flavor and not so much expense. You can also try mixing a turkey meat and regular ground meat to change the taste and watch the cost.

The hamburger meat can be used in patties, lettuce wraps or rolls(Vietnamese),and many other options. etc. meatballs.

Good luck ......

It sounds like you have expertise in cooking some of the most economical meals around. While fresh fruits and veggies are more expensive than processed foods, your family will be healthier eating fresh. I love using red,orange, and yellow peppers but they can be expensive, so when they are on sale I slice them and freeze them. I also buy chicken, beef and pork in bulk, when its on sale, then I wrap and freeze portions for cooking later. Stir fry with beef or chicken is one of my favorite meals. It's easy to prepare, and healthy. You decide which meat/veggie combo. My last suggestion is Food Stamps, I never thought I would need them, but if your family is is need don't be ashamed to ask for help. Good Luck

ground beef is cheap. before you take it out of bag mix in some chopped parsley crushed red peppers chopped garlic oregano and chopped onions. mix up the meat and spices with your hands. brown the meat adding more garlic onions and peppers when the onions and garlic are soft add a can of store bought tomato sauce. let it simmer for a while and stir it every now and then. when its thick enough youre done serve with pasta. this is about as cheap as it gets if you want a lot of bang for your buck.

ps. you should toss the pasta in olive oil and parsley before serving it with the sauce and i usually douse it in parmesan.

1. At your grocery store, buy the sealed PRE-COOKED meats that come is small packages such as the following. You can make two or three meals out of them:

Beef tips with gravy,

Roast with gravy,

Pork roast,

Chicken,

Baked ham,

Pork chops,

Meatloaf,

etc.

Just heat in your microwave; directions are on the packages. You will find these packages in the cold section (not the freezer). Ask a clerk to help you find these. They are delicious.

Use these for your meat dish with a side dish or two of canned or frozen vegetables, beans, potatoes or sweet potatoes which can all be found on shelves or in the freezer section and they are already cooked.

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You can now buy bags of different flavors of precooked rice that you put into your microwave for a minute or two. These are on shelves at the grocery store. We like the chicken flavored best of all. Have a clerk help you find them.

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Real mashed potatoes that come in a bag...add water, butter, milk. Delicious. Read the directions.

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Buy top brand cans of stew for each person. Serve with cornbread, crackers, or toast.

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Soup and a grilled (fried) cheese sandwiches. Go to this video to see how to make a quick grilled cheese sandwich:

http://startcooking.com/video/326/Grilled-Cheese-S...

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Omelet with Cheese - Video:

http://startcooking.com/video/326/Grilled-Cheese-S...

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You can buy all types of salad greens in large packages now. Buy the ones that have been pre-washed. Add your own dressing which you can buy in bottles.

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2. The top brands of microwave frozen dinners are very good now. These come in single servings or in family sized bags. Follow directions. Look for the words "No Preservatives" marked on the box or package.

Just add a canned or frozen vegetable as a side dish.

Top brands of dinners that are found on shelves. No fridge needed. Add water, microwave. These are good to take to school or work. Follow directions on the containers.

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3. Video On How To Cook A Rib Eye Steak on Stove Burner (turn on your sound), click this link:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-rib-eye-s...

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4. Supermarket deli's have pre roasted chickens, fried chickens, roast beef, and side dishes. You can stop in on the way home and grab a quick dinner to take home. I buy their roasted chicken often...they are delicious.

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5. Buy a crock pot. You put everything into the pot in the morning, set it on low for 8 hours, and your dinner will be ready for you when you come home in the evening! I kid you not. Be sure to read the instruction booklet.

There is a recipe booklet that comes with the crock pot. You can buy crock pots at places such as your grocery store, Walmart, and etc.

Here are 1,160 crock pot recipes:

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search?q=crock+pot

DON'T FORGET TO PLUG IT IN! This happens more than you would think. lol

6. Salads. All types:

http://southernfood.about.com/od/saladrecipes/Sala...

Here is something that may help you.

https://www.angelfoodministries.com/

It is a non-profit org that operates in most states. They provide low cost groceries to anyone who wants them..