Beefy/Turkey Corny Noodley Stuff

I grew up eating this meal more often than I care to remember.  However, it is still a favorite!  The beef or turkey and Hamburger Helper obviously go together, and the corn is tasty while adding a crunchy texture to the rest of the creamy textures.

Beefy Corny Noodley Stuff
aka Turkey Corny Noodley Stuff
3 servings

Total cost: $3.27

Cost per serving: $1.09

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Knorr (Lipton) Pasta Sides ($1.19)
• 1lb of ground  turkey ($1.49/lb)
• 1 can of corn ($.59, off brand)

1. Cook the ground turkey in a large skillet
2. Cook the pasta according to the instructions
3. Drain the can of corn and add to the skillet before serving

Tips:  We like to eat this with buttery crescent rolls!  You can use ground beef, but it will cost you an extra $.50/lb.  To make this for more people, double the meat and noodles, but not the corn.

Mexican Chicken Casserole

It only seems fitting that the first recipe I post remind me of my mom, as she was the brain behind the start of this blog!

Mexican Chicken Casserole
9 servings

Total cost: $9.40

Cost per serving: $1.04

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. cooked and shredded chicken ($2.49/lb fresh)
• 1 can Cream of Chicken ($.59, off brand)
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom ($.59, off brand)
• 1 can Rotel Tomatoes ($.78, off brand)
• 1 bag of yellow corn chips, 7oz ($.99, off brand)
• 1 bag of shredded cheese ($1.97, off brand)
• 1 box of rice ($1.99, off brand)

1. Preheat the over to 375 degrees and grease a 9x9 or 8x8 pan
2. Mix the canned goods, corn chips, and shredded chicken in a large bowl
3. Spread the mixture into the pan and sprinkle with cheese
4. Bake for 30-45 minutes, until the cheese on top is nice and melty
5. Serve the casserole over rice

Tips: When cooking this meal for a family, double the recipe and bake in a 9x13 pan for 12 servings.  This meal reheats really well!

An Introduction

As my husband and I have started our journey into marriage and out of debt, we have had to make a lot of tough decisions in order to better spend our money.  We quickly realized that the grocery store, fast food, and restaurants were eating up our budget.  In order to pay the bills, some quick changes were in order! 

Eric and I have been together for over three and a half years, on a budget for nearly one year, and married for just over three months.  Before our wedding, I was inspired by the Skull A Day blog to start a 365 photo blog of our first year of marriage.  So far, we've made it over 100 days of daily posting at A Green 365 Blog!  Now I'm beginning the endeavor of posting our favorite recipes and what they cost, hoping to help others along the way!

My mom has noticed that food and cooking is a pretty common theme in that blog, and suggested I make a budget cookbook.  There are lots of "quick and easy" cookbooks out there, but a pretty limited amount of "quick, easy, and affordable" cookbooks.  However, I have no professional culinary training, and I've definitely never written a book.  Putting those unimportant details aside, I used to cook for my younger brother and sister, I loved putting on my Julia Child's voice and talking them through the steps of making a PB&J.  How hard can taking it a step further toward an improvised cookbook?

So here you have it - Budget Cooking for Couples!