Ten Meals For Ten Dollars

Splurge on a few ingredients; penny-pinch on others. Striking that balance makes it easy to be creative while feeding a family of four. Here are 10 great meal ideas--each for $10 or less!


Roast Chicken Feast


The meal: Roast chicken makes the perfect special occasion meal. Use smaller broiler/fryers and roast potatoes along with the bird to save money. Carrots gussied up with butter and dill make an inexpensive side. Cost: about $7.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Rinse chicken thoroughly inside and out under cold running water and remove all fat. Pat dry with paper towels.
3. Put chicken into a small baking pan. Rub with olive oil. Mix the salt, pepper, oregano, basil, paprika and cayenne pepper together and sprinkle over chicken.
4. Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Lower the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and continue roasting 40 minutes, to a minimum internal temperature of
180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Let cool 10 to 15 minutes and serve.


Spaghetti Carbonara


The meal: Less costly than spaghetti and meatballs, Spaghetti Carbonara calls for eggs, bacon, and Parmesan to flavor noodles. Serve with chopped iceberg salad. Cost: about $9.


INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 slices bacon, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti pasta until al dente. Drain well. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile in a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until slightly crisp; remove
and drain onto paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat; add remaining
1 tablespoon olive oil, and heat in reused large skillet. Add chopped onion, and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add minced garlic, and cook 1
minute more. Add wine if desired; cook one more minute.
3. Return cooked bacon to pan; add cooked and drained spaghetti. Toss to coat and heat through, adding more olive oil if it seems dry or is sticking together. Add
beaten eggs and cook, tossing constantly with tongs or large fork until eggs are
barely set. Quickly add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and toss again. Add salt and pepper to taste (remember that bacon and Parmesan are very salty).
4. Serve immediately with chopped parsley sprinkled on top, and extra Parmesan
cheese at table.


Chili for Four


The meal: One-pot meals are crowd pleasers, not to mention easy on the cook. Elevate this bare bones recipe with the garnishes below and a side of baked cornbread. Cost: about $8.

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package chili seasoning mix

DIRECTIONS

1. Crumble the beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Drain off grease, and mix in the tomatoes, kidney beans and chili seasoning mix. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes.


Mac & Cheese Comfort

The meal: The ultimate in comfort food can be a little pricey with four cheeses and cream, so buy bulk dairy products to keep cost down. Serve with steamed broccoli. Cost: about $10.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 9 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup shredded Muenster cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 8 ounces cubed processed cheese food
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain well and return to cooking pot.
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 8 tablespoons butter; stir into the macaroni.
3. In a large bowl, combine the Muenster cheese, mild and sharp Cheddar cheeses, and
Monterey Jack cheese; mix well.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5. Add the half and half, 1 1/2 cups of cheese mixture, cubed processed cheese food, and eggs to macaroni; mix together and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a lightly
greased deep 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese mixture and 1 tablespoon of butter.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling around the edges; serve.


Made in China

The meal: A veggie-rich stir-fry is so easy on the budget you'll have money leftover to add a few extras. Start the meal with Egg Drop Soup and finish with fresh fruit. Cost: about $9.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups cauliflowerets
• 4 teaspoons olive or canola oil, divided
• 1 cup quartered fresh mushrooms
• 1 cup fresh or frozen snow peas
• 4 cups hot cooked rice

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, sugar and ginger. Stir in orange juice, soy sauce and garlic until blended; set aside. In a nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry the carrots, broccoli and cauliflower in 3 teaspoons of oil for 4-5 minutes. Add mushrooms, peas and remaining oil; stir-fry for 3 minutes. Stir orange juice mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened. Serve over rice.


Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese



The meal: Tomato soup goes gourmet with the addition of roasted bell peppers and cream. Try different cheeses and breads to send your usual grilled cheese upscale. Cost: about $10.

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 red bell peppers
• 4 large tomatoes - peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon white sugar
• 6 cups chicken broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons sour cream
DIRECTIONS

1. Roast peppers: rub oil on peppers and put them under the broiler until blackened, turn to get all sides. Put into paper bag and seal. Let rest for 15 minutes, then peel will come right off and core and seeds will fall out. Chop peppers. Reserve one chopped pepper; set aside.
2. Heat olive oil over moderate heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato, bell peppers (except reserved), thyme, paprika, and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until all the tomato juices have evaporated, about
25 minutes.
3. Stir in chicken stock, salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Bring to boiling, lower heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes or until vegetables are
tender.
4. Strain soup, reserving broth. Place solids in food processor or blender, and process until fairly smooth. Add puree back into broth.
5. Melt butter and stir in the flour, cook for 1 minute. Stirring slowly, add the
broth/vegetable mixture. Add reserved chopped pepper and bring to boiling. Lower heat and simmer 10 minutes.
6. Ladle into bowls and add 1 tablespoon of sour cream to each bowl. For a lighter soup, this is also delicious without the sour cream.


Quick Quiche



The meal: A store-bought piecrust keeps this broccoli and cheese quiche simple. Serve with a side of mixed salad greens. Cost: about $9.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 eggs, well beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Over medium-low heat melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onions, garlic and broccoli.
Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft. Spoon vegetables into crust and sprinkle with cheese.
3. Combine eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in melted butter. Pour egg mixture over vegetables and cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until center has set.



Stroganoff Savvy



The meal: Switching to hamburger instead of beef tips cuts down the price of Stroganoff without sacrificing flavor. Serve with steamed zucchini. Cost: about $10.

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1 (16 ounce) package egg noodles
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (.75 ounce) packet dry brown gravy mix
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (6 ounce) can chopped mushrooms, with liquid
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no pink shows; drain.
3. Mix brown gravy, cream cheese and mushrooms with hamburger until cream cheese has given the mixture a whitish look. Add milk, sour cream, and mushroom soup to cooked pasta. Blend hamburger mixture with pasta.


The Ultimate Tuna Noodle


The meal: What budget meal repertoire would be complete without Tuna Noodle Casserole, particularly one with a crunchy potato chip topping? Serve with steamed broccoli florets. Cost: about $9.

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked pasta shells
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 4 slices processed American cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed potato chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Boil pasta in lightly salted water for 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain well. Return the pasta to the pot it was cooked in.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
3. Mix tuna with cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, milk, salt, black pepper,
and garlic in a medium saucepan. Place pan over medium low heat, and heat through. Alternatively, place these ingredients in a microwave safe dish, and warm in the microwave.
4. Mix tuna mixture with pasta. Spread 1/2 of the noodles into the prepared dish. Arrange the cheese slices over the noodles, then spread the remaining noodle mixture over the
cheese. Top with crushed potato chips.
5. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes; cook until the casserole is hot, and the chips begin to brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.


Magnificent Mexican


The meal: This well-loved enchilada recipe is made to serve eight, so cut it in half, or make the full recipe and freeze leftovers. Cost: about $10.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 pint sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 8 (10 inch) flour tortillas
• 1 (12 ounce) jar taco sauce
• 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium, non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Drain excess fat. Cube the chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the
onion, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano and ground black pepper. Heat until cheese melts. Stir in salt, tomato sauce, water, chili powder, green pepper and garlic.
3. Roll even amounts of the mixture in the tortillas. Arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Cover with taco sauce and 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving.