Seven Cheap and Easy Meals for Busy Parents

Prices may vary due to super market.

Baked Rotini for under $15.00

NOTE: This makes a lot of pasta! 4 to 6 heaping servings. You will need a large skillet, a large mixing bowl and a large, deep non-stick-baking pan.

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 Pounds of Ground Turkey or Beef
• 1 box Rotini Noodles
• 2 cans of Del Monte spaghetti sauce
• 1 Garlic & Onion
• 1 Four Cheese
• 1 Pound of Mozzarella or Italian blend shredded cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic Salt/Powder
• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

On stove-top:

Method

1. Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil; add a splash of oil to water to keep noodles from sticking together. Add Rotini pasta; cook as directed on box. Drain and pour into a large mixing bowl.
2. Brown the ground meat; Drain.
3. Add sauce, one can at a time, simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Pour over Rotini noodles and mix well.
5. Once the pasta has been mixed well, pour entire contents of bowl into a non-stick-baking dish.
6. Cover the entire top of the dish with Mozzarella or Italian blend shredded cheese. Don't be stingy! Cover well.
7. Bake for 7 minutes or until cheese is melted completely.
8. You can brown the top of the cheese on Broil for 3 minutes if you would like but it's up to you.
9. Cool for 10 minutes; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garlic salt/powder. Serve with garlic bread and/or salad.

Bonus: Fast and easy Garlic Bread

Believe it or not, Hot dog or Hamburger buns make the best garlic bread!

Open the buns, butter the inside well, sprinkle with garlic powder or garlic salt.

(I've also used garlic butter spread but it tends to be a little pricier)

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 5 minutes then broil until toasted perfection! Enjoy!

Shredded Chicken Alfredo Shells for under $20.00

NOTE: This makes a lot of pasta! 4 to 6 heaping servings. You will need a large skillet and large mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 Regular size Chicken Breast
• 1 Box of small or medium Shells
• 3 Jars of Alfredo Sauce (store brands are cheaper)
• Parmesan Cheese
• Garlic Powder/Salt
  

Method

1. Cook chicken breast at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes or you can cook them on the grill, it taste great either way!
2. Set aside and let cool.

On stove-top:

1. Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil; add a splash of oil to water to keep noodles from sticking together. Add shell pasta; cook as directed on box. Drain and pour into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add all jars of Alfredo sauce to shells, mix well. Set aside, cover and go to cooled chicken breasts.
3. With a fork, score the chicken breast until it starts to peel freely.
4. Continue with each piece until all are shredded.
5. Add all shredded chicken to the shells and Alfredo sauce, mix well.
6. Top with Parmesan and garlic salt/powder.

Serve with garlic bread and/or salad.

HINT: I've experimented with adding different things to mix it up. You can add broccoli, tomatoes, olives and you can substitute the chicken with shrimp, just remember the price will change depending on the substitution.

Loaded Nachos under $20.00

These ingredients are just suggestions. You can add more if you would like.

Ingredients

• 2 Pounds of ground Turkey or beef
• 2 packs of taco season
• Refried beans
• 1 can of diced tomatoes and chilies
• 2 cans of nacho cheese sauce
• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Jalapenos
• 2 bags Bite sized or restaurant style tortilla chips

Method

1. Brown the ground meat;
2. Drain.
3. Add both season packs and water according to package, simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Arrange tortilla chips on plate.
5. Add a teaspoon of refried beans to chips.
6. Add a teaspoon of taco meat,
7. A teaspoon of tomatoes and chilies,
8. A teaspoon of nacho cheese,
9. A teaspoon of guacamole,
10. A teaspoon of sour cream,
11. A couple of jalapenos,
12. And a few green onions.
13. Dig in!

My kids love this recipe!

It's quick, easy and fun for the kids to help make their own dinner and plates.

You can use paper plates and there's barely a mess to clean up.

If you would prefer a taco salad, sub chips for a taco shell; just remember the price will change. This can be a great mid day snack the next day with the left overs.

Happy Dinner Time!

Italian Grilled Chicken Salad under $20.00

This is a great meal for one of those summer days you just want to be outside. All you need is a grill.

Ingredients

• 2 bowls-medium and large
• 4 to 6 Chicken breasts
• 2 Bottles of Italian salad dressing
• Freezer bag
• Salad mix
• 2 Tomatoes
• 2 cucumbers
• Shredded Cheese
• Baco's
• Croutons