Cheater Beef Stroganoff

*This is my easy "cheater" version of Beef Stroganoff. It's really fast and the kids love it because it's simple. And the best part is that it's REALLY CHEAP to make!!

You'll Need:

-1 lb. ground beef (free) we did a beef in the winter and so it was already paid for.

-1/2 box noodles ($.50) on sale for $1 a box!

-3 tbs. flour ($.00)

-3 tbs. margarine or butter ($.08) I promise I did the math! :o) I buy the cheap stuff.

-1 cup milk ($.14)

-salt & pepper

-scant of nutmeg

-green beans (side dish) (free) they were homegrown bottled beans.

TOTAL: $0.72!! Factor in your meat and it's still way under $5! This served me, the hubs, and my 2 year old. I still had enough for about 3 people!

DIRECTIONS:

-Cook ground beef with season salt and onions if you wish.

-While beef is cooking, cook noodles according to directions on box.

-Melt margarine, add flour and wisk together. Add milk and wait for sauce to thicken. Season sauce with salt and pepper and nutmeg.

-Mix beef, noodles and sauce together. Enjoy!

*I served them with the green beans listed above.

**I know I don't get any comments, but I do appreciate all the hits. It's nice to know that ya'll are at least still looking and hopefully trying out some of these recipes! Hope you enjoy them as much as my family does. Let me know what you think of this "meal cost" business! :o)

Sweet & Sour Chicken

*I can't take credit for this recipe. It's from a good friend of mine. We had a recipe swap and this is one of the many great ones she gave me! I think I've made this one at least 4 times and it's so easy and yummy! Hope you like it as much as I do!

You'll Need:

-1 cup catalina dressing (I use kraft) ($1) on sale & I used a coupon!

-1 cup apricot preserves ($.85)

-1/2 package of onion soup mix ($.70)

-5-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3.48)

Total: $6.03

DIRECTIONS:

-You can either set your chicken out in the morning and when you come home cook all of this in a 9x13 pan. Or you can put frozen chicken breasts in a crockpot around lunchtime and let it cook until dinner time on low. I prefer to already have it done, so I do the crockpot method! :o)

-Mix all ingredients together either in pan or crock pot. Put chicken breasts in pan/crockpot and spoon mix over chicken. Bake at 350 for 40 min. or until chicken is done. Or turn crock pot on low for 5-6 hours.

-Whalaaaa!!!

**I usually serve this with Rice a Roni and some steamed broccoli. Yummy and healthy!