It's getting harder and harder to feed a family on less than $15 a day, but you can do it surprisingly well if you simply plan ahead.

Our family has found that using the same frugal recipes over and over make mealtime easy to plan and prepare. Make the same foods on certain nights, with "variety nights" programmed in to try new and different recipes or simply revolve favorites you want to enjoy less frequently.

Using the same frugal recipes on a regular basis make it easier for you to estimate your grocery bill, get in and out of the store quickly, size up your pantry at a glance and prepare hearty and nutritious meals on the fly.

Here are two of our favorite frugal recipes, from our home to yours.

Simple Chicken Soup

1 can chicken chunks
minced or fresh chopped onions
2/3 bag frozen peas and carrots
2 cups water
i box natural chicken broth or stock
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 1/2 cups ditalini pasta

Saute the chicken and onions in medium-high heat in a large skillet or saucepan. Add some of the water to keep chicken from sticking. When heated through, add frozen vegetables and saute another 3 minutes, until thawed. Add water, stock and dressing mix. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve. Garnish with parmesan cheese if desired.

Makes 5-6 servings. Costs approximately $6-7 to prepare.

Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

1 can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz. can tomato paste
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1 tbsp. minced onion
2 tbsp. basil
2 tbsp. oregano
1/2 tbsp. crushed red pepper
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
pinch of sugar
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
homemade or frozen meatballs

Combine all ingredients except meatballs in a 4-quart slow cooker. Mix thoroughly. Add meatballs (about half a large bag of frozen meatballs). Cook on Low 4-6 hours. Serve over hot pasta.

Makes 7-8 servings. Costs around $5.50 to prepare. Adjust spices to taste.

Double the recipe and freeze leftovers. To reheat leftovers, put frozen sauce in crock pot and cook all day on Low.


Bon appetit!