Food costs add up quickly, so if you have a lot of mouths to feed you need cheap meals for big families. Cutting costs does not mean you have to cut nutrition or flavor though. Cheap meals can include plenty of vegetables, protein and tasty spices and herbs. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's "Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals" you can manage your budget by planning ahead, cooking extra to pack for lunches, and making a regular meal plan to ensure you have variety and don't get bored.
Chicken Alfredo
According to My Family Kitchen, chicken Alfredo is: "inexpensive to make and pasta dishes can feed a large family easily." The ingredients are simply chicken, butter, oil, half-and-half, plus garlic, fresh basil and parmesan cheese. An easy, one-pot meal, the recipe can quickly be adapted to serve more or fewer people. It is also high in protein and calcium, thanks to the half-and-half and cheese. Serve with a green salad and garlic bread for a balanced meal.
Turkey Chili
Simple to prepare, high in protein, and low in fat, turkey chili is recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture as a healthful, cheap family meal. The USDA recipe includes ground turkey, red kidney beans and cheddar cheese for protein; pearl barley as a source of carbohydrate, and onions, chili, paprika and mustard for spicy flavor. Serve it with elbow macaroni or rice, and a green salad.
Stew and Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes are an ideal ingredient for big families because they are cheap, readily available and easy to store. Boil up a batch and mash with butter or olive oil. Complete the meal with a hearty beef and vegetable stew. This is easy to make using inexpensive cuts of beef, onions, and carrots. Increase the vitamin and fiber content--and bulk it up-- with economical frozen mixed vegetables. Brown the meat first, then add to a large pot with stock, plenty of water, and your choice of herbs and vegetables. Or try a variant like Jamie Oliver's recipe which includes squash and parsnips. The stew can simmer for a couple of hours with just an occasional stir.
Pizza
Pizza is a family favorite that can be cheap, filling and nutritious if you make it yourself. According to Cheap Cooking you can make a large batch of dough and cater for different tastes by letting your kids put on their own toppings. All you need is flour, yeast, salt, sugar and oil, plus sauce, cheese and whatever meats or vegetables you choose. If you want an even cheaper option reduce the amount of cheese--this also cuts fat and calories.
Member Comments