Who hasn’t struggled over mealtime? You want to keep it easy and affordable, but you also don’t want to fall into a food rut. We have a few cheap but tasty ideas that might keep things interesting.
Try your hand at homemade mac ’n cheese, cheesy potato casserole or creamy potato soup. All you need are 10 basic ingredients: macaroni, cheese, flour, butter, milk, potatoes, broth, onions and bacon. See below for instructions on how to use these ingredients to add three great new meals to your rotation.
If You Have These 9 Ingredients, Dinner’s Almost Ready!
Easy Mac ’N Cheese
Homemade macaroni and cheese is easier than you think, and it’s so much better than the boxed stuff. For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 to 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup milk
In a large pot, boil water for macaroni and cook to al dente. While you’re waiting for the water to boil, melt the butter in a skillet on medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 3 to 5 minutes, then slowly add the milk and whisk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, making sure the bottom doesn’t burn, and allow it to thicken a little. Add sauce and most of the cheese to the drained macaroni and mix well.
Transfer to a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is melted to a light crust. Salt and pepper to taste. This recipe will feed a family or four, with plenty for seconds.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Why waste your money on processed, packaged potatoes when you can make them even better and cheaper yourself? For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 4 potatoes
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 sliced onion
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup broth
- 2 to 3 cups shredded cheese
Peel and slice the potatoes into quarter-inch-thick rounds. Layer in a casserole dish with bacon and onion. Use a skillet to whisk the flour and butter for 3 to 5 minutes, and then add in the milk and broth. Bring to a boil, then add in most of the cheese. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and cover with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about a half hour. Uncover and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Salt and pepper to taste.
Creamy Potato Soup
Try this simple take on an old favorite. Before you begin, make sure you have:
- 4 fresh potatoes
- 32 ounces of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 to 2 cups shredded cheese
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
Peel and cube the potatoes, then add them to a large stock pot with the broth and onion. Boil covered until tender and mash slightly. In a skillet, whisk the butter and flour for 3 to 5 minutes, then stir in the milk. Add the cheese, mixing well before adding to the soup. Add bacon. Salt and pepper to taste. Thin with broth, if needed. This recipe feeds about four people.
Great meals don’t have to cost a lot, and they don’t have to be complicated. Reduce your food rut and try these fun but simple meals for yourself. You might just find something new to keep for the rotation.
