| Savings & Tips
Family Cooking Together

Take the pain out of putting together family dinners with these easy and extremely budget-friendly dinners for as little as $20. Each is sized for a family of four.

Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped broccoli

¾ cup chicken stock/broth

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

2-3 cups of cooked rice

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Place broccoli in microwavable bowl with a few tablespoons of water. Microwave for 3-4 minutes or until tender.
  3. Put broccoli, chicken stock, olive oil, and lemon juice into blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
  4. Put rice and cheese in an ovenproof dish. Pour broccoli mixture over the rice and cheese. Mix gently to blend ingredients.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes or until heated thoroughly. Cheese should be melted.

Baked Spinach and Tomato Pasta

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat penne pasta

2 tablespoons of olive oil (divided)

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

4 cups baby spinach

3 cups diced tomato (divided)

1 tablespoon dried oregano (any herb with work)

Pinch of salt

¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. In large pot of boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse penne under cold water and drain. Set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and stir.
  4. Add spinach and 2 cups of tomato. Cook mixture for 4 minutes or until spinach wilts.
  5. In medium bowl, combine 1 cup of tomato, herbs, and salt. Transfer cooked tomato mixture to bowl and stir well. Add pasta to tomato mixture and mix thoroughly. Stir in ½ cup of cheese.
  6. Grease bottom of baking dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Pour tomato pasta mixture into dish.
  7. Bake mixture uncovered for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and sprinkle with ¼ cup cheese. Put mixture back in oven and cook just until cheese melts – about 4 minutes.

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

1 onion, diced

8 ounces ground beef

4 cups chicken broth

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can white kidney beans, drained

1 can kidney beans, drained

2 teaspoons chili powder

10 ounces uncooked elbow pasta

¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese

 

Directions:

  1. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and ground beef, and cook until browned (about 3-5 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  2. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes, beans, and chili powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to simmer and stir in pasta.
  3. Bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until pasta is cooked (about 13-15 minutes).
  4. Remove from heat, top with cheese, and cover until cheese is melted (about 2 minutes).
  5. Serve and enjoy!

(Recipe adapted from DamnDelicious.com)