It's a busy day for me...and Spaghetti Pie Recipe

I'm pretty sure that Drew and I deserve the Aunt and Uncle of the Year Award! Well really just Drew because he did the most work! My niece came to stay with us for a few days and last night we went out to eat. Well we get home and she starts saying she doesn't feel very good. I give her some medicine and put her in my bed to watch tv...not 20 minutes later I hear **PUKING**! I swear I can hear it a mile away! I'm just not good with that...it makes ME sick. So Drew cleaned most of it up and I scrubbed the carpet. I'm so glad I have a wonderful husband!

So today I have been washing all of our bedding and disinfecting the house just incase it is the stomach bug! I also finally got our cleaned and organized! This weekend we will be able to put up the baby bed! I'm so excited! Only 9 weeks to go!! It is going to be here before I even know it!!! It's getting somewhat stressful though because literally we have only bought about 4 outfits...and that's it! We are also going to be doing some baby shopping this weekend!!

I'm busy trying to get my menu plan, grocery list, and January freezer cooking list all together! Tonight we are going to have Spaghetti Pie! It looks wonderful to me but I LOVE spaghetti and could eat it all the time!

I got the recipe from The Happy Housewife. Be sure to check out all the other great stuff she has also!

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Chili for a C-O-L-D night

Weather in Louisiana is completely psychotic...really it is. Earlier this week we had a record high temperature for this time of the year (can't remember exactly somewhere in the high 70s to low 80s) and today it was pretty cold outside. Well my kind of cold is probably different than some others...it was like in the 50s maybe. So anyways I decided tonight that I wanted to eat CHILI!! YUM!

This may or may not be a frugal recipe to you...it seems kind of iffy to me...but I still love it!

Chili
1-2 lbs hamburger meat, browned and drained
1-2 cans tomato sauce
2 cans dark red kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes
2 pkg chili seasoning
Chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cool over low heat about 30 minutes or until beans are at a tenderness you like. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and enjoy! Don't forget the cornbread or crackers either!!

**Linking the post to Good Cheap Eats - What's on your plate?**

For more meal ideas be sure to check out the rest of their posts as well!!

Frugal Recipes

I began searching for frugal recipes earlier this year in an attempt to cut down on our grocery bill. Little did I know that there was an incredible wealth of information on not only frugal recipes but also on all aspects of frugal living. Frugal living has become a part of everyday life with my family now. With 6 of us living on one income we have to make sure that we can account for every dollar spent and make sure that it is spent wisely. I had never given much thought about reducing our grocery bill to give us a little more money each check but I’m so glad that I came across all of the information that I did.  I’m still experimenting with making my own frugal recipes and living tips but I’m proud of what I have accomplished so far.

So today I’m going to list a few recipes that should be easy on your wallet. Hope you enjoy!!

Beefy Mac and Cheese (I’m sure everyone has thought of this at some point.)

1-2 boxes of macaroni and cheese (or homemade if you prefer)

1 pound of hamburger meat

Butter and Milk

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook macaroni according to package directions. While macaroni is cooking brown hamburger meat; drain and set aside. After macaroni is done, drain and add hamburger meat to pot. Mix in the cheese powder, milk, and butter. Then add salt and pepper to taste.

Baked Potato Soup

4 cans of chicken broth

2 ½ cups of instant mashed potato flakes

1 pint half and half

3 cups shredded cheese, divided

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a pot mix chicken broth, potato flakes, and half and half. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Add 2 cups cheese and cook for 2-3 minutes still stirring. Remove from heat and add 1 cup cheese to top.

*We added bacon bits to ours also…options are really endless on what you can add!

Vegetable Beef Soup

1 pound hamburger meat

2 (16 oz)cans tomato sauce

2 large cans veg all

3-4 potatoes, peeled and cubed

Brown hamburger and drain. Add remaining ingredients and cook until potatoes are tender. You might also have to add a little water to get it as soupy as you want!

~~~Most of the ingredients I have mentioned in these recipes are commonly found in your pantry so be sure to check before you go to the store. While I am not a couponer , some of you probably are and could get these ingredients on sale also…making it ever better on the budget!!~~~

Ashley