South of the Border Chicken & Pasta Skillet

Today's Menu

South of the Border Chicken & Pasta Skillet

Another one pot wonder that I got from KraftFoods.com
I used pasta I had on hand and added a dollop of sour cream
and everyone asked for seconds.

The Recipe

• 2 cups medium-size pasta, uncooked (pantry)
  
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite-size pieces ($2)
  
• 1 jar (16 oz.) Chunky Salsa ($1.50)
  
• 1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen corn (96¢)
  
• 4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) Cream Cheese, cubed ($1)
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin (pantry)
• 1c Fiesta/Mexican cheese blend , divided & softened in microwave. (50¢)

1. Cook pasta as directed on package (I used elbow macaroni because that is what we had).
2. Sprinkle cumin on chicken.
3. Cook chicken in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat until done.
4. Add salsa, corn, & cream cheese simmer on medium-low until cream cheese is melted.
5. Stir occasionally.
6. Drain pasta.
7. Add to skillet with 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
8. Heat through.
9. Top servings with cheese and we added dollop of sour cream!

Total $6 and we have lunch for all of us tomorrow, not just him!

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My Cheater Spaghetti :)

Today's Menu
Spaghetti and Garlic bread
I broke a rule and started my spaghetti with a jar of sauce, but this came out SOOO good so it was worth it on a tired day..I think the flavor came from my new find $1 pre-seasoned turkey burger.. Italian flavored!


The Recipe

• 1 lb italian seasoned turkey burger ($1)
• 1 can (23 oz?) garlic & onion spaghetti sauce ($1)
• 1 can italian seasoned diced tomatoes (45¢)
• 1 lb angel hair pasta ($1)
• 1 loaf french bread ($1)
• 1/4 softened butter (pennies)
• salt free garlic & herb seasoning (pennies)
• pinch of Italian seasonings (pennies)
• Parmesan cheese (to top both) (50¢)

1. Start a large pot of water boiling.
2. Brown turkey burger in large sauce pan and drain, if necessary.
3. Add sauce and tomatoes (lightly crush by hand or spoon before adding)
4. Season and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile salt the boiled water and time the addition of pasta properly.
6. Slice loaf of bread to create two long halves, mix butter and seasonings and spread onto loaf.
   
7. Sprinkle with Parmesan
   
8. Bake in oven at 400 degrees until cheese is browned.
9. Boil angel hair for about 4 minutes for al dente.. THAT'S IT! angel hair is a thin pasta and overcooks easily.

I mix my pasta and sauce together. To me it gives it a better evenness of sauce and it makes the sauce last as long as the pasta. I hate running out of sauce!
Total $5.00. We all had seconds and he has lunch tomorrow.

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Chicken Patty Cakes

The Menu

Chicken Patty Cakes
Original recipe was for tuna, but
I made them with canned chicken
(hubby has tuna allergy).
YUMMYYYY!!!!
He had it for lunch today and has been begging me
all day to make it again soon!

I forgot to take pictures :(

The Recipe

Adapted from KraftFoods.com's Tuna Cakes

1. 1 12 oz can of chicken- drained, flaked ($2)
2. 1 pkg. (6 oz.) Stuffing Mix for Chicken ($1)
3. 1 cup Shredded Cheese (I used colby/jack) (50¢)
   
4. 3/4 cup water (FREE)
5. 1 carrot, shredded (pennies)
6. 1/3 cup Mayonnaise (pennies) 2 Tbsp. Sweet Pickle Relish (pennies)

• Mix it all together
• Divide into 8 equal patties
• Brown in non stick skillet on both sides.

Served on buns lightly mayo'd and a dab of sweet relish
and curly fries ($1.55) on the side.

Total: $5 including the side and a 2 patty lunch the next day!

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