• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Advertise
  • Contact

I Dig Pinterest

Creative "Pin"-spiration

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Parties
  • Printables
  • Home Improvement
  • Shop My Style

May 29, 2014

Budget Cooking Made Yummy: Cheap Food Ideas to Feed 4 for Under $10

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.
Today’s recipes are budget-friendly food at its finest!  Eating on-the-cheap never tasted so great!  I’ve put together a yummy meal that will feed four, for under $10!  Yes, that’s right!
Go ahead.  Take a peek.
Featured above is a glorified version of your traditional Mac ‘n Cheese, but this time with bacon, green chiles, and Parmesan bread crumbs, served with delectable individual Whipped Pudding Strawberry Trifles and with a few swigs of a Grape Kool-Aid Burst to chase it all down.
My husband could tell you that I’m a very frugal person, sometimes to a fault. It pains me to spend money on things that don’t last. Although food is crucial to our survival and I do love when it tastes great, the truth of the matter is, it’s gone in just minutes with only a full stomach (that will need to be replenished a couple hours later) to show for it.
I honestly feel guilty sometimes after eating out at a really nice restaurant, knowing how much we’ve spent on a single meal. Are you like that?
But there will be no buyer’s remorse on account of today’s creations. Oh no. The best part about this easy dinner, aside from the fact that it’s delicious, is that your wallet will give you a standing ovation afterwards.
To prompt the applause, I ran to Walmart and got in on a few #1DollarDeals.
2 pkgs. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Grape Kool-Aid Bursts
1 pkg. Jello-O Vanilla Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
Please browse the recipes for other required ingredients.
It looks gourmet, but was no sweat to put together.   If there ever was a tummy-and-bank-account-pleasing meal, this is it.

 

Now let me give you a little background on the origin of this unique take on mac ‘n cheese.I live in the Southwest, a place where green chiles flow like milk and honey.  We serve them up on burgers, pizza, tacos, breakfast burritos, casseroles…you name it.  I’ve even tried them in fudge (although I was not a fan).  So I felt that I couldn’t be true to myself and my home land if I didn’t include green chiles in my mac ‘n cheese at some point.  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity.  Combined with bacon and Parmesan bread crumbs, the concoction was scrumptious.  Sheer genius.

My green chiles were very mild, so they mainly added a wonderful flavor without much of a kick.



{BACON GREEN CHILE MAC ‘N CHEESE}

Serves 4
6 strips bacon, cooked and coarsely crumbled
1 bread heel, finely ground
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
2 pkgs. Original Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (along with butter and milk called for on package)
4 oz. can diced green chiles
Cook and crumble bacon.  Stir together bread crumbs and Parmesan in a small bowl.  Prepare Macaroni & Cheese according to package directions.  Stir in cooked bacon and green chiles.  Top with Parmesan/bread crumb mixture and serve immediately.
—–
Then on to my favorite part…dessert!  This Whipped Pudding Strawberry Mini Trifle is a perfect way to end an already great meal.
It’s basically fruit with dip, but layered beautifully in an individual, easy-to-hold container for portability and much less mess.  The texture of the delightful whipped pudding is comparable to that of a no-bake cheesecake.  Yum!

 

It’s creamy and dreamy, fruity, and just plain luscious!  Summer in a cup!
{WHIPPED PUDDING STRAWBERRY MINI TRIFLE}
Yields 4 mini trifles
1 container (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding & Pie Filling (dry from the packet, unprepared)
3 c. chopped fresh strawberries

 

With an electric mixer or by hand with a wire whisk, combine whipped topping and pudding. Layer whipped pudding and strawberries, alternating, in small disposable cups or in pretty, mini glass cups. For a cleaner look, use a re-sealable bag to pipe in whipped pudding mixture. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
—–
So there you have it…proof that dinner doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg in order to taste fantastic. I hope you try it and love it!Be sure to follow Walmart on Facebook for more money-saving tips.

Thank you #CollectiveBias and Kraft for providing me with this fun opportunity to create a delicious meal on a budget!

Filed Under: Promotions, Recipes, Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chad and Catherine says

    May 29, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    These look amazing! I'm always looking for cheap yet tasty meals, and this one is perfect!
  2. Melissa says

    May 29, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    Quick question, do you mix the pudding up according to the package directions and then mix with the whipped topping or just the powder mix and whipped topping?
    Thanks
    • Christine Bell says

      May 29, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      Great question, Melissa. I failed to mention that part. :) I've updated the recipe. Thanks for asking.
  3. Stephanie Kay says

    June 3, 2014 at 1:25 am

    We ate strawberries with supper tonight but mixed with plain yogurt instead. I can't wait for the U-pick farms in my area to ripen! Thanks for sharing via Family Fun Friday.
  4. Samantha says

    June 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Wow that looks delicious and I can't believe it's so budget-friendly! I am looking forward to trying the Bacon Green Chile Mac 'N Cheese. #client
  5. Sami Bookout says

    June 5, 2014 at 12:29 am

    What an easy and delicious recipe! My kiddos will love it!
    Thanks...Pinned!
  6. Mandee Thomas says

    June 6, 2014 at 4:21 am

    Stopping in from the Happiness is Homemade link-up. That trifle of yours looks great! And such an easy recipe maybe I can even do it. Pinned!
  7. Bea Long says

    June 17, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Could you not have bought a cheap box of macaroni and added real cheese, come on you could still feed 4 for less than 10.00 in a better way thanks though the rest you did good

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Christine, and I'm addicted to Pinterest! I love sharing creative "pin"-spiration by way of delicious recipes, fun crafts, party ideas, and DIY projects. I hope you'll stop by often!

Follow by email…

Popular Posts

  • Chicken Noodle Bake
  • Hamburger Corn Casserole
  • Chicken Fajita Casserole
  • Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole
  • The Best Apple Pie
  • Banana Pudding Cookies

Footer

Mom It Forward: Blogger Network
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 I Dig Pinterest · Implemented by WPopt

MENU
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Parties
  • Printables
  • Privacy Policy