Cheap and Easy Meals with Hamburger
© Duchess O’Blunt, 2010; all rights reserved.
Cheap Cheap Cheap
Remember your college days? They were fun weren't they?
One of the best things about college is learning how to cope on your own. Sometimes we did it well and sometimes we just messed up entirely.
Like most college students, I had to scrimp on the food bill.
Being in college meant those cheap and easy meals were so necessary. You had to eat but the budget just wouldn’t stretch that far.
One of the things I managed to do well was improvise.
These are the staples I survived on and eventually learned many many ways to make these few things into a somewhat tasty meal.
- Kraft Dinner
- Hamburger
- Spaghetti
- Soup
I had to think Food
I recently had a day off from work and was doing some research. I tend to get side tracked (as I am sure I have mentioned), and before I knew it the day had gotten away from me. I knew that only because my stomach started loudly protesting the absence of sustenance. Apparently coffee doesn’t count.
I have a husband who generally takes care of me like I was a Duchess or something *smile*. I don’t often use any of my grey matter on what the stomach requires because he generally takes care of that for me.
Aren’t I just the luckiest of Duchesses?
Being a generous soul, once in awhile I deign to give him some time off. He does so like his time on the ATV or snowmobile, and for some reason enjoys sitting at a lake with a fishing pole in hand. Every man deserves a break from his regular routine, time away from the misses. Time to “bond” with his buds, enjoy a brew, and kick back and relax.
I figure, if I give him the occasional time off, he will look forward to returning to taking care of me with all the enthusiasm I have become accustomed to.
Gentlemen, I don’t want you feeling sorry for him, and ladies, don’t be jealous! Neither of those emotions are good for the digestive system.
I had to fall back on those memories to prepare food on my day off. As DH was away, grocery shopping had not been done either.
I know! I can hear you all!
The available food supply looked like my basic college stash so I reached way back into the memory banks to come up with a dinner idea.
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The versatility of hamburger
One trick I learned was the versatility of hamburger and soup! Hamburger is a relatively cheap meat. And soup is even cheaper.
Adding soup to a dish can often enhance the yum factor to lip smacking tasty! Here is proof, try it. Its, fast and cheap and delish.
- Brown and drain your hamburger
- Open a can of cheddar cheese soup
- Pour over the cooked, drained hamburger
- Let simmer for 5 minutes
Now, if you are lucky and can add a side dish to this here are some suggestions
- Boiled potatoes don't even require butter-just mash them and pour this hamburger soup over top.
- Perogies are quick and easy too. Boil some water (add oil or butter). When it’s boiling add perogies for about 5
minutes. When they are floating they are
ready. Especially tasty with a little sour cream and salt and pepper to taste.
- Vegetable of choice - fresh, steamed, baked nuked or boiled
- Salad
- Dinner Roll
Variation:
Substitute cream of mushroom soup and serve over rice.
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Old Family Recipe - One Pan Goop
And just to prove my point, that hamburger is versatile, here is a variation of the above mentioned college staples
- Kraft Dinner
- hamburger
- spaghetti sauce
Brown and drain 1 lb hamburger using a large pan.
Add:
- 2 cups of water,
- Kraft Dinner noodles and cheese sauce
- 1 can of hot and spicy spaghetti sauce.
Let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Variations.
- Spices to taste
- Substitute spaghetti sauce with tomato soup
- Add canned tomatoes
- Serve with Vegetable of choice - fresh, steamed, baked nuked or boiled
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I was just kidding about giving the hubby some time off - just in case you all think I'm some sort of evil wife. (mwa ha ha)
I’m not a hard task master, and I don’t make him do these things. Lucky for me, he enjoys it.
You know what they say, "Happy Wife, Happy Life"
For more inexpensive recopies by another hubber, click here.
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Comments
It's a pleasure Laura!
I love them both!
Thank you so very much Duchess, we are going to give these a try :)
Easy and tasty wolfpack. Think you will love them
I loved this hub you have some great and affordable ideas!
mdawson17
Awe mdawson, when you are in college, you must have affordable ideas! These ones are particularly tasty too.
Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoyed this hub. You're right - hamburger is cheap and versatile.
Wife Who Saves, I'm glad you stopped in. I figured you might like this hub. You have some great tips on money saving ideas.
Great ideas and so appetizing. Maing me hingry just reading.
Robert Ballard
It's an easy recipe if you are hungry! Try it, you'll like it. :)
Yum! Good recipes, Duchess. Thanks for sharing with us.
Tried and True! Enjoy daisy storm
MmmmMmM I love putting together random foods and see what the outcome is. My husband and I have struggled a lot in the past 3 years, our first year together we were living off dollar tree food. We put our heads together and came up with some great foods and saved a lot of money. Rather it's hamburger, ramen noodles or chicken... we've done it.. we've failed.. and we've accomplished. This is definitely something everyone has to try at least once!!
Hey Beasley2007. I am honored that you have signed up and have given me your readership as a fan. I hope you write about some of those experiments with food. Sounds like you might have come up with a winner or two that others should try out. Especially if they are economical as well.
Interesting hub.
I do like to cook with ground beef and Campbell's cream of mushroom soup also.
boxxies
Yup, that's a great combination as well boxxies. Thanks for sharing
Fantastic ideas with your recipes, and will be trying some very soon this weekend. I too spoil my wife, and she deserves every spoil. I do all the cooking and I too like to have fast and easy dishes. I have a few myself in my hub if your schedule allows you to take a peek. One suggestion when I cook with burger, most of the time I put in a bit of water to cover the meat, and basically boil it and then drain off the water. It cuts loads of fat out of the dishes making it a bit more healthier. (if that is possible with hamburger.) thanks for making this hub. Ill be watching you.. LOL
etower036 - It's nice to hear there is another woman out there being spoiled by her husband. Good for you! I hope she appreciates everything you do. Thanks for the tips on cooking the burger in water. I'll have to give that a try (or tell the hubby). I must might point my hubby on over to your hubs :)
Thanks for the drop in.
Yummy (soon be in my tummy) recipes. Thanks Duchess. I have some hamburger and cheese soup so guess what's for dinner tonight!
brightforyou - it's one of my favorites. Cheap, easy, and yummy. I'd be interested in knowing if you enjoyed it.
A fellow Canadian - wonderful! I love this hub. My college days were filled with Kraft Dinner, grilled cheese sandwiches and Mr. Noodles. lol. If I really wanted to splurge, I'd buy a whole-chicken meal at the grocery store. Oooo fancy!
One of the things you mentioned is very close to what I eat frequently - KD, cut up sausage fried, cream cheese and a can of stewed tomatoes. Mmmm yum.
I've also had this can of cream of cheddar soup in the cupboard for...oh...8 or so months. I can't even remember buying it, and haven't cared to think of how to use it - and I didn't need to! Thanks for your suggestion, I'm going to try that soon.
ahhh, I forgot about the Mr. Noodles! Not sure how I could - since they were a staple! Cheddar Cheese soup is actually good for a lot of different things. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for the visit from a fellow Canadian
Thank you for these.
A pleasure nannasplace!
great tips thanks for sharing
A pleasure chuckanddus6
Awesome ideas. I love burger, especially in tacos, the pic with creamed of mushroom soup and broccoli looks good, too! voted up.
Thanks emilybee. I love burger too, especially in some of the really tasty recipes you can find just about anywhere. So easy. Relatively cheap - that's always a winning choice.
Laura du Toit 2 years ago
Great Ideas - Hamburgers are a favorite when you need a meal in a hurry and with these great ideas I can really make them a bit more interesting.
Thanks for sharing.