Family Meals For Under $5 - Cheesy Potato and Ham Casserole

"Weekly grocery circulars often read "feed a family of 4 for under $10!". I'm sure most of you have laughed at this as I did. As a result, I began to wonder what does dinner really cost for my family of 8? So I set a challenge for myself and I figured if I kept it under $5, I was doing good..."

I came up with this recipe one night when I was desperately trying to figure out what to make for dinner out of what I had in my house - ever been there? So instead of running to the store, I adapted a recipe I had for scalloped potatoes and ham with what I had and what my family likes. Here is the result.

Cheesy Potato and Ham Casserole

2c diced turkey ham - 1.42 lb for Festive brand @ Wal-Mart = .94
1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup = .50
8 potatoes, scrubbed and diced - .07 ea = .56
2 green onions, sliced - 39c pkg - .03ea = .06
½ c powdered cheese sauce from Provident Pantry = .88
Mixed w/ 1c warm water to make 1 c sauce

Mix soup and sauce in a 13 x 9 dish. Add potatoes, ham and onions. Stir to mix well. Cover with foil and bake in a 350 oven for 1 hr.

Serve with tossed green salad and steamed carrots

Tossed Green Salad

½ head Romaine lettuce = .75
1 carrot grated = .09
1 sm tomato on the vine @ .96 lb = .25

Steamed Carrots

10 carrots scrubbed and sliced = .90
Steam until tender

Total = $4.93

Alternative Options

I realize many who read this may not have powdered cheese sauce or know what it is. Think of it as the cheese sauce that comes in a box of cheap macaroni and cheese. I buy it in a #10 can to have in my food storage since my family LOVES cheese. More about food storage in later posts.

I've included a couple of alternatives to this, along with their prices and subsequent totals.

1 10.5 can cheddar cheese soup = $1.39
If you choose this option omit the steamed carrots to keep your total under $5
Option 2 Total = $4.54

2. 2 c grated cheddar cheese - $3.78 2lb loaf on sale - .34c = .68
¼ c milk = .03
Option 3 Total = $4.76

Enjoy your meal...

Are you feeling the stress of finances? Well why not find some relief, visit this frugal living skills blog for easy ways to save money with all kinds of budgeting tips. Plus, discover Family Meals Under $5 and how they can feed a family of 8 for under five bucks.

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