Saving for the Average Person{Healthy and Cheap}

I hope everyone has gotten their taxes done and filed. If not see my article from two weeks ago for links to cheap ways to file your taxes:

 http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977277097&nav=Namespace

This week I thought we could all use a break from politics, the failing economy and high gas prices. 'cause in my book they all suck right now.

My husband accidentally came up with this recipe last night while I was quilting. He kept poking his head into my sewing room (aka the dining room) asking me things like:

"How do I thaw ground beef fast?" and

"Do you like ziti noodles or rototini?"

In exasperation I told him to cook what ever HE wanted, just so I could sew in peace.

I was pleasantly surprised and half hour later when he presented me with a healthy alternative to beef mostachoulli.(sorry if that is spelling wrong, I stumped my spell check)

And I was even happier when I realized not only was it healthy but it was cheap. So now I share it with you!

Enjoy!

(all ingredients bought at Aldi, if you don't have an Aldi near you, use coupons and watch for sales at your favorite store)

1 box or bag of chunky noodles (any kind you like is fine) .75 cents

1 half of a small turkey ham chunk (Aldi stores sell them for $3-$4) half of one $2

(you could use ground turkey instead, if you like)

I large can spag. Sauce or your own home made .90 cents

1 small bag mozzarella (low fat if you want!) $2.75

1 can diced tomatoes (or chop a fresh one).70 cents

Using a large pot, boil water for the noodles.

While water boils chop half the ham chunk into small bite size pieces.

Boil the noodles for 8 minutes, you want them slightly undercooked. But it is no big deal if you cook them all the way.

When the noodles are done preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a glass casserole dish (9x13)with cooking spray or coat lightly with oil.

Layer your noodles in the bottom of the dish

Top the noodles with the turkey ham

Then top the ham with diced tomatoes

Pour your sauce over the top of the whole thing

Top with cheese. (only a little if you want it very healthy!)

Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes or until all hot and bubbly.

Serve with salad and garlic bread if you like. But this is good all alone too ;-)

Grand total $7 for a 9x13 dish full. You could easily feed 8 people with this dish. That comes out to under .88 cents a serving.

If you don't have 8 people to feed freeze the left over for easy take along lunches or another dinner. If you don't want leftovers cut my recipe in half!

You can't loose!

* side note: I found a refillable cooking spray bottle at Bed Bath and Beyond. You fill it half way with your favorite oil and then pump the bottle with the cap to pressurize it. It was 20% off so I paid $8, but even at $10 it was a deal! Anyone who uses cooking spray knows how expensive those cans are. And this keeps tons and tons of more metal cans out of land fills!

Mandi Gordon, Money Correspondent

Mandi lives in northern Illinois with her husband, daughter 2 big dogs and 4 crazy cats.

If you are of the unusual kind and would like to connect to Mandi here is the link:

mandi.gather.com

If you would like to read other money saving articles:

money.gather.com

You all come back now, ya hear?