4 Cheap and Easy Homemade Meal Ideas (That Aren’t Just Spaghetti)

Check out these inexpensive and simple homemade meal ideas!

Italian Sausage Ragu

It’s tough to feed the family AND keep it interesting these days. These four recipes will be sure to keep everyone happy (and asking for seconds)! A lot of times, when we think about easy foods, we end up with expensive takeout from restaurants or greasy fast foods. Or we just end up making spaghetti… again. What we really need is good, homemade food from every day ingredients you probably have in your pantry or cupboard and freezer! All of these meal ideas make 4-6 servings! We really hope you enjoy these cheap, easy, homemade meal ideas!

Quick Sausage Ragù

Ingredients:
1 lb Bulk Italian Sausage (Sweet, Mild or Hot- whatever you prefer)
2 tbs Olive Oil
1 12 oz Can Stewed Tomatoes
1 tbsp Minced Garlic
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
3/4 cup Frozen Peppers and Onions
4 cups Cooked Rice or Pasta of your choice

Directions:
Cook Rice or Pasta- Start boiling the water when you begin, and cook according to directions
1.) Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Then carefully add bulk italian sausage. Crumble it as it cooks.
2.) When meat is fully cooked, add the remainder of the ingredients, bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes
3.) Serve sauce over rice or pasta

Grecian Penne Pasta with Chicken

Ingredients:

1 Box of Penne Pasta- Cooked and Cooled.
1 can of cooked chicken breast
1.5 tbsp granulated garlic
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese
1 small can of roasted red pepper
1 small can of artichoke pieces
4 oz Feta cheese
1 small can sliced black olives
1/2 c Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and toss until well coated. Adjust dressing amount to desired level. In addition, salt and pepper to taste
Serve cold as a chilled pasta salad. Top with shredded lettuce or extra Parmesan if desired. May also be reheated and served warm!

Kielbasa with Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:
1 pkg Cooked Kielbasa (Polish Sausage)
1/2 Large Bag of California Blend Vegetables (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots)

Directions:
Our favorite! In other words, this one is too easy! Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice sausage on a bias into about 1.5 inch thick slices. Arrange sausage slices meat side up on one half of a baking sheet, fill the rest of the baking sheet with the frozen vegetables. Bake until the edges of the sausage are browning and getting dark. The veggies will be a little brown as well. Serve and enjoy!

Pita Pizzas

Ingredients:
8 Whole Wheat Pitas
1 can Pizza Sauce
1 8 oz bag Mozzarella Cheese
Any toppings you’d like!

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spread sauce,cheese and toppings. Bake until cheese is melted and beginning to brown. Above all, the best part of this recipe is that you can use up many extra or left over ingredients from the recipes above to really avoid waste and be creative!