Master the Art of the Frugal Lifestyle: Money-Saving Strategies, Easy Affordable Recipes, Stress-Free Meal Planning, and Family Celebrations. Spend Wisely, Live Lavishly

Category: Dinners

Meet Your New Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Sandwich

Meet Your New Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Sandwich

    Reuben Sandwich Braid What’s not to love about St. Patrick’s Day? The wearing o’ the green, leprechaun pinches, and green food coloring in everything from breakfast to beer (well maybe not that so much). Plus, I’m excited about the traditional St. Pat’s dinner of …read more

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats – This’ll float your boat!

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats – This’ll float your boat!

  Be it carbs, gluten or calories – lots of people are trying to cut down on pasta Especially, my family. So, I’m always playing with recipes that give us all the familiar flavors of the pasta dishes we love, without the pasta. This recipe …read more

London Broil – Are you cooking it wrong?

London Broil – Are you cooking it wrong?

  The Ultimate Guide to Cooking London Broil   At least once a week I get an email that goes something like this; “My family loves a good steak but it’s out of our budget. When I buy cheaper steak, like London broil, it always …read more

The perfect autumn meal – Pumpkin Chili and Cornbread Waffles

The perfect autumn meal – Pumpkin Chili and Cornbread Waffles

  It’s time for Pumpkin Chili and Cornbread Waffles As soon as the chill of autumn hits the air I feel compelled to make soups. I drag “the big pot” out of the back of the cupboard and it stays handy until the end of …read more

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Sage Parmesan Crisps

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Sage Parmesan Crisps

   Roast Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. A simple, seasonal, sensational soup.   Maybe I’ve been inhaling too much pumpkin spice candle, but I felt a change the air this week.  I’m choosing slippers over sandals, long sleeves over t-shirts, and soups over salads. And …read more

Easy Salmon Soufflé

Easy Salmon Soufflé

  Easy elegance on a budget, Salmon Soufflé.    How do you serve a salmon entrée to four people for under $5 total?  You make salmon soufflé.   Soufflé makes for a tastefully classy lunch, or dinner, even a lovely late night supper. Imagine fluffy, …read more

Slab Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato Soup

Slab Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato Soup

  Here’s a cozy retro meal with a fresh twist. Slab Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato Soup   Want to make somebody’s face light up? Just say “Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato Soup” and watch them go right back to their childhood.      Everyone …read more

Budget Shepherd’s Pie

Budget Shepherd’s Pie

      Budget Shepherd’s Pie This is how we’re dishing up comfort for under $2 a serving: Budget Shepherd’s Pie   Growing up as I did, with a very British mother, shepherd’s pie was regular fare at our dinner table.    But most memorably, …read more

The Candied Bacon Cheddar Burger to Make Labor Day your Best Burger Bash. Ever.  

The Candied Bacon Cheddar Burger to Make Labor Day your Best Burger Bash. Ever.  

    The humble hamburger is a barbecue staple. What would a Labor Day cook out be without a few burgers on the grill? However, if you’re ready to upgrade your plain old patties and a slice of cheese; have I got a burger for …read more

4 Ingredient Pulled Pork

4 Ingredient Pulled Pork

  Revolutionize Your Labor Day: Effortless Pulled Pork Perfection with Just 4 Ingredients I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Labor Day is supposed to be a day off for those who labor. Traditionally, we’d plan a big barbeque feast with all the …read more

Hatch Chili and Tomato Casserole

Hatch Chili and Tomato Casserole

      Before I get to the Hatch Chili and Tomato Casserole, do all you chili-heads out there know what happens each August in the Southwest? If you said “Hatch chili season!” give yourself a gold star!    That’s when the Hatch chilies ripen …read more

Lasagna with a twist? Diva’s Meatless Mexican Lasagna

Lasagna with a twist? Diva’s Meatless Mexican Lasagna

  You know I love recipe mash-ups! When I developed this recipe for Meatless Mexican Lasagna, I was thinking – what if lasagna and an enchilada casserole had a baby?   The answer – I’d eat it!    And so, I made it.   Imagine, …read more