Grocery Bargains - Food Staple: Ground Beef

There are five main items that I include in my big monthly shopping trip that help to stretch our food budget. With a family of seven I need to cut all the corners I can. About 30 minutes away from us is a store called Cash n Carry that has restaurant supplies in bulk available to the public, no member fees. I go there once a month for main staples. You could go to a Costco or Sam’s Club too.

(This post got longer and longer as I added more ways that we use these staples and a favorite recipe for each one. So I’ve divided this into 5 posts.)

Grocery Bargain: Ground Beef

The key to saving both your waistline and bottom line, especially with meat, is measuring portions. We use portion spoons, portion cups and a scale. Here are some of the ways we use ground beef:

Meatloaf muffins
Spaghetti with meatballs
Spanish rice
Casserole
Sheppard pie
Taco seasoned meat can make: Tacos, taco salad, burritos, taco soup
Enchiladas
Chili
Burgers
Lasagna roll ups
Goulash
Beef gravy over potatoes
Hamburger macaroni
Stuffed bell peppers
Sloppy joes
Pirogi
Calzone

One of our favorite budget and time saving ground beef recipes:

Meatloaf Muffins

2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup ketchup
3/4 cup water
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
2 pounds lean ground beef

Preparation:
Combine eggs, ketchup, water, and soup mix; mix well. Add bread crumbs and beef; mix well. Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.

What are some of the ways you use ground beef to help stretch your budget?

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There are five main items that I include in my big monthly shopping trip that help to stretch our food budget. With a family of seven I need to cut all the corners I can. About 30 minutes away from us is a store called Cash n Carry that has restaurant supplies in bulk available to the public, no member fees. I go there once a month for main staples. You could go to a Costco or Sam’s Club too.

(This post got longer and longer as I added more ways that we use these staples and a favorite recipe for each one. So I’ve divided this into 5 posts.)

Grocery Bargain: Rice

Rice is a good filler that helps me stretch recipes and meals. It doesn’t take much to be very filling. We buy Jasmine or Calrose rice in large 10 lb bags for less than $1 a pound. We usually pre-cook rice in the rice cooker before using it in a recipe. I have to say our rice cooker was one of the best investments we made for our kitchen and has saved us time and money over the years.

Here are some of the ways we use rice:
Spanish rice (the basic kind with a can of Mexican stewed tomatoes, served as a side dish)
Spanish rice (add meat, beans, corn, wrap in tortillia with cheese and sour cream)
Plain rice side dish
Rice made with a can of soup for flavor (creme of chicken with hebs, cream of brocoli, cheese soup, creme of mushroom, etc.)
Rice with stir fry or teriyaki
Chop Soupy (A family recipe grandma calls chop sui but I renamed because it’s watery like a soup. It has rice, stew meat, soy sauce, vinegar, chopped veggies, and sesame seeds.)
Rice casserole (meat, veg, soup)
Beans and rice
Rice pudding

What are some of the ways you use rice to help stretch your budget?