On-the-Go Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes
*3 lbs. ground beef
*1 1/2 c. ketchup
*3 T. brown sugar
*2 tsp. dry or regular mustard
*2 T. apple cider vinegar
*2 1/2 tsp. salt (that's quite a bit, use less if desired)
*1/4 tsp. pepper
*1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
*1 can tomato soup
***Brown hamburger.  Mix all ingredients and let simmer 15 to 20 minutes.  Fills 20 buns.

This is a great recipe to make and then freeze in portions.  When ready to use just reheat and fill buns.

Frugal Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie
1 1/2 c. cooked chicken (cubed)
1/2 c. peas
1/2 c. corn
3 small-med. potatoes, cubed (boiled for 15 min.)
1/3 c. dry cream soup mix
1 1/4 c. water
1 c. flour
1/3 c. butter
2 T. water
Make white sauce by combining white sauce mix with 1 1/4 c. water.  Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until thickened.  Add chicken, peas, corn and cooked potatoes to the sauce.  Spoon mixture into a deep 9 inch pie plate, or a 9x9 inch square baking dish. 
For the crust, cut the butter into the flour, until crumbly.  Gradually add the water until the mixture is moistened.  Gather into ball and press gently on a floured surface.  Roll out to the size needed for the top of your pot pie.  (I used a 9 inch pie plate, but really should have used a 9 x 9 pan, as my pie plate wasn't deep enough and some spilled over when baking.)  Gently place crust on top of pot pie.
Bake  in a 425* oven for 30 - 35 minutes until golden brown.
This recipe can easily be varied depending on what you have on hand.  You could substitute any vegetables, and turkey would be wonderful too.

Frugal Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza Crust (made in bread machine)
1 1/4 - 1 3/8 cups water
3 tbsp. olive oil
4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. active dry yeast
Place ingredients in bread machine pan.  Set on "dough" cycle and let the machine work for you.  When dough cycle is finished, place dough on a floured surface.  This amount will make one deep dish 14 inch round pizza, or 2 thin crust pizzas (12 inch).  The last time I made one thin crust and one small deep dish (9 inch) pizzas.
 Toppings:
14 oz. jar pizza sauce (did not even use the full amount)
2 cups mozzarella cheese (or more, if you really love cheesey pizza!!)
pepperoni, canadian bacon, pineapple chunks (these are our favorites), anything you love on your pizza!

For a thin crust:  Roll out dough to desired size and place on pizza pan, or pizza stone.  Spread pizza sauce* over top.  Sprinkle cheese, and any other toppings over the cheese.  Bake in a preheated 400* oven for about 15 minutes on lowest oven rack.

For deep dish:  Press dough into greased deep dish pan.  Sprinkle cheese on the dough first.  (This will prevent the crust from getting soggy.)  Then add toppings, with the final topping of pizza sauce*.  Bake in a preheated 425* oven for 20 - 25 minutes on lowest oven rack.

*A note about pizza sauce: my family does not like a lot of sauce on their pizza, so I am able to get by using less than a 14 ounce jar for 2 pizzas (or one deep dish).  I have not found the perfect pizza sauce recipe (to my husband's liking anyway ;), but will certainly share it with you, when I do!!!)
Also, I think the amount of toppings for a pizza, is personal preference, so my amounts might be different than yours!  :)