$5 Meals for a family of 4; Items purchased at WinCo Foods

I am happy to participate in the $5dollar dinners Bargain Meal of the Week.

Ingredients were all purchased at WinCo Foods (Thursday August 27th)

Meal#1
Crockpot Ground Beef Stronganoff

Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef (30%) $3.96
2 med. onions chopped $.48
2 garlic cloves,minced $.25
1 small can of sliced mushrooms, drained $.44
2 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup beef bouillon $.17
3 tbsp tomato paste $.10
1 1/2 cups sour creamed mixed with 4 tbsp flour $.96

Brown ground beef in large skillet; add onions, garlic and mushrooms; saute until onion is golden brown (this can be done the night before, so you can throw everything in the crock pot before work); place in crockpot; stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6/8 hours. Serve over potatoes, noodles or rice.

This serves a total of 8, so the cost of a meal for a family of four is:
Total $3.18 add egg noodles for $2.49
Grand Total $5.67.
I prefer serving with mashed potatoes which makes the Total $4.33 for the strongnoff and mashed potatoes.

Meal #2
Pasta Roni Southwest Skillet

Ingredients:
3/4 lb lean ground beef $1.86
1 1/2 cups water
3/4 cups of milk $.12
2 tbsp butter $.15
1 package (6oz) Pasta Roni Corkscrew with Four cheese $1.00
1 teaspoon chili powder $.10
1 cup chunky salsa $.64
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn $.59
1/2 cup (2oz) shredded Mexican cheese blend (Sargentos) $.40
Chopped Cilantro (optional) $.10

In a large skillet, brown ground beef until thoroughly cooked; drain. Add 1 1/2 cups water, 3/4 cup milk, and 2 tablespoons butter to skillet with beef. Bring to a boil.

Slowly stir in pasta, seasonings, and chili powder. Return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Gently boil uncovered, 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in salsa and corn; return to a boil. Boil 1 to 2 minutes until pasta is slightly firm; stirring frequently. Remove skillet from heat. (sauce will be thin). Sprinkle with cheese and topping over pasta. Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes for sauce to thicken. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired. Serves 4

Total $4.96
Serve with taco chips, a side salad, or can of green beans for less than a $1, still making it a $5 meal.