Crockpot Beans and Hot Dogs

Hot dogs and beans are probably two of the cheapest ingredients for a dinner. I've been looking for more recipes with them to save money,. I came across this recipe that is cooked in a slow cooker. It seems very easy to make, but looks like a lot of ingredients, mostly spices. It is possible to substitute or remove them from the recipe as needed.

Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

1 large can (28 ounces) pork and beans
1 can (approx 15 ounces) great northern beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (approx 15 ounces) black beans, drained, rinsed
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 green or red bell pepper, chopped
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup or molasses
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 package (about 8) hot dogs

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except hot dogs in a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker. Cut hot dogs into 1 to 2-inch lengths and stir into the bean mixture. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.

Cheater Pot Pie

I found this dinner for cheap recipe that uses canned chicken and biscuits. It is quick and easy to make. I would add some garlic and onions. You could add some shredded cheese and other vegetables, like peppers and celery.

Servings: makes one 9-inch pie

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 (5 ounce) can chicken chunks, drained
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated layered biscuits

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9 inch deep dish pie pan with melted butter; reserve some of the melted butter.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine mixed vegetables and chicken; cook until vegetables are tender. Fold in soup; mix well. Pour in milk and mix until smooth; mixture should not be runny. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and spread mixture into bottom of pie pan. Separate biscuits into layers and place gently on top of mixture. Drizzle remaining butter on top of biscuit layers.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Hot Dog Cornbread Casserole

This is a dinner for cheap made with hot dogs and cornbread. A good, easy recipe to make with things you might already have in your kitchen. You could remove the celery, pepper, and onion if you don't have it. I would suggest topping the casserole with cheese. 

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 (16 ounce) package hot dogs, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 (15 ounce) can chili with beans
1 (8.5 ounce) package cornbread mix
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir green bell pepper, onion, and celery in hot oil until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in hot dog pieces and cook and stir until hot dogs begin to brown, 6 more minutes. Stir in the chili and heat the mixture thoroughly.
Beat cornbread mix, egg, and milk in a bowl with a spoon until batter is just moistened, and spread half the cornbread batter into the prepared baking dish. Top batter with the hot dog mixture; spread remaining half of cornbread batter over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cornbread topping is golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Upside Down Pizza

This is a simple recipe for an upside down pizza casserole. The crust is on the top and is made with crescent rolls. There are many ways to make this recipe one of your own. You can add black olives, pepperoni, mushrooms, jalapenos, and basically any other ingredients you would like. I would make with pizza sauce instead of spaghetti sauce though. You could also use different types of meat like ground turkey, sausage, or chicken if you'd like.

Servings: 6

Ingredients: 
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent rolls

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Brown beef, onion and garlic in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Once browned, drain fat and stir in spaghetti sauce.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of sauce. Top with 1/2 of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, another layer of sauce and the rest of the cheese. Top with crescent rolls, pinching seams together.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until rolls are golden brown.

Ground Beef Curly Noodles

This is an inexpensive recipe. Potatoes and/or biscuits would be a good side dish. You could add some onions, garlic, or peppers to taste. You can also use any vegetable that you like. Peas, carrots, or broccoli would go well.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 (3 ounce) package Oriental flavored ramen noodles

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble in the ground beef, and cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Drain off grease.

Stir in the flavor packet from the noodles, tomatoes, and corn (with their juices). Break up the noodles slightly, and add them to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to break up any clumps of noodles.