Eat cheap!  These are simple meals to make, feed up to 5 people and don’t cost a lot of money.   For me, I am one — so I can make a lot, freeze some and have a freezer full of basic meals.  So, I use the word basic because this is very plain.  You can jazz these up and add all sorts of great things.  Also, this list doesn’t contain the staples so don’t consider this a complete ingredient list.  Just a starting point.

BAKED POTATO SOUP $12
4 cups chicken broth 3; Potatoes 4; Cream cheese 2*; Onion 1; Cheddar cheese 2
SHEPHERDS PIE $6
2lb ground beef 4*; Mashed potatoes 2; Gravy 1; Corn 1
FRENCH TOAST $7
Texas toast 3; Bacon 4*
ONE POT PASTA $7
Linguini 1; Parmesan 2; Cherry tomatoes 4
PULLED PORK SANDWICHES $11
Boneless Pork Shoulder Roast 6; BBQ Sauce 1; Buns 1; Coleslaw mix 1; Coleslaw dressing 2
PORK TENDERLOIN $10
Pork 4; Birds eye veggies 2; Sweet potatoes 4
DRUMSTICKS $6
Chicken 3*; Marinade 2; Lipton side 1
SLOPPY JOES $10
Man-which 1; Kraft slices 2; Ground beef 6*; Mac & cheese 1
CHICKEN PATTIES $12
Chicken 6; Gravy 2; Rolls 3; Corn 1
CHICKEN CARBONARA $13
Chicken 6; Cream cheese 2; Fettuccini 1; Bacon 2*; Parmesan 2
TETRAZZINI $12
Chicken 3*; Mushrooms 3; Can of celery soup 1; Can of mushroom soup 1; Egg noodles 2; Sour cream 2
MEATLOAF $13
Ground beef 6; Onion 1; Bread crumbs 2; Mashed potatoes 2; Gravy 2
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS $12
Chicken 4; Cheddar cheese 2; Green onions 1; Green chilies 1; Cream mushroom soup 1; Tortillas 3
HAM & CHEESE SLIDERS $11
Hawaiian rolls 4; Ham 5; Swiss cheese 2