| Poor secretaries know that eating out every night | | | | pot and add the vegetables, sauce, chicken and basil |
| takes a big chunk out of your budget. Cooking dinner | | | | to the pasta in the pot. Stir and cook over low heat |
| for yourself is a great way to cut food costs and | | | | until everything is warmed through. Season to taste |
| experiment with the foods you like. I'm always on the | | | | with salt and pepper. |
| look-out for meals that are easy to prepare and | | | | Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole |
| cheap to make and these three cheap and easy | | | | * 1 cup of uncooked long grain rice |
| chicken dinners fit the bill. | | | | * 3 cups of water |
| Two of the following recipes involve the use of a slow | | | | * 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules |
| cooker. If you don't already own one, I highly | | | | * 1 can of cream of chicken soup |
| recommend it. Slow cookers are the ultimate tool for | | | | * 1 bag of frozen broccoli |
| easy preparation. All you have to do is mix up the | | | | * 2 cups of chopped cooked chicken |
| ingredients, start the cooker and return to a hot and | | | | * 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder |
| ready meal later on. | | | | * 1 teaspoon of onion salt |
| Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole | | | | * 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese |
| * 1 cup of uncooked rice | | | | Mix all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high for |
| * 3 cups of water | | | | 3-4 hours. Look for preparation tasks you can do |
| * 1 packet of dry onion soup mix | | | | ahead of time. Cooking and chopping up the chicken |
| * 1 can of cream of chicken | | | | for two of these recipes immediately after returning |
| * 2 uncooked chicken breasts | | | | from the grocery store will save you time when you're |
| Prepare by mixing all ingredients in a slow cooker and | | | | throwing dinner together after a long day of work. |
| cooking on high for 3-4 hours. | | | | Experiment with these recipes to suit them to your |
| Cheap Chicken Alfredo with Penne | | | | individual tastes. If you don't like alfredo sauce, use |
| * 1 box of penne pasta | | | | marinara or pesto instead. Use different vegetables if |
| * 1 small bag of frozen broccoli | | | | you don't like broccoli or try different styles of pasta. |
| * 1 jar of ready-made alfredo sauce | | | | Spice up the recipes with chili powder or crushed red |
| * 2 cups of chopped, cooked chicken | | | | pepper if you like a little zing in your meals. If you have |
| * 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh) | | | | leftovers, stick them in individual serving Tupperware |
| * Salt and pepper to taste | | | | containers to take for lunch the next day. Get creative |
| Begin by cooking the pasta and steaming the veggies | | | | - play around with these recipes and enjoy creating |
| in two separate pots. Cook pasta for 8-10 minutes to | | | | dishes that taste great and save you money! |
| desired texture and drain. Return the noodles to the | | | | |