Pasta, Cheese, Soup....My "Couponer's Casserole" Brag!

[DianneS]

This is definitely a different kind of brag. It’s nice to know that a couponed meal can be cheap, healthy and easy to make. It may be moved to the recipe section but I just had to brag about this couponing success!!!

With all the January sales I revived an old make-ahead casserole recipe to make it cheaper (using coupons), healthier and a time-saver when I arrive home from work in time to eat quickly and head out to a coupon swap, hunt or grocery trip! Thus the name, Couponer’s Casserole! Recipe is below and cost is approximated at the end of the post!

Step 1: Mix together in 2 quart casserole dish
2 cups uncooked Catelli Smart rotini (or macaroni)
1/3 cup finely diced onion
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup frozen peas
1 can solid white tuna packed in water (flaked tuna turns to mush)

Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix
1 can Low-Fat Campbell’s Cream of Celery Soup
1 soup can filled with milk (I use 1%...should try skim)
Seasonings – to taste

Step 3:
Pour the liquid over the assembled ingredients and put casserole in the fridge for the day (8-10 hours).
(note.: I do steps 1 and 2 the night before and then step 3 in the morning before I go to work.)

Top with bread crumbs, Panko or crushed potato chips. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbling.


Approximate Costs:
Catelli Smart rotini: $.60 (Walmart sale - 75 cent coupon…11 cents in Ontario)
Onion – pennies with last week’s No Frills $1 a bag onions
Cheese – $.75 cents ($2.00 less $.75 cent coupon at No Frills last week)
Peas– $.50 sorry, no coupon – eek!!!
Tuna $1.00
Soup – $.09 cents with Campbell’s coupons
Milk -- 30 cents
Free – make them from my stale bread crusts

Compared to cost of fast food for 4 people – no contest!

[rida]

That's awesome recipe . Way to go

[2010ontest]

Compared to cost of fast food for 4 people – no contest!

love it! great brag

I always try to count the cost of my meals for 6 here... A fancy, luxury meal for 6 cost me 7$ and I have left over for the next lunch. My very cheap are close to 1$ per meal for 6 (yep 0.16 per person)...

yep we could do alot!!!

[Taurus]

Love It!! Excellent post!

[wolfwoman]

People could learn alot about coupon cooking from your post!

[lmartin65018]

Great recipe.. I would like to see a recipe tab that we could share low cost meals, or recipes, to match sales and coupon matchups for the week.

[tinambulance]

Great recipe.. I would like to see a recipe tab that we could share low cost meals, or recipes, to match sales and coupon matchups for the week.

I think that's a great idea! It would be very interesting to see what kind of meals can be created from items that we had used coupons for.

[DianneS]

love it! great brag

I always try to count the cost of my meals for 6 here... A fancy, luxury meal for 6 cost me 7$ and I have left over for the next lunch. My very cheap are close to 1$ per meal for 6 (yep 0.16 per person)...

yep we could do alot!!!

The $10 No Frills 'cook's ham' that I bought a couple weeks ago is still giving me good mileage! Two night's dinners of ham and scalloped potatoes, four meals of soup, 3 big quiches and ham sandwiches. Some of the quiche and soup are in the freezer...

[kbeamish]

Great recipe.. I would like to see a recipe tab that we could share low cost meals, or recipes, to match sales and coupon matchups for the week.

That would be great!

[Speckled28]

Maybe we could get some sort of recipe section for both cost efficient recipes, and other recipes as well. There are so many people on here that'd it be great to share both cheap and sometimes indulgent recipes!

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

Yum! Tuna casserole is my favorite comfort food and I love that you made it using mostly couponed items! I'll have everything to make it tomorrow, thanks!

In regards to cheap/coupon meals maybe someone could start a thread in the recipe section?

[DianneS]

Thread has been started in Food & Recipes Canada. It's called:

"Delicious, Nutritious Dinner Recipes....with coupon tips!"

[Lavender Lady]

Love the recipe DianneS--I will make it this week--thanks!!

[wolfwoman]

Great recipe.. I would like to see a recipe tab that we could share low cost meals, or recipes, to match sales and coupon matchups for the week.

That would be great! I found a recipe that turns the ugliest,cheapest piece of beef into super tender roast beef. No need for for Prime Rib

[Joolz834]

Excellent post!
thanks!