Feast for a Fraction

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Casserole Dinners Using Pantry Ingredients

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Casserole dinners are the best way to use ingredients from your pantry and freezer in a complete, one pot (or pan) meal.

collage image of casserole dinners with title text "Pantry and Freezer Casserole Dinners"

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What is a Casserole?

At its core, a casserole dinner is a dish that is a complete meal in one and is typically served in the same dish it was baked or cooked in.

First, you have a protein. This can be ground meat, diced or canned chicken, any other meat chopped into bite-size pieces or even beans.

Then, you have a starch or carbohydrate. This is usually rice or noodles of some kind.

Next, you have any variety of vegetables. I love to use frozen vegetables because they hold up the the baking and they are cheaper than fresh and easy to store.

Last, you need some kind of sauce to bring it all together. This can be canned soup, broth, gravy, or even cheese. The possibilities really are endless.

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How to Stock Your Pantry on a Budget

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Building a pantry of dried and canned goods shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Using these tips, I’ll teach you how to stock your pantry on a budget!

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Stocking up your pantry can very quickly get expensive if you aren’t careful. But, there are a few things you can do to help keep your food bill down without having to sacrifice or go without. I’ve put together a few tips on how to stock your pantry on a budget to help you save money.

Shop Discount Stores

Aldi and Ruler Foods are fantastic places to get food cheaply but they are by no means the only discount stores that exist. In fact, many of them are local stores with clever names like Stuff and Things. Your local dollar store is also a fantastic place to stock up on canned foods. But, make sure you check the expiration date on everything you buy from discount stores before you put them in your basket. You don’t want to buy anything nearing its expiration.

It also helps to know what you already have on hand, so use my free Pantry and Freezer Inventory printables to keep track of what you have in your pantry and what you need to buy.

Buy in Bulk

When possible you can save a considerable amount of money by buying in bulk. Specifically, buying canned foods and dry foods in large quantities can wind up costing less than half the price per ounce as smaller portions. Check the price per unit to see the difference.

If you don’t have a need for 20 pounds of flour or rice, you can still shop from the bulk bin aisle of your grocery store. You can bring glass jars with you and fill them with as much or as little as you need.

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Homemade BBQ Sauce

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Homemade BBQ sauce is one of the easiest condiments to make at home. In fact, my daughter whipped up this batch and loved helping in the kitchen.

Making BBQ sauce and other pantry staples at home allows you to control the ingredients AND it usually winds up saving you money! This BBQ sauce recipe consists of ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper. The best part: it really is as simple as dumping all the ingredients in a bowl and stir it up.

homemade bbq sauce ingredients in clear glass bowl with child's hand adding tablespoon of paprika
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Classic Corn Casserole

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ingredients for corn casserole in a glass bowl with spoon with heading text "Classic Corn Casserole"

Corn casserole, corn pudding and spoon bread are all possible names for the same dish – Whole Corn, Creamed Corn, Sour Cream, Butter, Eggs and Jiffy Corn Muffin mix. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

The variations, though, come in your extra additions or subtle differences in the combination of ingredients. If you ask anyone on my mom’s side of the family, Corn Casserole consists of whole corn, creamed corn, butter, eggs and crushed up saltine crackers. It’s a perfectly acceptable interpretation of corn casserole, but I very much prefer corn muffin mix to the saltine crackers.

Ask someone else and they’ll tell you that corn casserole should have chopped jalapenos and shredded cheese mixed in. Again, a perfectly delicious option.

That is the beauty of this dish. You have a basic, fool-proof recipe in which you can customize to your heart’s desire.

Corn Casserole Variations

  • Add 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice to the batter. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top. Bake as usual.
  • Mix in one drained can of diced green chilies before baking.
  • Amp up the sweetness by added 1/4 cup sugar to the batter.
  • Add 1/4-1/2 cup crumbled bacon to the batter.
  • Do any combination of the above for an even more interesting interpretation.
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Instant Pot Apple Butter (with free printable canning label!)

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cutting board with burlap napkin with jar of apple butter and spoon

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When I think of fall flavors, I immediately think of the rich apple and cinnamon flavor of apple butter! Oddly enough, apple butter does not contain any actual butter. It is really just spiced applesauce that is cooked down to the point that all of flavors basically caramelize into a sweet, apple-y, cinnamon-y love in a jar.

The process to make apple butter is usually pretty time consuming if you make it on the stove or in the slow cooker. I’ve cut it down to a total time of 45 minutes by using the Instant Pot!

How to Make Apple Butter

By cooking in the Instant Pot, we cut down the time it takes to cook down the apples. To start, all you have to do is core and slice your apples. There is no need to peel them if you don’t want. I really like leaving on the peels because it is added nutrition and it helps deepen the color of the apple butter.

You can also use whatever apple variety you prefer or have on hand. I tend to go for the crunchy and super juicy varieties like Gala and Fuji. Go with apples that you enjoy to eat raw and you can’t go wrong.

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DIY Everything Bagel Seasoning

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everything bagel seasoning in a teal bowl with a wooden spoon sitting on a white background

When Trader Joe’s released their “Everything” seasoning, I was in heaven! I LOVE the flavor of Everything Bagels – poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onions, garlic and salt. What’s not to love? And now that I had this love in a bottle, I could put it on everything… and I did.

My eyes had been opened and I realized I needed to make this seasoning blend myself. The ingredients are really straight-forward, so it is just a matter of finding the balance for your taste. Feel free to play with the measurements to find your favorite balance of onion, garlic and salt.

I will say it is pretty important to use a course salt or a flaky sea salt so that it will hold up to the other ingredients. Table salt is a little too fine for this use.

Ideas for Using Everything Bagel Seasoning

  • Season your Popcorn
  • Top your Scrambled Eggs
  • Finish your Avocado Toast with a little sprinkling
  • Mix into Hummus or sprinkle on tip
  • Sprinkle on Chicken or Fish before baking
  • Mix into Cream Cheese for a delicious spread. Check out my recipe for Everything Bagel and Lox Spread
  • Sprinkle on Vegetables before roasting
  • Top your Baked Potato
  • Add a delicious twist to Chex Mix
Yield: 7 Tablespoons

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Everything Bagel Seasoning is the perfect topping for all kinds of dishes. Sprinkle it on eggs or popcorn, mix it into cream cheese, or even use it to season chicken or fish.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Poppy Seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon White Sesame Seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon Black Sesame Seeds
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Dried Minced Onion
  • 1 Tablespoon Dried Minced Garlic
  • 1/2 Tablespoon Course Salt

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl or jar with a lid. Stir or shake to combine. Store in a sealed container in your pantry for up to three months.

Notes

This recipe is a guideline. If you don't have a certain ingredient, like black sesame seeds, simply increase the amount of white sesame seeds. If you find that you prefer less poppy seeds, feel free to cut back on them.

It is important to use course salt or flaky sea salt in this recipe because it will hold up to the other ingredients. If you only have table salt, decrease the amount to 1/2 to 1 teaspoon.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

7

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 29Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 454mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
© Feast for a Fraction
Cuisine: American / Category: Spices and Seasonings

Let me know in the comments what else you like to use Everything Bagel Seasoning on.

Easy Homemade Mayonnaise

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homemade mayonnaise with ingredients

One of the best ways to build a frugal pantry is to learn to make condiments yourself. Homemade mayonnaise is no exception. The ingredients are items that we usually already have in our pantry, and the recipe comes together in less than two minutes. I’m also a huge fan of knowing exactly what is in my mayonnaise.

Most store-bought mayonnaise contains lots of extra ingredients that act as stabilizers and preservatives. This recipe contains a whopping six ingredients including salt and water! With that, this recipe will last in the fridge for a week. If you’re anything like my family, that won’t be a problem. We’ve always making sandwiches for lunches or a batch of pimento cheese spread.

Flavor Ideas

Once you’ve prepared your basic mayonnaise recipe, feel free to play with adding herbs and spices to fancy it up. I love adding pureed roasted red peppers to make Red Pepper Mayo or stir in a tablespoon on prepared horseradish to give it a little kick. The possibilities are endless.

  • Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Sriracha
  • Wasabi Powder
  • Honey or Maple Syrup
  • Black Pepper
Yield: 1 cup

Homemade Mayonnaise

Homemade Mayonnaise

Making condiments at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor.  This basic mayonnaise recipe is the perfect foundation.

Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large Egg Yolk
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Water
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 3/4 cup Canola or Avocado Oil

Instructions

  1. Place egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, water and salt into a wide-mouth mason jar.
  2. Using an immersion blender or milk frother, blend ingredients while slowly streaming in oil.
  3. Blend for 30 seconds or until fully incorporated and creamy.
  4. Store prepared mayonnaise in the fridge for up to one week.

Notes

This recipe comes together very quickly when using an immersion blender.  If you don't have one, you can use a sturdy bowl and whisk.  Be mindful to stream the oil in slowly when whisking by hand to ensure that the mixture emulsifies.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 98Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
© Sarah
Cuisine: N/A / Category: Condiments

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

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Cooking brown rice doesn’t have to be a daunting, time-consuming task.  Instant Pot Brown Rice takes one-third of the time and it is completely hands off.  You simply add all the ingredients and let the pressure cooker do the work.

I like to cook a large batch of brown rice at a time.  Each batch gets split up for several meals and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week and in the freezer for up to three months.  To freeze rice, let it cool completely after cooking.  Then spread it in a thin layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or a baking liner and freeze.  Once frozen, you can transfer the rice to a freezer bag.  Freezing in a thin layer prevents it from freezing in a solid block.

Cooking your rice in advance can save you major time when you’re ready to cook dinner.  You can reheat refrigerated or frozen rice in a non-stick skillet or use the rice to bulk up your meals. 

My favorite thing to do with cooked rice is make skillet meals by adding a protein, some vegetables and some seasonings to kick it up.  Take two cups of cooked rice, add one cup of salsa and one drained and rinsed can of black beans.  Sauté it so the flavors can come together and top with cooked taco meat for a delicious Taco Bowl.

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe

Yield: 2 cups

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

Have perfect brown rice on the table in a fraction of the time by cooking it in the Instant Pot.

Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Brown Rice
  • 1 1/4 cup Water
  • 1 tsp Salt

Instructions

  1. Place Rice, Water and Salt in the Instant Pot.  Stir to combine.
  2. Cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes.
  3. Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then release pressure.
  4. Lightly stir with a rubber spatula to allow remaining moisture to evaporate

Notes

This recipe is a ratio.  It can be doubled, tripled or even halved based on how much rice you need with the same cook time.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 55Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 585mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
© Sarah
Cuisine: N/A / Category: Sides

Similar Posts:

Slow Cooker Black Beans

Classic Corn Casserole

How To: Slow Cooker Black Beans

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bowl of cooked black beans with ingredients

Slow Cooker Black Beans are the way to you when you are on a tight budget. Dried beans are one of the best choices for a healthy, filling meal whether your food budget it tight or not. A batch of cooked black beans costs pennies and have great flavor when you make them yourself. Of course, canned black beans are also affordable and great in a pinch.

Why Use a Slow Cooker?

Cooking beans in your slow cooker eliminates the need to soak them overnight. It is also nice that you do not have to babysit a pot on the stove. You literally combine all of the ingredients and let it cook for 6-8 hours on low.

When making black beans, I use a lot of aromatics to add a lot of flavor. I use my black beans for soups, chili and Mexican dishes so the aromatics lend themselves to the dishes. If you are looking to use your black beans for desserts (yes, this is totally a thing), you may want to omit everything but the salt.

This same process can be used for almost any dried bean or lentil. How will you use your Slow Cooker beans?

Yield: 6 cups

Slow Cooker Black Beans

Slow Cooker Black Beans

Slow Cooker Black Beans are incredibly easy, affordable and delicious.  The bay leaves, onion and garlic impart amazing flavor.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Dried Black Beans, rinsed
  • Water, enough to cover by 2-3 inches
  • 3 Bay leaves
  • 2 tsp. Salt
  • 4 Garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 Red, Yellow or White onion, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.  Stir to combine.  Cook on low 6-8 hrs.  The black beans should be soft when done.  Remove the bay leaves after cooking.
  2. At this point, you can drain the black beans, but I like to reserve some of the liquid for Black Bean Soup or to serve over rice.
  3. Black beans will keep in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Notes

You can crush the garlic and cut the onion into quarters if you would like to remove them after cooking.  You will still get the flavor.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 391mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 6gSugar: 1gProtein: 8g
© Sarah
Cuisine: Vegetarian / Category: Sides

Similar Posts:

Classic Corn Casserole

Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice

Easy Pantry Organization Tips

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easy pantry organization tips graphic

An organized pantry will save you time and money in the kitchen as well as giving you peace of mind. You’ll never end up with three jars of Smoked Paprika (unless you want to) with a well-organized pantry and you won’t spend ages searching for that little shaker full of black pepper that you KNOW is in there somewhere. With these tips, you’ll feel more organized and empowered in the kitchen.

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