Favorite (CHEAP) Holiday Recipes

The holiday season is once again nearly upon us, and once again we are basically broke. Truth be told I'm starting to get used to not having any money in the winter, its probably a good thing. Here are a few inexpensive recipes that are crowd pleasers that don't break the bank: 

Corn Casserole: 

Before this recipe came along I would have told you that I don't like corn casserole but my cousin's girlfriend changed all that for me. I have never had any trouble with this casserole, it always sets and is never soggy.

2 T. butter

8 oz. cream cheese, softened and cubed

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can cream corn

1 cup corn muffin mix or one box Jiffy boxed corn bread mix

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter on high for 30 seconds or until melted.  Add cream cheese and continue to heat for 15 seconds at a time, until cream cheese is softened.  Stir well until blended.  Add in eggs, both cans of corn, and muffin mix; mix well.  Spread in 9 in. x 13 in. greased casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly.  Makes 16 serving.

*We eat a lot of corn bread so I make my own mix that I just have to add stuff to, here is the recipe I use:

5 parts all-purpose flour

3 parts corn meal

2 parts sugar

2 tsp baking powder per 2 3/4 cups of above ingredients

1/2 tsp salt per 2 3/4 cups above ingredients

Mix VERY well and store in airtight container for up to 1 year (at room temperature) or in the freezer basically forever, make sure you shake the container before you open it to use some of the mix. 

Cost of this recipe is about 34 cents per serving.

Green Bean Casserole:

4 cans green beans

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 can french fried onions

2 handfuls of shredded cheese

salt and pepper to taste

I like to start this in a pot and then move it to the baking dish, I think it lends to better distribution of the soup and cheese but you could just mix this up in your baking dish if you don't want the extra dirty dishes. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dump the cream of mushroom soup in the pot and turn the stove on its lowest setting. Fold in the green beans. Fold in the cheese. If the soup is too thick add just a splash of milk. Salt and pepper to taste (please, please put some salt in, it doesn't take much but you'll miss it if you omit it). Transfer to 9x11 baking dish (don't use metal) and top with french fried onions. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the casserole, return to oven for additional 5ish minutes. Serves about 10. 

Total cost for this dish is about 50 cents per serving.