Yummy Burgers in a Hurry

One of my favorite things about being a food blogger is that occasionally I get asked to test a new product, service, or cook book for free. 

 

That was the case when I was recently given the opportunity to test a new product from the folks at Ball Park. Being a big fan of their delicious hot dogs, it didn't take me long to agree.

The new product I was asked to test is Ball Park's new fully-cooked, flame-grilled burgers. I was given a choice of several flavors, and since I'm a big fan of pretty much anything that includes cheese, my decision wasn't hard- I went for the Beef & Cheese Patty of course. The box from Ball Park arrived a few days after I made my choice, and conveniently, it was Super Bowl weekend. So, since Ball Park is an all-American company, my son and I decided to make these burgers for the granddaddy of all-American sporting events- the Super Bowl.

I have to be honest here and say that I went into this with a healthy dose of skepticism. Generally I'm not a huge fan of pre-cooked patties, even if they do include cheese. This is because in my experience they tend to be dry and tasteless...and I hate the "painted on" grill marks you find on some brands. However, this wasn't the case with the Ball Park patties. They were fast and easy to make and more importantly, they tasted great too. In fact, the only "flaw" I could find was that I wish they had been a more just-grilled burger color....they don't really look like they just came off the grill. But thankfully they don't have the fake grill marks you see often on pre-cooked patties.

 But color issues aside, these burgers were really good. I can see them being a "go-to" freezer staple at my house for quick, last-minute meals or as a fast and yummy snack. I also think they'd be great for a quick and delicious weeknight meal: you could do a "burger bar" for supper; just put out all kinds of toppings and condiments with some fresh bakery buns, and let your family make their own customized burgers in record time.

Give them a try at your house and see what I mean- these really are yummy burgers in a hurry!

Save money and time with these double-duty recipes

When the mornings start to get cooler and autumn is right around the corner, don’t you find your thoughts turning towards comfort food? You know… dishes like soups, chili, meatloaf and pot roast? Here at $2 Dinners we love a good pot roast, but let’s face it, roast beef is delicious, but it’s not exactly the most budget-friendly meal in the recipe box is it? Even though it may not be an affordable option for just one meal, if you split one roast between two recipes, it suddenly becomes a frugal cook’s new secret weapon.

Using one roast for two meals doesn’t have to be boring either. We love leftover roast beef sandwiches as much as anyone, but we also know that there is so much more you can do with your leftover beef. Our Italian-style pulled beef sandwiches and Vegetable Beef Soup with a Kick are perfectly delicious examples of what you can create from just one roast and they couldn’t be easier. Make the sandwiches for lunch or dinner one day, use the leftover beef for a delicious soup later in the week, and you’ve got two great meals for one budget-friendly price.

For a printable PDF version of this post and accompanying recipes, please click on the post title to open in a new window and look for the "Print-Friendly" button at the bottom of the recipe.

Italian-Style Pulled Beef Sandwiches

4 ½ - 5 lb. beef roast

1 (14 oz.) can beef broth
¼ cup water
3 tbsp. salt-free Italian seasoning
1 tsp. salt
1 (16 oz.) jar Pepperoncini (whole or slices) with juice
Sub or hoagie rolls, if desired
Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese, if desired

Combine broth, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and juice from ½ jar Pepperoncini in a slow cooker. Add beef. Scatter ½ jar Pepperoncini over and around beef. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until beef is tender. When beef is cooked, remove to a cutting board and let rest for 10- 15 minutes. Then, using two forks, gently pull and shred beef apart. To make sandwiches, toast rolls or buns, top with shredded beef, a drizzle of juice, peppers and cheese. Store beef and peppers, almost covered in juice, in a container in refrigerator. Serves 10 for approx $1.36 per serving.

 
Vegetable Beef Soup with a Kick

Leftover Italian-Style shredded beef (include juices and peppers)
1 (10 oz.) bag frozen mixed vegetables
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 (30 oz.) carton beef broth
2 cups water
¾ cup barley or small pasta

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Simmer until vegetables are cooked through and flavors are combined. Serves 6-8 for approx. $1.00 per serving.

 

Save Money and Time With This Double-Duty Dinner

When the mornings start to get cooler and autumn is right around the corner, don’t you find your thoughts turning towards comfort food? You know… dishes like soups, chili, meatloaf and pot roast? Here at $2 Dinners we love a good pot roast, but it’s not exactly the most budget-friendly meal in the recipe box is it? Even though it may not be an affordable option for just one meal, if you split one roast between two recipes, then it suddenly becomes a frugal cook’s new secret weapon.

Using one roast for two meals doesn’t have to be boring either. We love leftover roast beef sandwiches as much as anyone, but we also know that there is so much more you can do with your leftover beef. Our Italian-style pulled beef sandwiches and Vegetable Beef Soup with a Kick are perfectly delicious examples of what you can create from just one roast and they couldn’t be easier. Make the sandwiches for lunch or dinner one day, use the leftover beef for a delicious soup later in the week, and you’ve got two great meals for one budget-friendly price.

Click on the orange boxes for a printable version of the recipes

Italian-Style Pulled Beef Sandwiches (makes 10 servings @ about $1.36 per serving)



Vegetable Beef Soup With a Kick (makes 6-8 servings @ about $1.00 per serving)

A back to school menu that really makes the grade

Our $2 Dinners look at back-to-school menu ideas continues this week with more easy recipes for delicious school-week meals. This week’s recipes complete our fantastic menu with a wonderful dinner and dessert combo that are a snap to prepare and budget friendly too. Our Easy Overnight Meatball Casserole is a busy cook’s dream because it comes together in minutes and then hangs out in the fridge overnight to work its’ magic. Then, when you get home after a busy day, just pop it in the oven and let it bake until the pasta is tender and the cheeses are melted and golden brown, while you help the kids with homework, pack lunches, etc. It couldn’t be easier and your family will love it! And, because at $2 Dinners we believe that every delicious dinner needs an equally delicious dessert, we have a recipe for Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies that are the perfect ending for the perfect meal. Full of chocolate and peanut buttery goodness, these chewy brownies are sure to be a hit at your house.

Click on the orange boxes for a printable version of the recipes

Easy Overnight Meatball Casserole (makes 6-8 servings @ about $1.82 per serving)

Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies (makes 24 brownies @ about 18 cents per brownie)

Want another great meatball casserole recipe that's budget-friendly? Check out this recipe on Foodista...the cooking encyclopedia that everyone can edit!

Meatball Casserole

A frugal fiesta that’s perfect for a hot summer day

The “dog days” of summer have arrived; bringing with them the kind of heat and humidity that saps the energy right out of you. On days like this, even if you can find the motivation to cook, the thought of heating up the kitchen can send you running straight to the nearest air-conditioned restaurant. However, during a prolonged heat wave like we’ve been having recently, dining out every time the heat gets to be too much can get expensive in a hurry.

So how can you put an easy, healthy meal on the table on a sultry summer day without breaking the bank? How about letting your slow cooker do the work? Ideal for hot-weather cooking because it won’t heat up your kitchen, your slow cooker can help you prepare a surprising variety of dishes that are easy on your wallet, healthy, and tasty too. Our $2 Dinners Frugal Fiesta, which begins with savory and slightly spicy Slow Cooker Burritos, is a perfectly delicious example of what you can create with your slow cooker in warm weather. Served alongside the cool, clean flavors of our Summer Salsa with Tortilla Chips, they’re so good you might just forget all about the heat outside for a while.

Click on the orange boxes for a printable version of the recipes

Slow Cooker Burritos (serves 6 @ about $1.45 per serving)


Summer Salsa with Tortilla Chips (serves 8 @ about 45 cents per serving)

This Memorial Day cook-out is big on flavor and easy on your wallet

Memorial Day is right around the corner, and for many people that means inviting family and friends over for a cook-out to signal the “official” start of summer. It’s always fun to cook outside, especially when you include your friends and family, but if your budget is tight it can also be a challenge to feed those extra people. While you may be tempted to cut back on expenses by throwing some bargain frozen patties on the grill and grabbing some bulk potato salad from the superstore, there are tastier options that are just as easy on your wallet.

This year for your Memorial Day cook-out, try this easy, taste-tempting Memorial Day menu from $2 Dinners. You’ll love this menu because not only does it taste good, it can be done in advance, leaving you free to spend time with your friends and family. The stars of this fantastic menu are our Garlic and Herb Cheddar-Stuffed Burgers that you can put together ahead of time and grill when you’re ready. You won’t believe how juicy and flavorful they are, and everyone will love the gooey, melted nugget of cheddar cheese hidden inside. And of course no cook-out would be complete without some traditional side dishes, so we came up with two that are both delicious and easy to put together in advance. Our Easy Potato Salad is quick to prepare and only takes 4 ingredients, and our Ranch Beans come together in a flash but taste like they have been slow-cooked all day.

Click on the orange boxes for a printable version of the recipes

Garlic and Herb Cheddar-Stuffed Burgers (serves 4 @ about $1.00 per serving)



Easy Potato Salad (serves 4 @ about 35 cents per serving)



Ranch-Style Beans (serves 4 @ about 45 cents per serving)

Easy skillet meals are a good deal

Are you a busy cook on a budget looking for dinner ideas that are low-cost, fast and easy? Skillet meals may be just what you’re looking for! These one-pan wonders are a busy cook’s best friend because they need just a few budget-friendly ingredients, require little preparation time, and are literally a “meal-in-one”. You won’t even need to worry about serving a side dish unless you want to add some fruit or a small salad. The best thing about skillet meals though, is that since your whole dinner cooks in just one pan, there’s only one pan to wash when dinner is done!


So, if you’re ready to try a time-saving skillet meal, these $2 Dinners recipes are a great place to start. Your family with love the south-of-the-border flavors in our Beefy Enchilada Skillet Dinner, and our Skillet Pasta and Meatballs is a real winner that goes from the stove to the table in under 30 minutes, and needs just five ingredients!

Click on the oranges boxes for printable versions of the recipes

Beefy Enchilada Skillet Dinner (serves 4 @ aboout $1.94 per serving)



Skillet Pasta and Meatballs (serves 4 @ about $1.75 per serving)

These kid-pleasing meals won’t break the bank

If you have kids or grandkids, you know that their tastes in food are pretty predictable and not always budget-friendly. So-called “fast food” such as burgers, fries, pizza, tacos etc., is the order of the day for most kids, and that usually means a trip to the nearest drive-through where the costs can add up fast! Even if you purchase from the dollar-menu, a family of four will most likely spend a minimum of $12 for burgers, fries and drinks each time they visit the drive-through. While we all want to make our kids happy, for families on a budget trips to the drive-through can be too hard on the wallet to be an option.

So how can you satisfy your kids’ taste for fast-food without blowing your budget? Why not try some kid-pleasing, budget-friendly casseroles? These thrifty casseroles have all the flavors of some of your kids’ fast-food favorites without the drive-through price tag!

Click on the orange boxes for a printable version of the recipes

Cheeseburger-n-Tots Casserole (makes 12 servings @ about 90 cents per serving)



Chili Cheese “Corn Dog” Casserole (makes 6 servings @ about $1.27 per serving)