I know how hard it is to eat healthy and cheaply. I work at that every week. My hubby is not a veggie lover, but will try new things occationally. So, I don't know how perfectly balanced these suggestions are, but they are some of our favs. And I feel pretty satisfied that they are basically healthy.
Alfredo Bowties with Ham:
(might have to double this for the size of your fam.)
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pkg. of bowties (or any pasta)
bottle of reduced fat alfredo sauce (or Rago Parmesan and
Mozzerella Alfredo - suprisingly low-fat)
16 oz. pkg. of ham chunks
chopped broc. (fresh or frozen) (amt. to taste)
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Simply cook the pasta. Add the alfredo, ham and broc. and heat through. Great served with garlic bread (for cheap we just do butter on bread with seasoning like gar. powder, chili powder and fresh basil [super-easy to grow in a pot outside] - lay on foil and bake in oven for 10 min. or until "toasty!" Also add a side salad of fresh spinich.
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Baked Chicken Quesadillas
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Flour tortillas
Chicken breasts (cooked)
Rotel tomatoes and green chiles
shredded ched. cheese
Italian dressing (optional)
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Cook chicken in microwave with can of Rotel until done. Cut up into small pieces. Lay tortillas on sprayed (cooking oil) cookie sheet. Fill half of tortilla with chicken mix. Add cheese to taste. Add squirt of Ital. dressing. Fold over and hold close with toothpick. Bake at 350* for approx. 10 min. or until the tortillas are light brown and feel "crunchy!"
Serve with spanish rice and/or fat-free refried beans (I stir in a spoon full of salsa and some cheese if I have it.). Also can serve with a fresh spinach salad.
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Hope those help! Press on knowing there are others out here attempting to do the same thing! :)