Kinda Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs

As far as frugal meals go, it's hard to beat spaghetti. When time AND money are in short supply, you still can't go wrong with spaghetti. I like to take some already made stuff and add my own stuff to it to make it better.

Here's what you need:

1 jar cheap spaghetti sauce
1 lb pkg frozen meatballs
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp italian seasoning
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp dried minced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 lb. spaghetti

Dump all the ingredients together, except spaghetti, and simmer in a covered saucepan over medium low heat for 20 minutes or so. The longer you cook it the better it tastes, but you should stir it occasionally to keep it from sticking to the bottom. You can add a little water or cooking wine, if needed.

If you want, you could put everything in your crockpot and cook on low all day til dinnertime. That works, too.

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Spoon that red delicousness over the pasta and voila!

 

Frugal breakdown:

•  1 jar cheap spaghetti sauce @ $1.29 from Aldi

• 1 lb pkg frozen meatballs @ $1.99 from Aldi

• 1 can diced tomatoes @ $0.59 from Aldi

• 1 can tomato sauce @ $0.39 from Aldi

• 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese @ $0.40 from Aldi

• 1 lb spaghetti @ $0.80 from Aldi

•  italian seasoning, garlic powder, minced onion, & basil from pantry

Total for family dinner for 5 + 2 lunches = $5.46 + 3 leftover hoagie rolls from sausage hoagie night made into garlic bread + $1.09 for bag of frozen broccoli