Thrifty Meals Around $5 Or Less - Tortellini Soup

Up next is another family favorite that I make for around the $5 mark.  It is totally meatless too which is nice as I try to prepare one or two meatless meals each week.

Quick & Easy Tortellini Soup

1 pkg. frozen cheese tortellini

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 stalk celery, sliced

1 can green beans

1 can corn

1 can Italian style diced tomatoes

2 cloves garlic crushed

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 Tbs oil

Grated parmesan, optional

In a large soup pot heat oil and saute onions, carrot, celery and crushed garlic.  Add canned vegetables, do not drain them first.  Fill each can with water and pour in with vegetables.  Add spices, stir well and allow to come to a boil.  Add tortellini.  Once soup comes back to the boil allow to simmer 2 to 3 minutes until pasta is tender.  Remove from heat.  Serve with a little parmesan sprinkled on top, if desired.  Makes 8 servings.

Easily a one pot meal with all of the great veggies in it, but you could certainly serve a nice salad alongside.  I often will do that.  There is enough soup here for two meals for the three of us and I usually get a lunch or two for myself as well.  Here is the breakdown:

Frozen cheese tortellini - $2.68

Green beans - 59¢

Corn - 59¢

Tomatoes - 59¢

Onion - 12¢

Carrot, celery 12¢

Grand Total = $4.69

This particular meal I used leftover green beans I had in the refrigerator from another meal so I was able to put the can of beans back in the cupboard.  You could also use frozen vegetables too and just add more water to the pot which would shave off a little bit more if you are looking to be super thrifty.

Good, healthy food doesn't really have to cost a lot.

There was more than enough here for four people or in our case a mom and her two ravenous teenage girls.  In fact everyone had seconds and I still had plenty left over for another meal.

In some cases costs are approximated.  Groceries prices vary depending on where you live.  I don't include condiments, oils, herbs and spices when I figure the cost of a meal as it would be incredibly tedious to do so.  Plus condiments are subjective as each person uses more or less.