One way I’ve found to reduce my grocery budget is to plan a menu.  My first step is always a peek inside my stockpile closet, refrigerator and freezer.  I want to see what I already have and what needs to be used before it expires.  A couple weeks ago I decided to use my FREE Philadelphia Cooking Creme.  I found an easy recipe on the back of the container.  I glanced at it, thought I had the ingredients and moved on.  When it came time to make dinner, I realized I didn’t have exactly what the recipe called for.  I sure wasn’t about to run up to the store, so I improvised.

Here is the recipe from the container:

Chicken Primavera with Pasta

• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 cups frozen stir-fry vegetables (broccoli, carrots, red peppers, snow peas)
• 1 tub (10 oz.)PHILADELPHIA Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme
• 2 cups cooked fettuccine

I looked in the freezer and realized I had used my stir-fry mix, and I didn’t have fettuccine in the cabinet.

My version of Chicken Primavera with Pasta

• 4 strips of chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces (from a lg bag of chicken tenders) ~$1
• Box of frozen broccoli florets FREE
• Part of a bag of frozen carrot and peas ~$0.25
• Tub of Philadelphia Italian cheese and herb cooking creme FREE
• Box of thin spaghetti noodles FREE
• Sprinkle of mozzarella cheese (per hubbies request) ~$0.25

I served it with bread from the bread machine, so I spent around $1.50 for my family of 4, with leftovers!

I realize this was a pretty easy substitution, but I could have spent $3 or $4 more if I had gone back up to the store (stir-fry mix is not usually cheap).  Also, I almost always use less meat than the recipe calls for.

Even better?  My pasta-hating hubby actually liked it!

What type of substitutions do you make in cooking?

This post is linked to Life as Mom & My Coupon Teacher

Budget Savvy Diva has put together another Frugal recipe for you.  Each week, she’ll share a recipe a family of 4 can make for $5 or less.

Monkey Bread the Frugal Way !

Perfect for taking to a brunch or serving to your own family, this yummy pull-apart bread is always a big hit!

Ingredients:

4 cans of refrigerated biscuits
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 T. cinnamon
3/4 c. butter or margarine

Directions:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
* Cut biscuits into quarters and coat with an extra mixture of cinnamon and sugar if desired, makes it EXTRA good!
* Melt remaining ingredients together in a small saucepan.
* Place half of biscuit quarters into a greased Bundt pan and sprinkle chopped pecans or raisins on top if you have them on hand.
* Pour 1/2 of butter mixture over the top and repeat with remaining biscuits.
* Bake for 30-40 minutes.