In this video, I set out to make 9 meals for $10 but ended up making a whopping 12 meals out of my $10 budget and I was able to show how to use the same ingredients across multiple meals for added variety.

The shopping list:

Penne pasta $1.25
Pasta sauce $1.25
Hashbrowns (or steak cut french fries) $1.25
Smoked sausage $1.25
Pepper Stir fry $1.25
Chili $1.25
Italian Meatballs $1.25
Velveeta Cheese sauce $1.25

Total cost $10

Meal Prep Step by Step Guide:

Boil entire box of penne pasta, drain, and toss pasta in some oil to prevent sticking. Split pasta evenly between 9 containers and set aside.

Rehydrate hashbrowns in hot water per box instructions, then add 1/4 cup of oil to a large skillet on medium high heat. Drain hashbrowns and fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Divide hashbrowns between 3 containers and set aside.

Thaw pepper stir fry, chop and drain. Chop smoked sausage into rounds. Fry peppers and sausage together until brown. Add 1/2 a cup of the sausage and pepper mixture to two of the hashbrown containers and two of the pasta containers.

Thaw meatballs and mince into small pieces for a meat sauce. Sautee over medium heat until browned, stir in pasta sauce and allow to heat through. Add 1/2 a cup of the meat sauce to 5 of the pasta containers.

Open chili and stir. Add 1/2 a cup of chili to each of two of the pasta containers and the final hashbrown container.

Mix velveeta cheese sauce with 1/4 cup of warm water, add a small amount to each of the containers with chili and split the majority of the sauce over the two pasta containers that have smoked sausage and peppers.

Allow to cool completely, and chill in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze.

Reheating: Microwave for 90 seconds if refrigerated. If frozen, defrost first then microwave until heated through. Shake to disperse all ingredients and enjoy!

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