Dinner on a Budget: Sloppy Joes

Remember how I'm a poor college student? Yeah, well I'm always looking for cheap and healthy dinner ideas (like most everyone else). On the menu this past week? A kick back to the good ol' days of childhood: sloppy joes. Of course, I've made it a little more grown up with the sides and the ingredients.

Sloppy joes + seasoned zucchini and summer squash + sweet potato fries

Sloppy Joes

I always use ground turkey instead of ground beef. For one thing, it's cheaper where I shop, and it's healthier. But ground beef works too. Just brown a pound of ground meat (for 4 people) with 1/2 diced onion and 1/2 diced green bell pepper. When the meat is cooked, add sloppy joe sauce and let it simmer. I use whole wheat buns or bread if I don't feel like spending money on buns. White buns and bread works too, though.

Store-brand sauce: $1

Ground turkey: $2

Onion: about $1

Pepper: about $1

Sloppy Joes: $5

Zucchini and Summer Squash

Slice the zucchini and squash and quarter the slices. Depending on the size of the squash and zucchini, you'll need about 1 for 1-2 people. Saute them in a little bit of oil over medium high heat. Season with salt, pepper and any other spices you like. I used Mrs. Dash. Let them cook until browned.

Veggies: > $2

Baked Sweet Potato Fries:

1-2 sweet potatoes (1 sweet potato for 2-3 people)

Olive oil

1/2 T. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Peel and slice the potatoes into fry-sized pieces. Toss with a little bit of olive oil (only a little) and spices. Spread fries in even layer on cooking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes. When they're tender and starting to brown a little, they're done. Granted, they're not as stiff as regular fries, but they taste sooooo much better and they're a lot better for you. I like eating them with fry sauce (even parts ketchup and mayo).

Sweet Potatoes: > $2

Total price: Around $10

If you have bread, oil, and spices already, then the price is pretty unbeatable for a meal for 4 or dinner for 2 nights for 2 people.