Entertaining on a budget

[Debbie F.]

How about an Enchilada Casserole? Very tasty & filling:

Enchilada Casserole

1 ½ - 2 lbs. Ground beef
1 lb. Cheddar cheese, grated
1 pkg. Soft tortillas, (cut into 1/4‘s)
1 can Enchilada sauce
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 small can evaporated milk
1 small can chopped green chilies


Brown meat; drain. Mix meat with enchilada sauce, milk, soup and peppers.

In 13x9” ovenware dish, layer tortillas to cover bottom of dish. Cover tortillas with ½ of meat mixture. Cover with cheese.

Starting with tortillas, make another layer of each, and topping with cheese.

Bake at 350º for 30-45 mins.

I make this all the time, and my kids loved it growing up and still do! It is great by itself, or you could add some refried beans and/or spanish rice to go along as sides.

I, too, also like the Potluck idea. Gives everyone a chance to participate in the cooking.

Good luck!!

[SanDansMom]

I do think I assumed the worst about your friends, and I apologize. It came across to me like they were taking advantage of you. Anyway, I should not have slammed your friends. That wasn't helping your menu.

I have been thinking about what you could serve, and since you live in Houston, which is Southwest, how about a really big pot of pinto beans and homemade cornbread? If you have a ham bone to go in the beans, that's even better. You could make a pot of rice to go with it too. Banana pudding for dessert. Beans and rice kept us going through some lean times, and we still like it! There is something so comforting about soul food.

[VicRae]

Sometimes when your strapped for cash.

Start looking ing your pantry and maybe you would have canned vegetables in your cabinet to throw in a Stew or soup like meal. Kind of like a Stone Soup meal.
Then add a cool desert in the mix.
Or have your friends help you make Homemade Ice cream and let them know ahead of time that if they want special types of toppings to bring them along to add to the fun.

Another idea would be to make homemade pizza crusts. Add toppings of your choice.
Which could be anything on hand. Add a green salad and dressing. Then maybe add a coffee cake for desert. Along with coffee or iced tea.
Hope this gives you some ideas.
Vicky

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Have you thought about having a potluck dinner and having your friends bring something? You could provide the drink (tea and coffee) and have a sign-up sheet for main dishes, side dishes, and desserts.

Another idea is having a progressive dinner. You have the main dish at one house, the side dishes at another, and the desserts at another. You could have another house in the beginning for the salad for another part.

Good luck!

[Sammi1961]

What about a beef stew or a large pot of chili?

[RobertaD]

If friends were coming over that much I would assign them something to bring to help out with the meal.

Large pots of veggie soup is a cheap meal served with salad and bread.

Roberta

[Artylouie]

Soup has already been suggested, but could I suggest a soup with lots of vegies and some kind of pasta or rice to make it more filling. Then you could fill them up with garlic bread, even if you buy some stale bread, sliced, and do individual slices instead of a french stick. Stuffed potatoes - use cheese and onion, or some minced beef. Frankfurters rolled in bread and baked in oven. Lettuce rolls, filled with some minced chicken, mayo and perhaps some herbs. Hope this helps and my terms (Aussie) are the same as the American ones. Lorraine