How to Feed a Crowd on a Tight Budget

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By TipsfromTammy
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Feed a Crowd on a Tight Budget

If you're on a really tight budget and are looking for a nutritious meal to feed the family or even a crowd, this is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to do it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cans of Soup
Rice

Step 1

It is common for cross country runners to fill up on starchy foods such as spaghetti before a meet. The reason the runners eat starchy foods is that starches such as pasta, potatoes and rice are foods that fill you up and provide energy. Starches are broken down into sugar which the body uses for energy. The energy provided from the starchy foods break down slower and therefore provide energy for a longer period of time in comparison to foods high in sugar.
Step 2

Rice is recommended as a healthier source of energy as well as a filler. Not only does rice make you feel full, but it is also an inexpensive food product. When cooking for your family, consider ways that you can incorporate rice into the meals.
Step 3

Rice is also a way to make your meals go further or feed more people. If you have read my Beef Enchiladas recipe, you will notice that I included rice in the enchilada itself as a filler. This in turn provides me with left over ingredients to incorporate into other meals. Basically, I was able to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Step 4

A great way to feed a crowd is simply to add 1 cup of rice per small can of soup. This doubles the quantity of food. I normally use Campbell's Chunky soups which commonly have vegetables included in order for the meal to be healthy. No need to add the salt or butter like cooking rice alone, just simply add the 1 cup of rice to the soup and cook the soup as you normally would.
Step 5

If 1 can of soup feeds 1 person, by adding the 1 cup of rice, you're now feeding 2 people. Choosing a variety of soups and adding the rice can make a quick and easy way to have lunch or dinner several days of the week and prevent the feeling of being burnt out on the same meal. Just calculate 1 can of soup and 1 cup of rice for every 2 people.