If you’ve landed on this post, it’s probably because you purchased my ebook, “The Hospitality Handbook” (and if not, go grab a copy and transform the way you view hospitality — for the same price as just a coffee!).
NOTE: You’ll notice that there are almost no exact measurements — that’s for you to adjust for each recipe to become exactly what it needs to be to become a family favorite.
All recipes reflect basic pantry staples, so they should be ingredients you already have on hand when spontaneous company stops by.
Total prices will be less/more depending on prices in your area, and how much of the ingredients you’ll actually use.
#1. Pasta, Garlic Bread, Buttered Peas — $11.72
PASTA:
Box of Pasta Noodles — $0.99
Jar of Pasta Sauce — $2.00
Bag of Mozzarella Cheese — $3.00
Boil water in a large pot on the stove; add a drizzle of olive oil and salt. Cook pasta noodles according to box direction. Drain water, return to pot, and pour in pasta sauce. Stir to thoroughly coat, then pour mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese and broil in oven until cheese is browned. Cut into squares to serve.
GARLIC BREAD:
Loaf of Bread — $2.20
Butter — $1.00 (only need 1 stick)
Spices — Garlic Powder, Salt, Parsley
Preheat oven to 375F. Line slices of bread on a cookie sheet. Spread softened butter thickly over each slice; then sprinkle salt and garlic powder liberally. Add a dash of parsley if desired. Turn buttered pieces over and repeat the process. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip toast. Bake for another 5 minutes or until crispy.
BUTTERED PEAS:
Frozen Bag of Peas — $2.28
Butter — $0.25 (only need 1/4 of a stick)
Spices — Salt, Pepper
Thaw peas in a pot on the stove. Add in butter and season with salt and pepper.
#2. Chicken Soup, Toasted Rosemary Bread, Simply Mediterranean Salad — $16.58
CHICKEN SOUP:
Box of Chicken Broth — $2.92
Can of Chicken — $3.00
Onion — $0.62
Carrots — $1.00
Celery — $0.89
Rice — $0.88
Spices — Salt, Pepper, Poultry Seasoning, dash of Apple Cider Vinegar
Dice onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté in a stock pot with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Once cooked, add in chicken broth and canned chicken (not drained). Add a dash of apple cider vinegar and rice. Season to taste with more salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning; bring to a boil until rice is cooked.
TOASTED ROSEMARY BREAD:
Loaf of Bread — $2.20
Spices — Salt, Rosemary, Olive Oil
Heat skillet to medium heat. Pour olive oil into a small dish; add salt and dried rosemary. Brush oil mixture onto both sides of bread and toast in skillet. Place in a basket lined with paper towel; season again with salt and rosemary before serving.
SIMPLE MEDITERRANEAN SALAD:
Box of Greens — $3.98
Can of Chickpeas — $0.78
Onion — $0.31 (only need half an onion)
Salad Dressing (3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar, 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice, 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano, 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper)
Place salad greens in a medium sized bowl. Wash and dry chickpeas, add to greens. Thinly slice onion and add to greens. Pour salad dressing over greens and gently toss.
#3. Tuna Melts, Carrot Sticks, Spiced Apples — $15.66
TUNA MELTS:
Loaf of Bread — $2.20
Can of Tuna — $1.50
Mayonnaise — $3.48
Onion — $0.31 (only need half of an onion, or to taste)
Cheese Slices — $3.18
Spices — Salt, Pepper
Combine canned tuna (drained), mayonnaise, chopped onion, salt and pepper into a bowl. Toast bread in toaster, place on baking sheet, and top with tuna mixture. Place a slice of cheese over each piece and broil in oven until cheese is golden.
CARROT STICKS:
Big Carrots — $0.99
Chop carrots into thin sticks. Serve with ranch dressing to dip if desired.
SPICED APPLES:
Bag of Apples — $4.00
Spices — Cinnamon, Salt, Butter, Brown Sugar
Quarter apples, remove stems and seeds, and dice. Place in saucepan with a dab of butter and some water. Cook until apples are soft; add in brown sugar and cinnamon to taste along with a dash of salt. Serve warm.
#4. Burrito Bowls, Tortilla Chips and Salsa — $10.26
BURRITO BOWLS:
Rice — $0.88
Canned Beans — $0.78
Onion — $0.62
Red Pepper — $1.42
Sour Cream — $1.58
Spices — Lime Juice, Cilantro, Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Olive Oil
Cook rice according to directions on package. Season with lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Add a little olive oil to prevent rice from sticking. Drain can of beans and heat in a saucepan; season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and paprika. Slice onion and red pepper; sauté with oil in a skillet. Serve in bowls — rice first, then beans, then top with sautéed veggies and a dollop of sour cream.
TORTILLA CHIPS AND SALSA:
Tortilla Chips — $1.99
Jar of Salsa — $2.99
Pour salsa in a bowl and empty bag of chips into a basket.
#5. Egg Frittata, Roasted Potatoes, Tomato and Cucumber Salad — $15.10
EGG FRITTATA:
Carton of Eggs — $2.00
Milk — $1.82
Onion — $0.62
Spinach — $1.99
Bag of Cheddar Cheese — $3.00
Spices — Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder
Crack eggs into large mixing bowl. Add in milk and whisk. Chop onion and spinach, add to egg mixture along with half the bag of cheese. Season liberally with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish; top with remaining cheese. Bake in 375F oven for 25 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean from center of dish.
ROASTED POTATOES:
Bag of Potatoes — $2.99
Spices — Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Rosemary, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika
Dice potatoes and put in large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, and season liberally with salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss to coat; then spread on baking sheet and roast in oven at 425F until crispy, about 25 minutes.
TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD:
Tomato — $1.28
Cucumber —$0.78
Onion — $0.62
Salad Dressing (3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar, 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice, 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano, 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper)
Dice tomato, cucumber, and onion. Combine in serving bowl and drizzle dressing. Mix until coated.
#6. Tuna Mac N Cheese, Buttered Broccoli, Potato Chips — $7.08
TUNA MAC N CHEESE:
Can of Tuna — $1.50
Box of Mac N Cheese — $0.99
Bag of Frozen Peas — $0.88
Spices — Salt, Pepper
Prepare mac n cheese according to box directions. Drain tuna and add to mac n cheese along with frozen peas. Stir over warm until peas thaw; season with salt and pepper to taste.
BUTTERED BROCCOLI:
Bag of Frozen Broccoli —$2.48
Butter — $0.25 (only need 1/4 of a stick)
Spices — Salt, Pepper
Thaw broccoli in microwave. Place in serving bowl. Melt butter, pour over broccoli, and gently toss. Season with salt and pepper.
POTATO CHIPS:
Bag of Potato Chips — $0.98
Serve on the side, or crushed on top of Tuna Mac N Cheese.
#7. Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Coleslaw — $16.35
HOT DOGS:
Package of Beef Hot Dogs — $5.49
Package of Hot Dog Buns — $1.19
Onion — $0.62
Mustard — $2.29
Ketchup — $2.29
Cook hot dogs in preferred method. Sauté onions in saucepan with olive oil. Place cooked hot dogs in buns, top with mustard, ketchup, and sautéed onions.
BAKED BEANS:
Can of Baked Beans — $2.48
Open can and heat in saucepan on the stove.
COLESLAW:
Coleslaw Cabbage Mix — $1.99
Dressing (1/2 cup Mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar, 1/2 Tablespoon Sugar, Salt and Pepper to Taste. Thin with Milk if needed)
Open bag of coleslaw mix and place in mixing bowl. Pour dressing over cabbage and combine.
#8. Chicken Parmesan, Garlic Bread, Tossed Greens — $21.84
CHICKEN PARMESAN:
Frozen Breaded Chicken Nuggets — $6.48
Sliced Provolone Cheese — $3.18
Jar of Pasta Sauce —$2.00
Bag of Mozzarella Cheese — $3.00
Spices — Garlic Powder, Pepper
Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Spread a thin layer over pasta sauce across the bottom. Arrange breaded chicken in dish and place a slice of cheese on each piece; sprinkle garlic powder and pepper. Pour remaining pasta sauce over everything; cover with foil and bake at 375F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and top with mozzarella cheese; sprinkle more garlic powder. Return to oven and broil until cheese is brown.
GARLIC BREAD:
Loaf of Bread — $2.20
Butter — $1.00 (only need 1 stick)
Spices — Garlic Powder, Salt, Parsley
Preheat oven to 375F. Line slices of bread on a cookie sheet. Spread softened butter thickly over each slice; then sprinkle salt and garlic powder liberally. Add a dash of parsley if desired. Turn buttered pieces over and repeat the process. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip toast. Bake for another 5 minutes or until crispy.
TOSSED GREENS:
Box of Greens — $3.98
Salad Dressing (3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar, 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice, 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano, 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper)
Place salad greens in a medium sized bowl. Pour salad dressing over greens and gently toss.
#9. Cheesy Chicken Casserole, Rolls, Honey Carrots — $19.90
CHEESY CHICKEN CASSEROLE:
Rice — $0.88
Large Can of Chicken — $3.00
Bag of Cheddar Cheese — $3.00
Can of Cream Soup — $1.29
Milk — $1.82
Bag of Frozen Broccoli — $0.98
Spices — Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder
Cook rice according to directions on package. Season with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add a little olive oil to prevent rice from sticking. In a mixing bowl, combine can of cream soup and can of chicken (not drained). Add milk to thin, stir and season with salt, pepper, and onion powder. In a greased 9×13 baking dish, place rice on the bottom. Spread frozen broccoli over rice, then pour chicken mixture over everything. Top with cheese; bake in oven at 350F until broccoli is thawed and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.
ROLLS:
Rolls — $3.00
Butter — $1.00 (only one stick needed)
Warm rolls in microwave for 30 seconds. Place in basket and cover with a clean towel. Serve warm with butter.
HONEY CARROTS:
Carrots — $0.99
Honey — $3.94
Spices — Salt, Pepper, Butter
Chop carrots and place in skillet. Cover with water, turn to high and cover with lid. Cook until carrots are soft; then drain water and return to heat. Add a pat of butter and liberally drizzle honey. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook over medium heat until honey flavor is infused into carrots.
#10. French Toast, Fruit Salad, Yogurt Parfait $15.72
FRENCH TOAST:
Loaf of Bread — $2.20
Carton of Eggs — $2.00
Milk — $1.82
Butter — $1.00
Powder Sugar — $1.78
Spices — Vanilla, Salt, Cinnamon
Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and dash of salt into a container. Whisk thoroughly to combine. Heat a skillet and coat with butter. Dunk piece of bread into egg mixture on both sides, then cook in skillet. Flip and cook until golden on both sides. Combine powder sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small container to create a glaze. Spoon into a plastic baggie, snip the corner, and pipe glaze over finished French Toast.
FRUIT SALAD:
Banana — $0.59
Apple — $1.00
Can of Mandarin Oranges — $0.98
Chop banana and apple, combine in a bowl along with can of mandarin oranges (not drained).
YOGURT PARFAIT:
Yogurt — $2.36
Jam — $1.99
Layer yogurt and jam in small glass cups.
Want more hospitality tips, tricks, and recipes? Grab your copy of my newest ebook, “The Hospitality Handbook” for $5!
With Love from Victoria 