Some days call for simple. Hot dogs could do the trick, but ewe! Just because we’re on a budget, doesn’t mean we have to eat like children. Oh yeah! Children like hot dogs! Well, they can eat them while we eat beer brats! But just so you know, my kids prefer the brats over dogs, so let’s get to it!

Beer Brats:

1 Pkg beer brats (6 in mine) – $2.99
2-3 Beers, to cover – $2.00
1 large onion, sliced – $.25
6 Hoagie or Brat buns – $.95
1 Can Sauerkraut – $.75

COST: $6.94

Place brats in large sauce pan with beer and onions (some people say add a stick of butter. We don’t, but I hear it’s good. Your choice). Cover and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer and cook till brats are done. At least 20 mins or so.

Remove brats and pour beer mixture in a shallow baking dish. Grill brats until brown. Pan fry sliced onion and set aside. When brats are done grilling, return to beer mixture and keep warm on grill or stove top until ready to serve.

Serve brats on a hoagie or brat bun with sauerkraut, grilled onions, ketchup, and brown or dijon mustard.

And now for good ol’ fashioned mac n cheese. Let me preface this recipe and say that you can use whatever cheese you have on hand. I had mozzarella and used it. Mostly, I use Colby Jack. Really, it’s nice to switch up now and again. The base stays the same, so no worries, experiment!

Stovetop Mac and Cheese:

2 cups elbow macaroni – $.75
1 cup cheddar cheese – $1.00
1 cup mozzarella cheese – $1.00
1 1/2 cups milk- $.25
2 Tbsp butter – pantry
1 1/2 Tbsp flour – pantry
1 tsp Salt – pantry
1/2 tsp Pepper – pantry
Sprinkle of Paprika or Soul Seasoning – pantry

COST: $3.00

In a large sauce pan of boiling water, add salt and cook the macaroni until al dente (not quite completely done, almost); drain in strainer or colander.

In the same sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.

Next, slowly add in milk and cook, whisking constantly. Cook about 5 mins or until the mixture is steaming hot and thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar until melted. Add mozzarella and give a quick stir. Add cooked macaroni and fold sauce into mac.

Season with pepper and top with soul seasoning or paprika.

GRAND TOTAL: $9.94