Jordan Page has made a living showing people how to make things fun, cheap or free! She's a frugal expert and her new book, Shelf Cooking 101, focuses on how to save money in the kitchen.
If you're new to the concept of shelf cooking, Jordan explains that it's cooking with what you already have in your pantry and fridge as opposed to going shopping first. "Most people find a recipe first and then go and shop for the ingredients," she says. "Shelf cooking is about taking inventory of what you have and creating a recipe from that. Not only is it a huge money saver, it also reduces waste, teaches you how to cook from scratch, is healthier and teaches your kids really good habits."
This beef, bean and corn tamale casserole from the book is a crowd-pleaser in her house. "It's the yummy, savory corn appeal of tamales, but way easier," she says. "Plus, it uses ingredients you're likely to already have on hand." Serve it with chips and rice, or even over salad.
For more budget-friendly recipes, check out Rach's Tuna Casserole and Chicken Casserole Dinner.
