Do you ever think about the actual cost of your meal? I mean have you broke it down completely ingredient by ingredient? Or is it just my numbers brain that feels the need to break each recipe down. Due to the fact that I am trying to save our family money it feels like the least I can do to keep track of each penny.

So for the last month I have been working on breaking down my tried and true family favorite recipes into total cost per serving. I will share a few with you and hopefully this will get you thinking about how much you spend. Now I won’t be giving the measurements of each ingredient in the recipe in this post (as they are not all my own and until I figure out how to give credit where credit is due I will withhold those recipes), however I will give costs.

Stuffed Chicken Breast

https://www.kraftheinz.com/stove-top/recipes/503780-stove-top-stuffed-chicken-rolls

• Stuffing – $1.29
• Water – 
• Eggs – $.88
• Chicken – $4.58
• Cream of chicken – $1
• Milk – $.09
• Paprika – $.07
• TOTAL = $7.91
• Per Serving (6) = $1.32

Chicken Cordon Bleu

I don’t know where this recipe ever came from, but my mom has been making this recipe since I was young.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken breast – $4.58
• Ham – $1.24
• Swiss cheese – $.88
• Cream of chicken – $1
• Milk – $.18
• TOTAL = $7.88
• Per Serving (4) = $1.97

Breaded Pork Cutlet

I found this recipe after my husband and I went out for our anniversary dinner at a local “famous” german restaurant. (Fun fact I lived in West Germany for part of my childhood). This recipe is similar to pork schnitzel and I will say I love this homemade option more than the restaurant’s.

• Boneless pork chops – $1.99
• Flour – $.05
• Salt – $.01
• Pepper – $.03
• Egg – $.44
• Milk – $.03
• Dijon Mustard – $.21
• Bread Crumbs – $.74
• TOTAL = $3.50
• Per Serving (4) = $.87

Copycat KFC Chicken

KFC chicken used to be a family favorite but over the years we have found that the quality has gone down hill. So I tried to find a recipe that was as similar as possible. This one seems to be the best find for us. Is it the same, no but a good substitution.

• Flour – $.22
• Salt – $.02
• Thyme – $.21
• Basil – $.34
• Paprika – $.96
• Oregano – $.18
• Celery Salt – $.39
• Garlic Salt – $.30
• Black Pepper – $.18
• Mustard Powder – $.87
• White Pepper – $1.20
• Ground Ginger – $1.32
• Chicken – $4.58
• TOTAL = $10.77
• Per Serving (4) = $2.69

When I get hangry and feeling overwhelmed with getting dinner on the table that little thought comes into my head “just go pick something up”. It’s just that easy, go drive through a restaurant and pick up that easy subpar meal. However, then I get another thought “you know you can cook a better tasting, lower costing meal for your family”. So I argue with myself for a moment, then of course the rational side wins (most of the time) and I get into the kitchen cooking.

When I think rationally the cost and the small amount of time it actually takes for me to make dinner wins out. Did you know you can usually make a better meal in less time than it does to drive to a restaurant, order and receive your meal and drive home?

So next time you think you’re just to tired to make dinner remember you can make a healthy meal quicker and for less money than drive thru. Are there any recipes that you love that you would like me to figure out how much it would cost? I’m happy to run the numbers (using the costs in my area).