Say what you will - but over the past few years of being poor and spending too much money on weed and not the munchies for after, has sparked a lot of food related creativity.  Sure TV dinners are quick.. but eventually you start missing the taste of a home cooked meal.  Now by no means are my recipes healthy, unless stated otherwise.  Some ingredients can easily be substituted for low fat or vegetarian alternatives.

Goolashge with bacon - serves 3 with left overs.  Cost: Approx  $10 - $15 in groceries.

What you will need:

1lb Smoke flavored or regular salty Bacon (not the maple stuff) 

3/4 of a large (3inch x 10 inch x 1 inch) brick of medium cheddar cheese - grated

2 small regular onions or 1 large Spanish onion.

A bag of penne noodles.

700 ml can of diced tomatoes - this amount can be reduced for tomatoe haters, but I myself hate tomatoes - but love them in this recipe.. so don't take them out all together.

First start off by cutting your bacon into small (1 inch x 1 inch) pieces.  All 1lb of  it.  On medium heat fry up your bacon in a medium sized skillet.  While that is cooking cut up your onions into smaller pieces, and put them in with the bacon a few minutes before the bacon is done to your preferred crispiness (don't burn it.. it doesn't taste that good when you do).  Drain grease.  Reduce heat to low in order to keep warm.

In a large boiling pot - bring water to a boil and begin to cook penne noodles.  Cook them until they are completely cooked - no al dente.  While the noodles are cooking, grate cheese, and drain excessive water out of the can of diced tomatoes.

When the noodles are done - drain them, and fold in all of your bacon and onions. Add the tomatoes, and then slowly fold in the cheese.  Do not add all of the cheese in at once, it will be impossible to stir and will only melt together instead of melting into the noodles and other ingredients.

Serve.  If you have good tupper ware - this meal will last 1-2 days in the fridge.  When re heating add a couple teaspoons of butter or margerine before heating to prevent anything from drying out in the microwave.

This is just one of many recipes I have for easy to make - and cheap alternatives to Kraft Dinner and TV Dinners...  I'll be posting more recipes like this later on.