So, when looking through my fridge, I found a Hillshire Farms smoked sausage link. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. Should I brown it in sauerkraut? Cook it with rice, cheese and Rotel? Eat it plain? If you remember, we are trying to stick to our budget, which meant my only options were what were in my cabinets/fridge/freezer.

I decided to go to my husband, who usually has no preference (as long as veggies are not “in” the dish!) But, Without missing a beat he said… “Zataran’s Cheesy Jambalaya!” Okay, not quite “homemade”, but really I think we all cook out of a box from time to time!

This dish is a little spicy, but I pick out just the meat for my toddlers and they LOVE it! If you have never tried it, it is really pretty good. You can find it in your grocery store next to the boxes of rice.

This is a pretty frugal meal already, but if you notice links as you go along- I have provided you with printable coupons that will match up to the ingredients in the recipe. Enjoy!

Here is what you need for a family of 4:

1 box Jambalaya with Cheese, 1 Smoked Sausage and Ingredients for cornbread (click on link and scroll down, the recipe is at the bottom of the page), broccoli

Step 1:

Slice up your smoked sausage (click on the link to get a $1.00 off Hillshire Farms product. This can really make your sausage cheap!) and cook in a skillet on medium heat until brown on both sides. (You will have to watch and flip the pieces as they are cooking.)

Step 2:

Following the instructions on your Zataran’s box, (click on the link to get a $1.00/3 coupon. Could be a good deal, matched up with a sale!) add your box of ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes.

Step 3:

While the Zataran’s is cooking, mix up your cornbread and pop it in the oven. You can find my favorite sweet corn bread recipe here (click on link and scroll to bottom of post).

Step 4:

Steam your broccoli (Coupon here for .50 off your veggies, if your store doubles- this could mean free veggies matched with a sale!)

Step 5:

Serve to your patiently waiting, smiling, grateful family!

Cost of meal for family of 4: $5.50 (without using any coupons!)

Cost per person: $1.30