Kid-Approved Beanie Weenies: The Perfect Budget-Friendly Family Meal
Beans and Franks for One or for a Family Meal
Please rate this family meal recipe.
Family Friendly Recipes
As a family cook, finding affordable meals that everyone enjoys can be tough. It's hard to balance health and cost, so some compromise may be needed.
Beans are a cheap and nutritious option, but adding meat or processed foods makes them less healthy but tastier. When adding flavor, aim for high satisfaction with fewer calories.
All-beef hot dogs are a delicious choice that can transform any meal. Look for low sodium or low processing. A little goes a long way, and it's perfect for elevating family favorites. However, if you're a vegetarian, you'll need to use an alternative.
Nutrition information for Beanie Weenies
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: One bowl | |
| Calories | 375 |
| Calories from Fat | 126 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Fat 14 g | 22% |
| Saturated fat 5 g | 25% |
| Unsaturated fat 9 g | |
| Carbohydrates 45 g | 15% |
| Sugar 18 g | |
| Fiber 8 g | 32% |
| Protein 19 g | 38% |
| Cholesterol 40 mg | 13% |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
Other Nutrition Info:
Net Carbs = 36 grams
Glycemic Index = Low
Cook Time for Beans and Weiner Pot
Ingredients for Beanie Weenies!
- 2 - 1 lb. cans pork and beans, or vegetarian beans
- 1 envelope dry onion soup mix, or spices of your choice
- 1/3 cup catsup or catchup or ketchup, I prefer Heinz brand (low sugar)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 - 4 Tablespoons packed brown sugar, depending on sweetness desired
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 pound wieners, I prefer all beef, but there are vegetarian varieties available
Family Meal Recipe Preparation - Kids Can Help!
- If the children are old enough, they can chop or tear the wieners into bite sized pieces. They can open the cans or measure out the ingredients directly into the crock pot.
- Open the cans of beans and pour into the crock pot.
- Add the onion soup mix, catchup, water, brown sugar, mustard and chopped (or torn) frankfurters.
- Give everything a good stir, put the lid on the crock pot, plug it in, and set the timer for one hour on high or two hours on low.
- If you want to cook this meal without a slow cooker, then just put everything into a soup pot, bring to a boil and then simmer until done to your liking.
- Serve the beans and franks in soup bowls with fresh or steamed vegetables on the side. This meal will serve a family of five easily.
Family Friendly Vegetables.
Prepare a Vegetable Tray:
Pick your family's favorite vegetables and serve them raw to go along with the Beans and Wieners.
Wash and trim the vegetables and divide into sections on a plate or on a veggie tray. Some good vegetables to go with this recipe are:
- celery
- carrots
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- grape tomatoes
- roasted garlic
- bell pepper
Add Some Crunch!
My family used to love homemade cornbread with beans and wienies. We mixed it up sometimes and served a few crackers on the side.
And Now for Dessert!
Mango Shakes!
In a blender, add the following:
- A pint of Mango Sorbet
- One chopped fresh Mango if available - frozen mango if no fresh ones are around
- 2/3 cup of plain, low-fat yogurt
Blend until frappé is your desired consistency. You may need to add some crushed ice to help make this mango smoothie. Serves two large servings or four small ones.
The Perfect Mango
How to Get Free Mangoes!
Being from Texas, I had never seen a mango. When I moved to Hawaii in 1989, I rented a room from a little old Japanese lady. She had the largest mango tree on Maui.
Each morning, she left a mango for me on the breakfast table. I had no idea what it was or how to eat it or what to do with it, so I carried it to work with me and left it on the community table in the break room. It was free to anyone who wanted it.
Finally, someone thanked me for bringing in the mangoes every day. I had to ask them to show me how to eat this delicious fruit. Peel a mango the same way you peel a peach.
Now I eat mango everything, mango sorbet, mango pudding, mango shakes, mango ice cream, fresh mango, whatever! Try it, you'll love it.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2012 Lela Cargill
