As Starving Writers we are always looking for great recipes that won't break the bank and that's what you'll find here.
These recipes will be updated often. All the recipes that appear have been tested for ease and affordability.

If you have any great recipes you would like to share please e-mail thestravingwriter@comcast.net

Taco-Stuffed Pasta Shells
Prep Time 20 minutes Bake Time 40 minutes
Makes 2 8-inch baking pans

16 jumbo dried pasta shells, prepared according to package
1 pound ground beef
1 package (1.25oz) taco seasoning
1 cup water
1 can (16oz) refried beans
1 cup (4oz) shredded cheese
1 jar (16oz) salsa, divided
Sour Cream optional

Cook beef in large skillet until brown, drain. Add seasoning mix and water. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until thickened. Add beans and ¾ cup cheese, mix well.

Spread ¼ cup salsa over bottom of both baking pans. Fill pasta shells with beef mixture, place eight shells in each pan, filled side up. Spoon remaining salsa over shells.

If Freezing – cover pan with plastic wrap, then over wrap with foil. Label and freeze for up to two months.
To bake unfrozen shells – Pre heat oven to 350. Cover baking dish with foil. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

To Bake frozen shells – Place baking pan in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Preheat oven to 375. Remove plastic wrap, recover with foil. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.


Italian Style Chicken Stir Fry
2 cups Instant Rice
1 pound Frozen Fajita Chicken
1 bag(14-16oz) Frozen Stir Fry Vegetables
1/2 cup Italian Dressing

Cook Rice
In large skillet reheat frozen chicken 5 minutes
Add vegetables and dressing to stir fry cook for 5 minutes or until chicken is heated through and vegetables are crisp tender
Serve over rice

Serves 4


Cheese Burger Pasta posted 04/05/09
1 pound ground beef
1 can Cheddar Cheese Soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz) Can Tomato Soup
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups uncooked medium shell pasta

Cook beef in large skillet until browned, pour off fat.
Add both soups, water and pasta.
Heat to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium.
Cook for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Stir often.

Serves 4

Banana Bread posted 03/30/09
3 ripe Bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.
Mix in sugar, egg and vanilla.
Sprinkle baking soda over the mixture and mix in.
Add the flour to mixture.
Pour mixture into buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan.
Bake for one hour, check at 50 minutes.
Cool on rack.
Remove from pan and slice to serve.


Stuffed Mushrooms posted 03/21/09
1 pack Mushrooms - about 12 mushrooms
4oz Cream Cheese
4 slices Crisp Bacon

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Take the mushroom stems and pull out of mushroom tops
Dice mushroom stems into small pieces
Dice bacon into small pieces
Soften cream cheese in microwave for 15 seconds. This will make it easier to mix
Mix the mushroom stems, bacon and cream cheese together.
Fill the mushroom tops with cream cheese mixture. Mixture should be heaping
Put filled mushroom tops in a 8x8 pan
Bake for 30 minutes

This is great for a snack or for your critique group. Recipe is easily doubled.

All American Cheese Burger Ring
3/4 pound ground meat
1/4 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
9 slices American Cheese
2 packs refrigerator crescent rolls
pickles \ chopped lettuce \ diced onion  - anything you like on a burger

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
Cook ground beef until no longer pink; drain
Add ketchup, mustard and 5 slices of cheese; cut up. Stir until completely melted (can add chopped onions here)
Remove pan from heat
Unroll crescent rolls; separate into 16 triangles. Arrange triangles in to a circle on a large cookie sheet with wide ends of triangles overlapping in the center and points on the out side. (This can be done while your browning the meat) Should be 5 inch diameter opening in the center.
Scoop meat mixture evenly over widest end of triangles. (If you like top with pickles)
Bring points of triangles up and overfilling and tuck under wide end of dough (filling will not be completely covered.
Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven
Cut remaining 4 cheese slices in to triangles. Place cheese around ring.
Serve with tomatoes, lettuce or any other burger fixing.
Serves 8
This recipe can be halved and is great re-heated.