Steph Presents: Bite Ideas On A Budget

Everyone knows that eating healthy isn't cheap. So I just don't. In fact, as my cash flow continues to shrink, I've had to be more and more creative in satisfying my cravings. As a girl who used to frequently enjoy dining out, it's been quite an adjustment learning how to make do with whatever is around the house.

Hence my new feature, Bite Ideas on a Budget: Meals for the Financially Challenged. Whenever I come up with a new, inexpensive substitute for a dinnertime favorite, you will be the first to know. Today's entree: The Meat?ball Sub.

If you're at an authentic Italian joint, you can't go wrong with a big, beautiful meatball sub. Even if it's not your favorite sauce recipe or meatball recipe, the combination of meat, sauce, cheese and freshly baked bread is almost always a winner. And it will usually run you about 8 or 9 bucks.

Not so with the Meat?ball Sub.

Here's what you'll need:

One (1) can of Chef Boyardee Lasagna (Pasta with Chunky Tomato and Meat Sauce)

One (1) value brand hot dog bun

One (1) heaping spoonful of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter (the light version, of course)

A temporary lapse in judgement and overall absence of self-respect

Now that you have everything you need, it's time to prepare the Meat?ball Sub. Simply open your can of Chef Boyardee Lasagna, place it in a microwave-safe container and zap it for about two minutes. While this is cooking, liberally cover your value brand hot dog with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light.

Remove lasagna from the microwave and spoon it onto your buttered value brand hot dog bun. Grab a tall glass of tap water and you are ready to eat.

Results

Price: $1.85 or so.

Taste Factor: Surprisingly decent, considering you're eating canned pasta out of a hot dog bun. The Meat?ball Sub gets its name from the questionable quality of meat used in the Chef Boyardee lasagna. Its powdery consistency and frighteningly nonexistent meat taste is a drawback, but the sauce is undeniably pleasing.

Shame Factor: Still recovering, quite honestly.

Digestion Factor: See above.

Chance of Repeating: Fairly high, since cans of Chef Boyardee were 5 for $5 and these hot dog buns aren't going to eat themselves.

Have a recipe you want to share? Leave it in the comments. Otherwise, I'll see you at the next exciting installment of Bite Ideas on a Budget: Meals for the Financially Challenged.