$5 tortellini primavera

Talk about a cheap meal... I think this entire dish cost about 5 bucks, and that includes the parmesan cheese! Beyond inexpensive! Beyond cheap! You can get 4 servings out of this and that makes this meal about $1.25 a serving. Amazing.

The only other thing that you'll need is chicken broth (or veggie broth is you want to make this vegetarian). Most everyone has garlic, pepper, paprika, flour, olive oil and salt in their cabinet anyway, so you'll most likely have everything you need on hand!

Start with the olive oil and garlic...

Whisk together the flour and stock to make a thick slurry.

Meanwhile, boil your veggies. They'll take about 3 minutes longer than the tortellini, so start them first. After the first few minutes, toss in the tortellini and let them cook. Of course, follow the package directions.

Add your broth slurry, salt, pepper and paprika...

Then your fresh (or dried parsley), and parmesan cheese. Let this melt as completely as possible and keep warm.

Drain those little delights and transfer back to the pot! Keep them hot though, you want to heat the sauce all the way back up with the residual heat!

Oh yes. The sauce is amazing. This picture doesn't do the sauce justice. All you'll want to do is top this off with a little more parmesan cheese and you'll be golden!

$5 Tortellini Primavera
Originally found and adapted from Eating Well.
1 can chicken or vegetable broth
2 Tablespoons flour
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon fresh (or 1/2 teaspoon dried) parsley
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 16 oz package frozen vegetables (your choice)
1 16 oz package frozen cheese tortellini

Put a large stock pot of water on to boil. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add in garlic and saute until fragrant. While garlic is cooking, whisk together flour and broth in a small bowl until flour is completely dissolved. Add this slurry to the garlic and oil and allow to come to a low simmer. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is able to coat the back of a spoon. Mix in salt, pepper and paprika. Cook for an additional 2 minutes and mix in cheese and herbs. Immediately remove from heat and stir until cheese is melted. Keep warm. When the water is at a rolling boil, add in mixed vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes and add in tortellini. Cook tortellini and vegetables together for 5-7 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and add back into pan. Pour warm sauce directly over tortellini and vegetables and stir to combine. Serve immediately with extra parmesan cheese. Enjoy!