Is one of your New Year's resolutions to save more money? If so, the fastest way to fatten up that piggy bank is to make a super-speedy dinner that'll double as tomorrow's lunch.
Dice up the remaining chorizo from last night's split pea soup, and toss it with bite-sized tomatoes, jack cheese, and al dente bow-tie pasta for an enticing supper that's ready in a mere quarter of an hour.
Pack the rest as the next day's budget-friendly midday meal. For a dinner that's as easy on the wallet as it is in the pan, keep reading.
There's a reason why spaghetti with meat sauce is America's go-to weeknight meal: it tastes like comfort, works well with a budget, and comes together quickly. 
Selecting a menu for a large dinner party is tricky. You don't want to choose dishes that require last-minute preparation, and you need to pick recipes that will feed a crowd (or can easily be doubled to do so) and consider the dietary needs of your guests. Luckily, the majority of my friends are adventurous eaters and while two girls don't eat meat, they do eat fish and cheese. Thus I'm serving a rustic Italian meal that's several courses long. When the party begins, plates of tomato and basil bruschetta and chicken-liver crostini will sit — ready to be devoured — on tables in the patio. I'll also set out an assortment of Italian olives, shards of Parmesan cheese, and chunks of salami. 
