Large meal ideas that last 2-3 days.

[Kobuk]

I'm in a bit of a money crunch right now.  I need ideas and recipes for meals that will fix/serve a lot that can last 2-3 days, but must be affordable when it comes to buying ingrediants and not take a lot of preparation/cooking time.

[Alsek]

Spaghetti is very cheap and very filling.  The sauce isn't too expensive itself,  the only area of concern is the meat.  If you get the meat on bargain or discount all the better.

[Furenzied]

Cheeseburger pie is good...it's more of a giant non spicy taco though but they can be huge...I don't know the recipe but...it's an idea...

[Sergalicious]

I think a stew would be good to do, they're easy and last awhile, also good for multiple people

[Sequester]

When I lived in the dorms I would often get a box of tuna helper, a can of tuna, and a can of green beans or other desirable vegetable, and make a microwave tuna casserole that I would eat off of all weekend.
Really, any kind of casserole makes for good eating over several days; just mix your favorite cooked-and-drained-pasta (or potatoes), cooked-meat, and veggies together with a can of "cream of whatever" soup and just enough liquid to mix it all evenly. Bake at 350-400 until hot and bubbly. Individual portions reheat splendidly in the microwave.

When cooking frugally you often find that protein sources are the most expensive part of your recipe. Nevertheless, you should try not to leave them out; nutrition is still an important factor.

Google a blog called 'Budget Bytes', there's a ton of great, cheap recipes there, with easily explained directions for the cooking-impaired.

Hope you're eating well soon! 

[Amarok]

Hey Kobuk,

Here are some ideas:
 
Yangchow fried rice:
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/ricefried/r/yangchowrice.htm

Hotchpotch:
http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/dutch-farmers-hotchpotch/

Pea soup
http://www.coquinaria.nl/english/recipes/Dutchpeasoup.htm

Pasta salad:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-recipes/the-best-pasta-salad

[Aloneness]

If your being cheap with food there are 3 roads you can take. Soups, Breads, or Chili. All three things are cheap, make large amounts, and keep for a reasonably well amount of time assuming you store it correctly. Chili is pretty straight forward... Soups are as well I personally like French Onion Soup, it sounds fancy it taste fancy but it's a pretty simple respire... Then there is bread, a 5lb bag of flour will make you about 7-9 loafs of bread that will be fairly large in size assuming you make about 8 loafs with the 5lbs of flour, aside for that you'll need salt, yeast, and water and with that you can make most of your traditional basic breads such as french breads, baguettes, etc. (Self employed and owner of a bakery in town)

[WhiteAkitaKeiko]

Bigos is a big one. My grandma always made this! Its so yum and its lasts for 3-5 days. Very easy to do and affordable :3
Its like a stew, but better! 

http://www.polishforums.com/food-drink-8/bigos-recipe-1227/