Poor Man’s Dinner is named as such because years ago, bacon and sausage were cheap ingredients. It’s still a tasty and filling meal.

Everyone laughs at this meal’s name nowadays, but back in the Depression, these ingredients were very cheap. Someone remarked that if you’re poor, you can’t afford $7 for bacon–and that’s very true!

Anyway, no matter what it costs nowadays, it’s still a tasty and filling meal.

I used the cheddar kielbasa in this for more flavor, but regular will do.

Hearty, filling and comforting

Now comes a caveat with this recipe–which is why I give 2 recipes for the dumplings. And the dumplings are optional.

The original recipe that was given to me by a former co-worker, uses egg dumplings. They are rather dense and chewy. If you feel you wouldn’t appreciate that consistency, then good ole Bisquick dumplings will do you just fine. Actually, the Bisquick ones are easier since the others require boiling–with a method much like making matzo balls.  

If you don’t want either dumpling recipe, leave them out and add about 2 more cubed potatoes.  The dumplings are purely optional here.

Poor Man’s Dinner

• 16 oz kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced thin
• 4 large potatoes, peeled & cubed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 slices bacon uncooked, diced
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 slices toasted white bread, crushed into crumbs
• (Optional) Dumplings #1:
• 2 cups flour
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• enough water to form a stiff dough 
• (Optional) Dumplings #2:
• 2 cups baking mix
• 2/3 cup milk

Heat a large deep skillet or dutch oven over medium heat.


Add the kielbasa, cubed potatoes, chopped onion and diced bacon. Cook until bacon bits are crispy.


Add the water, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until potatoes are tender.


Meanwhile, mix your choice of dumpling recipe in a medium bowl.


Boil a large pot of water if you are using Dumpling Recipe #1. Make small balls and flatten slightly and add to the boiling water. When dumplings rise to the top, they are done. Add them to the kielbasa mixture and heat through


If using Dumpling Recipe #2, drop small teaspoons of dumpling mixture on top of the simmering kielbasa mixture in the pan. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. Dumplings are done if they “flake” when the tines of a fork are scraped across the top.


Stir in toast crumbs.


Serves 4.

Poor Man’s Dinner

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