Lunch often gets overlooked, but it’s a prime opportunity to stretch your ingredients and repurpose leftovers. Whether you’re packing for work or eating at home, these easy ideas make lunchtime something to look forward to. This hearty vegan dish gets its earthy flavor from cumin and brown rice. If you can handle extra heat, try doubling the crushed red pepper for a bigger punch of flavor.
Serve a scoop of cottage cheese with a side of fresh or frozen veggies. This is such a simple meal, but it’s full of protein and nutrients. My kids love it, and it’s a great way to get in some extra veggies. Mix canned chickpeas with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and a simple lemon vinaigrette. I like to make this when I need something fresh and filling.
Baked Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup
Serve with a simple side salad and a glass of red wine. These vegan noodles are perfect for super-hungry nights when you’re short on time. Feel free to swap in your favorite quick-cooking vegetables, and adjust the amount of curry paste to your spice preference.
- Dishes like chickpea curry, veggie stir fry, and lentil soup are budget-friendly and filling.
- Boil some pasta and mix with a basic jar of marinara sauce.
- Check out this post for Eating healthy on a budget where I outline all my best tips for saving money on food.
- Spicy rice and beans, cooked together in one pot, gets spooned into bowls and topped with avocado and a quick corn salsa.
- The curry spice adds a little warm punch to each spoonful, while a squeeze of lime juice and fresh parsley brighten each bite, cutting out some of the richness.
- You’d be surprised how much you can make with just $5.
Cook some cabbage with garlic and onion, then toss with noodles and a bit of butter. This dish is surprisingly filling and super affordable. It’s great for those nights when you’re low on ingredients but still want something warm and satisfying. Use leftover rice, scramble some eggs, and toss them together with soy sauce for a quick meal. It’s one of my go-tos when I need to throw something together fast. If you have frozen veggies, toss them in to make it more nutritious.
Low-Cost, One-Pot Dinners
Save even more money when you substitute dried herbs you have on hand for the fresh herbs. A few decades ago, “stretch the meat” was the mantra for cutting costs at dinnertime. It’s still a great strategy for making cheap, healthy meals even more affordable. Here wide egg noodles, mushrooms, and a bit of cheese extend 8 ounces of ground beef to provide five hearty servings. One bite will be all the proof you need that you can absolutely make satisfying suppers without making meat the main event.
Easy Tuna Casserole
Baked and served up in a casserole dish for an easy, affordable dinner. Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe that is hearty, filling and healthy! Serve up seriously savory chili without breaking the bank. This award-worthy recipe combines kidney beans, salsa, ground beef, and a slew of seasonings for a bowlful you’ll want on repeat. Ground beef, onions, and a cheesy crust make this dish an all-time family favorite. Serve it up with ketchup, some pickles, or even burger sauce on the side.
Vegan 3-Bean Chili
A jar of sun-dried tomatoes does double duty for this healthy dinner recipe. The flavorful oil they’re packed in is used to sauté the chicken, and the tomatoes go into the cream sauce. If you don’t have too many ingredients in the pantry, this tuna pasta recipe is the perfect quick recipe to feed your family on a budget!
This easy pasta recipe calls for just five ingredients but is loaded with fresh flavors. By using grape tomatoes, prewashed spinach and prepared pesto, we eliminate all prep work, making this 15-minute Caprese-inspired ravioli the ideal weeknight meal. Another meatless meal that won’t break the bank is this comforting chili recipe, which subs ground beef for sweet potatoes. The medley of beans, tomatoes, and peppers reviews on unimeal will also keep your grocery bill low. Looking for a delicious dinner on a budget to feed the whole family?
Chicken Parmesan Bake- $13.48 ($3.37 per serving)
The ingredients list is primarily made up of pantry staples! The noodles are coated in butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parmesan, then topped with basil and black pepper. This baby is everything you love about caprese and grilled cheese crammed into one delicious sandwich. Serve it with salad or soup, and you’ve got yourself a dinner that’s both fancy and budget-friendly.
Cheap Meal Ideas: Budget-Friendly Dinners Your Family Will Love
Here are some frequently asked questions I receive about planning and cooking cheap meals. If you’re really trying to cut costs, meal prepping is your secret weapon. Cooking in batches saves time and keeps you from ordering takeout after a long day. We’ve all had those nights when even the thought of cooking feels exhausting. With the right ingredients, you can whip up something hearty and satisfying without spending more than a few bucks per serving.
This hearty vegetarian quinoa chili with sweet potatoes has mild spice from poblanos and green chiles. Chili powder, cumin and garlic provide a classic chili flavor. Make this cheesy ground chicken pasta recipe for a busy weeknight dinner.
At the end of the day, cheap meals are all about making smart choices, NOT sacrificing flavor or nutrition. This ooey-gooey dish has baked pasta vibes but features protein-packed beans instead of noodles. Look for dried corona beans, a larger, creamy white bean, at natural foods stores or online. The best part about this recipe is that it only requires one vessel to cook everything—pasta included.
Lemony Greek Chicken, Spinach and Potato Stew
You can serve them with a side of fries or a salad if you want. Make a big tray of baked ziti with pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese to serve a crowd. This is one of my favorite dishes to make when I need to feed a lot of people without spending much. Top baked sweet potatoes with black beans, salsa, and a sprinkle of cheese.
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
You only need a handful of ingredients, and the whole thing only takes 20 minutes. The original recipe calls for red split lentils, but if you want to get more creative, add some French lentils, too. This hearty chickpea masala is the perfect recipe for vegetarians and can be prepared spicy or mild, depending on your taste. The recipe calls for a splash of heavy cream, but you can use coconut milk to keep it vegan. This rainbow bowl also serves as a rainbow of nutrients. It’s packed with energizing ingredients like quinoa, mushrooms, beets, and herbs, as well as a tangy tahini dressing — a nutritious and filling budget meal.
Ingredient One-Pot Lemon Pasta with Rotisserie Chicken
Sweet Potato Red Lentil and Coconut Curry is nourishing comfort food at https://recipes.heart.org/en/ its best and consists of a handful of basic ingredients. This Mexican Chicken Casserole is perfect for a one-pan dinner. And with this method for air frying them, they’re even easier to make! You’ll have dinner on the table in 20 minutes or less.