Burrito bowls are one of those easy party dinner recipes that everyone loves, because each person can customize their bowl with their favorite proteins and toppings. It might look like a fancy steak, but this dish is actually made with affordable ground beef! The creamy mushroom sauce makes it feel even more elegant. Here’s a pizza that’s both a great deal and filled with great dill! A full-size lasagna would take my husband and I days to consume, long past the time when it was sounded appealing.
Fiesta Beans and Rice
Make double batches and store individual portions in freezer-safe containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or emergency dinners. Egg muffins, cooked rice, and shredded chicken also hold up well in the freezer and are super versatile. Just label and date everything, and you’ll build up a little freezer stash that keeps you from relying on pricey takeout. At the end of the day, cheap meals are all about making smart choices—not sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
They are easily scaled to be recipes for two on a budget; leftovers pack or freeze well. The same applies to any leftover meats or prepped veggies. Do the cooking once and reap the rewards as you add different flavor profiles to change things up.
Recipe #1: Garlic Bread Sloppy Joe Boats
With a little planning, lunch can be one of your cheapest meals of the day. Bonus points if you prep extra for the rest of the week. Fighting high prices can make grocery shopping feel like an Olympic sport.
Pepper and tomato pasta frittata
It’s one of the easiest meals to keep cheap, thanks to simple staples like oats, eggs, and bananas. These ideas will keep you full and fueled without draining your wallet. Meatloaf is one of those dinners I turn to when I’m craving something cozy but uncomplicated. This chicken meatloaf keeps all the comfort of the classic, it’s just a little lighter and way more weeknight-friendly. Take the sweet potatoes out of the oven and slice a small opening in the top of each.
“White rice and a fried egg on top with hot sauce.”
From cozy dinners to healthy lunches, these meals are proof that you can save money without sacrificing flavor. Cook the potatoes 30–40 minutes or until they’re soft (you can poke them again to test). Your cook time will also depend on the size of the sweet potatoes. This is one of those cheap recipes you’ll really love because it’s low in calories and price. If that isn’t a match made in heaven, then I don’t know what is.
Sausages with lemon & rosemary roast potatoes
Don’t let fancy packaging and shiny marketing distract you. Some of the best meals are built with simple ingredients from the bottom shelf. Build a habit of sticking to your list, shopping with purpose, and stocking up when sales hit. Before you know it, your pantry will be prepped for greatness without blowing your budget. 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.
Buying dry beans in bulk and cooking them yourself will save you even more money. And don’t sleep on frozen veggies—they’re just as nutritious as fresh, and they keep forever. When it comes to marinara, doctoring up jarred sauce is the new “simmer for hours.” Even Grandma’s timeless recipe will approve.
Lunches and Dinners
- Not to be confused with its less colorful cousin, a sweet potato can be an awesome ingredient to add to your list of cheap, healthy meals.
- It might look like a fancy steak, but this dish is actually made with affordable ground beef!
- Make double batches and store individual portions in freezer-safe containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or emergency dinners.
- Beans, rice, tortillas, and tomatoes are all very inexpensive.
- And since I make my own bone broth, it’s extremely nutritious and cost-effective too.
- Sprinkle on some parmesan and serve it with a simple salad and crusty garlic bread.
I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals — no matter what’s on their plate. I’ve been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC. I started cooking to freeze right before my first child was born.
Easy Tamale Pie with Peppers

More than easy dinner ideas, it’s a set of proven strategies to help you save on food costs so you can do more with your money every day. Beans, rice, tortillas, and tomatoes are all very inexpensive. Plus, Mexican dishes usually spread a small amount of ground beef, turkey, or shredded unimeal.reviews chicken over a huge amount of food, and the leftovers are always delicious. Try our budget-friendly salads, jacket potatoes or wraps for lunch, and our curries, pasta and pizza for dinner.

Is Online Grocery Delivery Worth It?
And https://unimeal.reviews/ it’s almost enough to try 2 new recipes a month. 22 recipes to try in 2022…that won’t break the bank. These juicy and tender Herb Roasted Chicken Breasts are a breeze to make and are a great substitute for store bought rotisserie chicken. A Lentil and Cranberry Salad with spinach, apples, feta, and walnuts, tossed in a simple apple cider vinaigrette. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently mix to combine.
Homemade Garlic Bread
We’re here to make your life a little more organised, from ideas for using up leftover ingredients to tips on slow-cooking and batch-cooking. Our best budget tips, freezer hacks and tasty ideas with leftovers will help you keep costs down, without compromising on taste. I make some type of soup or stew almost every week (all year round) as it’s an excellent way to use up leftover meat, potatoes, and vegetables. And since I make my own bone broth, it’s extremely nutritious and cost-effective too.