Cook a whole chicken and serve with rice, seasoning it with whatever spices you have on hand. This meal goes a long way, especially when you shred the chicken and mix it with rice and veggies. Mix quinoa with black beans and top with salsa for a simple, high-protein dish. Quinoa can be a bit pricier, but a little goes a long way, so it’s worth it. I’ve found that buying in bulk and sticking to simple, whole ingredients like beans, lentils, and frozen veggies can keep meals nutritious without the high cost. Cook a packet of ramen and add a soft-boiled egg for extra protein.
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The accompanying coconut-lime rice sops up the sauce, but it’s not just a supporting player. It’d be easy to compile dozens of inexpensive dinners around the chickpea alone, but Zainab Shah’s take on the spiced dish found across South Asia is a real standout. Here, a star cast of aromatics (ginger, garlic, cumin, chile and caramelized onion) amplify your choice of canned or dry chickpeas. A shower of fresh cilantro gives it brightness, but if you want to bolster the green even further, throw in some spinach or kale.
Spaghetti Pie Casserole
When tomatoes are at their in-season best, just a quick chop and a few ingredients are all you need to make a spaghetti sauce in minutes. Store-bought chicken meatballs keep the low-effort theme going all the way to the table. We pulled together 30 of our favorite recipes for when you’re feeling crunched for time and money. These cheap, healthy meals are packed with vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, and all take 20 minutes or less to make.
Turmeric-Ginger Marinated Chicken
They’re delicious with peanut butter and tahini alike. Plus, you can use whatever frozen vegetables you have on hand and finish the dish off with any herbs still thriving in your garden or hanging out in your crisper. Butternut squash is toothsome and savory, kale is earthy and green, and coconut milk wraps everything here in a delicious, creamy sauce. 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. Use frozen or refrigerated ravioli for a super quick prep.
Chicken and Broccoli with Dill Sauce
All you really need to make these fajitas are portobello mushrooms, peppers, onion, and tortillas. Swap the avocado sauce for store-bought guacamole or diced avocado and you’ve got a delicious meal. This recipe calls for a lot of basic ingredients you’ll already have in the pantry. It makes six to eight servings too, so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch all week.
The three-ingredient dipping sauce adds just a hint of sweetness and spice. Use store-bought corn tortillas, brush them with olive oil and bake to crunchy perfection! Here, we topped the tostada with refried beans and fresh pico de gallo for an easy three-ingredient meal. Crispy fish and a creamy, spicy cabbage slaw are the base of these veggie-packed takes on everyone’s favorite taco. Here, sweetness from the diced mango and creaminess from cool avocado blends perfectly with the drizzle of a spicy crema, making this summer-y salad an instant staple. Typically deep- or pan-fried in oil, the option to air fry orange chicken instead saves a ton of calories and fat.
Use canned black beans, tortillas, and whatever veggies you have for a cheap taco night. I make these whenever I’m craving tacos mentioned but need to stick to a tight budget. You can get creative with the toppings—anything from salsa to shredded lettuce works. That’s when I learned the power of poverty meals—simple, filling, and surprisingly satisfying recipes that don’t break the bank. Pile on top of pasta or rice, then ladle the lemony pan sauce over everything and enjoy. Sometimes when you’re hyper-focused on eating within budget or certain health parameters, it becomes seemingly impossible not to think about ordering delivery.
Pasta With 20 Cloves of Garlic
- That’s when I learned the power of poverty meals—simple, filling, and surprisingly satisfying recipes that don’t break the bank.
- While the cauliflower gnocchi crisp up in a sauté pan, steam fresh asparagus in the microwave to keep it bright green and crisp-tender.
- Maybe you have a fancy dishwasher with all the bells and whistles, or maybe the fancy dishwasher is you.
- A roasted garlic variety pairs perfectly with cheese tortellini and sautéed leafy greens.
- Make the chili ahead and come home to a healthy dinner loaded with veggies and 32 grams of protein per serving.
- Cream of mushroom soup and condensed tomato soup are the secret to this easy dinner idea.
If you don’t have ras el hanout, she includes instructions for how to make your own. Eating with budget in mind might feel more difficult than ever these days, when talk of egg prices and tariffs permeate the general conversation. Add in the need to make meals nutritionally balanced, and the whole thing quickly becomes overwhelming. Let the 16 recipes below remind you that it’s totally possible to cook a budget-friendly, nutritious meal that’s, above all, delicious.
Creamy Garlic Chicken
To keep costs to https://recipes.heart.org/en/ a minimum, all recipes here include inexpensive but favorite staples like beans, pasta and frozen vegetables. And each has seasonings or sauces that could be a big win whether you are cooking for yourself or a family. We also provide time-saving ideas in the preparation and storage.
Baked Potatoes with Cheese
And if budget isn’t your only criteria, check out our comprehensive list of delicious, easy breakfast ideas here. The fact that crispy golden chicken can be achieved without the use of any oil whatsoever is amazing (not to mention how quickly the air fryer can do it!). This chicken Parm tastes every bit as good as the traditional version with much less effort to get there. Toast the buns before assembling to prevent sogginess. There were weeks when the grocery bill felt overwhelming, and I knew I had to figure out how to feed my family on as little as possible.
Roasted Chicken Legs
I make this when I need a cheap meal that’s warm and comforting. It’s easy to prepare and fills everyone up without a lot of effort. Roast chickpeas with olive oil and spices alongside some seasonal vegetables. This meal is crispy, healthy, and incredibly affordable.
Classic Stuffed Shells
You can easily take your bowl up a notch by adding some cheese, sour cream or another tasty topping. We use budget-friendly pantry ingredients like canned beans, pasta, lentils and tuna for these healthy meals you can make in a matter of minutes. Salad kits and seasoning blends help cut costs and time in these simple meals you’ll turn to again and again, from skillet hash to loaded tostadas. Recipes like our Lemon Chicken Pasta and Black Bean Fajita Skillet are easy on the wallet and packed with flavor in every bite. Comfort food that’s satisfying, simple, and affordable deserves a spot on your weeknight dinner menu, and this taco soup checks all the boxes!