Hey there, fellow foodies! Are you tired of breaking the bank every time you want to whip up a delicious dinner? Well, you’re in luck because I’ve got the scoop on the most mouth-watering dinners cheap that’ll make your taste buds (and your wallet) do the happy dance!
As someone who’s all about frugal meal planning, I’ve learned that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for affordability. In fact, some of the most delicious meals can be made with ingredients from your local dollar store! So, if you’re ready to get creative and save some cash, keep reading for my top picks for cheap eats for families and low income meal ideas that are sure to become staples in your kitchen.
Recipe 1: One-Pot Pasta
This recipe rocks because it’s a dinner cheap dream come true – it’s quick, easy, and only requires one pot!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
5. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine.
6. Combine the cooked pasta and tomato sauce.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Why You’ll Love It:
This dinner cheap recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and is a great way to use up any leftover pasta you have on hand. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite protein or veggies for added flavor.
Recipe 2: Tacos
Who doesn’t love a good taco night? This recipe is a dollar store dinner idea that’s easy to make and fun to customize.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or beans for a vegetarian option)
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 8-10 taco shells
- Shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and any other taco toppings you like
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
2. Add the taco seasoning and stir to combine.
3. Cook according to the package instructions.
4. Warm the taco shells according to the package instructions.
5. Assemble the tacos with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love It:
This recipe is a low income meal idea that’s perfect for families. You can use extreme budget meals ingredients like canned beans or frozen veggies to make it even more affordable. Plus, it’s a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen – who doesn’t love building their own tacos?
Recipe 3: Fried Rice
This recipe is a cheap eat that’s perfect for using up leftover rice and veggies.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of mixed veggies (e.g. peas, carrots, corn)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Soy sauce, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add the mixed veggies and cook until they’re tender-crisp.
5. Push the veggies to one side of the pan.
6. Pour the beaten eggs into the other side of the pan and scramble them.
7. Mix the eggs and veggies together.
8. Add the cooked rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps with a spoon.
9. Stir-fry the rice with the veggies and eggs.
10. Season with soy sauce to taste.
Why You’ll Love It:
This recipe is a dinner cheap favorite because it’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients and reduce food waste. You can customize it with your favorite protein or veggies, and it’s ready in under 20 minutes.
Recipe 4: Slow Cooker Chili
This recipe is a frugal meal planning dream come true – it’s easy to make and feeds a crowd!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or beans for a vegetarian option)
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
2. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and chili powder.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Why You’ll Love It:
This recipe is a low income meal idea that’s perfect for busy families. You can make it in bulk and freeze it for later, and it’s a great way to use up dollar store ingredients like canned beans and tomatoes.
Recipe 5: Baked Potatoes
This recipe is a dinner cheap favorite because it’s easy to make and customizable.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 large baking potatoes
- Butter, salt, and pepper, to taste
- Shredded cheese, sour cream, and chives, for toppings (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Scrub the potatoes clean and poke some holes in them with a fork.
3. Rub the potatoes with a little bit of butter and season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake the potatoes for 45-60 minutes, or until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.
5. Top with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and chives.
Why You’ll Love It:
This recipe is a cheap eat that’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner. You can customize it with your favorite toppings, and it’s a great way to use up extreme budget meals ingredients like canned beans or frozen veggies.
In conclusion, these dinners cheap recipes are a game-changer for anyone on a tight budget. They’re quick, easy, and delicious, and can be customized to suit your family’s tastes. Whether you’re a fan of frugal meal planning or just looking for some low income meal ideas, these recipes are sure to become staples in your kitchen. So go ahead, get cooking, and enjoy the cheap eats that’ll make your taste buds (and your wallet) happy!
