Hey, fellow foodies! 👋 Are you tired of living off ramen noodles and takeout because you think cooking on a budget is a myth? Think again! With these 7 expert tips for monthly meal planning, you can save money on food, stick to your grocery budget, and still enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. So, what’s the secret to cheap meal planning? It all starts with a little planning and some smart shopping strategies.
Recipe 1: One-Pot Pasta
This recipe rocks because it’s a quick, easy, and satisfying meal that can be ready in under 30 minutes. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover veggies you have lying around.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of pasta
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of mixed veggies (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli)
- Olive oil and salt for seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
2. In a large pot, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
3. Add the mixed veggies and cook until they’re tender.
4. Add the canned diced tomatoes and stir to combine.
5. Combine the cooked pasta and tomato mixture, and season with salt to taste.
Why You’ll Love It
This one-pot pasta is a save money on food hack because it uses affordable ingredients and can be customized with your favorite veggies. It’s also a great way to reduce food waste by using up any leftovers you have on hand.
Recipe 2: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos
This recipe is a game-changer because it’s a flavorful, filling meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of fiber and vitamins.
Ingredients
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Taco seasoning and salt for seasoning
- Tortillas, shredded cheese, and any other taco toppings you like
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roast the sweet potatoes in the oven with some olive oil and salt until they’re tender.
3. In a large pan, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
4. Add the black beans and taco seasoning, and stir to combine.
5. Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.
6. Assemble the tacos with the roasted sweet potatoes, black bean mixture, and any other toppings you like.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is a grocery budget tips winner because it uses affordable, nutritious ingredients and can be customized with your favorite toppings. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of fiber and vitamins from the sweet potatoes and black beans.
Recipe 3: Fried Rice and Veggie Stir-Fry
This recipe rocks because it’s a quick, easy, and customizable meal that’s perfect for using up any leftover veggies you have on hand. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies and whole grains.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
- 1 cup of mixed veggies (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Soy sauce and olive oil for seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Heat some olive oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the mixed veggies and cook until they’re tender.
3. Push the veggies to one side of the pan, and add a little more olive oil if necessary.
4. Pour the beaten eggs into the other side of the pan, and scramble them until they’re cooked through.
5. Mix the eggs and veggies together, and add the cooked rice to the pan.
6. Stir-fry everything together with some soy sauce and salt to taste.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is a smart shopping hack because it uses affordable ingredients and can be customized with your favorite veggies. It’s also a great way to reduce food waste by using up any leftover rice and veggies you have on hand.
Recipe 4: Lentil Soup
This recipe rocks because it’s a comforting, nutritious meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of protein and fiber from the lentils.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of dried lentils, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Olive oil and salt for seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a large pot, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
2. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, and salt to the pot.
3. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender.
4. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it’s smooth, or leave it chunky if you prefer.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is a cheap meal planning winner because it uses affordable, nutritious ingredients and can be customized with your favorite spices and veggies. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of protein and fiber from the lentils.
Recipe 5: Roasted Veggie Quesadilla
This recipe rocks because it’s a flavorful, filling meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies and whole grains from the tortilla.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 2 medium bell peppers, sliced
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Tortillas, shredded cheese, and any other quesadilla toppings you like
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the sliced veggies with some olive oil and salt on a baking sheet.
3. Roast the veggies in the oven until they’re tender and lightly browned.
4. In a large pan, heat some olive oil and place a tortilla in the pan.
5. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on half of the tortilla, and top with some roasted veggies.
6. Fold the tortilla in half and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is a save money on food hack because it uses affordable ingredients and can be customized with your favorite veggies and toppings. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of veggies and whole grains from the tortilla.
Recipe 6: Baked Chicken and Sweet Potato
This recipe rocks because it’s a comforting, nutritious meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of protein and fiber from the chicken and sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil and salt for seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the diced sweet potatoes with some olive oil and salt on a baking sheet.
3. Roast the sweet potatoes in the oven until they’re tender and lightly browned.
4. Season the chicken breasts with some salt and pepper, and place them on a separate baking sheet.
5. Bake the chicken in the oven until it’s cooked through and lightly browned.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is a smart shopping hack because it uses affordable ingredients and can be customized with your favorite spices and veggies. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of protein and fiber from the chicken and sweet potatoes.
Recipe 7: Breakfast Burrito
This recipe rocks because it’s a quick, easy, and customizable meal that’s perfect for a busy morning. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of protein and whole grains from the eggs and tortilla.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup of canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- Tortillas and any other burrito toppings you like
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Scramble the eggs in a bowl and set them aside.
2. Heat some olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
3. Add the canned black beans and cook until they’re heated through.
4. Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.
5. Assemble the burritos with the scrambled eggs, black beans, and any other toppings you like.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is a cheap meal planning winner because it uses affordable ingredients and can be customized with your favorite toppings. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of protein and whole grains from the eggs and tortilla.
In conclusion, these 7 expert tips for monthly meal planning will help you save money on food, stick to your grocery budget, and still enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. With a little planning and some smart shopping strategies, you can save money on food and enjoy a variety of tasty meals without breaking the bank. So, which recipe will you try first?
