Delicious and Affordable: Discover Cheap Meals Everyone Will Love!

No one enjoys the feeling of hunger. It is a biological need that reminds us our bodies require food. Unfortunately, access to food is not equal for everyone, due to factors like place of birth, medical emergencies, job loss, or economic instability. Children, especially, need filling meals regardless of budget constraints. Having grown up in poverty, I've learned how to stretch a dollar and create satisfying meals.

Rethinking Cheap Meals

Often, the first things that come to mind when considering cheap meals are ramen, canned ravioli, or mac and cheese. While these options are inexpensive and serve their purpose, they often leave you feeling hungry again within a short period. Therefore, keep them as backup options and consider these easy-to-make, affordable, and filling alternatives.

Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas

Here are some cheap meal ideas that will fill bellies without emptying wallets:

1. Beef Stroganoff (or Turkey!)

Beef stroganoff sounds like an expensive dish, but it can be made affordably. For a budget-friendly version, use egg noodles, beef gravy (either from a jar or canned), and ground beef. Ground turkey and turkey gravy can be even cheaper alternatives. Add a drained can of peas for color and extra vitamins.

The recipe is simple: season the beef (or turkey) and cook it while boiling the egg noodles. Drain the noodles, add the cooked meat, gravy, and peas, then mix and season to taste. This meal can feed a family of six for around $12.

2. Butter Noodles

When gravy isn't available, butter noodles are a great alternative. Prepare the egg noodles as usual, then melt a stick of butter into them. Season to taste. For a more complete meal, add garlic bread on the side. Sometimes, meat isn't an option, and seasoned butter noodles alone are a satisfying and comforting dish.

3. Spaghetti: A Classic for a Reason

Spaghetti is a go-to cheap meal for many. Use a one-pound roll of ground beef (often the cheapest option), store-brand spaghetti noodles, and store-brand pasta sauce. Boil the noodles, brown the beef, and drain both. Combine the pasta sauce with the ground beef, or mix everything in one pot. This meal costs around $9 or less and often leaves leftovers that can be frozen for future meals. To reheat, run the frozen pasta under hot water while still in the bag, then heat it in a pot with a little water on low heat.

4. Succotash (Mom's Version)

This dish, which my mother called "succotash," involves cooking Kraft macaroni and cheese according to the package instructions and then adding a few cans of mixed vegetables. If mixed vegetables aren't available, use whatever canned vegetables you have, such as corn, green beans, lima beans, peas, and carrots.

5. Pinto Beans and Rice

Pinto beans and rice are a Southern staple that is both cheap and filling. A bag of dry pinto beans and a bag of rice each cost around a dollar or less, depending on the store. Simmer the pinto beans all day with a neck bone or ham hock for added flavor. Once the beans are tender and the water has thickened, cook the rice. This meal is best served with cornbread, preferably cornbread muffins for easy serving. Ladle the pinto beans over a bed of rice and enjoy with cornbread on the side.

6. Breakfast for Dinner: Pancakes

Breakfast foods are generally inexpensive, and pancakes are a particularly good option. A box of pancake mix is affordable and goes a long way. Pancakes are filling and can be topped with syrup, jam, peanut butter, or any other spreadable topping. Pancake mix is a common pantry staple, so a special trip to the store is usually unnecessary.

Read also: Dietary Habits of Whip-poor-wills

7. Bag of Soup and French Bread

A bag of dried soup, such as Bear Creek soup, costs under $4 and can be made by adding it to eight cups of boiling water. These soups come in hearty flavors like creamy potato, broccoli and cheddar, and vegetable beef. Serve with a slice of fresh French bread (often available for around $1) to make the meal more filling.

Additional Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas

Here are some additional cheap dinner ideas:

Sausage & mushroom ragu: Transform sausages into a veg-packed ragu and serve with couscous, mash, or pasta.
No-fuss shepherd's pie: Top succulent lamb mince and vegetables with a fluffy layer of mashed potato.
Sausage ragu: Serve this comforting, budget-friendly sausage ragu with pasta, and freeze the leftovers.
Chicken, sweet potato & peanut stew: Batch-cook this easy stew and freeze for quick weeknight meals.
Spaghetti puttanesca: Cook this classic sauce in one pan and toss with spaghetti for a simple midweek meal.
Coconut fish curry & rice: Cook this flavor-packed coconut fish curry in just 30 minutes.
Mixed bean chili with wedges: Serve a warming bowl of vegetarian chili with potato wedges.
Sloppy joes: Add a dash of spicy chipotle or smoky barbecue sauce to minced beef filling for some zing.
Tomato & halloumi slice: Top puff pastry with cherry tomatoes, peppers, and halloumi.
Air fryer harissa sausage & veg traybake: Make this sausage and veg traybake in the air fryer for a budget-friendly dinner.
Lentil bolognese: This superhealthy lentil ragu can be frozen for extra convenience.
Stir-fried beef with ginger: Make this beef and green pepper stir-fry with fragrant lemongrass and ginger.
Puttanesca baked gnocchi: Serve this budget-friendly baked gnocchi with tomatoes, mozzarella, capers, and olives.
Fajita chicken rice bowl with burnt lime: Make crowd-pleasing fajitas the easy way with this one-tray recipe.
Speedy lentil coconut curry: This quick and easy curry has great depth of flavor.
Speedy sausage stroganoff tagliatelle: Make this budget-friendly quick sausage stroganoff tagliatelle for a simple family dinner.
Peanut butter chicken: This budget chicken dish freezes well for a handy lunch.
Roasted red pepper soup with crispy croutons: Warm up with this vibrant soup, spiked with fiery chili powder and harissa.
Lemon & greens pesto pasta: This quick and easy lemon and green vegetable pasta is perfect for busy days.
Turbo beans & cheese on toast: Make an elevated version of beans on toast using your favorite beans, tomatoes, garlic, and chili.
Tomato & pasta soup: This simple, budget-friendly tomato, pasta, and chickpea soup is ready in just 30 minutes.
Deconstructed stuffed cabbage: When you don’t have enough time to prepare classic stuffed cabbage, try this deconstructed version with butternut squash.
Slow-cooker chicken: Throw chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other flavorings into a slow cooker for an easy, cheap dinner. Serve with rice and steamed broccoli.
Tamale casserole: Combine pre-made tamales, canned chili, cheese, and peppers in one easy casserole.
Hearty homemade soup: This soup is easy to make, yet hearty enough to be a full dinner.
Mini cheeseburger quiches: Fill little biscuit cups with ground beef and cheese, and bake until melty and browned on top.
Stovetop chicken and gnocchi: For a homey dinner in a hurry, try this stovetop chicken and gnocchi recipe.
Chicken tenderloin with dill cream sauce: The dill cream sauce comes together within minutes and tastes great with the meat and veggies in this dish.
Slow-cooker beef stew: Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, this hearty stew is full of tender carrots, potatoes, and meat.
Enchilada-inspired pasta: With a few pantry staples, you can have this delicious pasta on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Cheeseburger quiche: Put all the cheeseburger ingredients in a quiche!
Pizza skewers with marinara sauce: A clever and fun meal idea.
Five-ingredient casserole: This simple casserole comes together quickly with canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, bacon, and onion.
Burger with butter: Start with super lean ground beef and add butter for a delicious burger.
Turkey with gravy: Make divine comfort food that reminds you of old-time diners.
Baked pork chops with stuffing: The stuffing is on the outside, along with red bell pepper and fresh pears.
Enchilada casserole: Layer flour tortillas with a savory meat and black bean mixture, sour cream, and cheese.
Zucchini lasagna: This low-carb dinner idea is basically lasagna made with strips of zucchini and deli ham instead of pasta.
Corn and cheese quesadillas: Corn mixed with cheese and a bit of sour cream makes a wonderfully savory-sweet vegetarian filling for quesadillas.
Saucy, cheese-topped chicken and broccoli: This one-pan meal makes cooking dinner (and clean up!) a snap.
Grilled chicken with balsamic and tomato marinade: A light and fresh marinade gives this grilled chicken some zing.
Sausage and au gratin potatoes: Cut time and cost by using frozen vegetables and boxed au gratin potatoes, and add any kind of sausage you like.
Beef and vegetable skillet: This is the ultimate one-pan meal full of beefy flavor and vegetables.
Grilled cheese with pepperoni and tomatoes: Grilled cheese gets a special treatment with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and fresh tomatoes.
Five-ingredient grilled chicken: All the flavor comes from orange juice concentrate, plus soy sauce and five spice blend.
Cream cheese and bacon quesadillas: Spread cream cheese on flour tortillas, add diced jalapeno and chopped bacon, and cook for a few minutes in a pan.
Comforting soup: In the cold months, put on a big pot of this comforting soup.
Chicken sausage and rice bowl: A fast and filling meal, chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito.
Pesto chicken and pasta: Simply add pesto to chicken and pasta for this herbaceous one-pot meal.
Ground beef and vegetable skillet: Vegetables, rice, and a pound of ground beef make a gratifying skillet dinner.

Tips for Eating Cheaply

Pantry Staples: The cheapest meals usually rely on pantry staples like rice, pasta, beans, and eggs.
Healthy on a Budget: Focus on whole foods that give you the most bang for your buck-like oats, beans, brown rice, frozen veggies, sweet potatoes, and eggs.
Family-Friendly: Casseroles, soups, tacos, and pasta bakes are excellent cheap family meals.
$5 Meals: You’d be surprised how much you can make with just $5, like a veggie stir fry with rice or black bean burritos.
Meal Planning: Start with a plan and shop your pantry first. Choose 2-3 recipes that use overlapping ingredients and batch cook.
Cheap Proteins: Some of the cheapest proteins are eggs, canned tuna, beans, lentils, peanut butter, and frozen chicken thighs.
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian meals are often cheaper than meat-based ones, with beans, lentils, tofu, and eggs offering plenty of protein.
Pantry Must-Haves: Keep your pantry stocked with rice, pasta, canned beans, diced tomatoes, broth, oats, flour, and basic spices.
Flavor Enhancers: Flavor is your best friend, and thankfully, it’s cheap. Use garlic, onions, spices, herbs, lemon juice, and sauces.
Freezing Meals: Chili, soups, casseroles, lasagna, and burritos all freeze beautifully.

Recipes from the Readers

Peanut Butter Sandwiches: "My mom would pan-fry peanut butter sandwiches like grilled cheese, then she'd put that fake maple syrup all over the hot sandwiches."
Mom's Macaroni: "Cheater's lasagna, but I only knew it as mom's macaroni… Boil cheap macaroni noodles and layer them (twice) with Kraft single cheese and diced tomatoes. Bake until the cheese is gooey."
Elbow Macaroni with Tomatoes: "Elbow macaroni with diced tomatoes and a little salt and pepper."
Pinto Beans and Ham Hock: "Pinto beans (washed, picked, and left in water overnight) and a ham hock… We'd let that sit in the slow cooker all day, and man, that was some filling and good stuff."
Blue Pasta: "Blue pasta. My mother was quite clever, and to not make us realize that we ate pasta with little else several days in a row, she used food coloring."
Mac 'n' Cheese with Peas and Tuna: "Mac 'n' cheese, peas, and tuna. My granny made this for us all the time!"
Egg Surprise: "What my grandma called 'egg surprise.' She'd boil an egg, and the surprise would be if it was hardboiled, softboiled, or basically raw."
Cheese Quesadilla: "Just a simple cheese quesadilla."
Frijoles: "Frijoles (red beans) boiled in a pot that would last at least six days for a family of five."
Pancakes for Dinner: "Pancakes for dinner was always a treat. It was an extra treat if there were some sliced apples in there."
Vegetarian Chili: "Vegetarian chili is my go-to cheap meal… Throw it all in a crock pot and serve over a baked potato."
Biscuit Donut Holes: "Biscuit donut holes: Cut a biscuit in quarters, roll it into a ball, and then deep fry… Toppings could include a tub of cake icing, cinnamon sugar mix, or powdered sugar."
Rice and Beans: "Regular old rice and beans."
Tomatoes on Toast: "Tomatoes on toast."
Fried Rice: "Our version of fried rice, which includes a packet of microwave rice, two eggs, and a few slices of deli ham."
Frito Pie: "Fritos in a bowl, chili on top, shredded cheese over that, pop it into the microwave."
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese: "Tomato soup and grilled cheese got me through college. I still enjoy making it today as a comfort food."
Pork and Beans Casserole: "When my kids were young, we would chop an onion and saute it with butter, then add it to a big can of pork and beans along with some mustard and cut up hot dogs. We put it in a casserole dish and baked it."
Corned Beef Hash: "Canned corn beef with frozen hash browns cooked up with an onion."
Spicy Sardines and Bread: "One of my favorite 'struggle meals' is just a can of spicy sardines and some bread to soak up some of the oil."
Fried Bologna Sandwiches: "Fried Bologna sandwiches with a single cut sliced into so it wouldn’t balloon up but rather fry flat on the pan. We ate it with mustard on bread."
Hot Dogs with Vegetables: "Hot dogs that were fried with chopped onions, red and/or green peppers, tomatoes, seasonings (salt/pepper or adobo, garlic powder, etc..), a bit of ketchup, and a bit of water to make it saucy."
Cinnamon Sugar Toast: "Toasted bread with butter and cinnamon sugar."

Simple Breakfast Ideas

Overnight Oats: Mix rolled oats with milk or yogurt, add a splash of vanilla and whatever fruit you have on hand. Let sit overnight.
Banana Pancakes: Just mash a banana, mix with an egg and a little flour, and cook like regular pancakes.
Egg & Veggie Burritos: Scramble eggs with bell peppers, onions, or even leftover greens.
Greek Yogurt with Homemade Granola: Make a big batch of granola with oats, honey, and nuts.

Easy Lunch Options

Chickpea Salad Wraps: Mash canned chickpeas with mayo, mustard, and spices.
Stuffed Bell Peppers: Ground beef, quinoa, and/or mixed veggies, stuffed into halved bell peppers.
Ramen Noodle Stir Fry: Toss instant noodles (skip the seasoning packet) with stir-fried frozen veggies and soy sauce.
Leftover Rice Bowls: Combine leftover rice, roasted veggies, and whatever protein you have (chicken, egg, beans).

Quick Dinner Solutions

Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes: Toss with oil and seasoning, then roast.
Budget “Marry Me Chicken”: Sear chicken thighs, then simmer in a sauce made from cream, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Roasted Veggie Tacos: Use sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or whatever’s on sale.
Cabbage Stir Fry: Cabbage is super cheap and makes a great stir fry base.

Meal Prep Ideas

Chicken and Rice Bowls: Seasoned chicken thighs, roasted veggies, and brown rice.
Greek Pasta Salad: Toss cooked pasta with veggies, beans, and Italian dressing.
Sheet Pan Fajitas: Roast chicken, peppers, and onions with taco seasoning.

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