The sound of affordable recipes might give you flashbacks to microwaved ramen during finals week, but not with this list. I’m giving you a quick cheat sheet to make it through this tough time, so you don’t have to stress out about rationing food, saving money, or going out for curbside pickup. Most of these recipes use cheap pantry staples that are most likely already in your kitchen. Check out these delicious ideas that are simply no-brainers.
Egg in a basket, toad in a hole, frog in the pond – whatever you prefer to call it, it is a classic. You don’t have to be a master chef to make it or even a cute internet chef. Just pop a hole in your toast and drop an egg in it. Eggs are a super affordable source of protein that will give you a quick boost in the morning without spending much. This is especially helpful if you are cooking for more than just one person. Besides, eggs are probably the healthiest food on the planet. They improve cholesterol and brain function, they have the best amino acid profile of any food, and as opposed to popular belief, they do not increase your risk of heart disease.
A deconstructed tuna sandwich saves you money on bread and is a delicious instant-pot meal. Toss tuna in a skillet and combine anything you want with it – baguette crunches, mayo, diced celery, cheese, and seasonings galore. The price of canned tuna can range as low as eighty-two cents a pop, and since it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, it will keep for much longer than eggs. The amount of protein you get for eighty-two cents is mind-blowing. It has zero fat, plenty of amino acids, omega-3’s and up to thirty grams of protein.
This yummy take-out staple uses inexpensive flank steak and frozen broccoli florets smothered in delicious broth for a satisfying and nutritious meal. Typically, flank steak is one of the most affordable cuts of meat in the shop. It is so thin it can be easily overlooked by restaurants and steak-lovers, which means it can usually fetch about six dollars per pound. Additionally, frozen broccoli tends to run cheaper by the pound than fresh and has just as many nutritional qualities, if not more, than the refrigerated type. Best of all, the whole meal can be made in one pot.
These old-fashioned, delightful peanut butter cookies are easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. Smooth or crunchy? Take your pick. Peanut butter cookies are a smash hit with kids and a portion of warm comfort food for lonely days. They only call for ingredients that are already in your baking cupboard – plus peanut butter, which is an inexpensive long-lasting staple. An open jar of peanut butter can last up to three months on the shelf, and then another three months in the fridge. That’s about eight dollars for six months worth of cookies. Can it get any better?
Need some healthy affordable recipes? You’ve probably already bought one. Oatmeal is a filling and versatile breakfast that you can tailor to your palette. Do you like a sweet breakfast? Drizzle syrup and brown sugar on top. Fruit? Toss colorful berries and bananas into your bowl. Savory? Give it a sprinkling of salt, cheddar, and a fried egg. It only takes a cup for one whole meal, which brings the price per serving just seven cents. If you still need another reason to eat oatmeal, think of the health benefits. Oatmeal is so filling it can even help you lose weight.
Who doesn’t love a sloppy joe? Ground beef is so delicious that adding even a little bit to any recipe gives it a bold, meaty flavor. This is why the hamburger has become an icon for American recipes, along with the fact it is a budget-friendly alternative to most beef cuts. Pair this with inexpensive bell peppers and you get a cheesy, saucy delight for dinner. Although red bell peppers tend to cost more, you can still save by using yellow or green bell peppers instead. These kinds of peppers are priced lower because they require less growing time on the farm.
A list of affordable recipes would be negligent to not include a pasta dish. But this pasta dish is something a little bit different. It uses fragrant jerk seasoning, inexpensive chicken breasts, and penne pasta loaded with spices to create a creamy pasta packed with flavor. It only takes about ten minutes to prepare it and the rest is the stove’s job. It is the perfect recipe for when you are craving a little bit of everything – meat, cheese, carbs, salt, etc. If you really want to dive into the natural Caribbean flavor of it, grab an affordable bag of frozen shrimp and add it to the pot.
It does not get much simpler than this. Baked apples are crisp on the outside, and soft, warm and cinnamony on the inside. Stuffed with a sweet concoction of brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and nuts, this dish will be certain to satisfy your sweet tooth without the extra calories of traditional desserts. You can use any type of apple for this recipe, which increases your budget options by a mile since apples are generally inexpensive. With at least one variety always available year-round, they usually cost around a dollar and some change per pound. Try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to really get your sugar fix.
The incredibly economical potato strikes again with this filling, gratifying breakfast. Potatoes fetch about three dollars per every five pounds, and they will last up three months in proper conditions. Think of all the amazing Idaho Sunrises you can have for three months! After baking your potato, slice off the top and carve out a nice little nest to crack your egg into. Add bacon, chives, cheese, or whatever else you want and stick it back in the oven until the egg whites are fully cooked (if you like runny eggs, you can take it out sooner). Basically, if you love loaded potato wedges at TGI Friday’s, then you’ll love this.
For around half the price of ground beef, you can get ground pork and make this AMAZING dish for Stir-Friday. It is healthier and cheaper than fried egg rolls and is a breeze to make. The entire recipe can be made in one pot using ground pork, veggies, Sriracha, and plenty of sesame oil for strong egg roll flavor. Cabbage and carrots add a terrific level of crunch to this dish.
This recipe takes half the time of an actual chicken pot pie to make and only requires one large skillet to cook it in. Think hot, creamy gravy, shreds of cheese, and tender chicken waiting for you under a fluffy biscuit. It requires two cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, which leaves enough leftovers for the rest of the week. Contrary to what one might think, a whole chicken is less expensive than the individual pieces. This is because no time is spent butchering it or de-boning it. Make this in a snap on a cold night.
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