If you shop for groceries, you’ve probably noticed that prices are going up. And up. And up.
Over 3 years ago, I wrote a post on low cost meals. I think it’s time for another list of go-to recipes when the budget is tight.
As I said in the original post, some foods tend to make for lower cost meals. Pasta, rice, beans and eggs are all great items to build your meal on when you’re trying to save cash. Soup tends to be less expensive per serving, as well.
Here are some of my favorite budget meals:
Pasta
Pesto and Crushed Tomato Shells
Angel Hair with Red Onion and Black Olives
Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce with Two Cheeses
Baked Pasta with Cauliflower and Cheese
Roasted Garlic, Brown Butter & Parmesan Pasta
Soup
Smoked Sausage, Cabbage and Oat Soup
Ham, Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
Beans
Slow Cooker Beans for the Freezer – maybe the cheapest and best meal on the list
Eggs and Other Breakfast-for-Dinner Meals
Scrambled Eggs, Ham & Muenster Skillet
Gingerbread Pancakes with Sweet Cider Syrup
Gingerbread Waffles with Vanilla Cream Sauce
Whole Wheat Waffles with Honey Cinnamon Butter
More Meals that Don’t Fit Previous Categories
Inexpensive Desserts
Apple Crisp in the Slow Cooker – good for using old apples
Chocolate Cobbler in the Slow Cooker
Peach Crisp in the Slow Cooker
We’re talking about combating rising food costs in the Ebates Savvy Living Community too. Join in the conversation and let us know how you keep costs down.
Eat vegetarian several times a week – not just beans but egg meals, vegetable sauces on pasta or rice. We rarely eat out or eat junk/processed food. Planned overs and menu plans means that there is less wastage too.
Lowering portion sizes and cutting out snacks have helped our budget and waist lines!
I sure needed to find this today, GOd is good! I wasn’t even looking. Definitely will be back. THank you! I plan to share as well…
I use old things in different ways.
Brown and soft bananas can be chopped and frozen for banana bread, smoothies, or even pureed for banana ice cream.
Soft grapes – eewie
Put them in a zip lock bag and freeze them. Makes a great cold snack. They taste like little popcycles.
If your costco size bag of carrots is coming upon it’s expiration date… chop, blanch and freeze. Use them in soups and stews later.
I love lists like this. Sometimes I hit a brick wall when meal planning and I use your list and others like this. Thank so much