It can be difficult to prepare great meals that are also nutritious, especially when you’re on a tight budget. Yet, it is possible to whip up delicious dinners that won’t break the wallet with a little imagination and some cupboard essentials. We’ve gathered 15 budget-friendly recipes that are simple to prepare in this list. These meals, which range from filling stews to vibrant salads, are sure to please your palate and your wallet.
Here are 15 budget-friendly recipes that are simple to make:
Table of Contents
- 1. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
- 2. Chickpea Curry
- 3. Vegetable Stir-Fry
- 4. Baked Sweet Potatoes
- 5. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
- 6. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- 7. Beans on Toast
- 8. Oatmeal
- 9. Rice and Vegetables
- 10. Scrambled Eggs
- 11. Pasta with Tomato Sauce
- 12. Fried Rice
- 13. Baked Sweet Potato
- 14. Chickpea Salad
- 15. Black Bean Tacos
- Conclusion
1. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of spaghetti
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the spaghetti as directed on the package.
2. Set a pot on medium heat in the interim.
3. Stir together the crushed tomato can, salt, and black pepper in the pot.
4. Let 10 minutes for the sauce to simmer.
5. Pour the cooked spaghetti into the saucepan after draining it.
6. Combine the noodles and sauce by tossing.
7. Present hot and savour!
2. Chickpea Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 1 inch of fresh ginger, grated
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
- 1 can of chickpeas (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of coriander
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- Salt, to taste
- Rice, to serve
Instructions:
1. Add the oil to a pot that is preheated to medium heat.
2. In a saucepan, combine the minced garlic, grated ginger, and onion; simmer for 5 minutes, or until the onion is tender.
3. Add salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and crushed tomatoes to the pot along with the chickpeas.
4. Simmer the mixture for ten minutes, or until the chickpeas are well heated.
5. Arrange a rice bed on top of the curry. Enjoy!
3. Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cups of mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and snow peas)
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons of water
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Rice, to serve
Instructions:
1. Add the oil to a big frying pan or wok that is already hot over high heat.
2. Stir-fry the onion slices and garlic for one minute in the pan.
3. Add the mixed veggies to the skillet and stir-fry for an additional two to three minutes, or until the vegetables are just starting to soften.
4. Add salt and black pepper to taste and season the stir-fry.
5. Add the cornflour mixture and soy sauce to the pan.
6. Simmer and whisk the sauce for 1-2 minutes, or until it has thickened.
7. Arrange rice on a plate and serve the stir-fry. Enjoy!
4. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- Salt, to taste
- Olive oil or butter, to taste (optional)
Instructions:
1. Set the oven’s temperature to 400°F (200°C).
2. Sweet potatoes should be washed and dried.
3. Use a fork to prick the sweet potatoes many times.
4. Arrange the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake them for 45 to 50 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
5. Take the sweet potatoes out of the oven and let them cool briefly.
6. Cut the sweet potatoes open and add salt and butter or olive oil to taste. Serve warm.
5. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons of jelly or jam of your choice
Instructions:
1. Toast the bread slices until they are the desired doneness.
2. Apply 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to every slice of bread.
3. Place 1 tablespoon of jelly or jam on a slice of bread that has been spread with peanut butter.
4. To make a sandwich, put the other slice of bread on top of the jelly-covered slice.
5. If preferred, split the sandwich in half, then eat it.
6. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 slices of cheese of your choice
- Butter, as needed
Instructions:
1. On a cutting board, spread out the two slices of bread.
2. Arrange a slice of bread with the cheese slices on it.
3. To make a sandwich, put the other slice of bread on top of the cheese slices.
4. Put a nonstick pan on the stovetop at medium heat.
5. Apply a thin layer of butter to the sandwich’s top and bottom.
6. Put the sandwich in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden brown.
7. Take the sandwich out of the pan, slice it in half if preferred, and eat it!
7. Beans on Toast
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread
- 1 can of beans of your choice (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Butter, as needed
Instructions:
1. Toast the bread slices until they are the desired doneness.
2. Heat the rinsed and drained beans over medium heat in a saucepan.
3. Add salt and black pepper to taste before seasoning the beans.
4. Apply a thin layer of butter to each piece of toast.
5. Pour the warm beans onto the slices of toast with butter.
6. Present hot and savour!
8. Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 2 cups of water
- Salt, to taste (optional)
- Milk, to taste (optional)
- Sweetener of your choice (such as honey or sugar), to taste (optional)
- Toppings of your choice (such as fruit, nuts, and cinnamon), to taste (optional)
Instructions:
1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Add the salt, if using, and the oats.
3. Lower the heat to a low setting and cook the oats for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they have absorbed all of the water.
4. Add the milk and, if desired, the sweetener.
5. Place the cooked oats in a bowl and, if using, top with your preferred toppings.
6. Present hot and savour!
9. Rice and Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of white or brown rice
- 2 cups of water
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 2 cups of mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and snow peas)
Instructions:
1. Rinse the rice in a colander with a fine mesh and put it in a pot.
2. Fill the saucepan with water and salt, and then bring to a boil.
3. Lower the heat to a low setting, put a lid on the pan, and let the rice to cook for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
4. While the rice is cooking, add the oil to a big wok or frying pan and heat it over high heat.
5. Include the mixture of vegetables in the skillet and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes, or until they are just beginning to soften.
6. Spoon the vegetables in a stir-fry over a bed of cooked rice. Enjoy!
10. Scrambled Eggs
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Butter, as needed
- Toast, to serve (optional)
Instructions:
1. Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk them together thoroughly with a fork.
2. To taste, add salt and black pepper to the beaten eggs.
3. Add a tiny quantity of butter to a nonstick pan that is already heated over medium heat.
4. When the bottom has set, pour the beaten eggs into the pan and cook them for 1-2 minutes.
5. Gently scramble the eggs with a spatula for 1-2 minutes, or until they are fully cooked.
6. If wanted, serve the scrambled eggs hot with toast. Enjoy!
11. Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces of pasta
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Fresh basil leaves, to taste (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente.
2. Put the olive oil in a pot and preheat it over medium heat while the pasta cooks.
3. Add the minced garlic to the pan and simmer for about a minute, or until fragrant.
4. Add salt and black pepper to taste and then pour in the crushed tomatoes.
5. After bringing the sauce to a simmer, cook it for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it has slightly thickened.
6. Return the spaghetti to the pot after draining.
7. Cover the pasta with the tomato sauce and toss to mix.
8. If wanted, garnish the heated dish with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!
12. Fried Rice
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of white or brown rice
- 2 cups of water
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, and corn)
- 2 beaten eggs (optional)
- Soy sauce, to taste (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse the rice in a colander with a fine mesh and put it in a pot.
2. Fill the saucepan with water and salt, and then bring to a boil.
3. Lower the heat to a low setting, put a lid on the pan, and let the rice to cook for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
4. Heat the oil over high heat in a sizable wok or frying pan.
5. Stir-fry the mixed veggies with the minced garlic in the skillet for 2–3 minutes, or until the vegetables are barely soft.
6. Push the veggies to one side of the pan, if using, and add the beaten eggs to the opposite side. For 1-2 minutes, scramble the eggs until they are fully cooked.
7. Add the cooked rice and any soy sauce you’re using.
8. Plate hot and savour!
13. Baked Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato
- Salt, to taste
- Butter, to taste (optional)
- Toppings of your choice (such as brown sugar, cinnamon, or chopped nuts), to taste (optional)
Instructions:
1. Set the oven’s temperature to 400°F (200°C).
2. Clean the sweet potato and pat it dry.
3. Use a fork to pierce the sweet potato many times.
4. Directly position the sweet potato on the middle rack of the oven that has been preheated.
5. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the sweet potato comes out clean.
6. Take the sweet potato out of the oven, then cut it open.
7. Sprinkle some salt and optional butter on the sweet potato’s flesh.
8. If used, top the sweet potato with your preferred toppings and eat!
14. Chickpea Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 can of chickpeas (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1 medium cucumber, chopped
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped, to taste (optional)
Instructions:
1. Combine the chickpeas, diced tomato, cucumber, and red onion in a sizable mixing basin.
2. Combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to taste in a different small mixing dish.
3. After adding the dressing, toss the chickpea mixture to thoroughly coat it.
4. To allow the flavours to mingle, chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
5. If preferred, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve cold. Enjoy!
15. Black Bean Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1 can of black beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 8-10 corn tortillas
- Toppings of your choice (such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and salsa), to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the rinsed and drained black beans to the pan and season with cumin, chilli powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the black beans until they are somewhat broken down but have some firmness.
4. Cook the corn tortillas in a dry pan over medium heat, flipping once, for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are warm and just beginning to get crispy.
5. Add your preferred toppings and spoon the black bean mixture onto the warm tortillas.
6. Present hot and savour!
Conclusion
The bottom line is that eating properly doesn’t have to be expensive. You may cook scrumptious and nourishing meals that the entire family will enjoy by using basic, inexpensive items and a little creativity. These 15 budget recipes can satisfy your needs for a quick weeknight meal or a hearty weekend meal. Try one of these recipes the next time you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget to see for yourself how tasty and inexpensive home cooking can be.