I had a lot of reality checks when I moved into my first apartment. WIth regards to some, I was only familiar with the idea (why is interior so expensive?) and others such as grocery shopping - not so much. For example, when it came to buying seasonings, I couldn't believe some of the costs. Yes, food can really be very costly! I have compiled a list of twenty-five of the cheapest dinners from around the web, based on my experiences. I hope that this will help you not only dine in style but also slash your shopping budget. Remember that inexpensiveness does not have to imply unhealthy, unpleasant, or flavorless! These are tasty and nutritious dishes that may also serve as inexpensive family meals, particularly if you have children or a big family. Even if you do have a large grocery budget, this list of the cheapest dinners will help you save even more money.
Why should you cut costs on food?
Food is not inexpensive. The United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA for short, says that a modest budget for feeding a family of four might range from $900 on the low end to $1,100 per month. Spending so much on food could easily account for up to 20 percent of a family's take-home salary, if not more. Because this is such a significant variable expenditure. It only makes more sense to trim here whenever possible to get your spending plan back on track. After all of that, let us get into my top inexpensive dinners!25 of the Best Meals to Save Your Money
Affordable meals for breakfast
Breakfast casserole
This four-ingredient sausage breakfast dish feeds eight people and costs $1.46 a serving. This is ideal for adding to your collection of low-cost family dinners.An oatmeal bar
Since oatmeal is such a low-cost staple (whether in a box or in large quantities), you could afford to spice it up a little as well. There are a ton of various topping options available online, and none of them are expensive. To make it even more affordable yet yummy, you can easily swap out or add fruit based on what is in season.Pancakes
Pancakes are usually an inexpensive and easy family favorite. Not to mention, there are numerous affordable recipes available. This pancake recipe is modest in expense but high in flavor when you add some butter and syrup.Yogurt and fruit
This easy yogurt recipe tells you how to transform a quart of milk into a quart of yogurt within three hours. Top your homemade yogurt with honey or fruit for a quick on-the-go breakfast. Yogurt is also delicious in morning smoothies, which are very filling and quick to make.Breakfast scramble
Cutting meat is one of the simplest ways to cut costs at any meal, and this morning scramble achieves precisely that. Replace the dozen regular eggs with chopped meat to prepare this dinner for less than $10.Affordable meals for lunch
Wraps
There are so many several distinct types of wraps that you might quickly prepare a new version each day for a month yet not scrape the surface. If you buy bacon cheap, you can whip up this bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado wrap in no time.Burrito bowls
Suppose you do not like wraps that much. Give burrito bowls a shot. Rice and beans are always available at a fraction of the cost of other commodities. Grab some cheese that is on sale along with a bottle of salsa, and you are done! For less than $5, you can have instant meals for a week.Soups
Soups are among the cheapest meals. In addition to that, they also have reasonable and affordable prices. This slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is about $1.63 per dish.Salads
A salad does not have to be costly or time-consuming. Check out this chickpea tuna salad dish. Chickpeas and tuna are both high in nutrients and cost a fraction of the price. We can't picture this lunch being too pricey, but it may be really lovely.Pinwheels
As previously said, there are wraps for everyone, but we still wanted to provide pinwheels as they are more enjoyable and less messy. This turkey pesto pinwheel seems like it will be in my immediate future. I usually recommend getting a turkey from the deli since you can get what you need and whatever is on offer.Affordable meals for family dinners
Grilled cheese
Grilled cheese is the epitome of a simple meal. To toast on the stove, you will need two slices of toast, some butter, and a slice of cheese. This supper can serve a large number of people for less than $5. However, if you are feeling adventurous, we discovered additional "adult" meals.Skillet meals
Skillet recipes are inexpensive and quick to prepare for any evening supper. This one-pot cheesy chicken broccoli and rice have three essential ingredients that are inexpensive yet not lacking in taste.Sheet pan dinners
Sheet pan dinners, like skillet meals, are a quick and inexpensive way to prepare dinner every night of the week. You may use this recipe to create simple chicken fajitas or an even simpler sausage, potato, and green bean bake.Spaghetti
Spaghetti is often regarded as among the most affordable foods on the globe. Who can disagree with a bottle of sauce for less than $2 and a package of pasta for less than $1? However, you may prepare your own sauce using meat for a little extra. Do you have children or a huge family? Add this one to your list of inexpensive dinners for large families.Pizza
Sure, you could go out and get some pizza, but the trick to crafting a cheap pizza lies in the handmade dough. Check out this $2.50 pizza recipe, or spend a little more and make kid-friendly ones on garlic bread.Baked potato bar
Potatoes are a low-cost yet tummy-satisfying vegetable. A baked potato bar is a low-cost and entertaining method of serving potatoes. Store cheese and sour cream brands can be purchased, while onions, bacon, and beans can be bought when they are on sale or in season.Tacos
Tacos and practically any sort of soup were a mainstay in my family growing up as a Latina. Tacos allowed us to stretch ground beef farther by using potatoes. Soup allowed us to consume whatever vegetables remained from the previous weeks (spoiler alert: it was potatoes every time). You can prepare your own taco seasoning that tastes far superior to store-bought and toast some corn tortillas for pennies. If you want to increase the ante, we discovered this recipe for baked ones which are still inexpensive.Quesadillas
Quesadillas, like tacos, may be cooked often and inexpensively. Sauteed vegetables are one of my favorite ways to bulk out a quesadilla. I like to use whatever vegetables are on sale and any cheese or tortillas that are on sale for a dollar or two. These may be hearty supper that is inexpensive.Chili
Every one of the chili components is inexpensive, so it stands to reason that it is on our list. Any type of bean will do, and you may swap ground beef for ground turkey or leave it altogether entirely. You may also find tomato sauce on sale and whatever sort of onion or pepper you choose. Toppings are optional, yet they make or break the dish.Ham and cheddar croissant roll-ups
Grab just enough on-sale ham and cheese and a bag of croissant buns to make this quick meal tremendously filling and inexpensive!Egg roll in a bowl
You may cook this dish with rice, which is a cheap staple. This dish allows you to utilize rice as a filler to stretch the meal farther. It also helps you to use up any leftover vegetables that you didn't actually use in other dishes.Burgers
One of the most inexpensive meats for meals is ground beef. Ground beef may cost up to $5 per pound. However, with a dollar pack of buns, a bag of frozen fries, and any condiments you have on hand, you may spend less than $10 for dinner.Casserole
Casseroles are not only simple and inexpensive but they can also be frozen ahead of time and defrosted when you need a quick supper. This is substantially less costly and healthier than using a frozen one. There are many chicken noodle casserole recipes on the internet that are simple, filling, and delicious!Lo Mein
When cooked using ramen noodles, you can get a bag for 30 cents. Just add in a few frozen vegetables. This lo mein recipe is just what we call thrifty. Not only that, but it is also ideal for cost-effective family lunches!Twice-baked hot dogs
You can't have a cheap dinner list without hot dogs, so we looked for a better recipe for some twice-baked ones. Give these ideas a shot, and you will thank me later!Bonus tips for cutting down your spending
So you have some ideas for the cheapest meals. However, there may still be potential for savings in your budget. Here are some helpful hints!Coupons
Do not mock the extreme couponers that you catch on television. You can find coupons in the mail, online, or even on a store's app. I have a reputation for going up to customer service if I find out that my pasta coupon was not applied correctly! I save up between $5 and $10 every week on grocery and home supplies.Rebate apps
You can scan receipts for free money with Ibotta and Fetch! Retailers collaborate with applications like these to share in-store deals and discounts. After making your purchase, you scan your receipt. After scanning, the app will transfer any savings you made to your account. You may then withdraw funds from your account using PayPal. It may take some time to accrue enough cash-out points, but one of them may easily earn you $20 each month.Meal planning
Because it works, it is among the most popular tips. Meal planning enables you to shop the advertisements, ensure that nothing goes to waste, and provide you with a list of goods to buy, so you don't get sidetracked when shopping. You wouldn't go anywhere without a map, so it only makes sense to have a strategy here as well.Utilize the freezer
Many goods that are on sale may be frozen to help extend their life. Buying in bulk and freezing the surplus allows you to store when you can. Meat, dairy products, bread, casseroles, and soups are all examples of foods that you may freeze for later use. For additional information and recommendations, please visit FoodSafety.gov.Try out our list of affordable meals today!
Looking for food to provide for your family does not have to be one of your budget's most essential and resource-consuming variables. We hope that these recipes and advice will help you save money in this area while spending more in other areas, such as debt repayment and saving for significant objectives!