It is also a cheap snack to cut up at the beginning of the week to use for dipping in homemade sour cream dip or slathering in peanut butter.

If you have ever had a garden, you know how squash grows like crazy from one single plant. That is one reason it is so cheap in the store.

Squash is excellent in the summer sautéd, fried, grilled, in a stir fry, or in a casserole. Zucchini is an excellent cheap nutritious vegetable in the summer. Sauté it, fry it, make stuffed zucchini boats ,. Corn in the summer is dirt cheap.

In the summer when fresh corn is not readily available and inexpensive, frozen corn is very cheap as well. Frozen peas should be a staple of every kitchen.

Throw them in a pasta, put them in a soup, fried rice, or as an inexpensive side dish. I love frozen peas! Fresh broccoli is fairly inexpensive, but frozen broccoli is even cheaper. The best part is that the broccoli is also already chopped for you which makes it super convenient.

Roast it, use it in a stir fry, or make broccoli cheddar soup. Frozen green beans are an absolute staple in my home. While canned green beans are also cheap, I prefer the crisp and freshness of the long thin frozen green beans. Use them as a side dish like garlic green beans , in a soup, a stir fry, or Cowboy casserole.

Frozen mixed vegetables are great to have on hand for casseroles, stir fry, fried rice, or a quick and easy side dish. Spinach is an excellent versatile green. You can eat it as a salad, in a soup, blended in a smoothie, sautéd with eggs, or on top of a sandwich.

I often sing the praises of how economical a whole chicken is. Watch my video and read my post on how I get multiple meals from one chicken. It is a great way to stretch your food. Not only do you get the meat, you also get the bones to make broth! As far as beef goes, ground will be your most budget friendly option.

To get the best price, wait for it to go on sale and stock up on the sale price. Chicken thighs are one of my favorite meats.

They don't dry out as easily as breasts and they are more flavorful in my opinion. Try my grilled chicken thighs or sheet pan herb roasted chicken thighs with vegetables. Out of all of the cuts of chicken, drumsticks are probably the cheapest.

They are also very kid friendly. Try my oven baked bbq chicken legs for a great cheap meal. Pork is often less expensive than beef and is very delicious. I often find large pork roasts on sale for a great price which can be stretched for multiple meals.

Also pork chops often go on sale which are great for grilling or for skillet pork chops. Canned tuna is great for tuna salad, but there is so much more you can do with this frugal protein. Canned salmon for salmon patties was a frugal staple in my childhood home.

When we were broke, we ate salmon patties and I think they are delicious! Eggs are an excellent cheap protein source and incredibly versatile. Hard boiled, soft boiled, poached, fried, scrambled for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Make a vegetable frittata or egg casserole. Make a fried egg sandwich, French toast, or egg salad.

Even if you buy high end eggs, they are still one of the least expensive protein sources around, second to legumes. If you enjoy them, lentils should be in every frugal pantry.

They are high in fiber and full of nutrition. They are great in soup, sloppy Joes, curries, and my favorite lentils and rice. White beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, black beans are all super cheap and a definite buy if you are on a budget. I love a big pot of slow cooker pinto beans and cornbread.

Total comfort food and ultra cheap. Dry beans are more economical than canned, but they do require some time to prepare. Read: WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER BEANS. For emergencies and when you need something super fast, canned beans should be another cheap pantry staple.

You can make inexpensive crispy black bean tacos or chickpea curry. Both are very delicious and frugal. Read: 30 AWESOME RECIPES WITH BEANS. There's a reason why when people talk about cheap food they call it a rice and beans budget. Rice is very inexpensive and filling. It is also extremely versatile.

Read: 20 DELICIOUS RECIPES USING RICE. Oatmeal is a very inexpensive breakfast option and much cheaper than cereal. I also love making oat muffins for snacks or breakfast. Pasta is the ultimate cheap food and also great for beginner cooks. It can be as simple as buttered noodles, pasta with peas and bacon , or paired with pasta sauce.

Pasta sauce also is a great cheap food to have on hand for a quick and easy meal with pasta. Eat it meatless, with poached eggs, or chickpeas for a very frugal meal. This is more of a southern food, but grits are very cheap and stretch a long way. It makes for a cheap breakfast item or inexpensive side dish.

Cornmeal is great to have for homemade cornbread, breading foods, or corn cakes. I don't often use cornmeal in my kitchen, but it is very inexpensive and deserves its place on the cheap grocery list.

Corn tortillas are an inexpensive alternative to flour tortillas. Use them in enchiladas , tacos, or slice them and crisp them up for tortilla soup. Canned tomato products come in so handy. Tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree are all very versatile and inexpensive.

You can make a pasta sauce, pizza sauce, put it in a soup, or make sloppy Joes. I always have a couple of varieties in my pantry. Skip the bags of popcorn and go for the kernels.

It is a frugal high fiber snack and very kid friendly. Use an air popper or make stovetop popcorn. A jar of peanut butter stretches a long way for sandwiches, snacks or stirred into oatmeal or smoothies.

It's another frugal protein source and kid friendly. Flour is very inexpensive per pound and can be used in so many ways. Make pancakes or waffles, biscuits , tortillas, bread , homemade desserts, use as a thickener for gravy, or bread chicken tenders. Yeast is not a necessity, but if you want to make your own bread products, it is recommended.

Try my pizza dough or whole wheat bread. If you are going to bake, sugar is an inexpensive sweetener to have in your pantry. Even organic sugar is inexpensive compared to other sweetening agents. Another staple baking supply, baking powder is cheap and great for getting that rise in your homemade baked goods.

A little bit goes a long way, so you can generally get more value by buying spices than other seasonings. Just like spices, condiments can make any meal taste gourmet! Sauces from the local grocery store are great for quick meals on crazy nights. Cooking oil is a staple in any kitchen to cook properly.

Oils can add flavor to the cheapest food without breaking the bank. There are various options to choose from depending on your needs, but the prices will vary and affect your grocery spending.

Some oils, like olive or avocado oil, can be pretty expensive, while others, like canola or vegetable oil, are more affordable. It is a versatile ingredient in meal planning because it makes dishes go further and fill you up.

Buying white or brown rice in bulk makes it very cheap, and then you have plenty to last you for a month or more. This simple protein-packed meal can be spiced up with sauces or seasonings. Consider buying frozen vegetables to add to your pasta dishes.

Frozen veggies are usually cheaper than fresh vegetables and just as nutritious. To save even more money, make a big batch of pasta at the beginning of the week and reheat leftovers for quick meals later in the week.

Popcorn is a great snack and a family favorite for us! A single bag of popcorn is usually less than a dollar, making it an affordable option for a tight budget.

Plus, popcorn is low in calories and fat, making it an excellent choice for losing weight or maintaining weight. Regarding food spending, generic cereal is better for saving money. Generic is typically cheaper than name-brand cereal and can still provide good nutritional value with good taste.

Generic cereals are often made with the same grains and other ingredients as name-brand cereals to be just as healthy. Ramen noodles are instant noodles made from wheat flour, salt, and water and typically feature a flavoring packet. In addition to being cheap and easy to make, ramen noodles are also highly versatile.

They can be used in soups, stir-fries, salads, and desserts. You can add vegetables or meat for a more hearty, well-balanced meal. And with so many different flavor packets available, this pretty cheap food can be a great way to add variety to your diet on a budget.

Flour is one of the most versatile ingredients you can buy when broke. Add it to your cheapest groceries list to help you stretch your budget further.

Four is perfect for making your own bread, pizza dough, pastries, etc. Sugar is another one of those ingredients essential for baking, but it can also be used in plenty of ways.

A bag of sugar is typically very inexpensive and has a long shelf life, making it an excellent option for those on a tight budget. A loaf of bread provides dozens of servings and can be used for everything from sandwiches and croutons to bread pudding and French toast.

Tortillas are an excellent way to stretch your grocery budget. They can be served as a main entree with many types of meat, used as a wrap for sandwiches, or even made into chips.

Oats are one of the cheapest food additions to any diet. They are also very versatile: you can enjoy oatmeal or porridge for breakfast, add them to baked goods like muffins or cookies, or even use them as a topping for savory dishes like chicken or fish.

If you want an inexpensive way to add variety to your cheap grocery list, consider picking up a few tea boxes in different flavors. From Earl Grey to chamomile, there is a tea flavor for everyone.

Tea is not only a great way to relax at the end of the day, but it can also help you stay hydrated and save some money on expensive sodas and coffees. When buying peanut butter, look for natural brands that contain only peanuts and salt as the main ingredients.

Avoid brands that contain added sugar, oils, or other unhealthy additives. Your taste buds—and your wallet—will thank you.

They are an affordable way to enjoy out-of-season produce that can also be used to make great sweets. Canned tomatoes are one of the best-canned items to buy when broke.

They can be used to make homemade tomato soup, chili, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and salsa. You can even blend canned tomatoes to make sauce rather than buying jarred sauces, saving you more money at many grocery stores.

Fruits and vegetables are the best cheap foods to buy, especially in season and from your local farms. With a little bit of meal planning, you can save some money on your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition or taste. When it comes to putting together a cheap grocery list, you want to add apples to it!

They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season. Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp.

When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and they have a relatively low calorie count. Oranges are one of the cheapest foods to buy for your grocery list, and you can eat them fresh, juice them, or even use them in recipes.

Broccoli is one of the best picks for fresh vegetables, and I love them with pasta dishes and just as a simple side when roasted in the oven. Spinach is an excellent cheap food that is a source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium.

Here are some meal ideas for incorporating spinach:. Iceberg lettuce is one of the cheapest groceries that you can buy. Lettuce is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is very versatile. You can also use it to make wraps more healthy. Carrots are versatile root vegetables that can be used in various dishes and have a slightly sweet taste that goes with so many things.

They are an excellent source of vitamin c for the kiddos too. Carrots are often used in a stir-fry with peppers, as it helps to retain their nutrients while also giving them a slightly crispy texture. I like to cut them up small and roast them for an easy side dish.

One of the most popular meal ideas for using peppers is stir fry, but you can add them to your pasta sauce or tacos or make stuffed peppers. You can get them in a pack of frozen vegetables to get a little bit of everything for a bunch of different meal ideas, or buy them fresh on their own.

Celery is also one of the most healthy cheap foods to buy — a great option for budget-minded shoppers. This crunchy, low-calorie vegetable contains nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

Some of our favorites include sweet potato fries, green beans, and carrots. Plus, you should grab a stir-fry mix for some variety. You can also save some money by buying frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit.

Some brands add sugar or other ingredients to their frozen fruit, so be sure to read the label before you buy.

A few items will always be super cheap, no matter when you buy them. Potatoes fit the bill perfectly for an item to buy when broke and looking for cheaper foods with several meal ideas.

You can do many things with potatoes. One meal idea is a baked potato with whatever you want on top of it, like cheese, broccoli, and chicken.

When it comes to stocking your pantry on a budget, proteins are often one of the most expensive items on your grocery list.

Eggs can be used in a variety of dishes or by themselves. They are one of the cheapest foods to buy, especially when compared to other protein sources like meat or tofu. Eggs can be boiled, scrambled, or made into an omelet, and they go well with various other ingredients.

Add an egg to brown rice and vegetables to make a quick and healthy stir fry. Ground meat is a cheap source of protein that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to meatloaves, and it is typically very budget-friendly.

When grocery shopping for ground beef , look for marked-down products close to their expiration date.

Starchy Root Vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava or yuca, and carrots are some of the cheapest foods you can buy fresh or frozen, and Cheapest Produce · Apples · Bananas · Oranges · Broccoli · Spinach · Iceberg Lettuce · Carrots · Peppers 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste

Bargain-priced food items - Missing Starchy Root Vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava or yuca, and carrots are some of the cheapest foods you can buy fresh or frozen, and Cheapest Produce · Apples · Bananas · Oranges · Broccoli · Spinach · Iceberg Lettuce · Carrots · Peppers 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste

Sick of plain pasta again? Chef Chris Aquilino , director of culinary at Elior North America , likes to jazz up his meals with jarred items, including pesto, olives, jalapeños, artichokes, sardines, and anchovies. They also stay fresh for a long time. According to Aquilino, herb purées, such as basil and cilantro, can even stay fresh for weeks at a time.

So don't be afraid to open up that tube. Aquilino also suggests stocking up on tomato paste. There are numerous ways to cook with tomato paste including topping fish and making barbeque sauce.

While you can easily find canned tomato paste at most supermarkets, Aquilino prefers the kind available in a tube. Use limited data to select advertising.

Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat that can provide several hearty, budget-friendly meals. The whole shoulder can be roasted, pulled and used in tacos, pasta dishes, soups and more throughout the week.

Lentils are inexpensive, versatile and packed with protein and fiber. They can be used to make stews, chilis, soups, salads and more. Lentils are filling and provide sustained energy. Buying them dried in bulk quantities keeps the price down.

Pancake mix and ingredients like eggs and milk are budget-friendly items that go a long way. Pancakes make a filling, homemade breakfast. The basic batter also can be dressed up with whatever ingredients are on hand like chocolate chips, berries, banana, etc.

Oatmeal contains fiber and nutrients to keep you full and energized all morning. Oatmeal can be customized sweet or savory and makes a warm, comforting breakfast. Cabbage is one of the most budget-friendly vegetables. Use it to make homemade coleslaw, stir-fry, soup or roasted as a side.

Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. They are endlessly versatile and can be prepared simply or incorporated into larger dishes. Hard-boiled eggs also make a convenient high-protein snack. Canned chickpeas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Rinse and toss them into salads, grain bowls, soups and hummus, or eat them right out of the can.

You can also save the liquid from the can and use it as a cheap egg replacer in baked goods. Peanut butter is packed with protein and healthy fats, and a jar goes a long way.

Peanut butter can be spread on bread and fruit or eaten by the spoonful for an instant protein boost. Yogurt is an affordable option that provides protein and calcium. Buying plain yogurt in large containers is most economical.

Yogurt can be topped with affordable granola or fruit for a balanced breakfast or snack. Check Out: 8 Best New Items at Five Below in January.

In-season fresh fruits like bananas and apples are usually available at low cost. Fruit provides important vitamins and fiber and gives an energy boost. Jerk specialties and pastries are also available. Sandwiches available in three sizes, which is an economic and probably health-wise boon.

Specializing in Chicago-style hot dogs, Dog Day Afternoon is named after an Al Pacino movie about a bank robbery that was partly shot on the same block of Windsor Terrace.

The hot dog boasts a couple of small innovations New York style pickles, for example, and sweet miniature plum tomatoes , but otherwise the genre remains intact. Located a short bus ride straight uphill from the Staten Island Ferry, New Asha, founded in , is a funky sort of place with excellent Sri Lankan food.

A glass case displays heavy tubular fritters that are good for snacks, but why not sit and chow down on halal meats like mutton or jackfruit curries, poured over rice and served with yellow dal and a chopped vegetable salad. At lower prices and with more of a lunch counter atmosphere, Al Aqsa specializes in pita or laffa sandwiches, tucked or rolled, respectively, and filled with chicken shawarma, falafel, or lamb shish kebab, slathered with a strong toum, a garlicky white sauce.

Kufta, bread dips, lahmacun in several variations, and even schnitzels round out the menu. This hour West Midwood Pakistani cafe with a chile-pepper logo has it all, from snacks like samosas and stuffed breads that are great for rapid snacking to full meals that include meat and vegetarian dishes served with rice, bread, or both.

Go for the ground meat kebabs, which absorb lots of smoke in the clay oven, or haleem, a delicious porridge of lamb, wheat, and lentils. The steam table offers many vegan dishes. The pizzas remain on the menu, and they are quite good in themselves. It specializes in roast beef sandwiches on kaiser rolls, the meat rich, moist, and deliciously rimmed with fat.

Dip it in meat juices small extra charge , or eat it plain. It can get pretty crowded on weekends as patrons line up for multiple forms of khachapuri — often hot out of the oven — along with roast chicken, stout smoky sausages, and other beach-friendly tidbits.

Lamb or chicken shawarma sandwiches of mind-boggling volume are a sideline. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

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More in New York See more maps. A collection of dishes at Patok by Rach in Inwood. Share this story Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share All sharing options Share All sharing options for: 40 Affordable Places to Eat in NYC.

Pocket Flipboard Email. View as Map. by Robert Sietsema Updated Dec 20, , am EST Photography by Robert Sietsema. Read More Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices.

Learn more about our editorial process. Visit Website. Pork lumpia from Patok By Rach in Inwood. Also featured in:. Carving the pork roast at Los Primos. Pizza delivered hot to your table by co-owner Sal Natale. Kalguksu in soup with dumplings.

Roti John sandwich at Native Noodles. Sign up for the newsletter Eater NY Sign up for our newsletter. Thanks for signing up! Check your inbox for a welcome email. Email required. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice.

You can opt out at any time. The steam table at Papaye. The magnificent falafel platter at Tamam. Bigoi with puttanesca sauce. Typical plates of steam table selections. The fabled big tray chicken.

Bargain-priced food items - Missing Starchy Root Vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava or yuca, and carrots are some of the cheapest foods you can buy fresh or frozen, and Cheapest Produce · Apples · Bananas · Oranges · Broccoli · Spinach · Iceberg Lettuce · Carrots · Peppers 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste

Sometimes, a simple cup of tea can keep hunger pangs at bay. With just a single spoonful of sugar, you can get that boost that you need to get through your day.

Crackers are a great ingredient to have handy in your kitchen, no matter your age or living situation. You can crunch them up and use them in several recipes, or you can simply pick one out of the packet for a quick snack.

Add them to soup to bulk up a cheap at-home meal. Tortillas are such a versatile product, making them perfect for anyone on a budget. This is a food product that you should always have in your pantry. Bread is yet another food item that works with any meal, sweet or savory. You could have a slice of toast for breakfast, and then have some bread and butter to accompany a bowl of soup.

The possibilities are endless! If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can skip past this section. If you are a person who enjoys a meaty diet, however, this is a section for you. Provided that you have a freezer, you will be able to keep meat for a handful of months. In a refrigerator, however, most meats start to go bad after a couple of days.

Meat is an excellent source of protein, and depending on the type of meat you choose, it can also give a variety of additional health advantages.

Poultry has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cholesterol, while red meat is high in iron. More Reading: How to Eat Out on a Budget. Fill your sandwiches with it, or break it up and toss it into a pasta dish.

When it comes to using up a pack of bologna, the possibilities are endless! Chicken is delicious in stews, soups, pasta dishes, and even accompanied by french fries. This meat product is an absolute must for anyone trying to save money.

On a cold winter evening, nothing sticks to your ribs like a delicious, hearty stew. And, it is easy on your food budget.

Whoever said that turkey was only for Thanksgiving? This delectable poultry can be used for so many healthful meaty dishes.

Turkey is lean and so it falls more into the healthy foods category. Plus, it is one of the cheap foods you can opt for when it comes to meat. Tip: if you want to save your money as much as you can, stock up on whole turkeys or ground turkey during the holiday season.

This is when their prices are the lowest! Dairy is a brilliant source of calcium, which helps strengthen bones and teeth. These food items can be incorporated into a healthy eating pattern in a variety of ways.

Although dairy products tend to last a little longer than meat, you will still need to be careful about how much you buy in one go. Milk, for example, will go bad after a week, so there is no point in buying more than one carton unless you have a large family to feed. Milk and dairy foods are linked to an expanding sample of research that links them to a variety of health benefits, from blood pressure control and bone health to newer correlations like lowering the risk of developing diabetes disease.

When you want to save dollars on groceries, avoid the pre-shredded or pre-sliced cheese and prepare your own! Slice the block with a cheese grater or a kitchen knife, then store it in the fridge for another time. You can use this product to cook other recipes, or simply use it to spread on a crusty slice of bread.

Milk is a kitchen essential, whether you live alone, or you have a family to feed. You can drink it, mix it with other ingredients, or use it as an additive to a recipe. Forget the single size pre-flavored containers, and go for the bigger containers of vanilla or plain yoghurt to save a lot of money at the grocery store.

Last, but certainly not least, we will be looking at some delicious and inexepensive fruit and veggies to fill up your fridge. Some of these products last longer when placed in the fridge, while others will be okay in a fruit bowl.

Fruit and vegetables contain so many vitamins and minerals that will keep you fit and healthy. Plus, they taste great! Because these fruits are inexpensive, you may experiment with different varieties without breaking the budget, and there are many to pick from.

Bananas are a good source of potassium and fiber, and you can get a bunch for a low price at any time of year. You can eat them plain or use them to make delectable treats. While there are several varieties of squash to choose from, a butternut squash is always a great option.

They taste great, and can be cooked into so many different types of recipes. Try this Butternut Squash Soup recipe for a comforting favorite. Cover cabbage in dampened paper towels and store it in a ziplock bag to keep it.

Make a few openings in the container and place it in the freezer compartment. Canned tomatioes can last up to 18 months on the shelf, so you should definitely grab several cans in bulk! Tip: If you want to save the most money, buy huge, unpeeled carrots.

Baby carrots are nothing more than ordinary carrots that have been pared down to a stump. The only difference is they cost a lot more that way! Vitamin C is abundant in oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, and they taste delicious!

Take a handful of these delectable fruits. Usually, frozen vegetable packages can simply be thrown straight into the microwave and cooked according to the label instructions. So easy! Tip: if you can, buy them in bulk and keep them cool and dry separate from potatoes, which might cause them to decay more quickly.

Potatoes are super versatile, and are an all-time favorite. Spinach is nutritious and satisfying, and it can be eaten fresh or cooked.

Plus, when you cook it, it does that magical thing where it shrinks in half — how fun is that? When everyone has more zucchini on their hands than they know what to do with, the greatest time to buy zucchini is in the middle to late summer. Below, we have listed a handful of cheap meal ideas that contain all the nutrients that a person needs to remain fit and healthy.

And, not a lot of money. This classic TV dinner is the favorite of many families across the country. It is so easy to throw together, and may even result in leftovers!

Only two ingredients needed for one recipe — how could you refuse? Simply lay out all the cooked ingredients, and let everyone dig in and fill up their own tortilla wraps! This was a recipe that was believed to have been created by working class families who only had a handful of simple ingredients at home, including eggs and bacon and not a lot of money for food.

The result was a tasty meal that is a family favorite to this day. And, if you have a little extra money, you can use ground beef to add some meatballs!

Who said rice and beans had to be boring? While this is a fairly simple meal to make, it is healthy, nutritious, and most importantly, filling. Add 2 large carrots sliced 1 med. Stovetop Cassoulet with Italian sausage, white kidney beans, onion, celery, carrots, and tomatoes. Hamburger and gravy over toast, egg sammies, hamburger patties browned then cooked more in stewed tomatoes served with plain rice and spinach.

Mix it up. Form mini meatloaves. They actually make a decent microwaved meatloaf. We eat a lot of tacos made from whatever leftovers we have. Chef salad with bread. Hash with eggs. Grilled cheese, BLTs. Cook ground beef and drain!

Once the gravy has thickened, pour the gravy over the cooked ground chuck and simmer for 10 minutes! Finally, make your instant mash potatoes and pour the ground chuck over the potatoes! Baked chicken and roasted veggies, just pop a pan in the oven for 30 minutes after seasoning and drizzling in olive oil.

Homemade hamburger helper is quick and easy. This sounds so simple and crazy but my husband loves loves loves it: cut up a green cabbage into bite-sized pieces or a little larger and a large onion and add a tablespoon full or to desired taste of minced garlic from a jar.

Boil to desired tenderness. Add in the meat and some V-8 juice then whatever other veggies you like if you want carrots are good Season with Himalayan salt or regular salt, pepper, whatever you like.

Mix bread crumbs, shredded parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Dip chicken in preferred liquid milk, water or egg. Coat with flour mixture. Place in foil-lined the baking dish. Pour half a cube of melted butter a whole cube is the best over the chicken.

Sprinkle any leftover flour mix on chicken. Bake at for about 20min or until the thickest part reaches degrees. Cheese fondue.

I got this from a Cookbook for Two from when I got married 48 years ago. It starts with cheddar cheese soup and cheddar or Swiss cheese. You can add wine, beer, or apple juice. If I have onions or scallions, I add a little of that. You might want to add a very little hot sauce to give a subtle kick.

If you are looking for a few cookbooks to add to your collection that features cheap and frugal meals, here are some that I would recommend:. Although ground beef has gone way up in price, if you have some available for you to use, you may also want to check out these Frugal Ground Beef recipes.

While the list is a little outdated for pricing, there are still some great ideas on there if you need even more. If you are looking for still more, you can check out my Frugal Go-To recipes here.

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You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page. This article on the Cheapest Meals was originally posted on Little House Living in September It has been updated as of March Support Little House Living by Sharing This. Your email address will not be published.

Chicken broth and homemade dumplings, soup style. Boil broth. Mix flour and eggs. Roll and cut and drop into boiling broth. Add veggies as you have them. Put in mason jars and freeze and reheat in crockpot. My 5 sons made me learn to cook with economy. One favorite recipe is from the Frugal Gourmet, Jeff Smith.

Cuban Black bean soup. Serve with sour cream and chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese and cilantro. Serve with corn bread for a complete protein.

Next meal off left overs are burritioes or nachos! Fried potatoes with cut up hot dogs was my kids favorite growing up! Add in a little leftover meat, or an egg, or drain much of the broth for something else and melt in a slice of American cheese.

Cooking oil is a staple in any kitchen to cook properly. Oils can add flavor to the cheapest food without breaking the bank. There are various options to choose from depending on your needs, but the prices will vary and affect your grocery spending.

Some oils, like olive or avocado oil, can be pretty expensive, while others, like canola or vegetable oil, are more affordable.

It is a versatile ingredient in meal planning because it makes dishes go further and fill you up. Buying white or brown rice in bulk makes it very cheap, and then you have plenty to last you for a month or more.

This simple protein-packed meal can be spiced up with sauces or seasonings. Consider buying frozen vegetables to add to your pasta dishes. Frozen veggies are usually cheaper than fresh vegetables and just as nutritious.

To save even more money, make a big batch of pasta at the beginning of the week and reheat leftovers for quick meals later in the week. Popcorn is a great snack and a family favorite for us! A single bag of popcorn is usually less than a dollar, making it an affordable option for a tight budget.

Plus, popcorn is low in calories and fat, making it an excellent choice for losing weight or maintaining weight. Regarding food spending, generic cereal is better for saving money.

Generic is typically cheaper than name-brand cereal and can still provide good nutritional value with good taste. Generic cereals are often made with the same grains and other ingredients as name-brand cereals to be just as healthy.

Ramen noodles are instant noodles made from wheat flour, salt, and water and typically feature a flavoring packet. In addition to being cheap and easy to make, ramen noodles are also highly versatile. They can be used in soups, stir-fries, salads, and desserts.

You can add vegetables or meat for a more hearty, well-balanced meal. And with so many different flavor packets available, this pretty cheap food can be a great way to add variety to your diet on a budget. Flour is one of the most versatile ingredients you can buy when broke.

Add it to your cheapest groceries list to help you stretch your budget further. Four is perfect for making your own bread, pizza dough, pastries, etc. Sugar is another one of those ingredients essential for baking, but it can also be used in plenty of ways.

A bag of sugar is typically very inexpensive and has a long shelf life, making it an excellent option for those on a tight budget. A loaf of bread provides dozens of servings and can be used for everything from sandwiches and croutons to bread pudding and French toast. Tortillas are an excellent way to stretch your grocery budget.

They can be served as a main entree with many types of meat, used as a wrap for sandwiches, or even made into chips. Oats are one of the cheapest food additions to any diet.

They are also very versatile: you can enjoy oatmeal or porridge for breakfast, add them to baked goods like muffins or cookies, or even use them as a topping for savory dishes like chicken or fish.

If you want an inexpensive way to add variety to your cheap grocery list, consider picking up a few tea boxes in different flavors. From Earl Grey to chamomile, there is a tea flavor for everyone. Tea is not only a great way to relax at the end of the day, but it can also help you stay hydrated and save some money on expensive sodas and coffees.

When buying peanut butter, look for natural brands that contain only peanuts and salt as the main ingredients. Avoid brands that contain added sugar, oils, or other unhealthy additives. Your taste buds—and your wallet—will thank you. They are an affordable way to enjoy out-of-season produce that can also be used to make great sweets.

Canned tomatoes are one of the best-canned items to buy when broke. They can be used to make homemade tomato soup, chili, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and salsa. You can even blend canned tomatoes to make sauce rather than buying jarred sauces, saving you more money at many grocery stores.

Fruits and vegetables are the best cheap foods to buy, especially in season and from your local farms. With a little bit of meal planning, you can save some money on your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition or taste. When it comes to putting together a cheap grocery list, you want to add apples to it!

They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season. Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp.

When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and they have a relatively low calorie count.

Oranges are one of the cheapest foods to buy for your grocery list, and you can eat them fresh, juice them, or even use them in recipes. Broccoli is one of the best picks for fresh vegetables, and I love them with pasta dishes and just as a simple side when roasted in the oven.

Spinach is an excellent cheap food that is a source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium. Here are some meal ideas for incorporating spinach:. Iceberg lettuce is one of the cheapest groceries that you can buy. Lettuce is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is very versatile.

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