Here are 12 budget-friendly meals that are easy to make nutritious and delicious!

If you're on a busy schedule, these meals are perfect choices that will feed a large family. For food allergies, substitutions are all fine these recipes are very versatile and adaptable.

1. Rice and Beans: Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 1 can (15 oz) beans (black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans), drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, salsa

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until softened.
3. Add beans, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes until it's hot and heated.
4. Serve beans over cooked rice. Serve with the optional toppings if desired.

Vegetable Soup via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

2. Vegetable Soup: Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, celery, potatoes, peas, etc.), chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or basil)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a deep soup pot, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Stir in the mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
3. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
4. Serve the vegetable soup hot

3. Beef Gravy with Egg Noodles Ingredients:

For the beef gravy:

• 1 pound ground beef (you can also use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)

For the egg noodles:

• 8 ounces egg noodles
• Water for boiling
• Salt for boiling

Directions:

Prepare the Egg Noodles:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add some salt to the boiling water. Stir in the egg noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until they are tender. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Drain them in a colander and set them aside.

Prepare the Beef Gravy:

In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes soft about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it's golden in color and cooked through. Drain fat if necessary.

Make the Gravy:

Add the flour to the cooked beef and onion mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the beef or chicken broth stirring until smooth and lumps appear. Add in the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend all together.

Simmer and Thicken:

Allow the gravy to simmer for around 5-10 minutes, stirring a few times, until it thickens to your desired consistency. Add more broth if too thick and thin it out if needed.

Serve:

To serve, place some of the cooked egg noodles on each plate. Pour the beef gravy over the noodles, making sure each serving gets a generous amount of the flavorful sauce.

4. Potato Hash: Ingredients:

• 4 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add diced potatoes and fry them until golden brown and crispy.
3. Add chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté until vegetables are tender.
4. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Serve the potato hash as a side dish with breakfast lunch or dinner.

Tuna Salad on Toast via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

5. Tuna Salad: Ingredients:

• 2 cans (5 oz each) of canned tuna, drained
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bread or lettuce for serving

Directions:

1. Combine drained tuna, chopped celery, and chopped onion in a bowl with a cover.
2. Stir in mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until well combined.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Tuna salad can be served on bread as a sandwich on top of lettuce or as a salad stored remaining in the fridge.

6. Veggie Omelette: Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup diced vegetables (bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, spinach)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. In a bowl whisk eggs and milk together.
2. Heat a non-stick fry pan over medium heat and a few teaspoons of oil or butter.
3. Add diced vegetables and stir-frying until softened.
4. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables in the skillet.
5. As the eggs start to set, gently push the cooked edges toward the center, allowing the uncooked eggs to flow to the edges.
6. Sprinkle cheese on it over half of the omelet if using.
7. Fold the omelet in half using a turner spatula tool.
8. Cook for another minute until the cheese is melted and the eggs are fully cooked.
9. Serve with sliced tomatoes or chopped parsley.

7. Peanut Butter Banana Toast: Ingredients:

• Bread slices
• Peanut butter
• Banana, sliced

Instructions:

1. Toast bread slices to how you prefer it.
2. Spread peanut butter on the toasted bread slices.
3. Add some banana slices.
4. Serve this peanut butter banana toast as a quick snack or breakfast perfect on the go travelers also.

8. Pasta with Tomato Sauce: Ingredients:

• 12 oz (340g) pasta
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (basil, oregano)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil until softened in a skillet.
3. Add juice with diced tomatoes, fresh or dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Coat the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce.
5. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

These recipes should help you create delicious meals without breaking the bank. feel free to adjust ingredients based on availability and personal preferences.

Enjoy your budget-friendly cooking!

Stir Fry via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

9. Vegetable Stir-Fry: Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• Cooked rice for serving

Directions:

1. Heat oil the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it started to become fragrant.
3. Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until desired doneness.
4. Mix soy sauce and honey (or brown sugar) in a small bowl and evenly stir to combine.
5. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and combine and toss evenly.
6. Serve vegetables over the cooked rice.

Quesadilla via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

10. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas: Ingredients:

• Flour tortillas
• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• Salsa and sour cream for serving

Directions:

1. In a large nonstick skillet heat to medium heat.
2. Place a tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle cheese on one half.
3. Add the black beans over the cheese and fold the tortilla in half.
4. Cook until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted (about 3 to 4 minutes per side).
5. Repeat until all the tortillas are used.
6. Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve with salsa and sour cream if desired.

11. One-Pot Chili: Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot, cook the ground meat over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot and sauté for a few minutes until softened.
3. Add diced tomatoes (with their juices), kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve the chili hot, optionally topped with shredded cheese sour cream, tortilla chips crushed, and chopped green onions if desired.

Sloppy Joe's via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

12. Budget-Friendly Sloppy Joes: Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (you can also use ground turkey for a leaner option)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14-15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Hamburger buns

Directions:

1. Cook the ground beef over medium heat until it's browned and cooked through in a medium-sized pan. Break it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
3. Add in the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Mix well to combine.
4. Add in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard stirring everything together.
5. Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for about 10-15 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
6. Salt and pepper to taste.
7. Toast the hamburger buns lightly if desired.
8. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half of the bun.

Stretching your dollar means making wise choices with ingredients. Buying items in bulk, utilizing leftovers creatively, and choosing versatile ingredients are key strategies. Encouraging family members to participate in meal preparation can make the experience enjoyable and educational. By incorporating these budget-friendly meal ideas, you can ensure that your family's appetites and financial well-being are both well taken care of.

More Recipes that are Budget Friendly:

20 Bean Recipes

15 Easy Pasta Recipes

Best Soup Recipes

Loose Meat Italian Submarine Sandwiches

Best Potato Sides Dishes here

One Pan Texas Skillet