Budget Bites: 5+ Delicious Recipes That Save You Serious Cash
With grocery prices skyrocketing higher than ever, eating well without emptying your wallet is harder than ever. Everything is so expensive and even more so if you’re wanting to stock up on healthy, nutritious foods. But it doesn’t have to be that hard. Today, we’re meshing flavour and frugality by sharing easy, affordable recipes that taste great and won’t break the bank. We’ll teach you how to make the most out of simple ingredients. Saving money doesn’t have to sacrifice flavour. Whether you’re meal prepping, feeding a family or simply trying to reduce food costs, our delicious recipes will help you stretch every dollar without feeling deprived.
Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos
Rice is a fantastic staple. You can make so many different meals with it and it’s great for meal prep and leftovers. You can make rice burritos and swap anything from the ingredient list below. For example, if white rice is on sale for $3 cheaper than brown rice then go ahead and grab that. Every little bit of savings helps.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 small tortillas
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional – salsa, sour cream, hot sauce for serving
Instructions
Making these cheesy bean and rice burritos is a breeze. Mix the rice, black beans, cumin, chilli powder and salt and pepper in a bowl. Warm the mixture up in the microwave or on the stove. When it’s warm, spoon the mixture onto each tortilla and then sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Roll up into a burrito and serve with your favourite toppings! Voila!
Baked Chicken and Potatoes
Potatoes are another staple like rice. They’re inexpensive and incredibly versatile. They make for a hearty side dish and complement nearly anything beautifully. Also, potatoes are awesome. Who doesn’t love potatoes?
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2-3 medium potatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons of any cooking oil
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (or your favourite seasoning blend)
Instructions
Making this baked chicken and potatoes is a breeze. All you do is start with preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and toss the potatoes and chicken breast with cooking oil and ranch seasoning mix. Continue to toss until the potatoes and chicken are evenly coated with the seasoning mix. Spread the chicken and potatoes out evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway. (Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.)
3-Ingredient Pasta Bake
This 3-ingredient pasta bake is simple and very inexpensive. You can add ingredients to it if you want to dress it up or keep just 3 ingredients for a hearty, inexpensive meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz of any type of pasta
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 Fahrenheit and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Then mix the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce and put it in the baking dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly on top and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly.
One-Pot Tomato Rice
One-pot tomato rice is simple, easy to clean up and tastes fantastic. It offers a delicious, savoury flavour with a tangy flair.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
Instructions
In a large pot combine the rice, diced tomatoes, water (broth) and salt and pepper. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat and once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Once the liquid is absorbed and it’s gently boiling, fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Cheesy Tuna Casserole
Cheesy tuna casserole is a comforting and budget-friendly meal. It comes together in just a few steps and with simple ingredients. It’s a one-pan wonder and busy-night delight!
Ingredients
- 1 can of tuna (in water or oil)
- 1 cup of any kind of pasta
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken
Instructions
This cheesy tuna casserole is a breeze to make. Simply preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit and cook the pasta according to the package. In a large bowl, mix the cooked and drained pasta with tuna, cream of mushroom soup and half a cup of shredded cheese. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is all melty and bubbly.
Budget-Friendly Snack Inspiration
Need some good, budget-friendly snack inspiration? Don’t worry! We have some terrific ideas for you!
- Peanut butter on whole wheat crackers
- Air-popped or stove-top popcorn
- Carrot sticks with hummus
- Greek yoghurt with honey
- Rice cakes with mashed avocado on top
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Vegetable sticks with ranch
Save Money With These Swaps
You can save even more money by making these simple swaps in your regular cooking.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. (It’s cheaper and leaner.)
- Swap fresh beans for fresh ones. (If you have the time, dried beans are even more inexpensive.)
- Swap heavy cream with milk or yoghurt. (This still gives it a creamy texture without a big price tag.)
- Swap fresh vegetables for frozen. (More budget-friendly and still nutritious.)
- Swap brand-named products for no-name or generic. (For example – ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, cereal, etc.)
- Swap butter for oil. (Oil is typically cheaper than butter and still adds great texture.)
Final Thoughts
It can be really challenging to grocery shop when prices are so high. Knowing what to get and how to put it together into a nutritious meal is hard. But, with these five recipes, snack ideas and easy swaps, you’ll be well on your way to saving money while still eating well. These recipes are simple, fast, and perfect for any night of the week. Which one are you most excited to try?
