20 Low-Cost Meals You’ll Actually Want To Eat Again
When money’s tight, your grocery budget is often the first place you feel the pinch. I’ve been there too, staring into my nearly empty fridge, wondering how to make meals that won’t break the bank.
The good news? You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated recipes to eat well on a shoestring budget.
These 20 affordable meal ideas will help you feed your family for less while still keeping things delicious.
1. Bean and Rice Burrito Bowls
Nothing stretches a dollar quite like beans and rice! Combine these two powerhouses with whatever veggies are on sale this week for a filling fiesta in a bowl.
I make these at least twice a month when my bank account starts giving me the side-eye. A can of black beans costs less than a dollar, and rice pennies per serving.
Top with a sprinkle of cheese, some homemade salsa, and whatever else you’ve got hiding in the fridge.
2. Potato Soup Supreme
Potatoes are the unsung heroes of budget cooking. A 5-pound bag often costs less than $3 and can form the base of countless meals, including this creamy dream of a soup.
Simmer diced potatoes with onions in broth until tender. Mash some potatoes against the side of the pot for thickness, then add a splash of milk if you have it.
Season with salt, pepper, and whatever herbs are hanging out in your pantry. Bacon bits optional but magnificent!
3. Egg Fried Rice Revolution
Got leftover rice? You’re halfway to dinner! Egg fried rice saved me countless times during my broke college days.
Heat a bit of oil, scramble an egg or two, then toss in yesterday’s rice with whatever sad veggies need using up. Frozen peas and carrots work perfectly here.
A splash of soy sauce transforms the whole thing into something that tastes intentional rather than desperate. Fancy restaurants charge $15 for what costs you about $1 per serving!
4. Pasta Aglio e Olio
Fancy-sounding but ridiculously simple, this Italian classic needs just spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. That’s it!
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, gently sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant but not brown. Toss with drained pasta, add pepper flakes, and sprinkle with parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
This humble dish proves that the simplest meals are often the most satisfying.
5. Chickpea Curry in a Hurry
Canned chickpeas transform into a protein-packed feast faster than delivery pizza arrives. And for a fraction of the cost!
Sauté an onion with curry powder, add a can of drained chickpeas and diced tomatoes. Simmer until flavors meld. If you have coconut milk, add a splash for creaminess, but water works too.
Serve over rice or with flatbread. The spices make this taste like you spent hours cooking when it really takes about 15 minutes.
6. Breakfast-for-Dinner Frittata
Eggs might be nature’s perfect budget protein. At roughly 20¢ each, they’re the star of this customizable dinner that uses up whatever’s lingering in your fridge.
I discovered the magic of frittatas when my paycheck was still days away but my stomach was growling now. Beat 6-8 eggs, pour over sautéed veggies in an oven-safe skillet, top with cheese scraps, and bake until set.
Slice like pizza and pretend you’re dining in a fancy brunch spot instead of your kitchen.
7. Lentil Soup Luxury
Lentils cost pennies per serving but deliver millionaire nutrition. This humble legume transforms into a hearty soup that tastes even better the next day.
Simmer dried lentils with diced carrots, onions, and celery in broth until tender. Add a bay leaf and garlic for flavor depth. A splash of vinegar at the end brightens everything up.
Freeze portions for future emergency meals when your wallet needs a break from grocery shopping.
8. Tuna Noodle Surprise
This retro classic deserves a comeback tour! Canned tuna mixed with pasta creates a protein-packed meal for roughly $1 per serving.
Cook egg noodles according to package directions. Mix with drained tuna, frozen peas (no need to pre-cook), and a simple sauce of milk, butter, and flour. Sprinkle with whatever cheese is on hand.
Bake until bubbly for a comforting casserole that reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen—simple food made with love.
9. Peanut Butter Noodles
Who knew that jar of peanut butter could create restaurant-worthy noodles? This Asian-inspired dish comes together in minutes and costs mere cents.
Cook any pasta you have on hand. Meanwhile, whisk peanut butter with soy sauce, a splash of vinegar, and water to create a silky sauce. Add hot sauce if you like things spicy.
Toss with hot noodles and whatever vegetables need using up. Garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro if you’re feeling fancy.
10. Shakshuka Sensation
Eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce sounds fancy but costs pocket change. This Middle Eastern dish makes canned tomatoes the star of the show.
Sauté an onion and bell pepper if you have one. Add a can of tomatoes, garlic, and spices like cumin and paprika. Create wells in the sauce and crack eggs directly into them.
Cover and simmer until eggs reach desired doneness. Serve with any bread for sauce-sopping duties. My roommates always think I’ve suddenly become a chef when I make this!
11. Baked Potato Buffet
The humble spud transforms into a complete meal with toppings raided from your fridge and pantry. At roughly 25¢ per potato, this is budget eating at its finest.
Scrub potatoes, prick with a fork, and bake until tender. Split open and fluff the insides. Now for the fun part—top with beans, cheese, leftover chili, steamed broccoli, or whatever you have on hand.
Even a simple combo of butter and salt tastes amazing when you’re hungry and broke.
12. Ramen Resurrection
Those 25¢ packets can become legitimate meals with a few strategic additions. Forget the sodium bomb flavor packet—we’re upgrading!
Cook noodles in broth instead of water. Add a soft-boiled egg, handful of frozen vegetables, and leftover protein if you have it. A dash of soy sauce and sesame oil works wonders.
I started making fancy ramen during my first apartment days when I had more time than money. Now it’s comfort food that reminds me how far I’ve come.
13. Savory Oatmeal Creation
Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast! This whole grain costs pennies per serving and makes a surprisingly delicious savory meal base.
Cook oats in broth instead of water. Top with a fried egg, sautéed greens, or leftover roasted vegetables. Add a sprinkle of cheese and hot sauce.
The creamy texture mimics risotto but requires none of the stirring. Your wallet and schedule will thank you for discovering this versatile grain’s dinner potential.
14. Poor Man’s Pizza Toast
No delivery budget? No problem! This pizza hack satisfies cravings without the hefty price tag.
Toast bread until crisp, spread with tomato sauce (or even ketchup in desperate times).
Top with whatever cheese you have and any toppings lurking in your fridge—lunch meat, olives, or vegetables.
Broil until bubbly and golden. The resulting melty goodness hits the same pleasure centers as delivery pizza but costs about 50¢ per serving instead of $15.
15. Cabbage Patch Stir Fry
Cabbage might be the most underrated budget vegetable. A whole head costs around $1 and stays fresh for weeks!
Slice cabbage thinly and stir-fry with garlic and soy sauce. Add carrots, onions, or any vegetables needing to be used up. Throw in an egg for protein or leftover meat if you have it.
The humble cabbage transforms into a volume-packed meal that fills your plate and stomach without emptying your wallet. Plus, the leftovers taste even better.
16. Black Bean Quesadillas
Two tortillas and a can of beans create multiple meals for less than the cost of a fancy coffee. This protein-packed option satisfies serious hunger.
Mash black beans with a fork, mix with spices like cumin and chili powder. Spread on a tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, top with another tortilla, and cook in a dry pan until crispy and golden.
Cut into wedges and dip in salsa or hot sauce. The crispy-creamy texture combination is pure magic!
17. Pantry Pasta e Fagioli
This Italian bean and pasta soup sounds fancy but relies on basic pantry staples that cost next to nothing. Pure comfort in a bowl!
Sauté onions and garlic, add canned beans, diced tomatoes, and broth. Simmer until flavors meld, then add small pasta shapes during the last 10 minutes.
A sprinkle of parmesan cheese elevates this peasant soup to restaurant quality. I’ve served this to guests who never guessed it cost about 75¢ per generous serving.
18. Cornmeal Porridge Perfection
Polenta (fancy talk for cornmeal mush) costs about 10¢ per serving but transforms into a canvas for whatever toppings you have on hand.
Whisk cornmeal into boiling water, stirring until thick and creamy. Season with salt and butter if you have it. The magic happens with toppings: try marinara sauce and cheese for Italian vibes or beans and salsa for Southwestern flair.
My grandmother made this during the Depression, proving good food transcends tough times.
19. Egg Drop Soup Miracle
This Chinese restaurant favorite costs pennies to make at home and comes together in five minutes flat. Perfect for when your energy and bank account are equally depleted!
Bring broth to a simmer (even bouillon cubes work). Drizzle beaten eggs slowly into the hot liquid while stirring gently to create those signature ribbons.
Add a handful of frozen peas or corn for color and nutrition. A few drops of sesame oil and soy sauce finish this liquid gold that costs roughly 30¢ per bowl.
20. Sardine Toast Surprise
Before you wrinkle your nose, hear me out! Canned sardines deliver omega-3s and protein for about $1 per serving. They’re the unsung heroes of budget nutrition.
Toast good bread, spread with a little butter or mayo. Top with sardines, thinly sliced onions, and a squeeze of lemon if you have it.
The combination is surprisingly addictive and feels more like a trendy bistro dish than budget desperation food. My fishing-town grandmother would be proud I’m finally appreciating these little nutritional powerhouses!