Affordable Meals That Have Sustained Families for Years

Budget-Friendly Meals for Everyday Delights

In the ongoing pursuit of delicious and economical meals, home cooks around the world are turning to smart cooking methods and everyday staples to create mouth-watering dishes that won't strain the grocery bill. Here are some examples of budget-friendly meals that are both easy on the wallet and the taste buds.

Quesadillas

A crowd-pleaser for any occasion, quesadillas are a versatile dish made with tortillas, cheese, and any leftover fillings. Quick to cook and highly adaptable, they make for an ideal meal at any time of the day.

One-Pot Beans & Rice

A classic combination, one-pot beans and rice provide complete protein and full nutrition while saving time and effort. This simple, nutritious meal is a staple in many households.

White Beans & Greens

Another budget-friendly option, white beans and greens are a simple, one-pot meal that relies on pantry staples for its flavour and nutrition.

Overnight Oats and Chia Pudding

For a quick and easy breakfast, try overnight oats or chia pudding. Prepared ahead using rolled oats, milk, yogurt, or chia seeds, these no-cook options are filling and customizable to suit any taste.

Ramen Revisited

Upgrade your instant ramen with proteins and vegetables for a healthier and more satisfying meal. This simple dish is a great way to stretch your budget and add some extra nutrients to your diet.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Quickly cooked in a microwave, baked sweet potatoes are a vitamin- and fiber-rich side or base that can be easily customized with your favourite toppings.

Risotto

Prepared as a one-pot rice dish, risotto can be customized using pantry staples and leftovers for a filling and flavourful meal.

Taco Bake

Combining affordable ingredients like ground beef and refried beans, taco bake is a one-dish meal that is both budget-conscious and flavourful.

Roast Chicken with Quinoa

Roast chicken, a versatile and inexpensive protein, paired with nutritious quinoa, makes for a meal that can be adapted into multiple dishes throughout the week. Add some spices and simple vegetables for variety and flavour.

Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Baked together in one pan, buttermilk chicken and potatoes use a simple marinade to keep the dish tender and flavourful.

Marinated Beet Salad with Dill

A budget-friendly meal or side dish, marinated beet salad with dill is a colourful and tangy dish that can be made in bulk and stored in the fridge for several days.

Instant Pot Chicken with Sweet Peppers

Cook chicken, tomatoes, and sweet peppers together in one pressure cooker pot for a quick and easy meal that is ready in under 30 minutes.

Black Bean Tacos with Sweet Pepper Salsa

Reliant on beans as an affordable and protein-rich staple, black bean tacos with sweet pepper salsa come together quickly with a handful of pantry items and seasonal vegetables.

Argentinian Empanadas

Baked hand pies filled with simple, hearty vegetables, Argentinian empanadas are often made in large batches for feeding groups.

Easy Samosas

Filled with seasoned chickpeas and wrapped in a simple dough, easy samosas are a staple in many homes where budget-friendly meals are built on pantry legumes and starches.

Cheesy Eggs (Cheese Shakshuka)

A fast and affordable meal, cheesy eggs or cheese shakshuka use eggs, tomatoes, and cheese to create a skillet meal that is sure to please.

Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe

A budget-friendly meal that roasts together on one pan, this dish uses affordable produce like zucchini and peppers to create a flavourful and filling meal.

Homemade Matzo Ball Soup

A comforting and affordable meal, homemade matzo ball soup combines broth, onions, and fluffy dumplings made from matzo meal and eggs to create a hearty and soul-warming dish.

Homemade Gefilte Fish

Made by grinding affordable whitefish with matzo meal, shaping it into patties, and simmering it gently in broth, homemade gefilte fish is a traditional dish that is both budget-friendly and delicious.

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies

Bake chicken and vegetables together with paprika for a no-hassle dinner that is both flavourful and easy to prepare.

Mujadara

A one-pot dish made of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions, mujadara is a budget-friendly meal that is both filling and flavourful.

Tomato and White Bean Soup with Harissa

A practical budget-friendly meal for cooler months, this soup uses canned tomatoes, white beans, and harissa paste to create a hearty and flavourful dish.

Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

A filling and budget-conscious meal, ground turkey stuffed peppers are great for batch cooking and freezing. Made with ground turkey, rice, and vegetables, this dish is both healthy and delicious.

Green Shakshuka

Turn leafy greens and a few eggs into a skillet meal that is both cheap to make and rich in tradition.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Combine pantry pasta with mushrooms and leeks to create a baked casserole that feeds a group with minimal effort.

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

A filling side or meatless main, butternut squash wild rice pilaf uses rice and squash as affordable staples to create a flavourful and nutritious dish.

Chicken Sancocho

A traditional Colombian stew designed to stretch meat across more servings while keeping things hearty, chicken sancocho cooks in one pot for a flavourful and filling meal.

Buckwheat Kasha with Mushrooms and Onions

A filling dish made with just a few earthy ingredients, buckwheat kasha with mushrooms and onions builds deep flavour and sits well as a side or a main.

The Perfect Rice Pilaf

Turn a pot of rice into something more substantial with common spices, onion, and stock.

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

A thick bean soup made with white beans, paprika, and vegetables, pasulj Serbian white bean soup is a budget-friendly meal that is both hearty and flavourful.

Ajiaco Colombiano

A slow-simmered chicken and potato soup that stretches to feed a family with ease, ajiaco Colombiano uses minimal meat and bulk from potatoes to create a filling and flavourful meal.

Chicken Colombian Tamales

Labor-intensive, budget-friendly meals made from cornmeal, chicken, and vegetables, chicken Colombian tamales are often prepared in large batches for special occasions or large families.

Greek Vegetarian Moussaka

A hearty and filling vegetarian dish, Greek vegetarian moussaka uses potatoes and zucchini instead of meat to create a delicious and budget-friendly meal.

Potato Vareniki

Dumplings filled with mashed potatoes, boiled until tender, and often served with sour cream or onions, potato vareniki are a budget-friendly dish that can be made in large batches and stored or frozen for later use.