Yummy foods on a low budget?

Question

I'm trying to think of foods that are good to eat, but still not too expensive to make. Anyone got any ideas?

Answer 1

http://southernfood.about.com/od/budgetmeals/Budget_Meals_and_Tips.htm

Answer 2

Spaghetti with sauce is economical and filling. Try browning 1 lb. of hamburger in a deep skillet with a chopped onion and a small can of mushrooms. Once this is browned, add some jarred pasta sauce. Voila, cheap and yummy meat sauce.

Produce may seem expensive at the off-set, but a salad can be filling on its own if you add a sliced, grilled chicken breast. Or have it as a healthier side option than chips with a sandwich.

Tacos are easy and always a hit. Don't bother with the prepackaged kits if you're looking to save. Instead, just buy a package of tortillas, 1 lb. of beef, a packet of taco seasoning (this is normally with the pot roast seasonings, etc.), some sour cream, some shredded cheddar (or for extra savings, buy a small block of cheese and grate it yourself) and a tomato. Follow the directions on the back of the package of taco seasoning to make the "taco meat." Use the tortillas to make soft shell tacos. If you want to make a cheaters spanish rice to go along, just cook instant rice according to the package, once you've fluffed it add a small can of tomato sauce and sprinkle in a little of the taco seasoning.

The easiest way to save money on meals is to remember proper portions--You plate should have a 2:1 or even 3:1 ratio of vegetables to meat. You can also try going vegetarian for a few meals a week and see the difference it makes on your wallet and waistline.

Answer 3

I have to agree with Penydred that it is bulk cooking and creative leftovers that stretch a food budget. When we were just starting out in the military and needed to feed ourselves on a limited budget, I would plan my meals a month at a time. If you shop the sales, and stock a freezer, it helps. Eating on a budget does not mean that you have to eat Kraft Dinner and Campbells soup every night. While they have their place, you can do better with careful planning. For instance a roast beef dinner the first night, can be hot beef sandwiches the second night. There is usually enough meat on the bone to make a pot of beef vegetable soup. The same thing can be done with chicken. Buy ground beef in bulk and make meat loaf. Form some of the mixture into meatballs and cook. Bag them and freeze them for use in spaghetti or with a sweet and sour sauce over rice. You see... it is fun and challenging! You can feed your family well with a little planning and effort.

Answer 4

I don't want to start out too harsh, but....YOU could learn to cook, and trade a chore with your wife. My father in law did all the grocery shopping in their family. My mother in law did all the cooking. Be careful about the comparisons to your mother==the MIL/DIL dynamic can be very antagonistic. Actually, don't make comparisons to your mother-- it comes off as criticism, unless the comparason puts your wife in a good light My most recent shopping tip is to look really closely at stores that sell organic and non organic foods. Many times I have found organic apples, onions and such cheaper than the regular stuff. I am a big fan of bagged fresh spinach. It is really good for you, lots of vitamins. It can be a salad with just about any thing put on top of it, tuna salad, some hard boiled eggs, beans, etc. You can also dump it in soup and stirfrys, but it does shrivel up. Other things I try to keep on hand: 3-4 lb bags of frozen boneless chicken breasts or thighs-this is usually the cheapest way to buy this kind of meat. Good bread= I love sourdough, but I try to buy different kinds to keep things interesting. Onions, especially green. Tortillas- corn are better for you. Cheese, at least cheddar and Parmesan. Pasta Spaghetti Sauce Butter is better for you than margarine. Sometimes spending more for just a few good things can make a big difference! Enough for now! Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Buy yourself a can of whole tomatoes in their liquid (about $1.29), open the can place in a bowl and then squish them up in their liquid
A garlic clove (about .50 cents),
an onion (another .50 cents)
some olive oil (you probably already have this, but if not you can get a tiny bottle for about $3.00, and you'll still have a lot left over for another meal)
red pepper flakes (you probably have this in your cubbard as well)
a small can of tomato paste (you can usually get them on sale for about .60 cents)
A box of Linguini (you can use whatever pasta you like)

Finely chop the onion and garlic

Put three or four tablespoons of olive oil into a pot and heat
place the onion and garlic into the pot and cook until its translucent
put about a 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper flakes (more if you like it really spicy), and then dump the squished tomatoes into the pot, then add about 3 tablespoons of the tomato paste. let this simmer for about 45 min.

Boil the pasta and drain pasta then pour sauce over it and toss.

You can serve 4 people with this recipe and its really fresh and yummy!

Another great idea are omlettes. you can put anything you want in them (mushrooms, cheese, peppers and onions) easy and quick to make)

Answer 6

Eggs are still a very good protein source and relatively inexpensive, they also have a variety of ways to be used, hard boiled, over easy, omlettes etc. Lentils are another nutritious and inexpensive food, lentil soup is an easy recipe to make. Pasta can be used in a variety of ways as well.

Answer 7

get a pot roast. cook it up and you can make a couple of meals with the leftovers. soup, stew, or chowder. all you do is add in a few veggies. or you could make beef shepherds pie.

buy dark chicken meat. buy cans of tuna. make macaroni and cheese. make grilled cheese sandwiches. ground beef is pretty good and not too expensive. you can get a few meals out of that, too.

cup of noodles are not that bad. and make smoked sausages with whatever kind of potato you like.

Answer 8

make your won hamburger helper,
or even cheese helper,
1. elbow mac
2. hamburger 3. all spice and Unions only if you like them and want them
4. cheese soft cheese.
and then cook it and put it in your oven and put more cheese on top of it and after that a salad and some good strawberry tea.
it so good.
you'll love it.
trust me on this if you make the same things you can but then you can make it much easy er your self.
or you can do backed chicken with rice and gravy, always a good one.
this is quick and easy meals.
hope this helped you.
hugs for you and yours.

Answer 9

There is skillet dish...it is awesome and camp fire casserole both of these make a good many servings. Homemade pasta salad, the list is endless. I have a terminal child and I must keep costs wayyyyy down. Let me know if you need recipes.

Answer 10

Jasmine rice and vegetables. Add whatever is on sale with different seasonings to keep variety. The Jasmine rice has a very good flavor compared to most bland rice available.

Answer 11

Pasta's and different rice's are pretty economical.A good idea is to watch for meats on sale at good prices so you can stock up and freeze.
In the summer,veggies in season are not costly.The same goes for fruit.Both are so good for you.You can also freeze fresh veg and fruit to have on hand for later.
A good idea is to date everything you freeze so you know which to use firstLook up freezing and preserving on the net and follow the guidelines.