15 Cheap Meals Frugal Families Cook on Repeat
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Cooking at home is one of the easiest ways to save money.
But when life gets busy, it’s easy to fall back on takeaways or convenience food.
One thing that helps is having a small collection of easy meals you can fall back on.
These are the kinds of meals that are quick to make, affordable, and use ingredients you probably already have in the cupboard or fridge.
Once you have a few reliable meals like this, it becomes much easier to cook at home without having to think too hard about dinner.
Most of us end up with a handful of simple meals we come back to again and again that are:
• Affordable
• Easy to cook
• Filling and satisfying
• Made with everyday ingredients
Here are some budget-friendly meals that people tend to cook again and again.
1. Spaghetti with tomato sauce
A simple pasta dish made with tinned tomatoes, garlic and herbs can be inexpensive and satisfying.
It’s one of those meals that’s easy to throw together with basic cupboard ingredients.
2. Vegetable stir fry with rice
Stir fries are perfect for using up vegetables that are starting to look a bit tired in the fridge.
Add a simple sauce and serve with rice for a quick, filling meal.
3. Lentil soup
Lentils are inexpensive, filling and perfect for soups and stews.
A big pot of soup can often stretch across several meals.
4. Baked potatoes with toppings
Baked potatoes are simple, filling and very flexible.
Top them with beans, cheese, tuna or whatever leftovers you have in the fridge.
They’re also one of those meals that usually goes down well.
5. Vegetable pasta
Pasta with roasted or sautéed vegetables is another easy meal made from inexpensive ingredients.
It’s also a good way to use up vegetables before they go bad.
6. Egg fried rice
Leftover rice works perfectly for fried rice with eggs and vegetables.
This is one of those meals that often comes together from whatever is already in the fridge.
7. Bean chilli
Beans, tomatoes and spices can create a hearty chilli that’s both filling and inexpensive.
It’s the kind of meal that works well when you make a big batch and keep leftovers for another day.
8. Homemade vegetable soup
Soup is one of the easiest ways to use up vegetables that might otherwise go to waste.
A large batch can often be frozen, which makes future meals even easier.
9. Tuna pasta
Tinned tuna mixed with pasta and a simple sauce makes a quick and affordable meal.
It’s one of those meals that comes together in about ten minutes.
10. Omelettes
Eggs are one of the most versatile budget ingredients.
Add vegetables, cheese or leftovers to turn an omelette into a full meal.
They’re also one of the quickest dinners when you can’t think what else to cook.
11. Rice and beans
This classic combination is inexpensive, filling and surprisingly nutritious.
A few spices or sauces can keep it interesting.
12. Pasta bake
Pasta bakes are great for feeding a family and often taste even better the next day.
They’re also perfect for batch cooking.
13. Simple curries
Curries made with lentils, chickpeas or vegetables can be very affordable.
They’re also easy to adapt depending on what ingredients you have.
14. Homemade pizza
Making pizza at home can be much cheaper than ordering takeaway.
Simple dough and a few toppings are often all you need.
15. Leftover “everything” dinners
Some nights dinner simply becomes a mix of whatever ingredients are left in the fridge.
These meals can be surprisingly good and help reduce food waste at the same time.
Why simple meals save money
Having a few reliable meals you can cook without thinking too much makes it easier to avoid expensive last-minute food choices.
You don’t need dozens of complicated recipes.
Just a small collection of simple meals you enjoy can make a big difference to your grocery budget.
Often the meals we cook again and again are the ones that make everyday life easiest.
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20 Foods Frugal Families Always Keep on Hand
