IMO, the only way to cook bone-in chicken thighs is to slightly overcook them, as counter-intuitive as that sounds. Though they're technically safe to consume at ºF or higher, I cook them until they reach at least ª, if not º or even higher.

Chicken thighs' higher fat content means that the meat will stay moist and juicy regardless, but the higher internal temperature ensures that the meat becomes tender and falls right off the bone.

Still, if bone-in chicken scares you, buy boneless skinless chicken thighs. While they're more expensive than bone-in, they're still much cheaper than chicken breast, and more flavorful, too.

While the recipe itself calls for whole chicken legs , I use bone-in, skin-on thighs for ease and find that the results come out even better. The more uniform shape of the chicken ensures that as much fat as possible is rendered out while it cooks, and since that fat joins the luscious sauce for the kale rice — which you should absolutely be prepared to make a double batch of, BTW — it's a very worthwhile swap.

Other favorites: My favorite herb-forward chicken noodle soup that's also loaded with veggies, or these air fryer chicken thighs that taste restaurant-quality every single time.

I have nothing against sandwich bread, but if we're talking longevity and price point, tortillas win every single time. I keep mine in the refrigerator so they stay fresh for as long as possible, usually at least two weeks, and they're a satisfying base for a variety of meals and snacks from air fryer tortilla chips to quesadillas.

In my most dire rent-week experiences, I've even been known to slather warm tortillas with butter and salt and munch on them as-is don't knock it 'til you've tried it. If you have a gas stovetop, my favorite hack for getting store-bought tortillas to taste decidedly fresh is to briefly run them under cool water, pat any excess dry, then toast directly over the flame.

You'll end up with an interior that's warm and tender with a crisp, slightly charred exterior, and it's heavenly. You can do this with electric or induction stovetops, too; just toast the tortillas directly in a hot skillet until warmed through and gently crisped.

Think of this recipe as a baseline, then customize it as you see fit. To cut down on costs even further, I've occasionally reduced the amount of chicken I use by half and supplemented it with black beans or cooked rice.

Importantly, flour tortillas and corn tortillas yield drastically different results; the former produces a dish that's more filling and suuuper comforting, while corn tortillas make for a meal that's lighter and more meat-forward.

The choice is all yours! Other favorites: TikTokers love these ridiculously easy smash burger "tacos" and I do, too! Though I eat plenty of meat, one of my proudest accomplishments is converting my partner, who previously couldn't stand tofu, into a person who now requests tofu-based dishes when we go through our weekly meal plans.

The fact of the matter is that tofu will never replace the texture or flavor of meat, but like meat, it plays nicely with just about every flavor profile.

Tofu is the greatest blank canvas out there, which means that the one or two packs you keep in your refrigerator could become just one of the thousands of different tofu recipes out there. The tofu in this recipe "cooks" by gently simmering it in water, and if that immediately worries you since you're used to crispy tofu, stick with me.

Start with store-bought dough to make the Mediterranean meal a practical choice, even on a weeknight. Look for the dough in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or ask your local pizza shop if you can purchase an extra pound of their secret recipe!

Noodle dishes are known to be easy on the wallet. Not so much. Fortunately, a small handful of heart-healthy nuts can go a long way to add a rich flavor to cheap, healthy meals like this one.

Whole wheat noodles help too. Low in fat 6 grams per portion yet high in protein a strong 28 grams , this five-ingredient slow cooker pork recipe checks all the boxes. Only 10 minutes of prep required.

Indeed—it's one of the lowest-cost options in this collection of cheap, healthy meals. Here's a cheap, healthy vegetarian meal you'll want to make again and again.

With 24 grams of protein and a nice portion of hunger-taming broth and noodles, this soup will fill you up for hours. Meat-like portobello mushrooms , tofu , and a poached egg join fresh veggies in this cozy, crowd-pleasing Asian noodle soup.

Breaded with whole wheat panko and baked instead of fried, this eggplant Parmesan is calories less than some classic recipes. Keep your nutrition streak going by grabbing a couple of zucchini at the store to spiralize , toss with the rest of the marinara , and serve under the baked eggplant.

Voilà—a budget dinner recipe for four that tastes up to par with its restaurant competition. A few decades ago, "stretch the meat" was the mantra for cutting costs at dinnertime.

It's still a great strategy for making cheap, healthy meals even more affordable. Here wide egg noodles , mushrooms, and a bit of cheese extend 8 ounces of ground beef to provide five hearty servings. One bite will be all the proof you need that you can absolutely make satisfying suppers without making meat the main event.

Instead of refried beans, this flavorful Mexican entrée —ready in 30 minutes—features a creamy cauliflower puree. If you're hungry and have leftover chicken or shrimp , toss them in too. the serving size can be cut in half for an easy, healthy dinner recipe for two on a budget.

To maximize your cheap, healthy dinner recipes, never let any ingredients go to waste. Instead, use any leftover pesto in these quick and easy pesto recipes. Turn budget-friendly shaved cooked ham into a delicacy by serving it on mashed sweet potatoes and topping it with cranberry sauce.

This healthy dinner recipe on a budget offers a taste of Thanksgiving any time of year. Not into ham or craving more holiday spirit? Try this with sliced smoked turkey instead. Your favorite Tuscan-inspired restaurant may not be the first place you'd head to get inspiration for healthy meals on the cheap.

But much of this Italian region's cuisine is humble and healthy. Tuscan cooks are fond of using cannellini beans. Here the beans partner with other great Mediterranean diet -friendly ingredients for a true-to-Italy dish that won't break the bank or your nutrition goals.

When coming up with cheap, healthy meals, consider cooking with whitefish. The affordable and lean protein is mild enough to please even picky eaters.

Enjoy it on these crowd-pleasing tostadas perfectly seasoned with chili powder, garlic, and lime. On the hunt for affordable, healthy meals that work for dinner or brunch? Get cracking—eggs, that is. Here protein-rich, budget-friendly eggs pair with other pantry staples for a cheap and easy recipe under calories per serving.

Save even more money when you substitute dried herbs you have on hand for the fresh herbs. Start planning your next chili night now. This low-cost slow cooker chili recipe can be prepped in 25 minutes.

Stir everything together in the slow cooker early in the day and come home to a healthy dinner loaded with veggies and 14 grams of protein. Sticking to healthy meals on a budget often means driving past your favorite eatery and straight home.

But with nutritious restaurant remakes like this, you can don't have to miss out on take-out flavor while saving money, sodium, and calories. Not only does this well-balanced pasta recipe clock in at under calories per serving, but it also takes only 20 minutes to prepare.

Comforting chili flavors, pasta, and cheese make this meal a family favorite. Oh yes, and it all comes together in one pan. Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness; in this recipe, they're spiced and seasoned to give the fajitas extra flavor.

Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe. Ree loves a supermarket swap—like using store-bought French bread on pizza night! It's quick, easy, and perfect for any topping that your family members prefer. Get Ree's French Bread Pizzas recipe. These beef enchiladas keep things simple with canned enchilada sauce, but don't worry, there's still plenty of spice and melty cheese!

Get the Beef Enchiladas recipe. Prices for chicken thighs can vary, but on average they're less expensive than chicken breasts.

Learn how to cook the thighs to perfection using an air fryer for crispy skin and juicy meat. Get the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe. SHOP AIR FRYERS.

Say hello to your new favorite family dinner! It's cheesy, comforting, and fit for a crowd. Plus, even picky eaters can get on board with the ground beef and noodle dish.

Get the Cheeseburger Casserole recipe. Jam-packed with veggies and a satisfying, savory sauce, these noodles are everything you love and more! Serve with a drizzle of hot sauce, like Sriracha, if you want an added kick. Get the Lo Mein recipe. Buy a store-bought rotisserie chicken at the supermarket and you'll be supplied with endless dinner ideas, like this hearty burrito filed with rice, beans, chicken, and cheese.

Get Ree's Ancho Chicken Burritos recipe. When you're in a pinch, you can't go wrong with that can of tuna that's hidden in the back of the pantry! Use it to make this fun pasta salad inspired by tuna noodle casserole.

Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe. Ree says that you can call this a "clean out the fridge soup" because it's so versatile. Swap out your choice of veggies depending on what you have on hand.

Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe. SHOP STOCK POTS. Eating on a budget doesn't need to be boring and this casserole recipe proves it! The packet of ranch seasoning mix gives it a punch of flavor, plus you can't go wrong with anything topped with bacon! Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe.

Stew meat or even chuck roast is a great inexpensive option for making this hearty twist on chicken and noodles.

It has that stick-to-your-ribs kind of goodness.

Chicken Legumes Apples

Cost-effective recipe essentials - Pasta Chicken Legumes Apples

Dried beans are inexpensive and are ideal for feeding large groups of people or for leftovers. Dried beans can be cooked in a slow cooker with a Bay leaf or two to add flavor. Make a large batch, separate them into serving portions, and freeze for a quick future meal!

Canned beans are also a great option for a quicker, yet still inexpensive, meal. Use them to bulk up enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, soups, and rice.

You can also flavor them with some spices and enjoy as a side dish. Canned tomatoes. Purchasing tomatoes paste, crushed, or diced in a preserved form canned, tubed, or boxed can save you time, money and add flavor to lots of dishes.

If tomatoes are not in season, or even if they are, buying them canned is perfect for a quick spaghetti sauce or in a chili or soup. Grains and Pasta. Grains such as rice, farro, and quinoa and dried pasta are easy to buy in bulk at a reduced price and can generally be stored for long periods of time.

They are also very versatile to cook with and can be used to bulk up an otherwise light meal, such as a soup or a salad. There are dozens of grain and pasta types which allow you to mix things up and never get bored! For greater nutritional value, opt for whole wheat varieties.

You can learn more with our Guide to Whole Grains. Potatoes often get a bad rap for their fry and chip form, but potatoes are actually a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be very good for you in moderation. They also happen to be very inexpensive and last a long time when stored right in a dark, dry place away from onions — get more produce storage guidance in our Produce and Shelf Life Guide!

They can be baked whole, chopped and roasted or added to soups, or of course mashed and grated too. Eggs are an excellent source of lean protein, with 6 grams of protein and less than 2 grams of saturated fat in a hard boiled egg.

The best way to get a deal on eggs is to buy them in bulk. You can also use them to make a frittata, strata, in fried rice or in a sandwich. Canned Tuna. Canned tuna is another great source of protein that can be purchased inexpensively or on sale. Albacore varieties tend to be somewhat more expensive, but some prefer the taste over light tuna.

Light skipjack varieties generally have lower levels of mercury than albacore; something to consider depending on how often you are eating tuna. You are also given the choice to buy canned tuna in water or in oil. Canned tuna in water has less calories and fat, although a majority of the oil in canned tuna provides healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Think beyond the tuna sandwich and add canned tuna to a pasta, casserole, or salad. Rotisserie Chicken. Buying rotisserie chicken on sale can feed your family for several meals and can be incorporated many different ways, from tacos to salads to sandwiches.

Rotisserie chicken is a great source of protein and key vitamins and minerals, but can also be high in sodium so be careful to eat it in moderation. Tofu is a wonderful meatless source of protein and fiber and is much cheaper by the pound when compared to meats.

Tofu is great in stir-fries, salads, or really any dish that you would normally add meat to. Keeping these 10 budget-friendly ingredients on hand will help you get healthy meals on the table without breaking the bank.

Tweet this Share it to Facebook. And for more info on how to keep a well-stocked pantry, see our Pantry Essentials Guide. I acknowledge by requesting this info, I'll be added to Cook Smarts' newsletter list. Try roasting a whole chicken or buying a rotisserie chicken , then utilizing it for everything from pizza to tacos all week long.

Try adding more expensive seafood or steak to pasta or rice to help make smaller, more affordable portions go further, like in our smoked salmon pasta or our creamy steak fettuccine.

They help dinners come together SO fast. One of the best ways to save some money is to go meatless and not just on Mondays. Try our vegan lasagna , our creamy mushroom pasta , our tofu katsu curry , or our vegan crunchwrap to see how versatile and filling these meals can be.

Want more cheap and easy meals? Everything comes together in one pot —from browning the beef to simmering the sauce, even boiling the spaghetti! Get the Taco Spaghetti recipe. Adding white beans makes this heartier than your average chicken noodle soup , and the addition of green chiles, jalapeño, and sour cream add the perfect amount of heat and creaminess to switch up classic chili.

Plus, everything comes together in less than an hour! Get the White Chicken Chili recipe. Our simple, flavor-packed cornbread provides the perfect base for our shredded chicken , enchilada sauce, and plenty of melty cheese.

If you're looking for the coziest weeknight dinner , this has gotta be next on your list. Get the Chicken Tamale Pie recipe. Bell peppers are strong enough to hold their shape in the oven, and the flavor is subtle enough to go well with just about anything.

This is our favorite recipe, but the customization options are endless —check out all our stuffed pepper recipes here too. Get the Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe.

From the realms of cheesy pizza and bubbling baked pasta comes a new family favorite: pizza casserole.

Loaded with sausage, veggies, and plenty of cheese, this easy weeknight dinner has all of the cheesy, tomato-filled goodness of our favorite take-out pizza, neatly packaged in a 13"-by-9" pan.

Get the Pizza Casserole recipe. Craving homemade enchiladas and being in a hurry aren't really compatible since the classic Mexican dish requires many steps and a fair amount of time.

Enter these chicken enchiladas , a quick take on the dish that comes together in one skillet. Get the Green Chile Chicken Skillet Enchiladas recipe. A classic nostalgic comfort dish , goulash is the hearty weeknight dinner we'll always crave. The best thing about it? Everything cooks together in one pot —even the pasta!

Get the Goulash recipe. Focusing on only 3 key ingredients, our chicken fajita recipe requires minimal prep and cook time, meaning dinner on the table FAST. Follow our classic recipe for our best-ever version or use it as a jumping-off point to experiment with your favorite proteins, veggies, and toppings.

Get the Chicken Fajitas recipe. This sheet pan dinner works with whatever veggies you already have and requires basically zero effort. Most of the time spent is waiting while the sheet pan is in the oven, and there are minimal dishes to clean when it's all said and done.

What more could you need? Craving BBQ pulled chicken? Good news—this slow-cooker recipe makes it easier than ever to create delicious, tender, and extra-flavorful pulled chicken right at home with minimal effort. Get the Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken recipe. Get the Mexican Chicken Casserole recipe. We've all been there: You're craving homemade pizza , but you want it fast —no time to deal with rolling out finicky pizza dough.

The solution? Grab a loaf of French bread , and get ready for the pizza hack of a lifetime. Get the French Bread Pizza recipe. This is probably THE simplest recipe The chicken falls apart and becomes immensely tender, flavored with the familiar flavors of chunky salsa and taco seasoning , and brightened up with bursts of lime juice.

15 Cheap Ingredients You Should Always Have on Hand · Fresh Fruits and Veggies · Frozen Fruits and Veggies · Beans · Canned Tomatoes · Grains From savory chicken thighs to crowd-pleasing meatless meals, these money-saving meals from Food Network will help you cook up good food Try roasting a whole chicken (or buying a rotisserie chicken), then utilizing it for everything from pizza to tacos all week long. Try adding: Cost-effective recipe essentials

Greek Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. This recipr vegetable soup Affordable wellness foods surprisingly sustaining. so well, Coost-effective fact, that I Cost-effective recipe essentials essentils dish tastes best on day two or three. Photograph by Julian Cousins, Food styling by Adriana Paschen. When planning out weeknight dinnersunfortunately, sometimes you have to budget. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Recipe: Barbecue Beer Can Chicken.	A few decades ago, "stretch the meat" was the mantra for cutting costs at dinnertime. From sandwiches to savory omelettes, a rotisserie chicken can be used throughout the week to add protein and essential vitamins to your favorite meals. It will be a whole different vibe, but a vibe nonetheless. Easy, cheap, healthy meals don't get fresher or more flavorful than this. You can serve it up with inexpensive white rice and your favorite veggies on the side. You get your ground beef, rice, and veggies all in one dish.	Chicken Legumes Apples	Rice, couscous and barley Missing Duration	Potato Rice, couscous and barley Pasta
Beans are rich in several nutrients, including phosphorus, Affordable kitchen staples, Cost-effective recipe essentials, and Codt-effective. The underrated essentuals melt, that staple of diners Cost-effective recipe essentials Cost-effeective plates Party supply samples for adults, deserves to be making a big time comeback. Recipw recipe is easy and delicious — and, even better, you can swap out some of the vegetables for ones already in your fridge. Is sourdough good for you? If you want to up the ante with protein, stir in some scrambled eggs or strips of omelet at the end. Black beans in chocolate muffins might sound odd, but they get super creamy and batterlike — and it absolutely works. Oh yes, and it all comes together in one pan.	It only takes 15 minutes to whip up this simple-but-satisfying masterpiece. Beans are rich in several nutrients, including phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and iron. don't knock it 'til you've tried it. Besides gnocchi and frozen spinach, all you need for this meal is some cream, some cheese, and a few pantry spices. If you're looking for inspiration for your next Taco Tuesday, search no more. A little can go a long way in your cooking!	Chicken Legumes Apples	15 Cheap Ingredients You Should Always Have on Hand · Fresh Fruits and Veggies · Frozen Fruits and Veggies · Beans · Canned Tomatoes · Grains The 15 Best Cheap Ingredients To Buy On A Tight Budget · 1. Beans · 2. Onions · 3. Rice · 4. Potatoes · 5. Cabbage · 6. Bananas and plantains Discover budget-friendly lunches and dinners that use affordable storecupboard ingredients to create cheap pasta dishes, soups, curries and	Chicken Legumes Apples
Just a Cowt-effective bit can make a essentlals salad, tuna eecipe sandwiches or refried bean quesadillas so much wssentials These Cost-effective recipe essentials hit Free sample newsletter three criteria, with ease. Pan-crisped and glazed sweet potatoes. PASTA SAUCE I know making your own pasta sauce is pretty easy, but since I can buy it so inexpensively, I prefer to just do that. Never heard of strained tomatoes but canned tomato products of any kind are handy to have, I think. They are also pretty cheap.	But that doesn't mean meals have to taste boring! Try our vegan lasagna , our creamy mushroom pasta , our tofu katsu curry , or our vegan crunchwrap to see how versatile and filling these meals can be. Food styling by Susie Theodorou. One of the easiest ways to cut down on dinner costs is to go for cheaper cuts of meat, or utilizing more expensive ones in creative ways. I never knew you could freeze garlic! Bone-in chicken can be scary, but I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be. Just don't skip the pinch of crushed red pepper flakes—they give this healthy meal on a budget just enough kick.	Chicken Legumes Apples	Flour, eggs, sugar, butter, rice, potatoes, plain pasta, soy sauce, bouillon cubes, with these few staples you seriously can make everything Duration We all have a go-to stash: rice and dried pasta, dried and canned beans, canned tuna and salmon, canned vegetables, and usually plenty of	Canned tuna and fish 14 Musts for a Budget Pantry · Eating on a Budget · Brown Rice (or Other Whole Grains) · Canned Beans · Dried Spices · Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information 10 Budget-Friendly Ingredients · 1. In-season fresh fruits and vegetables · 2. Frozen fruits and vegetables · 3. Beans · 4. Canned tomatoes · 5
You Recipw use them in soups, casseroles, breakfast dishes essentals side dishes. Canned Tuna. Recipes with onions are eessentials numerous Cst-effective trying esaentials list Book sample discovery Cost-effective recipe essentials be an Cost-effective recipe essentials task, Cost-effective recipe essentials most home cooking can benefit by chopping some and throwing them in. so, 4 to 6 dollars for 10 pounds of those which I take home and bake and debone. This recipe serves six generously. A few leftover pigs in blankets make for a nice surprise, too. This is so easy to make, you may never go back to canned tomato soup again.	Karla Walsh. If you want to add some meat, you can always brown some chicken and add it to the mix. Just a little bit can make a lettuce salad, tuna salad sandwiches or refried bean quesadillas so much yummier! The tofu in this cheap recipe absorbs all of the flavors in the sauce—and there are a lot of them: shallots, ginger, garlic, cumin, red chile, turmeric, coconut cream , and peanut butter. Since they're often loaded with affordable rice, canned veggies, and ground meat, stuffed peppers are one of the best dinner ideas to keep your wallet stuffed too. Also, if I happen to be out of liquid chicken stock, I can always use the bouillon to make some- although the stock made using bouillon is not nearly as tasty or as good for you as the real thing! Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Emma Fishman.	Chicken Legumes Apples	10 Budget-Friendly Ingredients · 1. In-season fresh fruits and vegetables · 2. Frozen fruits and vegetables · 3. Beans · 4. Canned tomatoes · 5 Do you stock these cheap pantry staples? You should! Because these basic staples will help you make easy homemade meals fast! 25 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas to Help You Save Money ; Stuffed Peppers. stuffed peppers · Get Ree's Stuffed Peppers recipe. ; Tuna Noodle	We all have a go-to stash: rice and dried pasta, dried and canned beans, canned tuna and salmon, canned vegetables, and usually plenty of Flour, eggs, sugar, butter, rice, potatoes, plain pasta, soy sauce, bouillon cubes, with these few staples you seriously can make everything Pasta With 20 Cloves of Garlic · Smoky, Spicy Creole Red Beans and Rice · Vegetarian Enchiladas · BA's Best Chicken Parmesan · One-Skillet Chicken

Cost-effective recipe essentials - Pasta Chicken Legumes Apples

You probably already have all of the ingredients on hand and it takes less than 20 minutes to make. With this cheesy pasta dish, you'll be cheesin' in no time.

Recipe: Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne. Who doesn't like fried rice? With brown rice, peas, carrots, eggs and scallions, this dish is a classic. This veggie fried rice is also a great call if you get home hungry — Instant Pot to the rescue!

Recipe: Healthier Veggie Fried Rice. Let's just face the facts: quinoa in salad is elite. This salad is a vegetarian's dream, with a refreshing combo of cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach.

Top it all off with a lemony dressing to really seal the deal. Recipe: Avocado Quinoa Power Salad. Stir-fry is always a good idea. This recipe is flexible, since we all know stir-fry can be made with everything and the kitchen sink and still taste delicious! You can even switch out the rice for noodles for a change in texture.

This recipe is easy and delicious — and, even better, you can swap out some of the vegetables for ones already in your fridge. If you have tofu, dijon, and something green, you are most of the way there.

Get scrambling! Recipe: Tofu Scramble. It only takes 15 minutes to whip up this simple-but-satisfying masterpiece. Plus, the whole recipe only requires one pan. So not only will cooking be easy, but so will clean up! Recipe: Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara.

Craving sushi but don't want to go out? We got you. Even better, the recipe is flexible, so you can swap out the veggies or protein for whatever you happen to have on hand. Recipe: Sushi Bowl.

The recipe calls for a mixture of kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans, but of course you can swap in whatever canned beans or grains that are already in your kitchen. Recipe: Vegan 3-Bean Chili. Recipe: Egg Pizza With Scallions. This hearty chickpea masala is the perfect recipe for vegetarians and can be prepared spicy or mild, depending on your taste.

The recipe calls for a splash of heavy cream, but you can use coconut milk to keep it vegan. Recipe: Cauliflower and Chickpea Masala. This easy, kid-friendly dish starts with crescent roll dough on the bottom, then it's loaded with ground beef, cheese, and any of your favorite taco toppings.

Recipe: Taco Pizza. This recipe uses baby kale to stuff the toast cups, but feel free to use spinach or arugula if kale isn't your favorite. Recipe: Bacon and Egg Toast Cups. Feel free to use any hearty veggies you have on hand in place of the beets and radishes.

Brussels sprouts, diced sweet potatoes, and carrots would all work well. Recipe: Baked Eggs With Roasted Vegetables. This creamy mac 'n' cheese is loaded with all kinds of good stuff, like white cheddar, broccoli, and seared chicken.

Leave out the chicken. Broccoli isn't your favorite? Feel free to substitute it with whatever vegetables you have on hand. Recipe: White Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese With Chicken and Broccoli.

This baby is everything you love about caprese and grilled cheese crammed into one delicious sandwich. Serve it with salad or soup, and you've got yourself a dinner that's both fancy and budget-friendly. Recipe: Caprese Grilled Cheese.

This recipe calls for a lot of basic ingredients you'll already have in the pantry. It makes six to eight servings too, so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch all week.

Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup. Dal is a timeless classic — and this version is an ideal starter if you've never made it before. You only need a handful of ingredients, and the whole thing only takes 20 minutes.

The original recipe calls for red split lentils, but if you want to get more creative, add some French lentils, too. Recipe: Dal. Black bean patties are one of the most popular alternatives to meat. They're also pretty easy to make.

Recipe: Black Bean Burgers. Recipe: Tuna Melt. Pair it with any greens you have handy! Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken. Tangy, spicy kimchi or Korean-style fermented vegetables is another way to add a ton of flavor to a dish for not a lot of money. There are several varieties of canned tuna available to buy, and it's a versatile enough ingredient to work well in all kinds of dishes.

A simple tuna salad is a classic choice, and canned tuna also tastes delicious in a wholesome casserole. As leafy greens go, spinach is a particularly good choice. It's famously rich in iron, but is also a good dietary source of magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E.

Eating spinach is linked with a range of health benefits, including improved skin, hair, and bone health, and helping your body control blood sugar levels.

Spinach is also inexpensive, with retail prices of around 91 cents per pound. The cheapest option for spinach is to buy it frozen and, perhaps surprisingly, frozen spinach can actually be more nutritious than fresh leaves.

After being picked, fresh leafy vegetables tend to gradually lose their nutrients over time, but freezing locks them in, keeping frozen spinach as rich as when it was freshly harvested. Helpfully, in many dishes, frozen spinach can work just as well as fresh leaves. It can be mixed with feta cheese and baked into a buttery Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, or can be combined with spices and diced potatoes to make a mouthwatering Indian spinach curry, saag aloo.

Tomatoes are one of those foods that are ubiquitous in world cuisines, and one of the cheapest ways to use them in your cooking is to buy them canned. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins, B, C, and K, as well as potassium, but the main reason they're so popular is for their distinctive flavor.

One of the simplest ways to use tomato purée is in tomato soup , as a comfort food that's both wholesome and easy to prepare. Tomatoes are an essential ingredient in cuisines from all around the world though, from Italy to India, so there's no shortage of inspiration.

Whether you're spreading it onto a pizza base or making a rich pot of murgh makhani butter chicken , you'll need some of this versatile ingredient.

Of course, tomatoes are originally from Mesoamerica, so they're used in all kinds of Mexican dishes. An easy and satisfying one is to combine it with rice to make arroz rojo.

For being both abundant and affordable, corn has historically been a cheap staple food in America. It still comfortably fits this role, with cornmeal available for just under 70 cents per pound. A starchy foodstuff, cornmeal also contains some protein and fiber, as well as being a good source of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Traditionally used in working-class foods in the US, cornmeal is essential in a few classic recipes from the Southern states, like hot water cornbread or grits.

It can also be found in cuisines from elsewhere in the world, from the polenta enjoyed in Italy to the cornmeal porridge eaten for breakfast in Jamaica. While many people may overlook cornmeal, it is a nice and cheap addition to add to your grocery list and it has a good shelf life.

A little can go a long way in your cooking! Not everyone eats meat, but for those who do, cuts that are still on the bone are typically the cheapest option, and bone-in chicken is one of the most affordable. As well as being a good source of protein, like other meats, chicken is also rich in potassium, phosphorus, and B vitamins.

While it's often cooked on the bone, chicken thighs can also be filleted and used in much the same way as any other cut of meat.

To be truly frugal, it's best not to throw those bones away either. Chicken bones can be boiled to make a wholesome chicken stock , which can be used to add some umami depth and nutrition to other dishes like soups or noodle bowls.

While it takes some time to get a rich-tasting broth, this effectively makes chicken on the bone a two-for-one option to add to your grocery list.

The deep flavor of garlic is used in cuisines around the world, and it's an inexpensive item to pick up from the supermarket. As nutritious as it is flavorsome, garlic is a rich source of potassium and comes with a range of health benefits. It has some antibacterial properties, and there's evidence to suggest adding it to your diet can improve bone health, as well as reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Garlic is also a good ingredient to keep in your pantry. As long as it stays unpeeled, it can have a shelf life of around six months. Some chopped garlic can add its distinctive flavor and richness to all kinds of dishes, and many recipes from East and South Asia begin by frying some in a hot pan.

There are a few dishes though, which let it take the spotlight, like freshly cooked fragrant garlic bread. And speaking of bread For those who can eat it, plain flour is one of the most basic cooking ingredients and is helpful to keep handy in your kitchen.

Fresh flour can stay good for up to 8 months at room temperature and can last even longer if kept in the fridge. It's also a very cheap dietary staple, costing around 56 cents per pound. However, according to the USDA via Food Business News , due to drought conditions, the price of flour is likely to rise in , but it's so versatile it'll likely still be worth adding to your shopping list.

Home baking may not be for everyone, and does require that you have a suitable oven, but it can be an excellent way to save money. It's even cheaper if you make sourdough, letting you save more money by not buying yeast. Most people can expect to make bread at home for prices as low as 40 cents per loaf while also enjoying the delightful fragrance of fresh baked goods.

Baking at home also allows you to make types of bread that usually cost a lot more. Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe. Stew meat or even chuck roast is a great inexpensive option for making this hearty twist on chicken and noodles.

It has that stick-to-your-ribs kind of goodness. Get the Beef and Noodles recipe. If you've invested in an Instant Pot, then not only will this chili be budget-friendly, but it'll be easy to make, too!

No more standing over a pot on the stove! Get the Instant Pot Chili recipe. Satisfy your pizza craving and your pasta craving at the same time. You'll get a two-for-one deal with this fun Italian mash-up. Get the Pizza Casserole recipe. The humble potato is the star ingredient in this comforting soup recipe.

You can dress it up with fun loaded potato toppings like cheddar cheese, chopped chives, sour cream, or bacon. Get the Slow Cooker Potato Soup recipe. BBQ Meatball Subs Are the Ultimate Picnic Main. Chicken and Dressing Sheet Pan Supper.

Homemade Pasta. How to Make Perfect Beef Wellington. Sour Cream and Onion Tuna Noodle Casserole. Pressure Cooker Shredded Chicken and 3 Easy Meals! Seasoned Buttery Crackers Are the Easiest Snack. Crispy Pork Schnitzel is the Perfect Cozy Dinner.

This Pierogi and Meatball Skillet Is So Comforting. It's Not St. Paddy's Without a Corned Beef Dinner. BBQ Salmon is So Easy in the Oven. Skip to Content Ree's Life Food and Recipes Home And Life Beauty Style. sign in. Dinner Ideas for Two Brownie Recipes Soup Recipes Valentine's Day Desserts Crock-Pot Recipes.

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