Expensive ingredients are not the key to having a delicious and flavor-packed meal. While they may help in some cases, sometimes the best dishes are made from budget-friendly ingredients that many of us have stored in our fridges and pantries. Many of these dishes start with a base layer and are added to or customized, so you can cater to any flavor palette in the house. Try out some of these budget meals the next time you need to save some money.
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Canned Tuna
Canned tuna is easy to store and cost-effective, providing a perfect base layer for future budget meals. You can mix the tuna with mayo and fresh vegetables to make a tuna salad, or spread it between two pieces of bread for a tuna sandwich.
Pasta
Relatively cheap, pasta is a great base to add all sorts of ingredients to, or even eat plain with a little bit of salt and butter. Spice it up with a tomato sauce or garlic, and add in some meat or vegetables to make this pasta dish a main meal. The best part about pasta is that you can make the dish creamy, cheesy, or spicy, all depending on what you add on top.
Mac and Cheese
A comfort food for many, you don’t just have to settle for boxed mac and cheese. Elevate your nostalgic meal with easy extras like butter, hot sauce, bacon pieces, or breadcrumbs for a diverse flavor profile in every bite.
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Peanut Butter and Jelly
The iconic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A classic in the lunch world, you can elevate this sandwich in several ways. This includes changing the type of bread used, the flavor of the jelly, or even if you want smooth or chunky peanut butter. The options are endless.
Soup
Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, soup is a delicious option any time of the year, but especially during the colder months. With so many soup recipes and varieties in the store, you’ll never run out of new options to try, often made with ingredients you already have in the fridge and cupboards.
Nachos
Nachos are not just a snack or appetizer; they can be a full-on meal too. Add beans, cheese, meats, and vegetables to round out your chips and salsa/cheese sauce, and hit all your nutritional needs at the same time.
Also Read: 10 Easy Desserts That Only Need 3 Ingredients
Fried Rice
Fried rice is a great choice not only because it is affordable but also because of how many different ingredients you can add to it. Featured items include eggs, vegetables, and meats like bacon or beef. The dish can be used as the main meal or as a side.
Breakfast Sandwich
Start the day off with budget meals by making a breakfast sandwich. There are endless choices when building a breakfast sandwich, from what type of bread, meat, cheese, and other toppings you want to add. For instance, you could go classic with a bacon, egg, and cheese, or opt for something more exciting, like a croissant as your roll.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a versatile side that are used in many dishes. While they may seem simple, the vegetable provides nutritional value to your diet. The most popular ways to cook the potatoes are mashed, baked, or air-fried. After cooking, you can add your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, or onions, or even chop them into home fries and dip them into ketchup for an extra flavor boost.
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Quesadillas
Quesadillas are praised for their simplicity. All you need as a base is tortillas and shredded cheese. The best part? You can customize the tortilla, cheese, and add other ingredients like meats or vegetables to enhance the flavor. Dip the finished tortilla in salsa or sour cream to complete the dish.
The Bottom Line of Eating on a Budget
Being budget-conscious does not mean you need to skimp out on flavor or quality. Some of the best dishes can be made with cheaper products and bring back nostalgia from when you were a kid. The most important part about cooking is your creativity with the ingredients, assembling a dish that tastes delicious. If you don’t prefer any of the options above, you can also customize your meals with ground turkey, black beans, rotisserie chicken, and deli meats. So, the next time you find your fridge empty and your wallet a little short on cash, try out one of these great budget meals and don’t sacrifice flavor for affordability.
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