Busy weeknights can spell disaster for dinner. Instead of falling into a food-induced panic, try out one of these six cheap meatless dinners that feature canned beans and frozen corn. That way, you can still get delicious flavor, a healthy serving of protein, all without breaking the bank. Keep reading and add some of these recipes to your book.
6. White Beans with Corn & Broccoli
Starting our list of cheap meatless dinners is white beans with corn and broccoli. Simple and healthy, this dish can be prepared in a skillet or combined with pasta for some extra weight. It’s a great meal that balances veggies with complex proteins, and can be customized to your flavor preference with seasonings.
5. Smoky Beans and Rice
Fifth on our list of cheap meatless dinners is smoky beans and rice. A quick and easy meal that provides protein and keeps you satiated, all you need is black beans, rice, butter, garlic, cumin, tomato powder, cayenne pepper, and chipotle peppers. Plus, if you want to elevate your flavor profile, add some fun toppings to the dish like avocado slices, plantains, or Cholula.
4. Cold Bean and Corn Salad
Next on our list of cheap meatless dinners is a cold bean and corn salad. Perfect for a night you don’t feel like using the oven or a hot summer day, the dish can also be used as a quick lunch recipe. Take rinsed black beans and combine them with frozen corn, chopped red bell pepper, and red onion. Top the mixture with olive oil, lime juice, ground cumin, and hot sauce. You can eat the dish as is or with your favorite tortilla chips.
3. Bean and Corn Quesadillas
Rounding out the top three cheap meatless dinners is bean and corn quesadillas. So easy to make on a busy weekday and completely customizable, quesadillas are a great dish to add to your recipe book. Creating a seasoned corn and bean mixture can become the primary filling in the dish, adding in shredded cheese and cooking until the tortilla is golden brown.
2. Hearty Three Bean Chili
Second on our list of cheap meatless dinners is a hearty three-bean chili. An essential meal to drive the cold out of your bones, simmer multiple types of canned beans and frozen corn with canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Once everything is cooked, add in your preferred blend of chili powder and other spices. Once complete, you can serve alone or with sides like cornbread, tortilla chips, or another type of bread.
1. One Skillet Mexican Rice & Beans
Last but not least on our list of cheap meatless dinners is a one-skillet Mexican rice and beans dish. A hugely popular and versatile dinner option, it’s a great way to limit the dishes used while still providing maximum flavor. Combine your canned beans with frozen corn and diced tomatoes in a skillet, along with taco seasoning, cumin, or chili powder. After heating the mixture, you can serve it over cooked rice, quinoa, or as is.