Cooking on a Shoestring: The Cheapest Meals to Cook

Cooking meals at home can be an effective way to save money, but it can be challenging to come up with affordable meal ideas, especially when you’re on a tight budget. However, with a little creativity and planning, you can create delicious and nutritious meals without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll explore the cheapest meals to cook, along with some tips and tricks for reducing your food expenses.

The Benefits of Cooking at Home

Before we dive into the cheapest meals to cook, let’s take a look at the benefits of cooking at home. Cooking meals at home can save you money, help you eat healthier, and even reduce food waste. When you cook at home, you have control over the ingredients and portion sizes, which can help you make healthier choices. Additionally, cooking at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to experiment with new recipes and ingredients.

Reducing Food Expenses

One of the biggest benefits of cooking at home is the potential to reduce your food expenses. When you eat out or order takeout, you’re not only paying for the food itself, but also for the labor and overhead costs of the restaurant. By cooking at home, you can save money on these costs and allocate it to other areas of your budget. Here are some tips for reducing your food expenses:

• Plan your meals in advance to avoid last-minute takeout or dining out.
• Shop for ingredients in bulk to reduce costs.
• Use coupons and discount codes to save money on groceries.
• Cook meals in large batches to reduce food waste and save time.

The Cheapest Meals to Cook

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of cooking at home and some tips for reducing food expenses, let’s take a look at some of the cheapest meals to cook. These meals are all easy to make, delicious, and budget-friendly.

Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Pasta with tomato sauce is a classic, affordable meal that can be made for under $1.50 per serving. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pasta
• 2 cups canned tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
4. Add the canned tomatoes and cook for 10-15 minutes.
5. Serve the sauce over the cooked pasta.

Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is another affordable meal option that can be made for under $1.50 per serving. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in a little bit of oil until softened.
2. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and thyme.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
4. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a simple, affordable meal option that can be made for under $1 per serving. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 slices bread
• 1-2 slices cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions:

1. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
2. Place one slice of bread, butter-side down, in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Top with cheese and another slice of bread, butter-side up.
4. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Fried Rice

Fried rice is a tasty, affordable meal option that can be made for under $1.50 per serving. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (e.g. peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs
• Soy sauce to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
3. Add the mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
4. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan.
5. Add a little more oil to the other side of the pan, then add the eggs and scramble them.
6. Mix the eggs with the vegetables, then add the cooked rice.
7. Stir-fry everything together, adding soy sauce to taste.

Tips for Reducing Food Waste

One of the biggest challenges of cooking at home is reducing food waste. Here are some tips for reducing food waste:

• Plan your meals in advance to avoid buying too much food.
• Shop your fridge and pantry first to avoid duplicate purchases.
• Use up leftovers in creative ways, such as turning last night’s dinner into tomorrow’s lunch.
• Freeze food that’s approaching its expiration date to use later.

Using Up Leftovers

Using up leftovers is a great way to reduce food waste and save money. Here are some creative ways to use up leftovers:

• Turn last night’s dinner into tomorrow’s lunch by packing it in a thermos or microwave-safe container.
• Use leftover vegetables in a soup or stew.
• Make a frittata or omelette with leftover vegetables and eggs.
• Use leftover bread to make croutons or breadcrumbs.

Conclusion

Cooking at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. By planning your meals in advance, shopping for ingredients in bulk, and using up leftovers, you can reduce your food expenses and eat healthier. The cheapest meals to cook, such as pasta with tomato sauce, lentil soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, and fried rice, are all easy to make and delicious. By following these tips and recipes, you can start cooking at home and saving money today.

By following these tips and recipes, you can start cooking at home and saving money today. Remember to always plan your meals in advance, shop for ingredients in bulk, and use up leftovers to reduce food waste and save money. Happy cooking!

What are some of the cheapest protein sources for meals?

Some of the cheapest protein sources for meals include beans, lentils, and eggs. These ingredients are not only affordable but also versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Beans and lentils are great sources of plant-based protein and can be used to make soups, stews, and curries. Eggs are another affordable protein source that can be boiled, scrambled, or made into omelets.

Incorporating these protein sources into your meals can help reduce your grocery bill. For example, a bag of dried beans can cost as little as $1.50 and can make multiple meals. Similarly, a dozen eggs can cost around $2 and can be used to make several meals. By using these affordable protein sources, you can create delicious and nutritious meals without breaking the bank.

How can I stretch my grocery budget by planning meals?

Planning meals is an effective way to stretch your grocery budget. By planning your meals in advance, you can avoid buying unnecessary items and reduce food waste. Start by making a list of the meals you want to cook for the week and then make a grocery list of the ingredients you need. This will help you avoid buying duplicate items and reduce impulse purchases.

Another way to stretch your grocery budget is to plan meals around what’s on sale at the grocery store. Check the weekly ads for your local grocery stores and plan your meals around the items that are on sale. You can also use coupons and discount codes to further reduce your grocery bill. By planning your meals and shopping smart, you can save money and still eat well.

What are some cheap meal ideas for breakfast?

There are many cheap meal ideas for breakfast that are quick and easy to make. One idea is to make oatmeal with fruit and nuts. A bag of oats can cost as little as $2 and can make multiple meals. You can also add fruit and nuts to your oatmeal for added flavor and nutrition. Another idea is to make scrambled eggs with toast or hash browns. Eggs are a cheap protein source and can be made in a variety of ways.

Another cheap breakfast idea is to make breakfast burritos. You can fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, cheese, and vegetables for a filling and delicious breakfast. You can also make muffins or bread in bulk and freeze them for future breakfasts. By making breakfast at home, you can save money and eat a healthy and nutritious meal to start your day.

How can I save money on groceries by shopping in bulk?

Shopping in bulk is a great way to save money on groceries. When you buy items in bulk, you can often get a lower price per unit than if you were to buy smaller quantities. This is especially true for non-perishable items like rice, pasta, and canned goods. By buying these items in bulk, you can stock up and save money in the long run.

Another way to save money by shopping in bulk is to buy items that you use frequently. For example, if you drink a lot of coffee, buying a large bag of coffee beans can be cheaper than buying smaller bags. You can also buy meat and poultry in bulk and freeze it for future meals. Just be sure to store your bulk purchases properly to maintain their freshness and quality.

What are some cheap meal ideas for lunch?

There are many cheap meal ideas for lunch that are quick and easy to make. One idea is to make sandwiches with leftovers or cold cuts. You can also make soups or stews with beans or vegetables for a filling and nutritious lunch. Another idea is to make salads with canned tuna or chicken for a protein-packed lunch.

Another cheap lunch idea is to make wraps or quesadillas. You can fill tortillas with cheese, vegetables, and beans for a delicious and filling lunch. You can also make a big batch of rice or pasta and use it to make multiple lunches throughout the week. By making lunch at home, you can save money and eat a healthy and nutritious meal.

How can I reduce food waste by planning meals?

Planning meals is an effective way to reduce food waste. By planning your meals in advance, you can avoid buying too much food that may go to waste. Start by making a list of the meals you want to cook for the week and then make a grocery list of the ingredients you need. This will help you avoid buying duplicate items and reduce impulse purchases.

Another way to reduce food waste is to use up leftovers in creative ways. For example, you can use leftover vegetables to make a soup or stew, or use leftover meat to make a sandwich or salad. You can also freeze leftovers for future meals. By planning your meals and using up leftovers, you can reduce food waste and save money.

What are some cheap meal ideas for dinner?

There are many cheap meal ideas for dinner that are quick and easy to make. One idea is to make pasta with marinara sauce and vegetables. A box of pasta can cost as little as $1 and can make multiple meals. You can also make tacos with ground beef or beans for a filling and delicious dinner. Another idea is to make stir-fries with vegetables and rice for a healthy and nutritious dinner.

Another cheap dinner idea is to make casseroles with leftovers or canned goods. You can make a big batch of casserole and use it to make multiple dinners throughout the week. You can also make slow cooker meals with beans or vegetables for a hands-off and affordable dinner. By making dinner at home, you can save money and eat a healthy and nutritious meal.