It is nice to keep on hand a list of cheap meals to prepare with little time. Especially when food prices rise.
When we hear cheap meals, we may think unhealthy meals. Yes, some healthier foods are expensive, but there are also some healthy foods that we can purchase and make that are not as expensive. They can be tasty as well.
I used to think that a healthy and great tasting meal had to be expensive to make. Yes, of coarse some are. When I realized that is not always the case though, I was no longer spending quite as much money at the grocery. Let's dig in and see our list of cheap meals to make with little time.
- 8 cheap meals for breakfast.
- 8 cheap meals for lunch.
- 8 cheap meals for dinner.
8 cheap meals for breakfast.
- Eggs
There are many options when it comes to preparing eggs. Some are scrambled, poached, over easy and hard boiled.
You can add a side of fruit if you would like or have them by themselves. You can have a simple and healthy breakfast ready in a jiffy.
2. Oatmeal
There is a nice variety of different types of flavors of oatmeal to choose from. To add a little variety you could top it with some fruit.
Such a quick and healthy breakfast in no time.
3.Yogurt parfaits
Yogurt can be eaten by itself or made into a yogurt parfait. There are all kinds of options when it comes to parfaits.
You could add fruit, granola, or a mixture of both. This simple breakfast can be made ahead of time or quickly in the morning.
4.Toast
This may not seem like a very exciting option. A couple of slices of bread toasted and topped with butter. But it can be topped with jelly, peanut butter or cinnamon to spice it up some.
5. Bagels
There are so many different types of bagels to choose from. From plain bagels to the everything bagel to just about everything in between.
Don't forget the variety of different types of cream cheese to top it with. My favorites are plain and strawberry. Eat it by itself or topped with your favorite spread. Another option is to add some fruit to your bagel.
6.Cereal
Cereal can definitely come in handy when you do not have time to make something in the morning. There are so many varieties to choose from. There are some that will leave you feeling full longer. Reach for those that are higher in protein to help you curb hunger a little longer.
7. A bowl of fruit
Make your own fruit cocktail. Cut up some apples, bananas and oranges for a refreshing start to your day. It will be packed with nutrients.
8. Grits
Grits do not take a very long time to prepare and have some nutrients in them. You can choose to eat them plain or add some butter or veggies to them.
8 cheap meals for lunch.
1. Salad
To help save some money, buying a head of lettuce washing it and chopping it up can be cheaper than buying a bagged salad.
You can top it with some cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or carrots. There are many options. Do you have some leftover chicken from another meal? You could turn it into a grilled chicken salad. Eat it as it is or top it with your favorite dressing.
2. Soup
This can be a quick and simple meal to prepare. There are a variety of canned soups or you could make a homemade soup of your own.
Look to see if you have some items already on hand that can help to make it to be more budget-friendly. Some examples are making homemade vegetable soup or chicken noodle soup.
3. Cheese quesadilla
You can use shredded or sliced cheese along with a tortilla for a simple yet yummy cheese quesadilla. Just heat it up in the microwave or in a skillet. You can dip it into salsa or sour cream if you would like.
4. Egg salad
Egg salad can feed a lot of people and you do not have to spend a lot of money either. Simply using hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise and mustard can make for a delicious egg salad sandwich served on bread or croissants.
5. Leftovers
Talk about a huge money and time saver is leftovers. Simply warm up what you already have made in the refrigerator or freezer for a yummy budget-friendly meal.
6. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
A simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a great option for a quick and filling lunch. It offers a good source of protein from the peanut butter and sweetness from the jelly.
7. Bagel pizza
A bagel pizza can be a fun option for children especially. They can take part in helping to make their own. They can add the sauce, cheese and any toppings you may have on hand. Some examples may include pepperoni, peppers and mushrooms.
8. Tuna salad
This option packs in a lot of protein helping you to feel full longer. It is simple to make and you may even have some cans of tuna already in your pantry.
8 cheap meals for dinner.
1. Spaghetti and garlic bread
I think this is a classic meal and it is inexpensive to make. If you do not have a lot of time to cook or just want a simple meal to make, this is a good choice. You can serve it with a side salad, garlic bread or a slice of bread.
2. Grilled cheese and soup.
A simple grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of soup makes for a filling and simple meal.
3. Macaroni and cheese-baked
Do you have a box of macaroni noodles, milk, butter, flour and some shredded cheese?
You can make your very own macaroni and cheese baked for a family favorite.
4. Pigs in a blanket
This it's something fun the kids could help with. All you need is a can of croissants and a package of hot dogs. You could serve it with a side salad for a quick dinner.
5. Chicken and salsa
Chicken and salsa in the crockpot makes for a delicious and frugal meal.
Do you have some tortillas or hard taco shells? Or you could eat it by itself. You could also serve it with a side salad.
6. Chili
A nice thing about chili is that you can pretty much make it with things you already have on hand. Do you have some cans of tomatoes and also some vegetables? How about some hamburger or turkey burger? You could serve it with a side of garlic bread or bread and butter.
7. Tuna noodle casserole
Do you have some cans of tuna, a bag of noodles and a can of cream of mushroom soup? You can make a batch of tuna noodle casserole in no time. If you have some peas on hand you could add those as well.
8. Sloppy joes
This is a crowd pleaser and can be budget-friendly. When you see hamburger or turkey burger on sale would make for a great time to make sloppy joes. You could serve it with a side salad or some corn.
Conclusion
Cheap meals on a budget does not mean they have to be unhealthy meals. A little bit of preparation for meal planning can go a long way with saving both money and time.
What are your favorite inexpensive meals? Please share in the comment section below.
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