When it comes to food, frozen sometimes gets a bad rap. But healthy frozen meals are not only achievable, they’re easy to make! In fact, they provide a convenient and affordable way for families to have a better diet quality. 

Don’t worry, you don’t have to compromise taste. There are so many choices for simple freezer meals, you’ll have many opportunities to find something you like. Let’s get to it. 

14 Healthy frozen meals to try

In this list, we’ll give you some easy recipes to try because making your own food is still the best way to meet your dietary needs and taste preferences, whether you intend to freeze them or not. But since we recognize that not everyone has the skill, or maybe you even think, “I hate cooking!” we have some ready-to-heat options as well.

1. Freezer bag chicken fajita stir-fry

Get the chicken fajita stir-fry recipe courtesy of the Food Network Kitchen. It’s easy to prepare. You may also add other ingredients, like chili flakes or mushrooms, according to your taste. 

It makes for an easy weeknight meal as well. To have enough for easy freezer meals, simply double the recipe. Freeze the leftovers, and voila, you’ve made dinner for two nights.

2. Stamp-of-approval spaghetti sauce

This spaghetti sauce recipe from Taste of Home is easy to make and has received lots of praise for its flavor. It’s truly one of those classic freezer meals. This recipe can be frozen for up to three months. But surely you’d have eaten it by then. 

As always, add ingredients as you like and tweak the recipe to your taste. You can also try swapping the ground beef with other proteins, such as ground turkey. Serve it with spaghetti, as a sauce for lasagna, or eat it with salad.

3. Freezer bag chicken primavera

With little prep time, this chicken primavera recipe from the Food Network kitchen gives you a flavorful chicken and vegetable meal. It’s another easy freeze recipe you can try out without spending a ton of time cooking.

Simply follow the directions for prep, freezing, and thawing. Although it calls to pair it with a baguette, you can also serve it with pasta or rice. 

4. Golden butternut squash and chickpea curry

If you’re looking for a sweet and savory flavor, try this butternut squash and chickpea curry from the Full Helping. It’s one of the best healthy frozen meals that is easy to make ahead.

The instructions say it can be frozen for up to six weeks. The recipe also offers many ideas to play with the ingredients. So you can substitute, swap, or add in different vegetables. Go try it, it’s one of the best frugal meals.

5. Easy homemade lasagna

Try this freezable and easy-to-make homemade lasagna for the ultimate comfort food anytime you want it. A combination of pasta, cheese, bubbly tomato sauce, what else can you ask for?

You’ll love this recipe from the Happy Money Saver. Visit her website for the step-by-step process with photos.

6. Freezer meatballs recipe

Meatballs are always a favorite with kids and adults alike. You can eat them on a sandwich, serve them with pasta sauce, or just by themselves.

For an alternative to store-bought, try this easy freezer meatballs recipe from The Forked Spoon. It’s another delicious recipe and you can make the meatballs and freeze them raw until you’re ready to eat them. Or cook them first and then freeze them. 

7. Darn good chili recipe

I’m always looking for a good chili recipe, so I’m excited for this one from Tasty. More so because I can just toss all the ingredients in the crock pot. Who doesn’t love crock pot cooking with only 15 minutes of prep time! 

Like all the recipes mentioned in this article, you can freeze this recipe either cooked or raw. Mix all raw ingredients in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze. Then, thaw and cook the meal in a crock pot. Make sure to label the bag with the appropriate cooking time. 

8. Life-changing Instant Pot beef stew

Do you like having a comforting and hearty stew on chilly fall and winter days? Then, you’ll love this beef stew recipe from Pinch of Yum.

Plus, you can make the stew in an Instant Pot or slow cooker. It doesn’t get any better than that. 

You could freeze this stew before or after it cooks. Follow the instructions for the freezer meal version. If you’re freezing leftovers, store them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and it should keep for up to six months. 

9. Creamy homemade chicken noodle soup

Soups are versatile meals you can have as a snack, lunch, or light dinner. You can also pair it with a sandwich or a salad for a hearty meal. With this homemade chicken noodle soup recipe courtesy of Tastes Better From Scratch, you can have tasty and filling healthy frozen meals in a pinch. 

Make sure to use full-fat ingredients if you’re making the recipe to freeze so your soup retains its consistency. You can leave the noodles out or cook them a little firmer.

When stored in an airtight container, the meal should keep for up to six months.

10. Amy’s Kitchen Pad Thai

Pad Thai is one of those meals that are easy to make but, at the same time, easy to mess up. Boil the noodles too long, and you’ll end up with a mushy pad thai. You have to be careful not to overcook the veggies as well. 

That’s why Amy’s Kitchen Pad Thai is a great alternative when you have a craving for the dish but don’t have the time to cook. Amy’s Kitchen offers over 250 vegetarian-friendly frozen meals, many of which are gluten-free and made from organic ingredients.

11. Tortilla crusted fish

If you love a good seafood dish but don’t have the kitchen skills to attempt making frozen meals using fish, try the Tortilla Crusted Fish by Lean Cuisine.

The package contains tortilla-crusted Alaskan Pollock with a mix of corn, poblano peppers, and rice in sour cream sauce. The product has received many great reviews, and it’s an easy, affordable way to add fish to your diet. 

12. Chicken tikka masala with basmati rice

Saffron Road is a company known for making tasty and healthy frozen meals free of GMOs, artificial ingredients, and hormones. Many of their frozen products are also vegan, vegetarian, and certified halal.

So the next time you’re out frugal grocery shopping, pick up a Chicken Tikka Masala With Basmati Rice and try it for yourself.

13. Korean-inspired beef

Healthy Choice is one of the most affordable brands producing healthy frozen meals. Even though prices can vary depending on where you live, most of their items cost between $3 to $5 per serving. 

The company also specializes in making frozen products that are free of artificial ingredients. One of their best-reviewed items is this spicy treat, the Korean-Inspired Beef bowl. 

14. Lightly breaded chicken breast chunks

Having kids in your house means having chicken nuggets in your freezer. Because no matter what healthy, elaborate meals you put in front of your kids, they’ll ask for chicken nuggets at least one night a week.

Anyway, serve them the Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Nuggets with a side of carrots, celery, or steamed broccoli and call it a day. You can get this brand from Costco, and they’re known for making frozen products with no preservatives and no artificial ingredients. 

Expert tip: Start small when making frozen meals

In your first attempt to make frozen healthy meals, start small. Your first try could be doubling your family’s favorite pasta sauce or soup recipe for dinner and freezing half for another night. 

Learn what works best for your family lifestyle and taste preferences. Maybe you like having pasta meals once a week, so you’ll know to always have sauces in the freezer.

Once you get the hang of putting together easy freezer meals, you may work up to batch cooking several recipes in one afternoon.

Benefits of buying or making easy freezer meals

There are many benefits to making healthy frozen meals at home, including easier prep time for busy days and a longer shelf life by putting food in the freezer.

It’s also an easy and affordable way to include items from every food group in your cooking. Frozen meals are a great alternative to fast food for busy families and new moms.

Additionally, frozen food also helps reduce waste and helps you if you’re trying out a money saving challenge. If you’re throwing out uneaten fruits and vegetables regularly, consider buying frozen fruits and vegetables.

At times, they have more vitamins and minerals because freezing preserves nutrients, and they’re picked and frozen within hours to lock in all the nutrients and flavor. 

How to make healthy frozen meals at home

Below are some tips on making and preparing simple freezer meals for those busy days when you don’t have the time or the energy to cook. 

Include healthy frozen meals in your meal plan

It’s easier to make frozen healthy meals at home if they’re already part of your budget meal planning. This way, you can get your grocery shopping on a budget done in one go. Meal planning also allows you to schedule batch cooking or meal prepping. 

Following a meal plan also makes it easier for you to make your favorite healthy frozen meals. Simply double or triple the recipe, eat a portion for dinner that day and store the rest.

Lastly, check your freezer before you create a monthly meal planner to make sure you eat what you have. The Food and Drug Administration says food is safe to keep indefinitely at 0℉, but quality decreases the longer it’s in the freezer.

Pick the right recipe

Unfortunately, some recipes can’t withstand freezing and defrosting and retain their flavor.

For instance, pastries or creamy sauces don’t make easy freezer meals. 

So, try lasagna, hearty soups, stews, casseroles, chilis, sauces, and burgers instead. Cookies, muffins, and slices of bread can be easily frozen as well. The recipes don’t have to be complicated either, choose ones with little prep time. 

Store frozen healthy meals using the right supplies

When making freezer meals at home, it’s important that you have the right supplies to store them. Otherwise, it would be a waste if the food gets freezer burnt and doesn’t retain its flavor and nutrients. 

For this, you’ll need heavy-duty aluminum foil, thick freezer bags, and foil baking pans. You can also look for freezer-safe metal or glass baking pans and reusable freezer bags if you’re interested in how to live sustainably and want to create less waste. 

In addition, get masking tape and a marker or pen to label your jars and freezer bags. Don’t rely on your memory, it could and will fail you. Write the name of the dish, the date of preparation, and any reheating instructions if needed.

Schedule meal prepping

Meal prepping means organizing your food to make it easier for you to have food at home, readily available. It could involve chopping vegetables, batch cooking, or putting together simple freezer meals.

Scheduling meal prepping on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon can save you time on busy weeknights. Not to mention that it helps you save money on your grocery bill.

With a little bit of time, planning, and preparing your menu for the week, you minimize waste and eat healthier too. Make meal prepping part of your daily routine schedule!

Make sure you have all the ingredients

Whether you’re batch cooking or putting together raw ingredients for healthy frozen meals, make sure you have everything you need before you start. You also don’t want to freeze recipes with missing ingredients.

It won’t really help you in the future to be running to the grocery store in order to make your freezer meal. That’s why it’s best to create a meal plan before you go grocery shopping.

What to look for when buying ready-made frozen healthy meals

Not all frozen foods are created equal, but there are a lot of healthy options available now. So, here are some guidelines you can use when shopping in the frozen food aisle.

Choose nutritious packaged meals

When buying frozen meals, check the nutrition facts labels. Preferably, look for healthy frozen meals that have adequate nutritional value.

Choose meals with lower saturated fat and higher fiber, vitamin, and mineral content. Avoid those that have added sugars, sauces, and salt. 

Remember to consider the serving size as well. If the entire package is equal to two servings, it means you’re actually eating double the salt, sugar, and saturated fats listed.

Go with less sodium

Sodium generally adds flavor and improves the texture of our foods. It’s also used as a preservative. That’s why it’s present in packaged and prepared foods like canned soups and frozen meals. 

But most people can benefit from less sodium in their diets. The American Heart Association states reducing sodium intake by just 1,000 mg per day can significantly improve blood pressure and heart health. Hence, it’s best to choose products with the lowest amount of sodium you can find.

Check the ingredients list

Most of us have jam-packed schedules that don’t leave much time for cooking. But we also want the cheapest meals that are also healthy. The good news is there are many food companies stepping up to the plate. 

Many are coming up with frozen healthy meals with fresh ingredients and less sodium. So, make sure to compare the Nutrition Facts label and check the ingredients list of the products you buy.

What are the healthiest frozen dinners to eat?

The healthiest frozen dinners to eat are the ones you make at home. When you make your own food, you have complete control over what goes into it.

You can use fresh ingredients and put less sugar or salt than what the recipe calls for. You can also add more veggies or even substitute rice and pasta with whole wheat options.

However, as mentioned there are frozen meal products prepared with organic ingredients and less sodium. You can also find meals specifically for people with diabetes or additional dietary needs, like vegan or gluten-free. 

So, you can still find healthy alternatives to cooking at home. Just make sure you read the ingredients list and understand the nutrition label.

Is there such a thing as healthy frozen food?

Yes, fortunately, there is such a thing as healthy frozen food, as many food companies are responding to consumer preferences. You can find frozen products at the grocery store made with organic ingredients and less saturated fats and sodium. 

Not to mention, you can ensure you’re living a healthy lifestyle with what you eat by making your own at home with the ingredients that you choose.

What foods are easiest to freeze?

The foods that are easiest to freeze include meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables, which can all be kept in the freezer for long periods. You can also freeze cooked rice, corn, quinoa, and beans.

Additionally, you can preserve fresh herbs by putting them in ice cube trays with some water. Once frozen, store the herbs in a freezer-safe bag, and they’ll be good to use for a year. 

Articles related to healthy frozen meals

If you liked reading about healthy frozen meal ideas, check out these articles next!

• 25 Of The Best Cheapest Meals
• What To Buy At The Grocery Store To Maximize Your Budget
• Living A Healthy Lifestyle On A Budget
• 35 Delicious Frugal Meals For Every Food Category

Simplify your dinners with healthy frozen meals!

Deciding what to make for dinner every day can be tiresome, let alone making meals after a full day of work and wrangling kids.

But a little bit of meal planning and prepping means you can still eat affordably and healthily even when you don’t have the time and energy to cook. Start living consciously and saving more, and improve your dinner options with easy freezer meals! 

The post 14 Easy And Healthy Frozen Meals appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

As prices go up for basic groceries, cheap breakfast ideas may become more and more of a necessity. Most of us don’t want to give up a healthy breakfast due to cost. And if you never miss breakfast, you might need some easy cheap breakfast ideas to shake up your routine. Not to worry, we have breakfast ideas that are both cost-efficient and nutritious. 

Table of contents

• Why breakfast can be beneficial
• Cheap breakfast ideas to make ahead of time
• Ideas to make in the morning
• Ideas with no prep required
• Expert tip
• What are 3 healthy breakfast options?
• Is breakfast the cheapest meal?
• What are some low-fat breakfast ideas?
• Is it OK not to eat breakfast?
• Articles related to meal planning
• Cheap breakfast ideas can improve your life and your finances!

Why breakfast can be beneficial

While I’m a major breakfast fan, I know not everyone is big on a morning meal. But there are solid reasons for eating breakfast daily for a healthy lifestyle.

Breakfast gives you energy for your day

As the Cleveland Clinic notes, many of us need breakfast each morning to fuel us for the day. Breakfast doesn’t have to take place immediately upon waking up. Try to eat something within the first hour or two to refill your energy reserves.

Whether you prefer to work out first and then take in your morning nutrients, most of us need breakfast for energy. Starting the morning can be a struggle if you haven’t eaten a good breakfast.

Breakfast, which includes a fair amount of protein, gives you the nutrients you need to live your life. Even a frugal breakfast can help you to focus on your mental tasks, manage all your physical work and exercise, and improve your mood.

Cheap breakfast ideas can prevent overeating and overspending

Not only does eating breakfast help you to get an energy boost, but it can also help prevent you from getting overly hungry. Some people get “hangry”( a mixture of hungry and angry) if they fight their hunger too long.

Thus it’s important to eat something so you curb your hunger. Even if it’s a small meal, eating breakfast can prevent you from becoming overly hungry. 

Hunger can impact your mood, weaken you, and lead to overspending. Imagine skipping breakfast, and mid-morning, you start to feel your stomach rumble and groan from hunger pains.

In desperation, you buy a breakfast meal from a vending machine. Or you spend even more money ordering more food at lunchtime.

You can avoid these expensive temptations by creating a meal plan centered around a good breakfast. As a result, you’ll feel more energetic and able to make it through until lunch. (Plus, you’re more likely to eat your budget-friendly cold lunch if you pack one!)

Cheap breakfast ideas to make ahead of time

So now that you’re convinced to try breakfast, you may need some ideas. After all, boxed or bagged cereals may be tasty, but they’re not the most nutritious or friendly to the wallet.

These cheap breakfast ideas require a small amount of planning but little time and effort overall. Remember that even if you are trying to live cheaply, you can still eat a great breakfast!

1. Muffins and quick breads

If you’re like me, you adore muffins and quick breads for an easy (and cheap) breakfast.

Of course, stores and bakeries sell ready-made baked bread items like muffins, scones, and breads. But if you have the time, you’ll save money by baking these foods yourself.

I like baking a double batch of banana or pumpkin bread with extra muffins or slices to freeze.

You can bake your favorite flavor of muffins or quick breads on the weekends when time is more leisurely, then freeze in portions for busy weekday mornings. Homemade choices are also terrific because you can adjust ingredients to fit your dietary needs.

2. Quiche and other baked egg dishes

Quiche sounds fancy, but it’s not that difficult to make from scratch. Use basic products like eggs and a crust, and add whatever toppings and flavors you prefer.

Premade crusts are also an option, letting you have a “semi-homemade” quiche. You can make a crustless quiche if you’re gluten-free or just watching your carbs. Try this Spend With Pennies easy quiche recipe for a great base.

Add whatever meat you like—ham, sausage, bacon, ground turkey, etc. Cheese is delicious and easy to add.

A quiche is a super-customizable cheap breakfast recipe you can make any time and be a simple addition to your morning routine. Throw in all the vegetables you can to increase the nutritional value and feel your best!

3. Pancakes or waffles

Although pancakes and waffles traditionally come topped with maple syrup, there are other ways to enjoy them. 

On the go, a couple of pre-cooked pancakes can make a great sandwich with your choice of filling—peanut or almond butter for a protein punch.

Pancakes are fast and easy to make, and they freeze well—Ditto for waffles (no need to purchase the yellow-boxed brand from your store).

Making a double batch of your favorite waffle or pancake batter is a good way to save time and money. The dishes and mess are the same, and you get bonus food to freeze or refrigerate for another day.

Even if you buy a pre-made pancake mix, you won’t spend much money on these. You can increase the nutritional value by adding a scoop of your go-to protein powder, ground flaxseed, or other healthy additions.

4. Breakfast sandwiches are cheap breakfast ideas for you

Breakfast sandwiches are easy cheap breakfast ideas that are easily transported with aluminum foil. If you fry or scramble a few eggs, cook some turkey bacon or sausage, and add them to your choice of bread, you’ve got a delicious egg sandwich. Pinch of Yum offers some useful breakfast sandwich recipes.  

By pre-cooking the eggs and meat and assembling the sandwiches in advance, you can have breakfast on the go.

Layer them (with cheese, if you like) on English muffins, bagels, homemade bread, or whatever you want. Then wrap them up in freezer-safe packaging for a quick weekday meal.

Whether you’ve prepared your breakfast sammie over the weekend or the morning you’ll eat it, you can wrap it in foil. It’ll stay warm for quite some time, enabling you to munch on it during or after the morning commute.

5. Pita bread with hummus

A simple and tasty Meditterian cuisine, pita bread is a flatbread that can be enjoyed with hummus or used as a breakfast sandwich.

You can take this cheap breakfast on the go by putting it in a container so you enjoy this savory meal in your car or at your desk at work.

Pita bread and hummus can be picked up at your local grocery store, or you can follow the recipe from Your Veg Recipe and make it from scratch. In many ways this is the ideal breakfast for the ideal day. 

6. Breakfast burritos

Although a breakfast burrito is not much different from a breakfast sandwich, it can come with more fun ingredients. For instance, black beans sauteed with onion and bell pepper can make for a more delightful meal.

In addition, you can add your favorite seasoning or spoon on some salsa (though that might make it messy for true on-the-go dining). Once Upon A Chef’s recipe has fun ingredients such as avocado and cilantro.

Not only are burritos tasty they are a way to get a high-protein meal into your system. 

7. Hard-boiled eggs

Next up on the cheapest breakfast ideas is the humble hard-boiled egg. I love these—they’re extremely portable, and you can make them with older eggs. They’re great all by themselves or added to toast or other breakfast foods.

The convenient aspect of hard-boiled eggs is that you can use them in various meals. Family Fresh Meals has over ten recipe ideas that incorporate hard-boiled eggs.

8. Breakfast bento boxes

Do you follow any lifestyle influencers that are fans of bento boxes? You might find some fun and cheap breakfast ideas in the bento box.

These are compartmentalized containers where you can put different foods. It’s like a grown-up Lunchable for breakfast.

These boxes are customizable to your diet. Many people like a range of items that satisfy the need for protein and other nutrients. You can stick to clean eating ingredients as well! Here are several suggestions for things to include:

• Nuts such as almonds or cashews
• Greek yogurt
• Cheese slices or cubes
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Mini-muffins
• Crackers
• Fresh fruit: grapes, orange slices, berries, etc.
• Granola
• Small pancakes or waffles

If you need more ideas, The College Nutritionist offers great bento box breakfast combinations on their website. 

Note, if you assemble them too far in advance, the ingredients won’t stay super fresh. So make what you can before eating, or keep certain items separate.

8. Overnight oats

Overnight oats are only for some. They are a hard no for me, but many people swear by overnight oats because you can prep them the night before, and your oats will be ready to eat first thing in the morning.

Old-fashioned oats will work best for this. Check out this Cookie & Kate recipe for how to do it, or just Google “overnight oats” to find many flavor suggestions.

If you oppose cold oatmeal, you can warm up your oats before consuming them. 

9. Smoothies, smoothies, and more smoothies!

It’s no surprise that smoothies are such a popular breakfast item these days. They’re easy to make, have hundreds of flavor combinations, and you can disguise healthy ingredients behind your favorites to get more nutrients.

Smoothies are how I learned to love spinach—I needed the fruit to cover up the spinach, but now I love spinach in everything!

You can make smoothies with any milk, dairy, or water. There are also whey protein powders, vegan protein mixes, and superfood smoothie mixes. Experiment to find your favorites.

To simplify your morning routine,  you can pre-blend your smoothies and store them in freezer-safe to-go containers. Some people freeze their nutrient-packed smoothies in ice trays to thaw as little or as much as they want.

Experiment to discover how long your smoothies need to thaw to be drinkable and delicious. One way is to freeze a bunch at once but move one at a time to the fridge at night to give ample thawing time.

Try out smoothie ingredient packs

Another of the best cheap breakfast ideas is to assemble your smoothie ingredients ahead of time.

Choose your items—often fruits and leafy greens—and portion them into individual freezer bags. Then, in the morning, grab the smoothie packs, add them to your Vitamix (or any blender) with your choice of liquid or yogurt, and blend away.

Going this route, you still have to get out your blender and spend a minute or so using it. But they’re still a quick breakfast on the go! Check out these ideas from The Kitchn.

A healthy smoothie breakfast is a great start if you’re determined to create your ideal day. Smoothies make you more likely to eat a healthy breakfast during hectic mornings. Plus, blending it just before consuming your smoothie will be extra fresh.

10.  Omelettes

As far as quick breakfast ideas, omelets make the list. Besides being a quick meal, you can make several omelets ahead of time and keep them refrigerated throughout the week. When you’re ready to consume, pop the omelet in the microwave, and you are good to go. 

They are a great way to get your protein, and when you add vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, onions, and tomatoes, you can also get a good dose of vitamins. 

Cheap breakfast ideas to make in the morning

Next up, we’ve got some cheap breakfast ideas that you’ll prepare on the day of consumption. These may seem quite obvious, but I include them to remind you how quick and simple these stand-bys can be.

11. Fresh oatmeal

Yes, we’re back to oatmeal! Oatmeal is one of the incredibly easy cheap breakfast ideas. If you compare the cost per serving to a cold breakfast cereal, oatmeal is the clear winner for a frugal lifestyle.

Whether steel-cut or rolled, oats are a great food to fill you up for a busy day of working, working out, parenting, volunteering, and whatever else. For the most convenient preparation, you can buy individual oatmeal packets. Simply warm them up with water or milk, and they’re ready to eat.

I love old-fashioned oats, cooked the slow way on the stove. They usually take about five minutes to cook, which you may not have to spare in the morning.

However, you can also cook oats in the microwave. They don’t have to be the pre-portioned packets either. Scoop out half a cup of oats and a cup of water into a microwave-safe dish and cook for a hot breakfast.

If you’re looking for other ways to make oatmeal a little more exciting, Cooking Classy shares eight different ways to prepare oatmeal. 

While oatmeal isn’t the most convenient breakfast to eat while driving or on public transit, they are easily prepared. Cooking and eating time could easily be under ten minutes.

12. Quick scrambled or sunny-side-up eggs

Whatever your favorite way to eat eggs, they can be a great cheap breakfast idea. I love to scramble eggs whenever I can’t think of anything else to eat. They cook in almost no time, and they’re very filling.

Eggs are super versatile. Whether it’s a fried egg, scramble, or sunny side up, they always come out tasty. 

Add ketchup or hot sauce for a more daring version of scrambled eggs. If those toppings are appetizing, myrecipes.com has 25 suggestions on spicing up your scrambled eggs. 

Although eggs used to get a bad rap, now they’re known as a healthy food for most of us. They’re a great source of protein, vitamin D, and essential amino acids

13. Granola over yogurt or fruit

If you buy store-made granola or prepare your own at home, granola is a delicious and (somewhat) cheap breakfast idea. Of course, adding rare foods may increase the cost a bit. However, it’s still a relatively inexpensive and filling breakfast or snack.

The Busy Baker and others offer online granola recipes. Still, your basic ingredients are likely oats, honey, oil, nuts, or seeds. Bake up a batch to munch on all week long.

Many granolas are tasty on their own, and you can also toss them into your yogurt or enjoy them with fruit.

14. Toast (The ultimate cheap breakfast!)

Don’t laugh—I’m including toast in this roundup of cheap breakfast foods. For those mornings when you have a busy brain, toast is an effortless and inexpensive way to get healthy nutrients into your morning.

Even if you’re gluten-free, you might find a great GF brand of bread. Otherwise, try a brand with whole grains or seeds, like Dave’s Killer Bread, for the most nutrient-dense toast. Toasting a few slices of bread, English muffins, or bagels in the morning is quick.

Toast is great for a variety of toppings as well. Consider peanut butter and bananas with cinnamon, almond butter, jam or preserves, cream cheese, and avocado (and don’t let anyone mock you for avocado toast!).

Insanely Good Recipes has over 30 different toppings you can add to your toasts to keep you from getting bored. Plus, it’s easy-peasy to make and eat a toasty breakfast to start your day.

15. A quick bacon or breakfast sausage fry

While breakfast meats are not always cheap, you can get a deal on them if you shop in bulk or use coupons or coupon websites to buy them on sale. Bacon and sausage come in various varieties, such as turkey, maple, and hardwood smoked.

So if you are a meat-eater, you will find a variety you like. Plus, you can have it with toast or eggs for a quick and filling morning meal!

If you buy meat in bulk, you’ll have plenty of meals to make if you follow the recipes from Smokehouse.com.

16. Sausage cheddar puffs

You can make this delicious and easy-to-make breakfast item if you have some leftover sausage. Taste of Home’s recipe only requires four ingredients sausage, cheddar cheese, biscuit mixture, and water; you can have a tasty meal in 25 mins.

Combine all the ingredients until moist, then form your mixture into little balls. Place the formed balls on a cooking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. 

The results are a tasty meal.  

17.  Upside-down bacon pancake

Punchfork’s upside-down bacon pancake is a savory and sweet breakfast meal that can be prepared in minutes. 

Start by cooking the bacon first. Once the bacon is cooked, add the pancake mixture on top. Once the mixture is evenly spread, you can place the oven-safe skillet into the oven for about  18-20 minutes. 

When the pancake is thoroughly cooked, take it out of the oven, let it cool, and enjoy

18. Hash browns

Potatoes are an inexpensive, versatile breakfast, lunch, and dinner food. For your morning meal, you can use this starch food to make hash browns by following Simple Recipes’ instructions with only a few ingredients that are all pantry staples.

Once you rinse and wash your potatoes, you’ll shred them and then bind the shreds into little patties using egg and flour. When your patties are made, cook them in a frying pan for five minutes. Make sure you cook both sides until golden brown.

You can use onions and a pinch of cayenne pepper for added flavor.

Cheap breakfast ideas with no prep required

Last but not least, here are five tried-and-true cheap breakfast ideas. These require literally zero preparation. If you hate cooking or don’t have the time, try these to save money. You can keep them in your fridge or pantry and grab them on your way out the door.

20. Fresh whole fruits are great cheap breakfast ideas

We can’t talk about breakfast without including fruit. It’s relatively cheap (even from a farmer’s market) and requires nothing other than occasionally a little slicing before you eat.

Fresh fruit in season will be the most beneficial and tasty, but many of us can also get out-of-season fruits. When you’re in a hurry, all you need to do is peel a banana or take a bite from an apple for a tasty breakfast in seconds.

No matter how busy, fresh fruit is a cheap breakfast idea anyone can enjoy! Certain fruits require some prep (obviously, a watermelon needs to be cut up before enjoying). Once your fruit is chopped up, throw it in a bowl or take it in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware. 

To ensure you’re creating a fruit bowl with the correct mixture of fruits, check out Tastes Better From Scratch’s recipe.

21. Almonds, cashews, or other nuts and seeds

For many of us, nuts are a fantastic on-the-go snack or cheap breakfast idea. They aren’t as cheap as oats or white bread, but they pack a lot of nutrients.

You can try making your trail mix by combining nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. The Healthy Maven has a recipe on her blog to help you get started. 

I love having a bag of almonds on my desk to munch on whenever I need a pick-me-up, and they can also be a part of a quick breakfast.

22. Dry cereal varieties

Don’t forget that when you’re especially short on time, you might pack a little snack baggie of cereal for a cheap breakfast option. You can eat it on the run and gain energy to tackle your day.

And while breakfast cereals don’t have the best reputation, they can be helpful in a pinch. To even out the health scale, try eating grains low in sugar and high in protein. A Sweet Pea Chef lists 10 of the healthiest dry cereals on her blog. 

Frosted Mini Wheats saved me on many a long day of teaching when I had only to grab a few dry bites of cereal between classes.

23. Homemade granola bars make a cheap breakfast

While store-bought granola bars can be fine, you can also make your own to save money. For a cheap breakfast, find a great recipe from The Minimalist Baker for homemade protein/granola bars.

Because you can add your own flavors and special ingredients, such as pepitas, sunflower seeds, raisins, walnuts, granola bars are a customizable breakfast snack. 

Prepare a batch over the weekend, then you can grab them on the go during the week. 

24. Yogurt or cottage cheese

Dairy, yogurt, and cottage cheese are good breakfast ideas for a busy day. Greek yogurt also has a higher protein concentration, helping keep you full all morning.

Many people also love cottage cheese and add fruit to give it a unique flavor. These are quick and healthy food choices for a cheap breakfast; again, zero prep is required.

If you have extra time in the morning, you can follow Eating Bird Food’s recipes for creating yogurt bowls. 

Expert tip

When it comes to preparing a healthy breakfast when you’re on the go, planning your breakfast ahead of time is key. Before the start of the week, do meal prep and plan out which breakfast meals you have time for on a particular day. It’s also helpful to do your grocery shopping based on what you want to prepare for breakfast.

What are 3 healthy breakfast options?

When it comes to healthy breakfast options, eggs can be prepared quickly with little to no preparation and provide a great source of protein.

In addition, oatmeal is a great source of fiber; it’s simple to make and leaves you feeling full. Lastly, smoothies are a great healthy option because you combine fruits, vegetables, and protein powder to get the nutrients you need. 

Is breakfast the cheapest meal?

Breakfast is usually the cheapest meal because it requires less ingredients than lunch or dinner. And the ingredients for breakfast like eggs, bread, milk etc can be much cheaper than ingredients for lunch or dinner staples like meats, fish, grains etc.

What are some low-fat breakfast ideas?

If you’re looking for low-fast breakfast ideas or want to consume fewer calories, oatmeal is a great low-fat breakfast. You can also try cooking egg whites with whole-grain toast. If you’re looking to avoid carbs, fat-free Greek yogurt is also a great option.

Is it OK not to eat breakfast?

There is no perfect answer to the question of skipping or having breakfast. It comes down to what a healthy lifestyle means for you. If you find yourself hungry and tired in the morning, then breakfast might be beneficial. However, if you feel energized and content in the morning, you can probably skip breakfast. 

Articles related to meal planning

If you enjoyed this article on breakfast ideas, check out this related content!

• 8 Tasty Frugal Meal Plans To Try!
• 25 Of The Best Cheapest Meals
• 35 Delicious Frugal Meals For Every Food Category
• 24 Great Frugal Meals For Families

Cheap breakfast ideas can improve your life and your finances!

Most of these cheap breakfast ideas are easy to prepare. You can use these budget-friendly breakfast ideas to help you create a cheap grocery list each week.

Some of the easy breakfast ideas require planning, while others can be grabbed on your way to work. It might be something to consider if you’ve never been a breakfast person. You could enjoy higher energy levels and increased focus without spending much of your overall food budget.

For more tips about saving money, check out the other great articles at Clever Girl Finance, or try one of our free financial courses.

The post 24 Cheap Breakfast Ideas On The Go And On A Budget appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

Want to save money on buying food and spend less time cooking? Then one-pot meals are the answer. They are a delicious and convenient way to prepare healthy and low-cost meals. And we’ve got 20 great ideas to share with you as you create your meal plan!

Whether you live alone or you’re looking for simple meals to prepare for the whole family, easy one-pot dinners can make your life easier. They often include simple ingredients, so you’re not wasting food, and they are easy to clean up. 

If you’re looking for simpler meal times, keep reading to learn about easy one-pot meals.

20 Easy one pot meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Now that you know what one-pot meals are and their advantages, let’s dive into some of the cheapest meals to make your stomach and wallet happy.

One pot meals for breakfast

Breakfast is the day’s most important meal, yet you’ve probably skipped it a few times because you were short on time. Not to worry, many breakfast one-pot meals are easy and quick to prepare.

1. Omelets

Omelets are a great one-pot meal that gives you a hearty amount of protein to start your day. You can have a meal in minutes with a simple flip and fry.

Adding vegetables and herbs will make your omelet healthier and tastier. Spinach is a common omelet ingredient, but you can add cherry tomatoes, parsley, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. 

2. Baked eggs in tomato sauce with kale

Baked eggs in tomato sauce with kale can brighten your mornings when you grow tired of making omelets. 

With only three main ingredients, eggs, tomato sauce, and kale, it’s a great way to use that pre-opened jar of red sauce before it goes bad.

You only need to lightly cook the kale, pour in and heat the tomato sauce, crack in the eggs, and place the saucepan in the oven to bake. And eating clean on a budget meal plan is simple with this recipe.

3. Pesto scrambled eggs

Have you ever had leftover pasta sauce you didn’t know how to use? Next time you have some leftover pesto sauce, throw it in scrambled eggs for a unique and tasty one pot meal.

Prepare your scrambled eggs how you like, and add pesto sauce as the topping. 

4. Apple-cinnamon oatmeal

Plain oatmeal isn’t the most exciting breakfast option. However, there are many ways to make oatmeal a tasty go-to meal. 

One simple way to jazz up the grain is by making apple cinnamon oatmeal. Combine the water, oatmeal, apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and cook them together. Once the oats are cooked and the apples are tender, enjoy the aroma of what smells like an apple pie.  

The great thing about this low-cost meal is that if you don’t finish everything you made, refrigerate it for the next day or later that week. 

5. Frittatas

The word frittata sounds fancy, but it’s basically the Italian word for fried. 

A frittata is the cousin of the omelet and the quiche. It only requires one more additional ingredient than an omelet and fewer ingredients than a quiche.

The key ingredients of a frittata are eggs, cream, vegetables, and seasonings. When preparing, you want to whisk the ingredients thoroughly. The stovetop or the oven are both great options for cooking.

However, the frittata must be placed in the boiler to cook fully.  

6. One skillet quinoa breakfast

If you need a break from oatmeal, try using quinoa for breakfast. Whether fresh or precooked, quinoa is easily prepared in a skillet.

Start with the quinoa, add your preferred milk, and cook until absorbed. Then add fruits such as bananas and berries. 

7. Double puff berry pancake

Instead of making the usual stack of pancakes, you can create one giant pancake and slice out individual pieces. 

Start by blending the pancake ingredients, then pour the mixture until it covers the entire pan. Add berry toppings of your choosing. Then once it’s cooked on one side, place the skillet into the oven until the pancake is golden brown. 

Easy one pot meals for lunch

Now that you’ve got breakfast covered, here is how to make some scrumptious one pot meals for lunch.

8. Chicken tortellini soup 

Soups, in general, make for delicious and easy one pot meals. With some broth and an assortment of vegetables, you’ll have a meal in no time.

However, if you want to advance your soup-making skills, you can try chicken tortellini soup. 

Start with a large pot; and then add oil and vegetables. Next, add chicken, followed by water and or broth. Last, you’ll add herbs and tortellini pasta. Cook until tender, and enjoy.

9. Pozole

Pozole is a traditional soup or stew dish from Mexico. It comes loaded with flavors and spices for those craving a little more kick from a soup-like dish.

Although this recipe includes many ingredients, you can conveniently cook everything in one pot.

Plus, you can make different types of pozole, such as green, red, and white. Although traditionally made with chicken or pork, you can make a vegetarian-friendly pozole. 

10. Skillet tacos

These are a fun twist on traditional tacos. 

You’ll cook everything in a skillet using similar ingredients to regular tacos. You can add elbow macaroni to make the meal more filling.

When everything is cooked, serve it with crushed nacho chips instead of a taco shell for added crunch.

11. One pot enchilada pasta

Enchilada pasta is a unique way to enjoy a pasta meal. Using one pot, you’ll use many of the same ingredients when making enchiladas—such as black beans, tomatoes, chill peppers, enchilada sauce, and cheese. 

With this one pot meal, you can get a scrumptious lunch in around 30 minutes.

12. Skillet lasagna

Lasagna is typically an oven dish that takes a lot of time and preparation. However, skillet lasagna is the tasty cheat code.

Start with your meat of choice and start cooking it almost to completion in a skillet. To cook a vegetarian lasagna, you can begin with tofu, vegetarian meat, or vegetables. Next, add pantry staples such as onion, garlic, and other seasonings. 

To add the lasagna element, you’ll break up the lasagna noodles to cook and add them in with the sauce—then top with cheese to finish. 

13. Rice and beans

Rice and beans are simple and low-cost ingredients that can make meals with various variations. 

White rice is often the go-to choice, however, you can experiment with brown or jasmine rice. 

And with a wide variety of bean options such as pinto, black beans, and brown beans, you can get a handful of meals with one recipe.

Easy one pot dinners

When dinner time comes, you want something simple. And so these one pot dinners will help with making life easier for you especially if you are cooking for your family.

14. Spaghetti with tomatoes, olives, feta, and mint

Spaghetti is a classic dinner recipe that can fill you up and doesn’t cost much money. If you want to fancy your current spaghetti recipe, try adding olives, feta, and mint.

These added ingredients will give your pasta some extra flavor.

15. Lentil and bean stew

Stews are very similar to soups; however, they are chunkier and have less water. Thus a lentil and bean stew makes for an appetizing one-pot recipe.  

With the recipe, you can add lentils, beans, garbanzo beans, and chicken for an easy dinner.

16. Instant ramen noodle stir-fry

Most college students have survived on instant ramen noodles. They are cheap and ready in minutes.
Luckily there is a healthier and tastier way to have ramen instead of directly out of the microwave.

Start with cooking chicken and vegetables in a large non-stick skillet. Add water and ramen noodles to the pan when the vegetables and chicken start cooking. After combining the ingredients, cover and cook until the noodles are tender.

17. Lemon pepper chicken with orzo

Did you know there are many easy one-pot dinners using orzo?

Orzo looks like rice, but it’s a protein-rich pasta. You can cook this meal in one pot for around 30 minutes with some chicken seasonings and selected herbs.

18. Pizza pasta bake

Pasta and pizza are the most beloved foods. If you’re longing for a pizza but don’t want to order out, then a pizza pasta bake is your solution.

You only need pasta and pizza ingredients such as mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, sausage, and tomato. It’ll be sure to satisfy your hunger.

19. One pot teriyaki chicken and rice

With this teriyaki chicken and rice one-pot dinner, use a deep skillet to cook the chicken and the rice in the same pan.

Using long-grain or jasmine rice is also essential for faster cook times.

Start by cooking the chicken until it’s white on the outside. Then you’ll set it aside and combine water, rice, sauces, and other vegetables in the skillet. After a few moments, you’ll add the chicken back in.

Once everything is mixed, you’ll let it stew until everything is tender.

20. Mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is a favorite dish among many. Although it’s tempting to whip up some boxed mac and cheese, you can still have a quality cheesy meal with only six ingredients.

Cheddar, parmesan cheese, milk, water, and elbow pasta are your main ingredients. Other vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, and green beans, pair nicely with mac and cheese.

Expert tip

You can save a lot of time and money when making one pot meals.

For example, look at your ingredients and use more vegetables instead of meat to be more cost-efficient. And when you use one pot to make your whole meal, cleaning up takes less time.

What are one pot meals?

One pot meals are simplified dishes that cook all the ingredients in one pot. As a result, the components blend together to become a delicious meal.

These meals are usually less time-consuming and require fewer ingredients. As a result, you save money while grocery shopping on a budget.

What kitchen supplies do you need?

Although the word pot is in the name, you can use a pot, wok, skillet, frying pan, or baking sheet, depending on the recipe.

However, using a quality non-stick pan is essential when practicing your iron chef skills with these recipes. And you don’t need to spend much money on a new pan. Quality skillets can be purchased for around $40.

Are there advantages to a one pot meal?

The most significant advantage of a one pot meal is saving time and money. 

Most one pot meals can be ready in 30 minutes since they are primarily cooked on the stovetop. 

Additionally, most one pot dinners require fewer ingredients, and many are common pantry items. Therefore, you’re not spending money on extra ingredients you’ll only use once. Simultaneously, you’re helping to avoid food waste. 

Did you know that each year 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the US?

One pot meals are a great way to utilize the food in your cabinets so you can avoid waste.

What are other ways to save on food?

If you enjoyed these money-saving one pot meals and want to stretch your dollar even further, here are other ways to save money on food.

Buy store brand vs. name brand

What’s the difference between store-brand and name-brand items? In reality, not much at all. Especially for pantry staples such as flour, salt, sugar, etc. 

Many store-brand items are made in the same factory as popular brands. Store brands are often cheaper because companies don’t spend extra money on advertising.

Look for items on the discount and sales rack

Grocery stores often discount their prices on foods close to their expiration date. Check for discounted sales racks or unique stickers with marked-down prices to start frugal grocery shopping.

Even though some foods are close to their sell-by date, they can still last a few more days in your freezer or pantry. 

Freeze and save what you don’t eat

Food waste is not only harmful to the environment but to your budget. If you buy too much food or cook more than you’re going to eat, freeze the leftover food. 

One pot meals are great items to freeze and reheat for a meal later in the week.

Related articles on one pot meals

Enjoyed this article on one pot meals? Check out these related topics!

• 10 Steps For Eating Clean On A Budget Meal Plan
• 8 Tasty Frugal Meal Plans To Try!
• 24 Great Frugal Meals For Families
• 35 Delicious Frugal Meals For Every Food Category

Use these ideas for easy, tasty, and inexpensive one pot meals!

As you can see, there are many one pot meal options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

You can prepare a meal in minutes using common pantry foods such as pasta, eggs, rice, and beans.

Remember that one pot meals are a great option if you want to live out the save money live better philosophy because they don’t require you to buy a lot of ingredients. They also help you avoid wasting food and are often quick and easy to make!

The post 20 Easy One Pot Meals To Save Time And Money appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

When I first moved into my first apartment, I had a lot of reality checks. Some I was semi-aware of (why is furniture SO expensive anyway?) and others I wasn’t, such as grocery shopping.

And so based on my experience, I’ve gathered 25 of the cheapest meals from around the web, so you can not only dine in style, but you can slash that grocery budget too.

Keep in mind that cheap doesn’t mean unhealthy, unsavory, or lacking flavor! These are delicious and healthy meals that can also work as cheap easy meals, especially if you have kids or a large family.

Even if you have lots of room in your budget for groceries, this list of the cheapest meals can help you save more money while you’re grocery shopping on a budget!

25 of the best cheapest meals

These ideas are not only budget-friendly but also classic and simple to make. So check out these easy recipes that will make breakfast less stressful.

Cheapest meals for breakfast

Let’s start with the most important meal of the day…breakfast! Here are some cheap breakfast ideas for families that are easy to make and that taste delicious.

1. Breakfast casserole

A breakfast casserole is easy, and you may get multiple meals out of it! One of my favorites is this four-ingredient breakfast casserole with biscuits. It’s perfect to add to your list of cheap easy meals.

2. An oatmeal bar

Oatmeal is such a cheap staple by itself (either in a canister or by bulk) you can afford to jazz it up a little.

The Modern Honey website shares tons of different ideas for toppings, and none of them break the bank. You can always sub fruit out or in, depending on what’s in season, to make it even cheaper.

We also found this delightful lemon bar recipe that’s super easy to make!

3. Pancakes

Pancakes are always a cheap and easy favorite. For example, this pancake recipe from All Recipes is low in cost but high in flavor once you add in some butter and syrup.

4. Yogurt and fruit

This simple yogurt recipe teaches you how to make homemade yogurt with only two ingredients.

Top some homemade yogurt with honey or fruit, and you have a cheap on-the-go breakfast. Yogurt is also great in breakfast smoothies, which are filling and easy too.

5. Breakfast scramble

One of the easiest ways to save money at any meal is to cut meat, and this breakfast scramble from the Urben Life does just that. Just substitute the egg alternative for a dozen regular eggs, and this meal also comes in under $10 to make.

Plus, this yummy scramble contains healthy ingredients like mushrooms, red peppers, spinach, avocado, baby red potatoes, and eggs. And eggs contain protein. So it’s a win-win!

Cheapest meals for lunch

Whether you prefer hot or cold lunches, these ideas are sure to please! Plus, for some of them you can easily make extra and have leftovers for a few days.

6. Wraps

There are so many different variations of wraps out there that you could easily make a different one every day for a month and not even have scratched the surface.

If you snag bacon when it’s on sale, you can make these bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado wraps in a snap.

7. Burrito bowls

If wraps aren’t your thing, try a burrito bowl. You can always grab rice and also beans for a fraction of the price of other foods.

Grab cheese when it’s on sale and a bottle of salsa, then voila! Instant lunch for a week for under $5. You can even get creative by adding guacamole in addition to other toppings to keep this meal interesting.

You can also try this chicken burrito protein bowl recipe if you aren’t sure where to start.

8. Soups

Soups and stews are top on the list of cheapest meals to make. Try this slow cooker chicken tortilla soup, which promises to come in at $1.63 a serving.

Remember, you can buy managers’ special chicken breasts or even chicken thighs to save more money on buying your meat!

9. Salads

Salad doesn’t have to be expensive or tedious. Check out this recipe for a chickpea tuna one. Chickpeas and tuna are both packed with lots of nutrition for a fraction of the price.

We can’t imagine this meal being too expensive, but we can imagine it being extra tasty. And it’s also a great spin on a regular tuna salad!

10. Pinwheels

As mentioned above, there are various wraps for just about anybody, but we also wanted to share pinwheels because they are more fun and less messy.

This turkey pesto pinwheel looks like it’s going to be happening in my near future. I always suggest grabbing turkey from the deli because you can buy what you need and pick whatever’s on sale.

Cheap easy meals for dinner

Dinners can get expensive fast. So we rounded up easy dinner ideas that are good for the budget and yummy in the tummy!

11. Grilled cheese

Nothing says an easy dinner like grilled cheese. You need two slices of bread, some butter, and a slice of cheese to toast up on the stove. You don’t even need to use the oven for a cheese sandwich!

A meal like this can feed an army for less than five bucks, but we found fancier grilled cheese recipes if you are feeling adventurous. You can even serve it with tomato soup for an extra filling meal.

12. Skillet meals

Skillet meals are cheap and fast to whip up any dinner on a weeknight. For instance, this one-pot cheesy chicken broccoli and rice have three staple ingredients that are pretty cheap on price but not on flavor.

13. Sheet pan dinners

Like skillet meals, sheet pan dinners are a fast and cheap way to make dinner any night of the week. You can make easy chicken fajitas with this recipe or go even easier with this sausage, potato, and green beans bake.

14. Spaghetti

Spaghetti is known as one of the cheapest meals to make on the planet that you can make with pantry staples. With a bottle of sauce available for under $2 and a box of pasta under $1, who’s to argue?

But for a little bit more, you can make your homemade sauce with meat. Got kids or a large family? Definitely add this to your list of recipes.

15. Pizza

Sure, you could pick up some pizza somewhere fast and quick, but the key to making a frugal pizza is in the homemade dough. Check out this recipe from the Family Balance Sheet for $2.50 pizza or spend slightly more and make kid-friendly ones on garlic toast.

Try making a cauliflower pizza crust for a healthier alternative!

16. Baked potato bar

Potatoes are a cheap and filling vegetable. One of the most inexpensive and fun ways to serve up potatoes is in a baked potato bar.

Toppings such as cheese and sour cream can be purchased as store brands, while onions, bacon, and beans can be purchased when on sale or in season.

You can hit your sweet spot with some sweet potatoes and top them with brown sugar and marshmallows!

17. Tacos

As a Latina, tacos were a staple in my house growing up, along with almost any type of soup. Tacos meant we could make ground beef stretch farther with potatoes.

Soup meant we could eat whatever vegetables were leftover from the week (Spoiler, it was always potatoes).

You can add whatever you have on hand to your tacos, including black beans, cheddar cheese, bell pepper, and also other common ingredients.

You can easily make your taco seasoning that tastes way better than the store’s and toast up some corn tortillas or tostadas. If you would like to up the ante, we found this recipe for some baked ones that are still frugal.

18. Quesadillas

Just like tacos, quesadillas can be made frequently and are a cheap dinner idea. One way that I love to bulk up a quesadilla is to add sauteed veggies.

I like to pick whatever veggies are on sale and use up some cheese or tortillas that can be found with 10 for a dollar or two. Cheesy chicken quesadillas can be a filling meal that doesn’t break the bank.

19. Chili

All of the chili ingredients are cheap themselves, so it only makes sense that it’s on our list. Any beans will work, and you can substitute ground beef for ground turkey or leave it out.

You can also grab tomato sauce on sale along with whatever type of onion or pepper you want. Toppings are optional, but sure do make the meal. Don’t forget the chili powder!

20. Ham and cheddar croissant roll-ups

Looking for cheap recipes for families that are super simple to make? Try these ham and cheddar croissant roll-ups!

Grab just enough ham and cheese that’s on sale, along with a package of croissant rolls, to make this easy dinner a tasty yet frugal one!

21. Egg roll in a bowl

An egg roll dinner recipe can be made using rice which is an essential frugal staple. This recipe from Project Meal Plan allows you to use rice as a filler to make the meal go even further.

Try using brown rice for a healthier option. Brown rice has a bit more fiber which is good for you.

It also allows you to use up any leftover veggies you didn’t get around to using in other recipes.

22. Burgers

There’s nothing quite like a well-cooked burger! Ground beef is one of the cheapest meats you can purchase for entrees. A pound of ground beef can cost up to $5.

However, a dollar pack of buns, a bag of frozen fries, and whatever condiments you have in the fridge can have you under $10 with this dinner.

You can swap out the fries with a cut-up cucumber for a healthier side dish.

23. Casserole

Casseroles are not only easy and cheap, but they are also an easy food to freeze one day and then defrost when you need a quick meal.

It’s significantly less expensive and healthier to do this than to rely on a frozen one. And this chicken noodle casserole from the Country Cook is easy, filling, and tastes good!

Casseroles make tasty, cheap meals for large families!

24. Lo Mein

When made with ramen noodles, you can buy them for 30 cents a pack, plus frozen veggies. A lo mein dish like this one is what we call frugal and is perfect when it comes to easy cheap dinner ideas!

25. Baked chili hot dogs

You can’t have a cheap meal list without hot dogs, but we decided to find an even better recipe for some baked chili ones.

You can have a side of mac and cheese with it for a frugal side dish. Try it out, and thank me later!

Expert tip: Get creative with your meals

It’s easy to be creative with your meals and still save a lot of money. Remember that the key to saving money is to not let things go to waste and also to keep your meals interesting!

So explore easy meal combinations and leverage platforms like YouTube for meal planning and cooking ideas.

Why cut costs on food?

Food isn’t cheap. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) estimates that a moderate budget to feed a family of four can range anywhere from approximately $600 on the cheaper end of things and go past $1,100 per month.

Spending that much on groceries could easily be up to 20% of a family’s take-home pay or even more.

Since this is such a vast variable expense, it only makes sense to cut here when you can to lead to better budgeting. So it’s essential to find ways to make your grocery store visits more frugal!

Additional tips to cut costs

So now you have ideas for the cheapest meals to make, but there may still be room to save money in your budget. Here are some key tips!

Coupons

Don’t make fun of the extreme couponers you see on TV. You can find deals by checking out the best coupon websites or checking your weekly mail, online, or even on a store’s app.

I’m known to march up to customer service if my coupon for pasta wasn’t applied correctly! I manage to save between $5 and $10 a week on my groceries and household items.

Rebate apps

Check out Ibotta and also Fetch since they let you scan receipts for free money! Retailers partner with apps such as these to share in-store offers and coupons.

Once you’ve made your purchase, you check your receipt, and all savings are applied to the account.

You can then cash your account out via PayPal. It can take some time to accumulate enough cash-out points, but you can easily earn $20 a month with one of these.

Meal planning

Planning what you’re going to eat is one of the most shared tips because it works. Meal planning allows you to shop the ads, make sure nothing goes to waste, and gives you a list of items to buy so you aren’t distracted while at the store.

You wouldn’t drive somewhere without directions, so it only makes sense to have a plan here too.

Utilize the freezer

The key to making cheap easy meals is to utilize a freezer! Many items that you can buy on sale can be frozen to help extend the life of the food and allow you to stockpile when you can.

Meat, dairy items, bread, casseroles, and soups are all food items that can freeze for later use. Please check out FoodSafety.gov for more tips and recommendations.

What meal is the least expensive?

All of the meals on our list are very inexpensive to make, including pancakes, soup, and sheet pan dinners.

Can I buy enough groceries for the week for $50?

That depends on the cost of groceries where you live and how many people you need to feed. It is more likely that you will be able to spend less if you live in a low-cost-of-living area and are shopping only for yourself or a small family. You can check out our ideas for what to buy at the grocery store to maximize your budget.

What is a cheap meal that is most easy to make?

Grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the easiest cheap meals to make. They are easy to put together and are also a very inexpensive option.

Inexpensive food idea articles

If you enjoyed this article about the cheapest meals, check out these articles:

• 35 Delicious Frugal Meals For Every Food Category
• Meal Planning On A Budget! How To Do It!
• 25 Cold Lunch Ideas Your Budget Will Love
• 8 Tasty Frugal Meal Plans To Try!

Try out this list of the best cheapest meals!

Feeding your family doesn’t have to be the most significant variable item in your monthly expenses budget. As you can see, it’s possible to prepare healthy and simple meals without spending a fortune.

We hope these recipes and tips will help you cut here and spend more on other areas. When you spend less on groceries, you can focus on things like how to pay off credit card debt fast and saving more money towards your big goals using fun challenges like the 200 envelope challenge.

The post 25 Of The Best Cheapest Meals appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

A challenging and time-consuming part of mom life is deciding what to cook for your family. What makes it even harder is to do so in a wallet-friendly way without compromising on nutritional value.

We are here to make mealtime easier and cost-effective for you! Feed your family for less with these 24 meal ideas.

1. Eggs

Eggs are super easy to cook with, affordable, and good for you. Not only are they a good protein source, but they also make a quick and tasty breakfast too. There are so many frugal meals for families that you can create with the humble egg.

Back to basics scrambled eggs

Sometimes simple meals are the best. Grab your eggs, some cream (milk or water will also work), and salt and pepper. Whisk the ingredients in a pan until frothy, then pour them into a hot pan with melted butter. Stir gently until your eggs are cooked through.

Baked eggs

Baking eggs gives them a delicious flavor and texture. Baked eggs with spinach and tomato are a popular breakfast choice.

Eggs Benedict

For an indulgent breakfast, rustle up some eggs benedict of poached eggs and bacon on an English muffin and impress your family!

Eggs cost approximately $4.25 for 12, making them a perfect food choice if you’re cooking on a budget.

2. Banana bread

Cake for breakfast? Yes, you can!

Homemade banana bread that doesn’t include refined sugar can be a much healthier choice than some of the sugary cereals that you can buy. It’s also really inexpensive to make.

Banana bread is basically sweet bread that is made from bananas. All you need are some eggs, whole wheat flour, vegetable oil, bananas, honey, vanilla extract, and seasoning. Here’s a proven banana bread recipe to try!

Banana bread ingredients will cost you less than $15 at most grocery stores. You could also make more than one loaf with the items. It’s perfectly safe to freeze, so you can save some for another day.

3. Frittatas

Frittatas are a popular choice for the whole family. They are similar to an omelet but with additional ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and cheese added to it.

Frittatas are traditionally cooked on low heat for a longer time than an omelet, and you can serve frittatas at room temperature so there’s no pressure to get it served immediately.

For a simple breakfast frittata recipe, whisk up your eggs with some cream and set aside. Cook some bacon, onions, tomatoes, and spinach in a pan, then add your eggs in. Sprinkle with cheese, give it a stir then let the frittata bake for around 15 minutes.

You might easily spend less than $10 to make delicious frittatas for the whole family. To find creative ways to save money, change some ingredients to make it more cost-effective.

For example, swap the spinach for mushrooms or broccoli.

4. Waffles

Waffles are so versatile! Many people prefer them to pancakes because they give you endless topping opportunities, and they don’t go soggy as quickly as pancakes do.

If you’re short on time, they are also great for breakfast in a hurry. Simply make a batter from eggs, flour, sugar, salt, milk, and butter.

Then add your mixture to your waffle maker, sit back, and wait. Adding fruit and yogurt to your breakfast waffles makes them a healthier and more satisfying meal, but you can add anything.

Waffles are a great frugal breakfast choice. You can spend as little as $1.20 per waffle! If you do have more cash to spend then you can add extra toppings such as chopped nuts or syrup. Check out these breakfast waffle recipes for inspiration.

5. French toast

The fantastic thing about French toast is that it looks fancy, but it’s actually quick to prepare and only costs around $4-5, depending on your choice of toppings.

To make French toast for your family, all you need to do is whisk together eggs, milk, and your choice of flavoring (typically vanilla or cinnamon). Soak the bread in this for a few minutes, then add to a hot pan of melted butter.

Cook for approximately five minutes, or until golden, then flip and cook the other side. Once cooked, top with your choice of ingredients.

You can make sweet or savory varieties depending on what you fancy.

6. Smoothie bowls

Smoothie bowls are an easy way to make sure you get your five a day all before 10 am! They are also a smart way to ensure you get lots of fiber in your diet.

But what exactly is a smoothie bowl? Think of it like a smoothie that contains fruit, seeds, and nuts that is served in a bowl rather than blitzed up and put in a cup.

A standard smoothie bowl will cost around $3-5 per portion. To make your smoothie bowl even more frugal, use frozen or tinned fruit, as these both cost less than buying fresh.

Start the day off well with one of these delicious smoothie bowl recipes.

7. Stuffed peppers

Are you looking for a frugal meal for families that is quick, nutritious, and tasty?  Stuffed peppers are a great lunch idea that you can make to suit your budget.

Peppers are either halved or hollowed out and filled with a variety of different fillings. Then they are cooked in the oven until done.

Popular fillings for peppers include:

• Ground beef
• Rice
• Cheese
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Garlic

The cost of serving your family stuffed peppers for lunch depends on your choice of fillings, but it should cost between $4-$10 for the ingredients.

8. Sandwiches

Everyone loves a sandwich, including your bank account! They are so convenient, easily customizable, and extremely comforting.

The best thing is that they take minutes to put together in advance. You can rustle up a sandwich for less than $3 if you are savvy about your filling choice. The average cost of bread in America is $2.50, which will last you for several lunches.

And sandwiches don’t have to be boring with these mouth-watering ideas.

9. Pasta salad

Frugal meals for families can also be great time savers. Pasta salads are a perfect, quick, and fulfilling lunch that the whole family will enjoy.

They are ideal for taking to school or work or on a picnic as they are easy to store and eat for meals. Whole-grain pasta is also a great source of fiber and energy and can be eaten as part of a balanced diet.

Pasta salad is a good way to get rid of any leftovers in your fridge. From vegetables to meats and cheeses, you can pretty much add anything you fancy.

For a simple pasta salad recipe that’s guaranteed to get the family asking for seconds, follow this tasty recipe. Making this dish will cost around $10, a cost-effective choice for lunch!

10. Chicken fried rice

Frugal meals for families can be just as tasty as your favorite takeaway. This take-out classic is a real crowd-pleaser and so simple to make.

Chicken fried rice is basically chicken, onions, carrots, peas, eggs, and rice. You can also add some Chinese five-spice for flavor. The key to this is to use leftover rice from the previous day that has had time to dry out.

Scramble your eggs in a pan, fry the chicken then add all of your ingredients to the pan until they are cooked through. That’s it! Serve up this delicious lunch for 4-6 people for around $8.

11. Quinoa bowls

If you love a good bowl meal, this frugal family meal is for you. Quinoa bowls can be changed really easily, so you have an exciting new lunch each day.

The main ingredient of a quinoa bowl is cooked quinoa, which costs around $1.64 per kilogram. You will only need about 2 cups per bowl, so one bag will make several lunches for your family.

Once you’ve got your cooked quinoa, top it with your choice of vegetables, protein, and healthy fats such as nuts or avocado. You can add a dressing or simply eat the quinoa bowls as they are!

12. Muffins

Muffins don’t have to be sweet! Savory muffins make the perfect midday meal. They are also great frugal meals for families because you can hide lots of vegetables in them. You can either eat them alone or serve them with a fresh side salad.

Cheese, spinach, ham, zucchini, pumpkin, tomato, and carrot all work well in savory muffins. Simply whisk some eggs and add your choice of ingredients to a bowl, mix it all together, and then add to some muffin cases and cook them for 15-20 minutes.

You can pick up the ingredients you need to make some tasty muffins in a grocery store for $6-10. Get creative and make your own flavors or take inspiration from this savory muffin recipe.

13. Vegan shepherd’s pie

Hearty vegetables, a rich broth, and creamy mashed potatoes are hard to resist. What’s even better is that you can serve this dish to your family for less than $4!

Sometimes it can be hard to make vegan dishes as satisfying as meat dishes, but you won’t have this problem with a vegan shepherd’s pie.

Want to know how to do it? Here’s a tasty recipe to try!

14. Tacos

Tacos are one of the best frugal family meals that are guaranteed to fill your tummy without breaking the bank.

So, what can go in a taco? Anything you fancy! You can keep them simple or add some unusual ingredients.

If you’ve got picky eaters in your family, these are also great to schedule in your monthly meal planner, and you can hide some hidden vegetables, too.

Here are several of our favorite affordable fillings:

• Refried beans
• Veggies
• Cheese
• Avocado
• Battered fish

Serve them as a tasty meal for your family for between $5-$10.

15. Pies

Who doesn’t love a pie?

Pies make a frugal dinner choice for budget-conscious families. They make a great mid-week meal that can be made for between $10-$25.

Obviously, the price will depend on what you use as a filling, but there are ways that you can make one cheaply.

Whilst it’s definitely easier to buy a store-bought pastry, it’s actually much cheaper to make your own. Ready-made pastry will cost just over $4, whereas you can purchase the ingredients you need to make pastry for less than $2.

Cheap pie filling choices include cheese and onion, chicken and bacon, and vegetable pie.

16. Peanut butter chicken

Frugal family meals that have only a small amount of ingredients and take less than half an hour to prepare are like gold dust, but peanut butter chicken is one of them! Make this for dinner, and then try out some of the best family night ideas for a frugal but fun evening!

All you’ll need to create this tasty dish is chicken, peanut butter, tinned tomatoes, onions, and rice. This will cost you approximately $8.

Melt butter and some oil in a pan, then add your chicken until browned. Add the onion, tomatoes, and water, and season with salt and pepper.

Simmer for 10 minutes, then add some peanut butter to make a sauce. Leave to stew on low heat while you cook the rice. Once it’s ready, simply serve and enjoy!

17. Fajitas

Fajitas are another frugal family meal that can be adapted each week, so your family won’t get bored of the same food. It’s much cheaper to make fajitas at home than it is to eat them in a restaurant.

Buy some chicken, tortilla wraps, onion, pepper, garlic, salsa, and seasoning (optional) from your local grocery store for around $10. Simply cook your meat, add the veggies, and season to taste.

Serve at the dinner table and let the family create their own tortillas. Simple, delicious, and fun!

If you don’t fancy chicken fajitas, vegetables and steak also work well.

18. Seafood chowder

Seafood chowder is basically a creamy fish soup typically made with a mixture of shellfish, salmon, haddock, and potatoes.

There are no fancy steps involved, and it’s a tasty, inexpensive meal that you can rustle up for around $10 to 15.

You’ll find lots of different seafood chowder recipes online, but we’ve found one that keeps the price low.

19. Cheese straws

Snacks can become costly if you’re not careful, but they can help balance out frugal meals for families without busting your budget. Cheese straws are a great, cost-effective option if you’re feeling peckish between meals.

Fancy trying some yourself? All you need are three ingredients: cheese, flour, and ready-rolled puff pastry.

These will cost you around $8 and give you enough to make several batches that you can freeze and then defrost when you need them.

To make this a meal, add soup or a salad with it!

20. Popcorn

For an extremely frugal snack, try making your own popcorn at home. Not only is it less costly, but it’s also tastier! You can also control the toppings and make it a healthier snack if you wish.

All you need to buy is some popcorn kernels (approximately $3) and some oil.

Here’s an easy recipe to follow that will guarantee perfect popcorn every time.

 21. Yogurt

Yogurt is packed full of nutrients that make it a healthy snack choice. It’s also inexpensive and easy to find.

Plain Greek yogurt is a popular choice and only costs just over $1 in most grocery stores.

Want to make your yogurt snack into a meal? Top it with whatever fruit you have in your fruit bowl.

22. Veggies with dip

In a rush? Nothing is simpler or more satisfying than cutting up some fresh vegetables and serving them with a dip. Carrots, peppers, and celery all work well, but you can use a whole range of veggies. You can use up any leftovers that you have in your fridge.

Some great dips to add to your vegetables are:

• Peanut butter (trust us, it’s good!)
• Hummus
• Tzatziki
• Tomato salsa

You can easily prepare a plate of veggies and dip for your family for less than $5. Bargain! To make a full meal, serve with sandwiches.

23. Cottage cheese and crackers

If you’re looking for a snack that won’t break the bank or your diet, crackers, and cheese is a good choice.

Choose your favorite cracker (Ritz, Triscuits, and Wheat Thins all work well) and cheese with a strong flavor, such as cottage cheese. Spread on your desired amount and get snacking.

Add crackers and cottage cheese to your next food shop for less than $6. To make this snack into a meal, add deli meat like turkey or ham.

24. Homemade granola bars

There’s something extremely satisfying about making your own snacks. Granola bars are a great meal for when you’re in a hurry. They can be adapted to suit the tastes of both kids and adults.

The main ingredient you will need is whole rolled oats. These are relatively inexpensive at $4 for two pounds of oats.

Add things like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and honey to create a delicious bar. You can easily make a batch of granola bars for less than $10, which will be considerably less than the packs you can buy.

Give them a go, you may just be surprised at how much tastier they are than store-bought versions!

Expert tip: Make meals that require simple ingredients

There are plenty of easy meals to make that don’t cost a lot of money. As a general rule, try to pick recipes that use only a few ingredients to save on cost.

Frugal cooking tips

So now you’ve got some great meal ideas to choose from. Let’s help you cook in a frugal way too.

Cooking frugally is a skill worth learning, even if you’re thinking, “I hate cooking!”. The more you prep and cook, the easier you will find it to eat well on a budget.

These ideas will help you save both time and money.

Choose recipes that use everyday ingredients

Complicated recipes with lots of steps require a long list of ingredients that you’ll need to purchase, pushing your grocery spend over budget. Not to mention that they will take you way more time to prepare and cook than a simple recipe.

There’s no point buying saffron if you’re only going to use it once, then leave it sitting in your spice cupboard! Try out some frugal living tips and choose recipes that have fewer steps and mainly need everyday ingredients.

Prepare meals in advance

There are so many benefits to prepping meals. Not only can you save time, but you’ll also have more money in your pocket. By planning ahead, you may also find that you portion meals correctly, allowing you to freeze food for another day.

Follow our meal prep tips for optimum efficiency:

• Invest in a variety of different-sized food containers so you can store lots of meals.
• Keep stock of basic ingredients such as grains, legumes, and canned goods so you can streamline meal prep.
• Make time to bulk cook! Spend an allocated amount of time each week in the kitchen doing budget meal planning and cooking to make your week ahead easier.

Use less meat

Frugal meals for families don’t have to include meat. Meat can be pricey, so try to substitute it for beans and pulses where possible to make your meals more cost-effective.

Beans also add protein and fiber to your diet. Lentils, beans, and pulses usually come in tins and have a good expiration date, which means you are less likely to waste food (saving you money in the long term).

If you’re not quite decided on giving up meat entirely, use a 50/50 split of meat and lentils or beans to bulk out your meals.

Grow your own food

Make a tight food budget go further by growing your own food. It’s also extremely rewarding, and you avoid wasted money!

Bell peppers, cucumbers, garlic, tomatoes, and berries are some of the easiest foods to grow. The initial cost of seeds and compost is low, especially compared to the money you will save on produce when they are fully grown.

Cook with tinned food more

Not only is tinned food cheaper, but it is also just as great for you as fresh food, and were you aware that people who eat more food out of cans typically consume more nutrients than those that just eat fresh varieties? This is mainly because tinned food is easier to prepare and costs significantly less.

Other benefits of canned goods include saving time and longer shelf life, so less waste!

What is the least expensive meal to make?

A very inexpensive option is either eggs or sandwiches. Though you can use any of the frugal meals here and know that you’re saving money!

Can you really reduce your grocery budget by being more frugal?

Yes, you can if you are conscious of your purchases and choose inexpensive ingredients. It’s also essential to use what you already have at home when possible. The more you practice being frugal, the more you gain motivation for saving money.

What is an inexpensive meal to feed a lot of people?

If you have a crowd to feed, doubling up on a meal like chicken fried rice or tacos is an easy solution. These are frugal family meals that won’t ruin your budget.

Related articles on great frugal meals

Enjoyed this frugal meals article? Here are others to check out!

• 35 Delicious Frugal Meals For Every Food Category
• 8 Tasty Frugal Meal Plans To Try!
• 25 Of The Best Cheapest Meals
• Create A Monthly Meal Planner Your Budget Will Love

Frugal meals for families are easy to make!

Feeling inspired to start cooking frugal meals for families? The tips in this article prove that it can be done when you know how.

Pick a few of your favorite frugal meal ideas for families and start slashing your grocery spend. If you need more motivation, think about all the things you could do with the cash you save.

Learn how to save even more money each month with our FREE financial savings challenge. For even more inspiration, check out these cold lunch ideas to make weekdays easier.

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