This “45+ Delicious Budget Meals “ post lists the more than 45 delicious budget meals anyone can make without breaking the bank. My family likes to eat budget meals, but it doesn’t mean that we eat poorly or bland foods. Some of these meals cost $5 and $10. Some cost less than $5, and some cost a little bit more than $10.
We are now 5 in the family. It includes my wife, our daughter, my parents-in-law, and I. We manage to make meals that are yummy and don’t cost us a fortune. It does also help when your father-in-law was a chef for a 5-star restaurant before. Haha..
But in all seriousness, we eat great food without spending a lot of money. We manage to get away with $250 or $300 monthly food budget. Yes, we only spend that amount of money even when we have adults to feed.
With food prices continue to increase year after year, it is no wonder that people tend to spend more on food. That’s just the reality of life. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t go on with a reasonable food budget.
There are a ton of meals out there that are so easy to create and won’t cost you your arm and leg. I’m not referring to fast-food or restaurant meals. I’m referring to home cooked meals.
Some people say they don’t have time to cook and so they only buy food readily available (i.e. Chinese food takeout, restaurant to-go meals, and buffet food). My recommendation is buy cooking equipment such as a crockpot, which can help you prepare your meal without you spending too much time in the kitchen.
What I am saying is that there are delicious budget meals you can make. You just need to invest a little time and small amount of money so you can make those meals.
Here are some of the most delicious budget meals my family has cooked. If you have other budget meals you want to share, please let me know, and I will try them and try them to include here.
I separated the budget meals into different categories for those who are looking for specific meats, diets, etc. Please don’t take me as an expert on diet plans. The Paleo and Mediterranean budget meals are based on what I think they should fall under. Just saying…
Chicken Budget Meals
Chicken and Mushroom Fried Rice – The Handy Foodie
Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Damn Delicious
Chicken and Dumplings – My Recipes
Easy Sesame Chicken – Budget Bytes
Crockpot Chicken Tacos – Passion For Savings
Pork Budget Meals
Sausage and Noodles – Become A Coupon Queen
20 Minute Pasta, Sausage, and Peppers – Frugal Living Mom
Lemon Parmesan Pork Chops – Happy Money Saver
Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders – Moms Need to Know
Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops – The Frugal Navy Wife
Beef Budget Meals
Budget Shepherd’s Pie – Divas On A Dime
Homemade Beef Stew – Smart Party Planning
Healthy Meatloaf – Thrifty Northwest Mom
Ground Beef Stroganoff – Betty Crocker
One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese – DIY Budget Girl
Seafood Budget Meals
Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and Tuna – An Edible Mosaic
Lemon Thyme Tilapia Packets – Home by 28 Cooks
Cucumber Noodle Salad with Tuna – Inspiralized
Spicy Salmon and Gnocchi – Living Frugal With Erika
Mediterranean Tuna Pasta – Simply Recipes
Pasta Budget Meals
Lighter Tuna Casserole – Gimme Some Oven
Pesto Pasta Recipe with Avocado, Parmesan, Romano & Tomatoes – Happy Deal – Happy Day!
Hillshire Farms Gourmet Creations Sausage Pasta Meal – Everyday Savvy
Cheesy Pasta Bake – Thrifty Northwest Mom
Baked Rigatoni – Product Italian Cook
College Student Budget Meals
Chicken Cheese Pasta Casserole – Jeanette’s Healthy Living
Tuna Casserole with Potato Chips and Peas – WildFlour’s Cottage Kitchen
Easy Salmon and Potato Foil Packets – Averie Cooks
Tomato Pesto Salmon and Rice – Diethood
Cucumber Noodle Salad with Tuna – Inspiralized
Vegetable Budget Meals
Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Tacos – Cooking Classy
Kale Whole Wheat Pasta – Catching up with Kate
Spaghetti Squash Carbonara – Simple Healthy Kitchen
Curried Chickpeas With Spinach – Budget Bytes
Creamed Spinach and Egg Pizza – via Taste and Tell Blog
Soup Budget Meals
Smoke Sausage, Kale, and Potato Soup – Diethood
Tomato Basil Soup w/grilled cheese sandwiches – Jenny Steffens
Chicken and Lime Soup – Budget Bytes
Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup by Craft-o-Maniac
Zuppa Toscana Soup by Eat Craft Parent
Paleo Budget Meals
Healthy Butternut Squash Shepherd’s Pie – Primarily Inspired
Organic Grass Fed Swiss Steak Recipe – Whole Lifestyle Nutrition
Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl – 5 Dinners
Leftover Pork Chops Into Sweet Curry Pork With Acorn Squash – Yuppie Farm Girl
Buffalo Chicken Muffins – The Paleo Mama
Mediterranean Diet Budget Meals
Tuna Salad With a Zesty Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette – The Mediterranean Dish
Chickpeas Salad with Herb-Citrus Dressing – Chef De Home
Avocado Egg Salad – Give Recipe
Easy Chicken Gyros & Tzatziki Sauce – Creme De La Crumb
Ravioli and Vegetable Soup – Eating Well
Here you go. These are some of the meals that my family and I… well, I should say most of the meals that my family and I make or have made. Which ones are you going to try? Do you think these budget meals will meet your family’s needs?
