According to experts, you should spend no more than 11 percent on your grocery bills and eating out. If you’re on a budget, it can feel as though groceries end up taking more from your bank account than anticipated.
Keep reading for easy recipes that won’t break the bank.
Easy Recipes on a Budget
You can still have great family dinners on a budget. It’s all about how you plan for your grocery run.
Chicken Thighs
Chicken is the perfect protein for a strict budget. It’s versatile and tastes great with almost anything.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 5 chicken thighs
- 1 tbs minced garlic (or cloves)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tbs soy sauce
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Start by heating oil in a skillet. Placing the salt and pepper seasoned chicken in it, cook until brown and crispy on both sides. Then, drain the oil.
Add the garlic so it can brown. Then, add the honey, soy sauce, and chicken broth into the skillet with the chicken. Let it simmer until thick.
Baked Spaghetti
Spaghetti is a budget meal staple. But you can mix it up by buying your own beef and grinding it yourself. Check out bestmeatgrindersreviewsguide.com if you don’t have one already.
You’ll need:
- 16 oz spaghetti
- Jar pasta sauce
- 1 cup cheese
- 1 onion
- Chopped basil
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
Start by cooking the spaghetti, and sauteing the onions. Then, add seasoned ground beef and cook until done.
Mix beef, spaghetti, and pasta sauce together then top with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.
Taco Casserole
This simple recipe is cheap and will please the whole table.
You’ll need:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup sour cream
- Diced tomatoes
- 1 cup lettuce
- 1 cup cheese
- Tortilla chips
- Taco seasoning
Cook ground beef. Place a layer of chips at the bottom of the dish, pour in half of the seasoned ground beef. Put a layer of cheese, then the rest of the ground beef. Add another layer of cheese and bake for 25 minutes.
When you take it out of the oven, top with tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream. Add choice of salsa or guacamole.
Chicken Noodle
This is one of the best, easy delicious recipes to have on hand.
You’ll need:
- 3 chicken breast (cubed)
- 1 box chicken broth
- 2 carrots (cut up)
- 3 celery sticks (cut up)
- 1 can cream of chicken
- Salt and pepper
- 1 bag egg noodles
Cook chicken and set aside. Place chicken broth, celery, and carrots into a pot and simmer until soft. Add chicken and cream of chicken, then brings to a boil. Add noodles and cook until soft. Salt and pepper to taste.
Stuffed Peppers
This one is for the folks who prefer easy dinners that are meatless.
You’ll need:
- 5 bell peppers
- 2 cup rice
- 2 cup black beans
- Cheese
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup corn
Combine rice, corn, and beans. Salt and pepper to taste. Put ingredients in hollowed out peppers, place on baking sheet, and bake on 350 for 30 minutes. Top with cheese, and bake until melted.
More Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
Living on a budget doesn’t have to be hard, and you don’t have to sacrifice eating good food. These easy recipes are a yummy way to stay within budget.
If you liked this, try “5 Awesome Hacks for Freezer Organization.” Or you can try browsing our home tips section for more hacks.