budget meals

Only 3 ingredients are needed for this one-pot pesto pasta. Doubles, triples, etc. easily! Perfect for a weeknight meal or quick meal prep.

One Pot Vegan Pesto Pasta

dry pasta

pesto (see Notes for homemade recipes)

salt (to taste (see Notes))

baby spinach (optional)

Boil pasta in a shallow pan with just enough water to cover, stirring often with a spatula or wooden spoon to prevent sticking.

When pasta is al dente and there is a little water left in the pan, add the pesto and spinach if using. (If there&#039;s still quite a lot of water remaining, pour some off.)

Turn off the heat and stir everything together until the pesto clings to the pasta and the spinach has wilted.

Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Eat straight out of the pan if you&#039;re a savage like me or optionally plate and enjoy a slightly more sophisticated meal.

Feed the family this comforting, budget-friendly sausage ragu with pasta. You can freeze the leftovers for another time and it tastes just as good

Sausage Ragu

olive oil

onion,finely chopped

garlic

¼ tsp chilli flakes

rosemarysprigs, leaves

tomatoes

brown sugar

pork sausages

milk

lemon,zested

rigatoni pasta

parmesanand ½ small bunch parsley, leaves

Sausage ragu

Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/five-best-saucepans">saucepan</a> over a medium heat. Fry the onion with a pinch of salt for 7 mins. Add the garlic, chilli and rosemary, and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the tomatoes and sugar, and simmer for 20 mins.

Heat the remaining oil in a medium frying pan over a medium heat. Squeeze the sausagemeat from the skins and fry, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 mins until golden. Add to the sauce with the milk and lemon zest, then simmer for a further 5 mins. To freeze, leave to cool completely and transfer to large freezerproof bags.

Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain and toss with the sauce. Scatter over the parmesan and parsley leaves to serve.

Classic macaroni and tomatoes is the budget friendly dish that has been around for generations. Keep it simple as a side dish or jazz it up and make it a meal.

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe

oz Box of Elbow Macaroni (about 2 c, uncooked)

tbs Bacon Grease

oz Can of Petite Diced Tomatoes,

Salt,

Black Pepper,

Sugar (optional)

tbs Cold Water

tsp Cornstarch

Cook the macaroni pasta according to box directions;...

Cook the macaroni pasta according to box directions; drain well.

While the pasta drains, return the pot to...

While the pasta drains, return the pot to the stove (over medium heat); add bacon grease and melt then and canned diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.

Add the cooked macaroni to the tomato mixture....

Add the cooked macaroni to the tomato mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and pinch of sugar. Stir until heated through.

Next, if using the thickening slurry; combine the...

Next, if using the thickening slurry; combine the cornstarch with cold water and add the pot. Stir and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the juices are thickened (about 10 minutes).

https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/q7pcpthwjtkbg20jv93j.mp4

A simple side dish of macaroni and tomatoes is a long time favorite recipe and considered a comfort food by many. This budget friendly meal is made with just a few simple ingredients.

Southern Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe

Tender melt in your mouth smothered cubed steaks that are oven baked in a creamy mushroom gravy.

Easy Baked Cubed Beef Steaks

can of Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

Can of Water

lb. Cubed Beef Steaks,

Salt and Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Add the cream of mushroom soup to a...

Add the cream of mushroom soup to a square baking dish then fill the soup tin with water and add it to the condensed soup and whisk to combine.

Next, place the cut up cube steak pieces...

Next, place the cut up cube steak pieces into the baking dish and cover with the mushroom sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Place into a hot oven, reduce the temperature...

Place into a hot oven, reduce the temperature to 325°F and bake for 1 hour or until fork tender.

Serve over cooked rice, if desired, along with...

Serve over cooked rice, if desired, along with your favorite vegetable sides.

Classic Salisbury steak recipe with homemade mushroom gravy is a down home comforting family meal. This easy recipe is so delicious and will become a go to for your dinner rotation.

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy Recipe

Tbsp. Cooking Oil

Beef

Egg,

c Onion, finely diced

Tbsp. Ketchup

Worcestershire Sauce

Kosher Salt

½ tsp. Cracked Black Pepper

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Mustard Powder

Plain Bread Crumbs

Tbsp. Butter

Onion,

Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced

Tbsp. Flour

Salt and Pepper,

Beef Broth

Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over...

Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

In a mixing bowl, combine the minced ground...

In a mixing bowl, combine the minced ground beef, onion, ketchup, Worcestershire, egg, seasonings and bread crumbs together then form into patties (about the same size for even cooking).

Place the Salisbury steak patties into the skillet...

Place the Salisbury steak patties into the skillet and cook on each side until browned. About 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the butter, mushrooms and diced onion to...

Add the butter, mushrooms and diced onion to the skillet and sautéfor about 3 minutes or until the mushrooms have browned and softened.

Next, add the flour and stir to combine....

Next, add the flour and stir to combine. Allow to cook for about 2 minutes.

Next, add the beef stock and stir to...

Next, add the beef stock and stir to combine. Be sure to scrape up the brown bits from cooking the beef patties for added flavor.

Season with salt and black pepper; reduce the...

Season with salt and black pepper; reduce the heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer.

Return the Salisbury steak patties to the skillet...

Return the Salisbury steak patties to the skillet and simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve the Salisbury steaks topped with homemade mushroom...

Serve the Salisbury steaks topped with homemade mushroom gravy along with a couple of your favorite sides.

https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/wd7k9eoypd95khntxass.mp4

Delicious Salisbury steak recipe with a rich homemade mushroom gravy is a favorite family meal. It is easy to prepare, budget friendly and so delicious! This simple ground beef recipe is a classic for a reason and has stood the test of time.

Salisbury Steak Recipe with Mushroom Gravy

Spinach pici is an Italian noodle known as &quot;fat spaghetti.&quot; The vibrant green of the spinach and the satisfying chewiness of fresh pasta make it fun to eat!

Spinach Pici Pasta

spinach (180 g)

all purpose flour (230 g)

durum semolina flour flour

salt

tomato sauce)

Puree the spinach in a blender or food processor until very fine. Don't add any water!

Pour spinach puree into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, then add the two flours.

Start mixing on low speed.

As mixture comes together, bring it up a notch and continue kneading on the second speed setting for 3–5 minutes. If it still looks very crumbly and dry after 1 minute, add 1–2 tsp of water. By the end of kneading, the spinach pici dough should be fairly smooth and very tacky.

Lightly dust a work surface (a large chopping board works great) and your hands with flour.

Remove the dough ball from the bowl and place it on the floured surface, flattening it slightly.

Slice the dough in two with a knife. If you're making just one serving, wrap up one piece in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge to use tomorrow.

Take one piece of dough and slice off a thin (about finger-width) strip. Slice this strip into small pieces the size of your thumb.

Roll each piece out between fingers and work surface into a long thin noodles. Use your judgment and preference in deciding how thin to make them, keeping in mind they expand to almost double the size after cooking.

Bring a pot of water to the boil, then add 1 1⁄2 tsp of kosher salt and bring the heat down to simmering (medium heat—dial 5—on my stove).

Drop a piece of pasta into the water. Depending on the size of your pot, you can boil several at once. I added 2–3 at a time. Don't crowd your pot because you don't want the pici tangling and sticking together!

Whenever a piece floats to the surface and stays there, it's ready. Scoop it out and lay on a plate or piece of foil to cool, and repeat with all the rest.

Heat your sauce of choice in a skillet and toss in the cooked pasta. If you're feeling lazy, you can't go wrong with good old olive oil and garlic for some aglio e olio!

Slide onto a plate and top with whatever herbs and spices you want. (I did thyme, but next time I'd add some black pepper as well.) Enjoy!

Meatloaf with Sweet Onion Glaze - a great old fashioned meatloaf recipe that stays moist and is complimented with the most delicious, easy to make. sweet onion glaze.

Meatloaf with Sweet Onion Glaze

onion,

garlic,

tomato sauce

tbsp balsamic vinegar

½ tsp black pepper

tbsp hot sauce, more or less to taste

Worcestershire sauce

dry mustard powder

ginger

red onion, finely diced

beef

bread crumbs

Parmesan cheese, finely shredded

tsp black pepper,

thyme

nutmeg

oregano

tbsp smoked paprika (optional)

egg, beaten

Saute the garlic and red onion in the...

Saute the garlic and red onion in the olive oil only until softened but not browned.

Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for a...

Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for a few minutes before adding to the ground beef.

Mix together the Parmesan cheese, pepper, thyme, oregano,...

Mix together the Parmesan cheese, pepper, thyme, oregano, nutmeg and paprika. Mixing these together first helps to distribute the seasoning evenly through the meatloaf.

Add to the ground beef and breadcrumbs along...

Add to the ground beef and breadcrumbs along with the beaten egg and the sautéed onion and garlic.

Combine all well and press into a medium...

Combine all well and press into a medium to large sized loaf pan. It's a good idea to use a loaf pan that's a little larger than the amount of meatloaf mixture to allow for the addition of the glaze later. The pan I use is perfect. It gets filled to about ½ inch from the top rim.

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 40...

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 40 minutes.

Drain excess fat from the loaf pan and...

Drain excess fat from the loaf pan and add the sweet onion glaze.

Return to oven for an additional 30-45 minutes....

Return to oven for an additional 30-45 minutes. Drain excess fat again before serving.

In a small saucepan sauté the onion, garlic...

In a small saucepan sauté the onion, garlic and olive oil for about 3 minutes until the onions soften but do not brown.

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer slowly for...

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer slowly for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

A simple and inexpensive turkey dinner that anyone can make.

Roasted Turkey Tenderloin

oz Turkey tenderloin

sage

tbsp rosemary

Fresh ground pepper (to taste)

Preheat the oven to 350 and then season both sides of the tenderloin with dried sage, rosemary, salt and pepper, to taste.

Place the prepared turkey in a roasting pan and cover and then roast for approximately 40 minutes or until the juices run clear. Take out of roasting pan and place on cutting board.

Tent with aluminum foil and all the meat to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.  Slice the tenderloin into 1 1/2 to 2-inch slices and serve. 

https://embed.mediavine.com/videos/zsuono26uldzsmiocm2u

Learn how to cook a turkey breast tenderloin with this delicious roasted turkey recipe from Platter Talk.

Turkey Tenderloin

For a true taste of the Mediterreanean try this quick and cheesy tuna, courgette and spinach pasta recipe. Great as an impromptu summer meal or for hungry, cash-strapped students.

Cheesy tuna, courgette and spinach pasta

penne pasta

butter, softened

plain flour

mature Cheddar, roughly grated

courgette,

spinach leaves,

torn

can tuna steak in spring water, drained

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the penne, stir once, bring back to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, or cook according to packet instructions, until al dente. Drain, then tip the pasta back into the saucepan.

Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Put the butter in a jug and microwave on high (based on a 900W oven) for 40 seconds, until melted and hot. Stir in the flour to make a paste, then very gradually stir in the milk – this will prevent any lumps forming. Microwave on high for 3-31/2 minutes, stirring every minute, until the sauce has thickened. (Alternatively, melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat, stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add the milk and cook, stirring, for 6-8 minutes until the sauce has thickened.) Stir in 60g Cheddar and season to taste.

Preheat the grill to high. Stir the cheese sauce into the pasta, along with the courgette and spinach and mix together to wilt the spinach. Gently mix in the tuna, then tip into a shallow, 2-litre ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Place directly under the hot grill for 5 minutes, until piping hot and the cheese is turning golden.

Top 25 budget meals recipes from across the web

The most viewed budget meals recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

One Pot Vegan Pesto Pasta

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Roasted Turkey Tenderloin

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Vegan Chinese Tomato "Egg" Stir Fry

Top 25 budget meals recipes from across the web

The most viewed budget meals recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

One Pot Vegan Pesto Pasta

Sausage Ragu

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe

Easy Baked Cubed Beef Steaks

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy...

Spinach Pici Pasta

Meatloaf with Sweet Onion Glaze

Roasted Turkey Tenderloin

Cheesy tuna, courgette and spinach ...

Tobie Puttocks Quick-kick Spaghetti

Turkey Taco Skillet

Crispy Honey Chilli Chicken Recipe

Country Beef Gravy & Buttered Noodl...

Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl

Mexican Lasagna Is the Budget-Frien...

Easy beef hotpot

Stretch a Chicken (7) Spicy Lentil ...

Tuna Croquettes

The Best Creamy Shrimp, Spinach, an...

Turbo beans & cheese on toast

Fiesta Taco Rice Bake Is a Classic ...

This Crazy Good Tater Tot Casserole...

Warning: This Orange Creamsicle Sal...

Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

Vegan Chinese Tomato "Egg" Stir Fry

The most viewed budget meals recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine