cheap meals

Adding peanut butter to your instant ramen is an easy way to upgrade this inexpensive comfort food with more flavor and protein.

Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen

Tbsp natural-style peanut butter (0.25)

Tbsp chili garlic sauce* (0.13)

Tbsp soy sauce (0.06)

Tbsp brown sugar (0.04)

ounces. packet instant ramen (seasoning discarded) (0.25)

green onion, sliced (0.10)

Combine the peanut butter, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar in a bowl until it forms a smooth paste.

Bring a small pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, take ¼ cup of the water and stir it into the peanut-chili paste until it forms a smooth, pourable sauce.

Add the ramen noodles (without seasoning packet) to the boiling water and boil for 2-3 minutes, or just until the noodles are tender.

Drain the noodles, then return them to the pot with the heat turned off. Pour the peanut sauce over top and stir to combine. Top with sliced green onions and serve immediately.

Make this simple student pasta and tomato dish for a delicious, filling and budget-friendly supper. It is a great way to use up simple storecupboard ingredients.

Tomato pasta bake

olive oil

onion, chopped

garlic clove, crushed

cherry tomatoes

sugar

Worcestershire sauce

rigatoni or other tube-shaped pasta

gruyère

baguette

frankfurters, sliced

Heat the oil in a medium pan and fry the onion for 5 mins until softened and lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further min. Mix in the tomatoes and sugar, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 mins. Add a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce and season to taste. This basic sauce can now be chilled or frozen, see recipe intro.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to pack instructions. Heat the grill to high. Mix together the cheese and breadcrumbs.

Drain the pasta and stir into the sauce. Tip in the frankfurters and spoon into a heatproof dish. Scatter over the cheesy crumbs and grill for 3-5 mins or until bubbling hot and golden. Serve with a simple salad.

A delicious budget friend meal using the popular pantry staple, Spam. The combination of pan fried Spam and potatoes is a delicious family meal.

Fried Spam and Potatoes

Vegetable Oil,

Spam,

Potatoes,

Onion,

Salt and Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Sliced Cheese and Pickled Jalapeno Slices

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium.

Add the diced Spam, potatoes and onion; fry...

Add the diced Spam, potatoes and onion; fry turning occasionally until potatoes are tender and golden brown.

Optional: Add cheese slices on top to melt...

Optional: Add cheese slices on top to melt before serving.

https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/gru3umcewa46ohhu7gki.mp4

Use a classic budget friendly pantry staple to create a delicious family meal. Fried Spam and Potatoes is ready in about half and hour. Family dinner ideas made easy with Spam fried potatoes recipe.

Sausage Tortellini Soup - Slow Cooker

lb Italian sausage

tomatoes

chicken broth

carrots,

celery sticks, chopped

white onion, chopped

salt and pepper

spinach

packet cheese tortellini, refrigerated

heavy cream

On the stove, cook the sausage with onion for about 7 - 9 minutes or until the sausage is fully cooked. Remove any excess grease. Add to the slow cooker. Add in all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT heavy cream, tortellini and spinach (keep cold for later).

Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

20 minutes before serving add in the heavy cream, tortellini and spinach and set crockpot to high heat, cook for 20 minutes. Stir lightly.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Coconut Curry

chicken,

white onion, diced

tbs minced ginger

tbs minced garlic

tomato paste

1.5 tbs garam masala

tbs curry powder

tsp salt

tsp pepper

coconut milk

tomato sauce

In a slow cooker add the ginger, garlic, tomato paste, gram masala, curry powder, salt, pepper, coconut milk, and tomato sauce whisk to combine the ingredients. Now add the cubed chicken and onion, stir well.

Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours (or until chicken is cooked)

Once cooked stir well and serve. I like to serve mine over a bed of white rice and naan bread on the side.

Sautéed Beef, Cabbage, and Rice is a simple yet delicious comfort food that will keep you full without draining your wallet.

Sautéed Beef, Cabbage, and Rice

onion

green cabbage (5 cups chopped) (1.08)

Tbsp cooking oil (0.04)

beef (3.50)

Tbsp steak seasoning (0.30)

water (0.00)

rice* (0.41)

butter

Tbsp soy sauce (0.03)

Dice the onion and chop the cabbage into ½-inch pieces.

Add the onion and cooking oil to a large skillet and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft.

Add the ground beef and steak seasoning to the skillet and continue to sauté until the beef is fully cooked. If using a higher fat content beef, drain the excess fat from the skillet.

Add the chopped cabbage and water to the skillet. Continue to sauté until the cabbage has softened to your desired level of tenderness.

Add the cooked rice and butter to the skillet. Fold the rice and butter into the beef and cabbage until the butter has melted, everything is evenly combined, and the rice is heated through.

Finally, season the skillet with soy sauce to taste. Start with 1 tsp and add more to your liking (I added ½ Tbsp, or 1.5 tsp). Serve hot and enjoy!

Mexican Beef and Rice One - Pot Meal

beef

yellow onion, diced

brown rice

tsp cumin

garlic powder

tsp chili powder

salsa

corn, drained

can black beans, drained and rinsed

cherry tomatoes, sliced

Mexican style cheese

To a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat add the ground beef and onion break the ground beef up and cook it through. Once cooked remove any grease in your pot.

Stir in the rice. Stir in the seasoning, broth, salsa, corn, black beans, stir well simmer on a low heat covered for 15-20 minuets (stirring occasionally) or until the rice is tender.

Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cheese once the cheese melts enjoy with your favorite taco toppings.

Sausage and Tomato Gnocchi

Italian seasoning

potato gnocchi

mozzarella cheese

To a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat add the onion, sausage, seasonings, and minced garlic break the sausage up and cook it through. Once cooked remove any grease in the pot. Stir in the heavy cream, diced tomatoes, gnocchi, and spinach simmer for 12-15 minutes stirring frequently.

Stir in the mozzarella cheese. Once it melts down enjoy!

Ham and Noodle One Pot meal

lb precooked ham steak, diced

parsley

basil

oregano

all purpose flour

milk

dry penne pasta

sweet peas

parmesan cheese

To a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat add the oil once hot add in the onion and ham cook stirring frequently for 5-7 minutes or until the ham is a nice golden color.

Stir in the minced garlic, and all of the seasonings. Stir in the flour for 1 minute so it no longer appears as white. Slowly stir in the broth *Make sure do stir it in slowly so no clumps appear* stir in the milk bring this up to a simmer then add in the pasta. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked while simmering if the liquid line gets too low add in 1/2 cup of water in at a time until the pasta becomes tender.

Stir in the frozen peas and let them simmer in the pot for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

https://www.juliapacheco.com/sausage-and-tomato-gnocchi/

Southwestern Black Bean Skillet 

red bell pepper, diced

tbs taco seasoning

orzo

can corn, drained

Rotel

To a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat add the oil once hot add the pepper and onion in cook the vegetables for about 7 minutes or until they get soft.

Stir in the minced garlic for 20 seconds so it becomes fragrant. Add in the seasoning, and orzo stir well. Add in the black beans, corn, broth, and Rotel stir well cover with lid and let simmer on low for 15-20 minutes stirring frequently until the orzo is tender.

Stir in the cheese once it melts down enjoy this dish with your favorite taco toppings.

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Parmesan 

lb chicken breast, cubed

salt

onion powder

dry rigatoni pasta

marinara sauce

mozzarella cheese, shredded

To a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat add the oil once hot add the cubed chicken, and all of the seasonings in. Stir well and let the chicken cook through.

Stir in the minced garlic. Now add in the pasta, marinara sauce, and chicken broth stir well and let simmer covered for 15-20 minutes string occasionally until the pasta is tender. Stir in the cheese and enjoy!

Turkey u0026amp; Rice Tacos

lb turkey

11.5 oz bag Knorr spanish rice

warer

flour tortillas

To a large skillet add the ground turkey break it apart and cook it through. Once cooked remove any grease in the pan. Add in the bag of Knorr spanish rice and water stir well and let simmer covered stirring occasionally for 7-10 minutes.

Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole

oz Jar of Salsa Verde Salsa

oz Block of Cream Cheese, Softened

Shredded Mexican Cheese

oz Bag Frozen Riced Cauliflower, steamed

Chicken

tsp Ground Cumin

tsp Garlic Powder

tsp Onion Powder

Salt

Pepper

Toppings,

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To a large bowl, add the cream cheese and beat for 1-2 minutes with a hand mixer until smooth. Add in salsa verde, 1/2 cup of the cheese, cauliflower rice, and seasonings, and beat to combine. Stir in the shredded chicken.

Spray an 8x8 casserole dish with non-stick spray. Add the mixture to the dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 35 minutes. Enjoy!

Five-Ingredient Mexican Casserole

refried beans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

To a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp of oil. Once hot, add in the onion and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes or until it starts to get soft. Stir in the refried beans. To a new large skillet add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add each tortilla, one at a time, and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side to crisp the tortillas up. This will help the tortillas to not get soggy in the oven.

Spray a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick spray.

Place one tortilla down on the pie dish and spread about 1/3 of the refried bean mixture. Then spread some salsa and cheese over the top. Repeat until the ingredients are gone.

Bake for 20 minutes and top with your favorite taco toppings.

Chicken Alfredo Casserole with Broccoli

oz box penne pasta, cooked

jars Alfredo sauce

oz broccoli

chicken

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.

To a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, chicken, broccoli, Alfredo sauce, and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese. Stir until combined. Add to greased baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup more cheese over the top. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 12 minutes. Enjoy!

Chicken Orzo Soup

tbs butter

tbsp minced garlic

thyme

tbsp all-purpose flour

dry orzo pasta

heavy cream (optional, but delicious!)

To a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil. Once oil is hot and butter is melted, add in the onion and carrot. Sauté for 8 minutes to soften the veggies.

Stir in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and let it cook for about 2 minutes, or until it becomes golden in color. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, being careful to continually whisk so that the flour doesn't clump up.

Stir in the orzo and chicken, then bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 11-12 minutes or until orzo is cooked, stirring often so the orzo doesn’t stick. Stir in the heavy cream and enjoy!

Chicken Noodle Casserole

egg noodles

chicken soup

mushroom soup

sour cream (use light sour cream

cheddar cheese

mixed vegetables

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Grease a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.

To a large pot of boiling water add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions. Strain and set aside.

To a large bowl, add in both cans of soup, sour cream, milk, 1/3 cup of the cheese, onion, mixed vegetables, and seasonings and stir well. Stir in the cooked egg noodles.

Pour into the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

8 Can Taco Soup - Slow Cooker and Stovetop

Top 32 cheap meals recipes from across the web

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

Top Tags

Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen

Tomato pasta bake

Fried Spam and Potatoes

Sausage Tortellini Soup - Slow Cook...

Slow Cooker Coconut Curry

Sautéed Beef, Cabbage, and Rice

Mexican Beef and Rice One - Pot Mea...

Sausage and Tomato Gnocchi

Ham and Noodle One Pot meal

Southwestern Black Bean Skillet

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Parmesan

Turkey u0026amp; Rice Tacos

Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole

Five-Ingredient Mexican Casserole

Chicken Alfredo Casserole with Broc...

Chicken Orzo Soup

Chicken Noodle Casserole

8 Can Taco Soup - Slow Cooker and S...

Easy Chicken Fried Rice

BBQ Chicken Rolls Ups

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Sun Dried Tomato Tortellini

Cowboy BBQ Chicken and Rice

Cajun Chicken Orzo

Chicken Chow Mein with Vegetables

Minced Beef Fried Rice

Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Skillet Tortellini with Spinach and...

Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

Roast Turkey Wings

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

Spanish Rice Soup

Top 32 cheap meals recipes from across the web

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

Top Tags

Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen

Tomato pasta bake

Fried Spam and Potatoes

Sausage Tortellini Soup - Slow Cook...

Slow Cooker Coconut Curry

Sautéed Beef, Cabbage, and Rice

Mexican Beef and Rice One - Pot Mea...

Sausage and Tomato Gnocchi

Ham and Noodle One Pot meal

Southwestern Black Bean Skillet

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Parmesan

Turkey u0026amp; Rice Tacos

Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole

Five-Ingredient Mexican Casserole

Chicken Alfredo Casserole with Broc...

Chicken Orzo Soup

Chicken Noodle Casserole

8 Can Taco Soup - Slow Cooker and S...

Easy Chicken Fried Rice

BBQ Chicken Rolls Ups

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Sun Dried Tomato Tortellini

Cowboy BBQ Chicken and Rice

Cajun Chicken Orzo

Chicken Chow Mein with Vegetables

Minced Beef Fried Rice

Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Skillet Tortellini with Spinach and...

Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet

Roast Turkey Wings

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

Spanish Rice Soup

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