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40 dirt cheap meals for budget-friendly cooking and easy meal planning

40+ Dirt Cheap Meals

Discover a collection of over 40 budget-friendly meals that are easy to prepare and perfect for meal prepping.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Budget Meals, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Global
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Grains and Legumes
  • 1 cup Rice Cook according to package instructions.
  • 1 can Canned beans Any variety works.
  • 1 can Canned tomatoes Diced or crushed.
  • 2 cups Pasta Any type.
Protein and Vegetables
  • 1 cup Frozen vegetables Mix of your choice.
  • 4 pieces Eggs Scrambled or fried as preferred.
  • 2 pieces Chicken thighs Season and bake.
  • 4 pieces Potatoes Cut into cubes.
Seasonings and Extras
  • 1 tbsp Spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.) Adjust to taste.
  • 4 pieces Tortillas For wrapping fillings.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by cooking rice according to package instructions.
  2. In a large pot, combine canned beans and tomatoes. Simmer on low heat.
  3. Cut potatoes into cubes, season, and roast them until golden brown.
Cooking
  1. Boil pasta until al dente, then drain and mix with frozen vegetables.
  2. Prepare chicken thighs by seasoning with spices and baking until cooked.
  3. Cook eggs by scrambling or frying as preferred.
Assembly
  1. Fill tortillas with your preferred fillings like beans, rice, or chicken.

Notes

Consider batch cooking to save time. Use seasonal vegetables for the best price and flavor. Check pantry staples before shopping.