Make a Meal for Less: 10 Frugal Money-Saving Recipes for the Savvy Cook 👩‍🍳

Hey there, fellow foodies! Do you love cooking but want to save money while doing it? Look no further because I’ve got you covered! In this blog post, I’m going to give you 10 amazing recipes that won’t break the bank but will still satisfy your taste buds. So put on your apron, get your ingredients ready, and let’s get cooking! 😋

1. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This simple yet delicious pasta dish only requires spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. It’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner that won’t hurt your wallet. 🍝

Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden.
3. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes and cook for an additional minute.
4. Drain spaghetti and add it to the skillet. Toss until the spaghetti is coated in the garlic and oil mixture.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

2. Vegan Lentil Soup

This hearty lentil soup is not only healthy, but it’s cheap to make too! It’s perfect for a cozy night in and can be easily customized to your liking. 🍲

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups dry lentils
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
2. Add vegetable broth, water, lentils, tomatoes, and oregano. Stir well.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the lentils are tender. This should take about 30 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

3. Baked Potato Bar

This meal is not only frugal, but it’s also fun! Create a baked potato bar with various toppings to cater to different taste buds. 😋 🥔

Ingredients:

• Baked potatoes
• Various toppings (sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon bits, butter, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Scrub the potatoes and prick them all over with a fork. This will help with the cooking process.
3. Bake the potatoes for about 1 hour or until they are tender and cooked through.
4. Set up your toppings station with various toppings of your choice.
5. Cut your potatoes down the middle, fluff the insides with a fork, and add your desired toppings. Serve and enjoy!

4. One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice

This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a family dinner. It’s a one-pot meal meaning less dishes to clean up and more time to spend with loved ones. 🍴

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until it’s no longer pink.
2. Add onion, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot and cook until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Add rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover. Let simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked through.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let it melt.
5. Serve and enjoy!

5. Vegetable and Chickpea Curry

This vegetarian curry is not only delicious, but it’s also packed with protein and healthy veggies. It’s perfect for a meatless Monday dinner. 🥦

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 cup coconut milk

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until the onion becomes translucent.
2. Add curry powder, cumin, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional minute.
3. Add chickpeas, diced tomatoes, and mixed vegetables. Stir well.
4. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
5. Stir in coconut milk. Serve and enjoy!

6. Tuna Salad Sandwich

This classic sandwich is not only quick and easy to make, but it’s also incredibly cheap! It’s perfect for a lunch on the go. 🥪

Ingredients:

• 1 can of tuna, drained
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup celery, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bread

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix tuna, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and celery together.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Toast your bread if desired and assemble your sandwich.
4. Serve and enjoy!

7. Three-Bean Salad

This simple yet flavorful salad is perfect for a side dish or a light lunch. It’s packed with protein and healthy veggies. 🥗

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, red bell pepper, and red onion.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss until everything is coated.
4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
5. Serve and enjoy!

8. Homemade Pizza

Why order delivery when you can make your own pizza at home? Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also customizable too! 🍕

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made pizza crust or dough
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Various toppings of your choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Roll out your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface.
3. Spread pizza sauce onto your crust leaving some space around the edges.
4. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Add your desired toppings.
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
7. Serve and enjoy!

9. French Toast

Who said breakfast for dinner was a bad thing? French toast is not only easy to make, but it’s also incredibly satisfying. 🍳

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bread
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Butter for frying
• Maple syrup for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
2. Dip bread slices into the egg mixture, making sure each slice is coated.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add bread slices and cook until they are golden brown on both sides.
4. Serve with maple syrup.

10. Slow Cooker Chili

This hearty chili is not only easy to make, but it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Let your slow cooker do the work and come home to a delicious and frugal meal. 🌶

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Add onion and garlic and cook until the onion becomes translucent.
2. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
3. Add beef mixture and remaining ingredients to your slow cooker. Stir well.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
5. Serve and enjoy!

And there you have it! 10 frugal and delicious recipes that won’t hurt your wallet. Get creative, have fun, and happy cooking! 👩‍🍳