I feel like for everyone, no matter your financial situation, there are just times when you either don’t want to or can’t spend any more money at the grocery store. If you’re trying to make it to payday or save that extra $100 for vacation, I’ve got some really pantry, budget friendly recipes for you that will help you to not spend anymore money on food! These really are the cheapest meals to make that will stretch your pantry and your money the furthest!
My #1 Tip!!
Beans, beans, and more beans, and rice and beans. You get the idea? Canned beans are pretty inexpensive, but dried beans are the the key to the cheapest meals to make. You can get about 5 cans worth of beans from just 1lb dried. Once you cook up dried beans, they can, and freeze really well. I usually freeze my extra cooked beans and pull them out when I need them.
How to Cook Dried Beans
My favorite method for cooking beans is in the instant pot. Linked here is the instant pot I use which has more than paid for itself through the years cooking simple budget friendly staples like hard boiled eggs, rice, bone in chicken for shredding, and of course dried beans. The recipe I use religiously to cook my dried beans is here. BUT don’t let the fact that you don’t own an instant pot deter you. Here is a great recipe for making dried beans “the old fashioned way.”
I have a couple of bean and rice friendly dishes right here, but I also have a whole list of 25 of the best rice and beans recipes that will inspire you to use your canned or dried beans this week!
Spanish Rice and Beans
Funny enough, for this Spanish rice and beans recipe, I didn’t even use dried beans. So while I recommend it when you have the time and think ahead, I also understand that it just doesn’t always happen that way. I am as human as the next mom and canned beans are a savior when I need them. This Spanish style rice and beans is a flavor packed pantry friendly family meal that will please everyone! Not to mention, it’s great for meatless Monday and can be made vegan. You can get the entire recipe here and enjoy!
Taquito Casserole
Another great meal that makes a ton of food and is so so cheap is this Taquito casserole. So if you have a box of taquitos in your freezer, you’re well on your way. Even if you don’t, you can get a box of 16 taquitos at Walmart for less than $5 and you can likely finagle the rest of the recipe from your pantry. Taquitos sit on a delicious taco flavored rice, beans, and corn mixture brings all the flavor without all the cost. You can get the full recipe to print out here!
Scallion and Soy Sauce Eggs
I’ve been pushing the fried egg over rice for quite some time now. However, I never thought to cook the egg right in with the scallions and soy sauce. What a game changer! And thank goodness egg prices are back down! I can finally get a dozen eggs for $.99 again at Walmart! So the budget friendly egg and rice is back in the rotation! To see how to make the scallion and soy sauce eggs and rice check out the full recipe here!
More of the Cheapest Meals To Make!
To see me make all of the cheapest meals to make and provide some extra cooking tips, go ahead and watch my Youtube Video here! And now that you have a great start cooking for less, don’t forget to check out the 25 Best Rice and Beans Recipes to add to your recipes list. If rice and beans take a bit too long for you to cook, it’s ok because I’ve made a list of 15 recipes that can be made for just $5 in less than 10 minutes!
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