Looking for cheap dinner ideas for when money is tight? Food can be one of the most expensive parts of a monthly budget, and when grocery prices feel high (as they have lately!), it can be hard to think of affordable, filling, and actually good-tasting meals. But I don’t think…
Looking for cheap dinner ideas for when money is tight?
Food can be one of the most expensive parts of a monthly budget, and when grocery prices feel high (as they have lately!), it can be hard to think of affordable, filling, and actually good-tasting meals.
But I don’t think that eating on a budget means you have to eat boring food every night.
There are some very easy dinners you can make with easy ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, eggs, potatoes, tortillas, and chicken. These meals can help you stretch leftovers, use up leftovers, and save extra money on food.
I love dishes like this because they are realistic. With these recipes, you don’t need fancy or expensive ingredients, and most of them can be made in a big batch so you have leftovers for lunch the next day (that’s the best part, right?!).
PS Want to save on groceries? i use Bring on the rewards to earn free gift cards just by taking pictures of my grocery receipts! It’s an easy way to get rewards for the food you’ve already bought.
The best dinner ideas when money is tight
Below are 12 dinner ideas for when money is tight.
Recommended reading:
1. Chicken Fajita Bowl
2. Fried spaghetti with egg
3. Homemade Hamburger Helper Lasagna
4. Fried chicken rice
5. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
6. Easy Vegetarian Quesadillas
7. Chicken broth Tot stew
8. Louisiana style red beans and rice with sausage
9. A pot of spaghetti
10. Copycat Cupbop Bowls
11. Vegan Chicken Pot Pie
12. Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to your questions about saving food.
What can you add to the recipe to make it longer?
Some of the best foods for extending a recipe are beans, rice, pasta, potatoes, lentils, frozen vegetables, oats, eggs, and tortillas. For example, you can add black beans to taco meat, rice to soup, or frozen vegetables to casseroles. These foods are usually cheap and filling and can help turn a meal into more servings.
What are the cheapest meals when money is tight?
Some of the cheapest meals are spaghetti, beans and rice, fried rice, quesadillas, soups, stews, baked potatoes, breakfast for lunch, and tacos. I love meals that use basic pantry ingredients because you can make them in so many different ways. For example, a bag of rice can be used for fried rice, burrito bowls, soup, or beans and rice.
How can I save on dinner?
A few ways to save on dinner include meal planning, using what you have on hand, eating leftovers, buying store-brand foods, using cheaper proteins, and preparing meals in bulk. You can also save money by planning meals around sales at the grocery store. Even making a few simple dinners at home each week instead of buying takeout can save a lot over time.
What are some cheap proteins for dinner?
Inexpensive proteins include beans, lentils, eggs, canned tuna, ground beef, chicken thighs, peanut butter, tofu, and cottage cheese. You can also extend it by using less meat and adding more rice, beans, pasta or vegetables. For example, a pound of chicken can go further if you use it in fried rice, tacos, soup or stew.
How can I make leftovers tastier?
You can do better by turning leftovers into new food. Leftover chicken can be stuffed, fried rice, soup or stew. Leftover rice can be turned into fried rice or rice bowls. Leftover vegetables can be added to eggs, pasta, soups or quesadillas. This can help you waste less food and save more money. I do this all the time and I find it’s also a great way to save time because some of the food is already made!
What should I buy when I have very little money for food?
If your grocery budget is tight, you may want to focus on foods like rice, beans, pasta, potatoes, oats, eggs, frozen vegetables, tortillas, peanut butter, and canned goods. These are usually inexpensive and can be used in a variety of dishes. I also like to look at what I already have in the house first, so I don’t buy unnecessary items.
Can Food Stamps Help Grocers?
Yes, food stamps, also called SNAP benefits, can help people and families buy groceries. If you’re struggling to get food, it might be worth checking if you’re eligible. Each state has its own application process, so you can search for your state’s SNAP program to learn more.
What should I do if I can’t afford to buy food?
If you can’t buy food, know that there are resources that can help. Food banks, local churches, community centers, schools, and nonprofit groups often have free food programs. You can also find local food assistance near you by calling 211 in many areas. There is nothing wrong with using these resources when you need them. I also recommend reading it 17 Ways to Get Free Money from the Government.
How do food banks work?
Food banks and food pantries provide free food to people in need. Some may ask for basic information like where you live or how many people are in your household, but most are easy to use. Some food banks have set pick-up days, while others may let you pick out items like a small grocery store. It’s a good idea to check their website or call before you go to find out their hours and rules.
What are your favorite lunch ideas right now when money is tight? Share them in the comments below!
