Meal planning is always time consuming. But when you're planning complete meals that are healthy, fuss-free, and also budget friendly, the degree of difficulty goes off the charts. We can simplify things for you. Here are five simple, budget-friendly meals that will help get you through even the busiest weeks.
Less costly than spaghetti and meatballs, Spaghetti Carbonara calls on eggs, a little bacon, and Parmesan cheese to add big flavor to simple spaghetti noodles. Pair it up with a healthy mixed green salad with artichokes.
Restaurant-style egg drop soup and a quick veggie-rich stir-fry are so easy on the budget, you'll have money left over to add in a few extras. Enjoy the stir-fry over cooked rice.
Our resident expert Diana Moutsopoulos describes authentic Greek cooking as "rustic, unfussy, and astonishingly simple, with most dishes relying on just a handful of ingredients." This menu is a great example, featuring fasolatha, the national Greek dish; a simple baked zucchini and potato dish, and Greek-style green beans. You might also like the best budget-friendly recipes for the Mediterranean diet.
Here's an inexpensive and fast weeknight menu. If you like, garnish the turkey chili with shredded Cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro, and sour cream, and serve with a side of baked cornbread. If you're in a time crunch, it's also delicious with crackers.
To save money on roast chicken, choose smaller broiler/fryers. Roast the red potatoes along with the bird. Baby carrots gussied up with butter and dill make an inexpensive side.