Cooking on a budget can seem daunting, but with the right recipes, it can be easy, fun, and delicious! Budget-friendly cooking recipes are a great way to save money while still enjoying delicious, flavorful meals. In this article, bigguidess will share some of our favorite cheap and cheerful recipes that are both easy to make and packed with flavor.
Contents
Flavorful Budget-Friendly Cooking Recipes
Main Course Recipes:
First up, let’s talk about some hearty main course recipes that won’t break the bank.
1. One-Pot Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Pasta is one of classic budget-friendly cooking recipes, and this one-pot spaghetti with tomato sauce recipe is no exception. Not only is it easy to make, but it also only requires a few ingredients. The best part? It all cooks in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 cups of water
To cook:
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes (undrained), spaghetti, salt, dried basil, dried oregano, and water to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
- Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
The popular dish of pulled pork can be pricey in restaurants. But you can actually make it at home pretty simply, especially if you use a slow cooker. The leftovers from this dish can be used for pizza, tacos, sandwiches, and even large gatherings!
2. Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 pork shoulder roast (3-4 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
To cook:
- In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, paprika, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the pork roast, making sure it is well coated.
- Place the pork roast in a slow cooker and pour the chicken broth over it.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours, until the pork is tender and falls apart easily.
- Shred the pork using two forks and serve hot.
- Chickpea and Spinach Curry
Curries are a great budget-friendly meal, as they can be made with inexpensive ingredients such as chickpeas and spinach. This recipe is vegetarian-friendly and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and spices.
3. Chickpea and Spinach Curry
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup of spinach
To cook:
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the curry powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the pot and stir until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes (undrained) and the chickpeas to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the chickpeas are heated through.
- Add the spinach to the pot and stir until wilted.
- Serve hot with rice or naan bread.
Side Dish Recipes:
Now that we’ve covered some tasty main course options, let’s move on to some budget-friendly cooking recipes side dishes that will round out your meal.
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Roasted Vegetables
A quick and delicious way to add variety to your dinners is to roast some vegetables. Furthermore, it’s a fantastic method to use up vegetables that could be on the point of going bad. Start by chopping up your chosen veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and carrots, tossing them with olive oil and seasonings, and roasting them for 20 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until they are tender and have a caramelized texture.
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Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is a classic side dish that pairs well with just about any meal. It’s also incredibly easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. Simply slice a loaf of bread (such as French bread or Italian bread) and spread garlic butter (made by combining softened butter with minced garlic) on each slice. Toast in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
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Quinoa Salad
The versatile ingredient quinoa is an excellent choice for those on a tighter budget-friendly cooking recipes. You can add your preferred vegetables and dressing to this recipe for protein- and flavor-packed quinoa salad.
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 cup of quinoa, rinsed
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup of corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- 1 avocado, diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
To cook:
- In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the quinoa and a pinch of salt, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the quinoa simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, diced red bell pepper, corn, and chopped cilantro.
- Add the diced avocado and lime juice to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, budget-friendly cooking recipes can be just as mouthwatering and enjoyable as those using more expensive ingredients. You can make delicious dinners that won’t break the bank by choosing your ingredients wisely and using basic cooking methods. These recipes are a terrific place to start whether you’re an experienced home cook or are just learning to cook. Give these inexpensive cooking ideas a try the next time you want to save some money without compromising flavor.
