Frugal meals can be made by using cheaper ingredients in creative ways.
As families struggle to stretch their grocery budgets, they will need to use creativity to come up with meals that are both affordable and nutritious. Families on a budget can start saving money by substituting pricey grocery items with more affordable recipe ingredients. The following are some budget-friendly grocery list items and recipes to use them in.
Beans
Beans can be used in a variety ways to create affordable, filling and nutritious meals. At less than $2.00 per 16 ounce bag; pinto, black or kidney beans can be combined with salsa, cheese, spices and even chicken or beef leftovers to make economical lunches such as burritos or tacos. Cooks on a budget can mix black beans with bread crumbs, Cajun seasoning, diced onions, minced garlic and a whipped egg to make healthy black bean burger patties. They also can combine kidney and pinto beans in a skillet with olive oil, sausage, diced onion, green pepper and tomatoes and serve over brown rice or whole wheat pasta. Beans can also be used to make chili, soups and chicken quesadillas.
Rice
Rice is a diverse staple that can be used in a variety of main or side dishes that are both cheap and nutrient-rich. According to the USA Rice Federation, a cup of brown rice equals two-thirds the recommended daily whole grain serving and contains more than 15 vitamins and minerals. Rice can be stored for long periods of time and usually sells for about $2.00 per 32 ounce bag. Try cooking a couple of cups of brown rice in the slow cooker along with spices, chopped vegetables, soy sauce and diced left-over beef, pork or chicken to make an easy stir fry. Or combine white or brown rice with broccoli, cheese, diced chicken, broth and condensed cream of chicken soup for a hearty broccoli and rice casserole. Cooked wild rice can be served in soups, salads, burritos or stuffed in green peppers (See Reference 1).
Pasta
Using pasta as the main ingredient for dinner-time meals can save families a lot of money and add variety to the menu plan. Pasta comes in many forms including macaroni, noodles, fettuccine, ravioli and angel hair. A medium-size box of whole wheat pasta is usually less than $4, nutritious and can be combined with a variety of vegetables, meats, cheese, poultry, herbs, seafood and sauces. Classic dishes like baked ziti and mac and cheese can be served with a fresh salad and Italian bread for filling, affordable meals (See Reference 2).
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