27 Money-Saving Meals to Keep in Your Back Pocket

Cooking on a budget is an art form that balances cost without sacrificing flavor, and making affordable swaps in the kitchen doesn’t have to lead to bland or uninspiring meals. In truth, low-cost cooking invites a world of creativity, where simple, inexpensive ingredients are transformed into delectable dishes and wholesome meals. The key lies in the clever use of spices and pantry staples, strategic techniques, and the magic of fresh, seasonal produce. Some of the world’s great dishes were born from a need to coax flavors out of a few humble ingredients. We’ve rounded up our favorite affordable meals to highlight some of the ways that we make the most out of every single morsel.

One of the best ways to save money without sacrificing flavor is to use your dollars where they count. By keeping the sides for this crispy roast chicken simple, you can go big on a zesty sauce that will pack a punch.

Going meatless is a smart way to keep costs low and you can keep your protein up by swapping in canned beans. These black bean burgers have all the fixings of your standard burger and are just as satisfying.

Avoid going out to eat at pricey hot wing restaurants and recreate your favorite appetizer at home. These crispy chicken thighs bake in the air fryer and can be tossed with your favorite sauce, like barbecue or Buffalo.

A few affordable canned goods and a handful of vegetables can go a long way towards a filling meal if made the right way. Minestrone soup is full of flavor and vitamins but won’t rack up your bill at the grocery store.

Look for some pork shoulder on sale and throw together these slow cooker carnitas that make the most of a few low-cost ingredients, like dried herbs, spices, and a simple orange.

You can have steak on a budget, as long as you shop smart. Opt for a budget cut like flank steak, add a tasty marinade to help break it down, and mix it into a healthy salad full of mushrooms, green beans, and cherry tomatoes.

Opt for brown rice for a stir-fry vegetable dish to add fiber without jacking up the cost per person. A fried egg with a runny yolk on top is the star, which packs a nice boost of protein to keep you satisfied.

Canned beans, eggs, and store-bought pita combine to make a dish bursting with flavor that you can eat for any meal of the day, and none are particularly pricey. This saucy version of shakshuka offers plenty of protein from the chickpeas, Greek yogurt, and hummus.

Raid your condiment caddy for various sauces that come together to make this low-cost one-bowl teriyaki chicken dinner. Feel free to substitute the broccoli and red pepper for other vegetables that might be on sale this week, like shredded carrots or frozen edamame.

A few strategically added ingredients like garlic and chopped parsley can make a flavorful side from a budget can of beans. Pair it with a satisfyingly crunch chicken cutlet that you can fry in a pan or bake in the oven.

Don’t forget to make the most of leftovers when trying to stick to a budget. Extra cooked turkey or chicken can star as the protein in this super-simple spaghetti casserole.

Keep your pantry stocked with a few cooking staples and you can transform a few simple ingredients into a flavorful, healthy meal any time. This stir-fry uses soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sesame seeds to make a tasty sauce for cheap items like boneless skinless chicken breast, broccoli and snow peas.

One of the more affordable cuts of beef is flank steak, and it can be just as satisfying as pricier cuts if you know how to prepare it right. This recipe uses fresh ginger and lime juice to tenderize the steak and infuse zesty flavors.

Ordering pizza delivered may not be in the budget, but picking up a few potatoes and a ball of frozen pizza dough probably is. This potato and bacon pie is loaded with carb-y goodness and super simple to throw together

Flavorful dishes like enchiladas make a great opportunity to go for a plant-based swap because the robust flavors keep things from tasting flat. The enchilada filling is made from affordable frozen spinach and canned pinto beans combined with a combo of Cheddar and pepper Jack cheese.

Ramen noodles are the ultimate money-saving meal, but can fall short of leaving you full. This recipe adds a mixture of fresh mushrooms to give the dish some heft.

Don’t forget about the simple whole chicken, which can bring a ton of flavor to the dinner table for a very reasonable price-per-pound. This recipe uses a bit of lemon, butter, and garlic for flavoring and goes great with whatever vegetables you have on hand.

A piece of baguette, a few eggs, a slice or two of ham and cheese—none of these ingredients are very pricey but fancy bistros charge a fortune for these delectable sandwiches. Recreate them at home with this recipe which utilizes a flavor-packed anchovy mustard butter to add moisture to the toasted bread.

A big batch of meatballs can easily turn into dinner for several nights, especially when combined with a saucy pot of pasta, and buying in bulk keeps costs low. Keep an eye out for sales on ground turkey and sausage, which form the base of these hefty meatballs.

Incorporating broccoli and potatoes into a creamy chowder can help stretch your ingredients without leaving you feeling hungry. This soup is paired with cheesy Cheddar toasts that just beg to be dipped in the bowl.

Pork chops can be an often-overlooked protein when considering affordable options. Smothered chops remove all worries of dryness, especially when the sauce is full of sliced bell peppers and fragrant spices.

Chicken thighs are typically cheaper by the pound than thighs, but can be every bit as tasty and even more juicy. These roast in the oven at a high temperature after getting coated in a orange-mustard glaze.

Some of the most classic Italian dishes were developed to coax as much flavor as possible out of a few cheap ingredients, and arrabbiata is one of those. Canned tomatoes, fresh basil, and a kick of red chili flakes, this spicy pasta sauce should always be on repeat.

If you have lentils, eggs, and a few basic (and low-cost) pantry staples, you can have a quick and satisfying mean any time. Lentils are packed with protein, and can be so delicious when cooked in fire-roasted tomatoes, red wine vinegar and some fresh thyme.

The trick to this vegetable-forward dish is to use a sparing amount of a flavorful meat, like chopped smoked bacon. The tasty bacon makes this veggie-laden dish feel satisfying instead of bland.

Spaghetti with tomato sauce doesn’t have to feel like a budget meal if you make the sauce from scratch. A can of crushed tomatoes, a few cloves of garlic, some chopped fresh basil, and some time to let it simmer are all you need to create this simple but classic meal.