With food prices on the rise and available prep time also at a premium, quick and affordable meal ideas are always in demand. Here are ten simple meals you can whip up using basic tortillas.

Quesadillas.

Basically grilled cheese with an ethnic flair, quesadillas are simple and fun to serve with a side of black beans and dipping salsa. They can be done with cheese only, or to use up left over chicken and steak. 

Burritos.

Whether you are doing the breakfast variety or a dinner version with refried beans, burritos are fun and affordable mealtime fare.   

Wraps

For a café style picnic bag lunch on the cheap, try a wrap! They are still all the rage after all this time, and offer a wide range of filling options. Here’s a link to some stuffing ideas.       

Tacos

Traditional or chicken, these are a favorite for many families. Bonus? Kids dig ‘em.  

Appetizer Pinwheels.

There are loads of ways to make these, and they are a dirt cheap way to feed a large crowd on very little cash. Trying to throw a party on a budget? Here’s a link with a recipe idea for spinach ones. 

Tortilla Soup.

Cut some into strips and deep fry for a slamming soup topper.

Gorditos.

This was always one of my favorite Taco Bell menu items when we used to live close to one.  Basically, you make a regular taco in a crunchy shell. Then, you spread a layer of refried beans over the top of a flat flour tortilla. Place the center of the crunchy taco in the center of the bean-topped tortilla and bring the sides up around to stick to the sides. This makes a great layered lunch item that lets you enjoy some crispiness without the fear of a big mess, as the soft tortilla and bean layer keeps the crumb factor under control. Bonus? They are super fun to serve.

Hot Lunch Roll Ups.

Not quite the same as a wrap, these are simple little lunch sandwiches you can confidently turn your children loose on for an independence building DIY option. On a plate, lay a tortilla flat topped with one large slice of cheese and a slice of bargain lunch meat. Add a squirt of mustard or the condiment of your choice. Microwave for 10-15 seconds. Remove and roll up in a tube. That’s it. The kids can basically grab these and munch along with some apple wedges or other simple produce snack.

Layered Casserole.

A friend of mine first turned me on to these when we were all teaching together on Guam.  Since teaching is not exactly a money-making profession, we were always on the lookout for great cheap eats. Here’s a link to one that looks pretty good, although it’s slightly different from the one I’m used to. 

Shape Them for a High End DIY Taco Salad.

This is really a super way to have restaurant style at home. It does require a piece of equipment called a shell fryer. Here’s a link to where you can purchase one. 

These are my top ten picks for tortilla based meals. If you are finding the store bought variety a bit too pricey right now, here’s a link to a recipe for a large batch of premade dry mix to use at home. It’s easily modified for either white or wheat tortillas. Got another great tortilla meal that’s dirt cheap and high on style? Pass it on.