My dad was Filipino so growing up our default belt-tightening meal was fridge fried rice. Some eggs, some leftover rice and whatever leftover veggies and proteins were in the fridge or pantry. The beautiful thing was if there were no "leftovers" a can or bag of mixed veg and the basic rice and eggs could serve the full family.
Pasta - with whatever veggies are in season on top! So good all year round, the flavors always change with the seasons. I stock up on pasta - especially WW/ high fiber - when there are good sales and coupons.
spaghetti! i bought target brand sauce and pasta with coupons (1 dollar total for a jar of sauce and box of pasta). I jazz it up by sataying some mushrooms, green peppers, sometimes corn or squash and ( whatever vege i have at home) and add it to the sauce. extra nutrition and tastes fancy. sprinkle with cheese and cilantro, who needs the restaurant.
My favorite frugal food is pasta! You can throw in any other ingredients you have on hand (frozen veggies, leftover fresh spices, etc) and whip together a quick cheap meal.
My favorite frugal go-to for years has to be ramen noodles. Used as a base, I can add anything else that's lying around.....veg, left-over meats, or whatever....and come up with a tasty meal. A great comfort food.
Peanut Ramen Noodles
Prep Time: 10 min
Inactive Prep Time:--
Cook Time: 5 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 4 servings Ingredients
Kosher salt
2 pkgs chili flavored ramen noodles
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar or lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 to 3 teaspoons chili sauce (recommended: Huey Fong Chili Garlic Sauce)
OPTIONAL: 1 tablespoon Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add a generous amount of salt and stir in the noodles. Cook
according to package instructions; drain and rinse well under cold running water.
Meanwhile, whisk the ramen flavor packets, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce and chili sauce in a large bowl until smooth. Add the drained noodles, and with tongs, toss until coated with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
I like frugal staples like pasta and rice. I usually make a big batch once a week and am able to not only enjoy it that same day but have leftovers to create other meals during the week.
Another tip I'd add: if you do join friends out for dinners, etc., just don't order as much. You can still be present at the dinner table at a restaurant, but opt to skip appetizers, drink water and order a cheap entree. You can still join your friends at the bar, but opt to drink a Diet Coke. This way you still get to socialize but you won't be spending $9 on vodka-mixed drinks.
I think the last point -- flexible finances -- is an important one. Many people say an e-fund should consist of 3-6 months of living expenses, but one objection I've always held to that idea is that if you lose your job, your discretionary living expenses will (or should) go down. You'll still have to pay your mortgage, yes, but you probably won't go to restaurants, buy clothes, etc. Perhaps it should be amended to 3-6 mo. of "necessary" living expenses.
Beans and rice are a fantastic dinner or lunch staple for a number of reasons -- not just because they're cheap (though that's also great), but also because they're healthy and they can be served SO many different ways, like you highlight here. I personally love spicy food, so "burrito bowls" with extra-hot salsa and Cajun-spiced bean-and-rice bowls are two of my favorites!
Some of these actually sound really good. Cooking beans and rice in the crockpot can allow you to do so many different things to them by adding various spices. Also, throw anything into a casserole and douse it in cheese and its bound to be good!
Number 2 is key I think. Committing to having an entire dinner with someone you've never met can leave you sitting at an awkward meal and forcing conversation. Having just a drink can give you an easy half-hour meet and then take off if you want.
Use all your left over veggie scraps to make a lovely veggie stock. The mix matzoh meal and 2 eggs, 1T of oil. Chill mixture for 15 minutes. The form in balls and drop into veggie stock. Delicious, quick and inexpensive.
My dad was Filipino so growing up our default belt-tightening meal was fridge fried rice. Some eggs, some leftover rice and whatever leftover veggies and proteins were in the fridge or pantry. The beautiful thing was if there were no "leftovers" a can or bag of mixed veg and the basic rice and eggs could serve the full family.
Pasta - with whatever veggies are in season on top! So good all year round, the flavors always change with the seasons. I stock up on pasta - especially WW/ high fiber - when there are good sales and coupons.
spaghetti! i bought target brand sauce and pasta with coupons (1 dollar total for a jar of sauce and box of pasta). I jazz it up by sataying some mushrooms, green peppers, sometimes corn or squash and ( whatever vege i have at home) and add it to the sauce. extra nutrition and tastes fancy. sprinkle with cheese and cilantro, who needs the restaurant.
Homemade mac and cheese, being meatless it saves money over regular meals
Chickpeas salad: boiled chickpeas - canned are fine - finely chopped onion, tuna fish - canned is fine - and a sprinkle of olive oil. Mmmm, so good!
SOUP! Any kind, any time, hot or cold!
Eggs. Cheap protein, can be versatile.
It would definitely have to be rolled oats. I love making different combinations of oatmeal flavors with them. And, it microwaves in a minute or so!
My favorite frugal food is pasta! You can throw in any other ingredients you have on hand (frozen veggies, leftover fresh spices, etc) and whip together a quick cheap meal.
Definitely a frittata. Eggs and fresh veggies are so cheap and it's a delicious dish!
My fav is Margarita Popsicles...or
Tequila Lime Chicken...or
Any recipe that gives me a reason to bust out the tequila. =)
Crepes. The flour, eggs, and milk can be purchased on sale for extra frugality.
My favorite frugal go-to for years has to be ramen noodles. Used as a base, I can add anything else that's lying around.....veg, left-over meats, or whatever....and come up with a tasty meal. A great comfort food.
Ramen noodles with a spicy sauce:
Peanut Ramen Noodles
Prep Time: 10 min
Inactive Prep Time:--
Cook Time: 5 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 4 servings Ingredients
Kosher salt
2 pkgs chili flavored ramen noodles
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar or lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 to 3 teaspoons chili sauce (recommended: Huey Fong Chili Garlic Sauce)
OPTIONAL: 1 tablespoon Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add a generous amount of salt and stir in the noodles. Cook
according to package instructions; drain and rinse well under cold running water.
Meanwhile, whisk the ramen flavor packets, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce and chili sauce in a large bowl until smooth. Add the drained noodles, and with tongs, toss until coated with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Oh spaghetti for us...always cheap and easy to make!
I like frugal staples like pasta and rice. I usually make a big batch once a week and am able to not only enjoy it that same day but have leftovers to create other meals during the week.
Lentils are my go-to frugal base ingredient for soups, chili, hot or cold salads, pasta sauce... the list is endless.
Another tip I'd add: if you do join friends out for dinners, etc., just don't order as much. You can still be present at the dinner table at a restaurant, but opt to skip appetizers, drink water and order a cheap entree. You can still join your friends at the bar, but opt to drink a Diet Coke. This way you still get to socialize but you won't be spending $9 on vodka-mixed drinks.
I think the last point -- flexible finances -- is an important one. Many people say an e-fund should consist of 3-6 months of living expenses, but one objection I've always held to that idea is that if you lose your job, your discretionary living expenses will (or should) go down. You'll still have to pay your mortgage, yes, but you probably won't go to restaurants, buy clothes, etc. Perhaps it should be amended to 3-6 mo. of "necessary" living expenses.
Pasta.....bowtie pasta with cottage cheese and bacon pieces
mixed in...all warm and gooey.
Buttermilk pancakes with scrambled eggs for dinner.
Beans and rice are a fantastic dinner or lunch staple for a number of reasons -- not just because they're cheap (though that's also great), but also because they're healthy and they can be served SO many different ways, like you highlight here. I personally love spicy food, so "burrito bowls" with extra-hot salsa and Cajun-spiced bean-and-rice bowls are two of my favorites!
Some of these actually sound really good. Cooking beans and rice in the crockpot can allow you to do so many different things to them by adding various spices. Also, throw anything into a casserole and douse it in cheese and its bound to be good!
Number 2 is key I think. Committing to having an entire dinner with someone you've never met can leave you sitting at an awkward meal and forcing conversation. Having just a drink can give you an easy half-hour meet and then take off if you want.
matzoh ball soup....
Use all your left over veggie scraps to make a lovely veggie stock. The mix matzoh meal and 2 eggs, 1T of oil. Chill mixture for 15 minutes. The form in balls and drop into veggie stock. Delicious, quick and inexpensive.