47 Frugal Meals (That Are Tasty And Healthy)

Is it that time of the month where you feel like you’ve got to stretch out your paycheck or are you simply searching for frugal meals?

Eating out has become an ingrained habit.

I blame Grab and UberEats, they make it too damn easy! The convenience and hassle-free service you get seem like a no-brainer, on days when you’re tired or when you can’t be bothered to whip up a meal in the kitchen.

Even though eating out is a luxury enjoyed by many, this habit will hinder your ability to achieve your financial goals.

Embracing a simpler method of cooking by having frugal meals, is one of the easiest ways to save a significant amount of money

47 Best Frugal Meals

Fruits
Muffins
Pancakes
Sandwiches
Eggs
Breakfast Casserole
Oats
Waffles
Yogurt And Fruits
Toast
Granola And Yogurt
Raw Spiralized Zucchini Noodles
Torn Cabbage Salad
Kale Salad With Toasted Pita And Parmesan
Parsley Salad
Tuna Salad Endive Wrap
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken and Pumpkin Soup
Southwestern Chicken Soup
Hamburger Soup
Quinoa Chilli
Beef and Cabbage Soup
Vegan Squash Chilli
Broccoli Soup
Minestrone
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Greek Marinated Chicken
Baked Pizza Chicken
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Multipurpose Shredded Beef
Korean Ground Beef Rice Bowls
Sausage and Squash Skillet
Chili Cheese Beef and Mac
Curry Beef With Peas
BBQ Beef And Beans
Beef Ragout With Mashed Cauliflower
Ground Beef And Cabbage Stir Fry
Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta
Sweetpotato, Lentil, and Chickpea Curry
Eggplant Chickpea Peanut Curry
Roasted Tilapia And Broccoli Sheetpan Dinner
Vegetarian Fajita Pasta
Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Sliced Baked Potato
Rice Noodle With Peanut Sauce
Black Bean Soup

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Breakfast

Fruits

It doesn’t matter if it’s fresh or frozen, you can never go wrong with having fruits for breakfast. Have it on its own, pair them with some toast, or whip up a fruit smoothie with all the frozen fruits stored in the fridge.

Fruits like bananas, berries, and oranges will keep you full for a longer period. The versatility of bananas is unparalleled, here are 17 scrumptious ways to put some bananas to good use.

Muffins

Muffins are one of those versatile items that can be customized to however you want them. Sweet or savory, you can have this filling and nutritious breakfast without breaking the bank.

Here are some savory muffin choices :

Here are some sweet options :

Banana Bread Muffin
Pumpkin Pie Muffin (Gluten-Free)
Blueberry Muffins (Vegan)

Pancakes

Can anyone tell me how can one go wrong with having pancakes for breakfast?

Given the choice, I’d be having them for all three meals a day, plus snacks! Pancakes are great to make in batches and stored in an air-tight container for a quick fix when the stomach is growling.

Here are some savory options :

Pancakes with Four Variations
Seafood Pancake (Gluten-Free)
Tomato Mushroom Pancakes (Vegan)

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are another versatile dish that is perfect for any season.

Here are some options :

Eggs

The possibilities are endless with this one ingredient.

With various ways to have them, as long as you have some eggs around the house, you will rarely run out of ideas of dishes to make.

You don’t have to eat fried eggs for the rest of your life just because you’re eating frugal food. Here are some alternative ways to have your eggs :

Breakfast Casserole

A casserole is a baked dish consisting of these three things; a source of protein (tofu, white or red meat, fish, etc), vegetables, and a binder like flour or pasta. You can also add some cheese on top for some extra goodness.

These casserole variations will almost definitely keep you full until lunch.

Oats

Even though oats are loved by many over the years for their health benefits, recently, people have gotten as creative as possible with oats. No longer are they a bland lump of mush, they’re now luxurious desserts as well.

Here are some recipes for you to try :

Waffles

You probably have all the ingredients you need to create this crisp and perfect breakfast! The best part? You don’t have to travel to Belgium to indulge in this goodness!

Some frugal recipes for you to try are :

Yogurt And Fruits

Having fruits and yogurt are beneficial for overall human health due to the healthy fibers and probiotics present in the fruits and yogurt.

Try these recipes out :

Toast

It’s bread. Need I say more? It’s only the best ingredient out there. Frugal eating can’t get any easier than this. Try these out :

Granola and Yogurt

Try out these homemade granola recipes to go with yogurt for breakfast if you’re tired of having yogurt and fruits. The best thing about granola are the ingredients! All you need are oats, salt, oil of your choice, sweetener of choice, and salt. That’s it.

Any other customization is completely up to you, based on what’s left in your pantry!

Frugal Meals For Lunch

Salad Recipes

It doesn’t have to be costly to make a great salad, despite what expensive salad restaurants might have you believe.

By sticking to seasonal vegetables and fruits, pantry staples, and simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious and nutritious bowl of greens in no time without breaking the bank.

A myth about salads that have been implanted in us for years now is that they are a bunch of lettuce with some dressing on them- leaving you starved after 30 minutes.

The salad recipes shared below will keep you full with lots of energy!

Here are some tips to build a great salad :

Incorporate starchy ingredients (pasta or quinoa)
Add fibre-rich fruits and vegetables
Add legumes such as lentils
Add some crunch (Granola made in the recipe above)

Soup Recipes

I think everyone enjoys soup, if you claim that you don’t like them, then you haven’t found the right soup for you. Soups are easy to make, comforting, and have a long shelf life.

You can prepare these soups in big batches, eat them every day of the week should you wish to, or store them in the freezer for a quick fix after work.

These hearty, vegetable-filled frugal soup recipes are guaranteed to keep you full and there are so many varieties, you can never be bored!

Chicken Soup Recipes

Beef Soup Recipes

Vegetarian Soup Recipes

Vegan Squash Chilli
Broccoli Soup (substitute for vegan broth)
Minestrone

Chicken and Beef Recipes

Chicken and beef are some of the most widely consumed meats. Not only are they readily available and simple to prepare, but there is no end to how you can cook these two ingredients.

Chicken and red meat like beef are high in a variety of essential nutrients and can be a great addition to a well-balanced diet. Since chicken is low in calories but high in protein, it can help you lose weight if that’s something you’re working towards.

This ingredient can be particularly beneficial if you’re planning on doing a frugal meal plan due to its versatility.

Dinner

Dinners are meant to be easy and fuss-free.

There’s nothing worse than having to come back home to an empty pantry, and no meals prepped when your stomach is already rumbling.

Try out these frugal dinner ideas to save you money, while keeping your tummy happy.

Healthy Meals

Have whole and unprocessed ingredients as part of your frugal meal ideas to maintain a healthy and budget-friendly lifestyle.

Here are some tips for a to prepare healthy meals while sticking to a frugal food budget:

Don’t grocery shop when you’re hungry
Have a meal plan ready
Do not buy more than you need, only buy staples and stick to your grocery list!
Buy in bulk
Buy frozen fruits and vegetables

Try out these frugal meals that are good for your waistline and wallet :

FAQs

What Is The Cheapest Meal To Make?

Short Answer: Cheesy Pasta !

Long answer:

Food is essential, and we can’t just cut it out of our budget. But while food is a necessity, it does not have to break the bank.

At the end of the day, making the cheapest meals is all about keeping it simple:

use a handful of ingredients
do not overcomplicate the recipe, and
make full use of all ingredients in your pantry

It does not matter if you’re trying to prepare frugal meals for 1 or frugal family meals, know that money shouldn’t have to be the barrier to creating scrumptious, nutritious, and satiating meals.

What Is The Cheapest Meal To Feed A Crowd?

Short Answer:

Long Answer:

It is important to realize that not everyone is going to eat the same thing and if you’re someone who constantly feeds a crowd, do not compare your grocery budget with anyone else.

For example, if you have six kids, your grocery budget will be significantly higher than someone who has one kid.

The goal is to find ways to bring down the cost of food consumption of your crowd.

There are a couple of tips that can help you reduce the cost of preparing frugal meals for a crowd :

Where You Shop

Different grocery stores carry different prices, so shop around to find the grocer that provides the best bargain yet maintaining the quality of ingredients.
Go through the hassle of comparing prices because it will be worth it when you’re saving them bills.

Use Coupons

Some grocers may have weekly or monthly coupon promotions, so be sure to check those out.
Here are the 10 Best Places to Find Free Printable Grocery Coupons.

Okay, now that we’ve gotten the tips out of the way, one of the best things you can do to make the cheapest meals to feed a crowd is by cooking your meals in batches. Try out instant pot recipes, and sheet pan recipes.

This kind of cooking requires minimal ingredients, and they’ll definitely save you the time and hassle of preparing meals for a large group. So it doesn’t matter if you’re thinking of frugal dinners, or you’ve been asked to cook for a potluck party, the recipes above will come to the rescue!

Conclusion

There you go! 47 of the best frugal meals for you to whip up anytime the budget is tight, or when you’re simply trying to eat simpler meals. Eating on a budget does not mean you’re going to be deprived of delicious tasting food and the recipes given above are proof of that.

Though the habit of eating out is glorified with new, aesthetically pleasing cafes popping up in each corner every other week, spending money constantly eating out might do you more harm than good.

If your bank account is depleted or you just want to save money by preparing frugal meals, make do with what you have on hand. Some of the best recipes are made from what you already have in your pantry and refrigerator.

So have a go at these recipes, or be creative with what you have in your pantry, the choice is endless when it comes to food. Remember, you do not have to compromise on the quality of food to have frugal meals.