You can save money and still have a wholesome meal!
Groceries can be expensive. I don’t know about you, but these days my grocery bill seems to be going higher and higher.
And who wants to (or can!) spend hours in the kitchen each night? It’s much more fun to spend that time with family or relaxing. The good news is you don’t have to sweat over a hot stove. You don’t need to spend a fortune either. Here are five quick, easy and cheap family meal ideas.
1. Beans and rice — A staple in the South, beans and rice can be prepared so many ways it’s amazing. From Mexican style beans and rice, to Cajun style, there’s a recipe for everyone’s tastes. From the south? Try Hoppin’ John. It’s delicious. Best of all, it’s cheap and easy too. And when combined, beans and rice provide a complete protein. No meat required for this meal. Buy canned beans and brown rice in bulk to really save money.
2. Roast chicken — Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned roast chicken? Whole chickens are inexpensive and they generally provide enough food for more than one meal, unless you have a large family. And if you do, cook two chickens at once and use the leftovers for a tasty chicken salad served on a bed of greens or a chicken noodle casserole.
There are also two time-saving ways to manage a roast chicken. You can buy a whole roasted chicken already cooked at your grocery’s deli or Costco. Or you can roast one on the weekend and reheat it for mealtime. (You can also cut the roasting time in half by splitting the chicken down the middle).
3. Fish and a salad — Fish actually only takes a few minutes to cook. And when you buy fish like orange roughy you can get it at a reasonable cost. Grab a bagged salad and you have a very healthy meal you can prepare for a few dollars. (Skip the dressing in the bag and make your own.) And it’ll take less than ten minutes to prepare.
4. Soup and stew — Soups and stews are really inexpensive. When paired with bread and a salad they’re also quite satisfying and healthy. You can buy premixed soup and stew items at the store. Just add them to your crock pot in the morning and they’re ready when you get home. You can also make them on the weekend and reheat when it’s time to eat. (Watch for added sugar in pre-packaged mixes!)
5. Pasta — You can do almost anything with pasta. Pasta primavera. Pasta with tomato sauce. Pasta with sardines, capers and lemon. Pasta with just a little olive oil. There are literally hundreds of pasta recipes. Best of all, pasta is quick. It’s cheap and it’s tasty. You really can’t go wrong with pasta. Add a salad and you have a complete meal.
With a little patience and planning you can serve your family quick and easy meals ever night of the week. And you can save money doing it.
Enjoy quick and easy meals every day with Marty’s collection of Recipe Guides. All free, you get a new recipe guide every month of the year. Plus you’ll find bonuses, too, like a Food Diary, Weekly Meal Plans, and bonus recipe guides like Magic Breads, 5 Smoothies for Weight Loss, and Soup & Salad Recipes and more. Get free access here.
Publisher of Great Living Today, your one-stop source for greater living featuring tips, techniques, and programs in the areas of health & wellness, wealth, time management, business, love, relationships, and happiness. Marty is a life, business, and wellness coach helping his clients to live their best lives.