Cooking on a budget doesn’t have to mean bland and boring meals that lack nutrition. In fact, with a little creativity and smart shopping, you can make delicious and budget-friendly meals that your whole family will love. Here are five meal ideas for $20 or less:
1. Chicken and Rice Bowl: Start by cooking a cup of rice in a pot on the stove and seasoning it with salt and pepper. While the rice is cooking, dice up a chicken breast and cook it in a pan with some olive oil and garlic. Once the chicken is cooked, add in some diced tomatoes and spinach until the spinach wilts. Then, assemble the bowl with the rice on the bottom, chicken mixture on top, and garnish with sliced avocado.
2. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry: Slice up a half pound of beef into small pieces and marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and garlic. While the beef is marinating, you can steam a head of broccoli in the microwave and cook a cup of rice in a pot on the stove. Once the beef is ready, cook it in a pan with some oil until it’s browned on the outside. Then, add in the steamed broccoli and pour the remaining marinade over the top. Serve with a side of rice.
3. Spaghetti Carbonara: Cook a pound of spaghetti according to the package instructions and set it aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together two eggs, a cup of grated parmesan cheese, and some black pepper. Then, cook a few slices of bacon in a pan until they’re crispy and set them aside. Finally, add the cooked pasta to the pan with the bacon grease and toss it until it’s coated. Turn off the heat and add in the egg mixture, tossing quickly so that the heat from the pasta cooks the eggs. Chop up the bacon and sprinkle it over the top before serving.
4. Veggie Quesadillas: Begin by sautéing a diced bell pepper and onion together in a pan until they’re tender. Then, spread some refried beans over one side of a tortilla and add the pepper and onion mixture on top. Finally, sprinkle some shredded cheese over the filling and fold the other half of the tortilla over the top. Cook each tortilla in a pan until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy on both sides. Serve with sour cream and salsa.
5. Chickpea Curry: Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a pot on the stove and sauté a diced onion until it’s translucent. Then, add in some minced garlic and ginger and cook for another minute. Next, add in a can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed) and a can of diced tomatoes. Season the mixture with curry powder, turmeric, and salt to taste. Let everything simmer together for about 20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Serve over rice.
With these five meal ideas, you can enjoy delicious and nutritious meals for $20 or less. Plus, with a little bit of practice, you can easily modify these recipes to fit your family’s taste preferences and dietary needs. Happy cooking!
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