6 Meals In 30 Minutes or Less That are Under $10

Every Mom wants healthy, budget-friendly meals. Recipes that are quick to throw together. Oh, and it has to be easy to make. Can she have it all? Yes, actually! We’ve rounded up recipes, estimated their cost by serving and made sure that they are fast for those busy weekdays. The following shopping tips will make the task even easier and stress-free! Rule number one to saving some green on greens: Money saving starts before stepping foot into the grocery store. Of course, you’ll need to hit up your regular grocers for most purchases, but when was the last time you went to an ethnic store? Have you ever been? Great finds like mangos and other exotic fruits exist behind these walls and will cost significantly less than the grocery store! Here are a few quick suggested staples that are budget-friendly:
  • Protein staples: beans, canned tuna, chickpeas, canned giant beans, peanut butter, cottage cheese, yogurt, delicious deli meat
  • Carbohydrate staples: brown rice, frozen fruits, potatoes, oatmeal, banana (freeze any that go bad too quickly), broccoli, raisins
  • Fat staples: nut butters, sardines, soybeans, nuts

Breakfast Oatmeal

Breakfast Oatmeal

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup oatmeal — $0.225
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon — $0.05
  • 1 medium banana — $0.25
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter — $0.035
Instructions: It’s cheaper and healthier than cereal! Cook oats following container instructions and add cinnamon. Place in bowl and mix in peanut butter. Cut the banana into slices, place them on the oatmeal and enjoy! Total Cost Per Person: $0.56 Cost Per Family of Four: $2.24
Red Pepper and Potato Frittata

Red Pepper and Potato Frittata

Ingredients:

  • ½ potato — $0.44
  • ½ onion — $0.07
  • ½ red bell pepper — $0.17
  • 2 eggs — $0.24
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary — $0.09
  • 1 tablespoon parmigiano cheese — $0.24
  • 2 oz. Land O’ Frost Premium Old Fashioned Cooked Ham — $0.50

Instructions:

Chop potato, onion, red bell pepper and sauté in an oven-safe pan over medium heat. Beat eggs in separate bowl and pour over the veggie mix. Then place pan into a 350° oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until eggs have set. Pull out the pan and place cheese on top to melt. Sunday brunch never tasted so good! Total Cost Per Person: $1.75 Cost Per Family of Four: $7.00
Tuna Salad on Toast

Tuna Salad on Toast

Ingredients:

  • 2 toast slices of your choice — $0.26
  • ½ tuna can — $0.50
  • 2 tablespoons cottage cheese — $0.16 (can sub Greek yogurt)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise — $0.20
  • 1 stick celery — $0.15
  • ½ onion — $0.07
  • ½ lemon — $0.25

Instructions:

Finely chop celery and onion and mix with tuna, cottage cheese and mayonnaise. Heat your toast (the crunchier, the yummier), then put tuna mixture on top. Use lemon as a garnish! This recipe is fast, affordable and better for you than the deli counter version! Total Cost Per Person: $1.59 Cost Per Family of Four: $6.36
Black Bean Chili

Black Bean Chili

Ingredients:

  • ½ onion — $0.07
  • ½ red bell pepper — $0.17
  • 1 garlic clove — $0.08
  • ½ can of black beans — $0.50
  • ½ can of tomato sauce — $0.50
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder — $0.14
  • 1 teaspoon oregano — $0.05
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper — $0.14
  • 1 teaspoon cumin — $0.13
  • 2 oz. of Land O’Frost Premium Roast Beef — $.50

Instructions:

Place oil in a pot with onions, bell peppers and garlic. Sauté until soft, then place the rest of the ingredients in the pot and bring to a simmer. Leave for 15-30 minutes. The longer you leave the chili, the thicker! Total Cost Per Person: $2.28 Cost Per Family of Four: $9.12 
Cottage Cheese Desert

Cottage Cheese Dessert

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Cottage Cheese — $1.25
  • ½ can of Peaches (in water) — $0.50

Instructions:

Place cottage cheese into a bowl. Drain peaches and place on cottage cheese for a sweet treat that fits the budget and the waistline! Total Cost Per Person: $1.75 Cost Per Family of Four: $7.00 
Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad or Wrap

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of romaine — $0.99
  • ½ cup Italian dressing — $0.42
  • 1 tomato, diced — $0.37
  • 8 oz. of Land O’Frost Premium Honey Smoked Turkey Breast — $2.00
  • 1 avocado — $1.50
  • ½ cup blue cheese crumbles — $3.59
  • 3 eggs (hard boiled) — $0.50
  • 1 can cannellini beans $0.89

Instructions:

Swap traditional iceberg lettuce with romaine for more nutrition. You can add in canned cannellini beans to save some money. Just toss all ingredients together for a quick and hearty lunch option. Try this cobb salad wrap for a twist on this classic salad. Total Cost Per Person: $2.29 Cost Per Family of 4: $9.17 I bet you thought it couldn’t be done – dinners for four under $10! Now what to do with all the saved money on food? Family vacation fund? Extra money for a night out? I trust you’ll think of something.

Share

See Related Articles