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Inexpensive/frugal meals for 3?

We are getting ready to move and we're trying to conserve our money. One of the first things we need to work on is our grocery bill. We spend $250 every two weeks.. way too much. My friend actually told me she spends that the entire month. So I'm trying to find meal ideas that are frugal/inexpensive. I don't need any hamburger or beef recipes. Anything that can be used as leftover for the next day is great, as well. Thanks in advance everyone.

Public Comments

1. well anything with pasta in it can be pretty cheap. patsa with meat sauce is cheap but your probably sick of that lol.

   try cutting up chicken and stir frying it, heat up some frozen broccoli, and make a quick garlic sauce, they have the little packets in the spice aisle...you just add milk & heat up. put it all together with some ziti!

   also, for a quick easy meal thats cheap, i'll make tuna helper and add frozen veggies to it to make it a more balance meal. i know these meals arent too exciting or anyhting but they are easy and cheap!




2. Salads and fruit are cheap and good for you too! Vegetables are always cheaper than meat. But discounted food from the supermarket that is close to the expiry date. There is always good old Bangers and Mash!



3. I have been thinking of cutting back on meals too. I plan to do Breakfast for dinner once a week (eggs, bacon, biscuts and fresh fruit). Pasta with red sauce (no meat) with garlic bread. Grilled chicken breast, side item like rice and can of green beans, Small roast, potato and carrots in the crockpot, Nachos (bag of chips, can of refried beans, cheese sauce) and fresh fruit. Grilled cheese and can of soup.---Hope you like some of my ideas.



4. I would try incorporating more rice or beans (Kidney, Navy, White, etc) into your diet. They are cheap, have fiber and a lot of protein is packed into them. Meat is so expensive so you could do it this way. I just bought 2 bags of dried split peas for a dollar and we have been eating it for days now. You get tired of it, but at least I don't have to cook and I get my fiber, protein and iron cheaply.



5. Get recipes for casseroles or curries. These use very cheap cuts of meat that when cooked slowly are beautiful and tender. Also buy your meat bulk at seperate it into smaller portions and freeze.



6. A great old moneysaver is lentil soup ... and the French know how to make that about as well as anyone..... and it is served with some crusty bread, some cheese and a simple green salad which would mean lettuce, maybe some sliced cucumber, and a vinaigrette dressing ...



7. Pasta e Ceci

   Prepare small shells or other small pasta for the number of people you need. Use 1 can of garbanzo beans for every two people. Once you drain the pasta, partly drain the beans and pour them into the kettle with a little liquid. Crush about 1/3 of the beans with the back of a spoon, while heating them, add a little garlic if you like it, salt if you think it's necessary. Once the beans are hot add the cooked pasta and mix. Add black pepper, a little olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese and serve. A salad is good with pasta e ceci.




8. check out this website

   http://www.showmomthemoney.com/frugalmeals.htm