Recipes

Recipes - All

Almond Cake
(4.5)
Inspired by artist Claude Monet’s favorite confection, this cake is subtle in taste, redolent of almond, and a dash of liqueur adds a complementary note. No need to say more—except that if you’ve eaten healthy and saved all week by cooking with us Five Dollar Foodies, here’s a treat.

$1.43 per serving

Almond-Vanilla Granola
(5.0)
Granola usually costs a mini-fortune. We can't figure out why since it's made of pretty basic ingredients. Plus, commercial granola often is loaded with sugar... too sweet for our delicate foodie palates! Try this healthful homemade version instead. It's simple to put together and really economical, especially if you buy the ingredients in bulk. Al ... read more

$1.03 per serving

Andalusian Lentil Soup
(5.0)
This lentil soup is the best we've ever tasted—really! It has its origins in the North African spices that have influenced southern Spanish cuisine. Oregano grows wild in the dry hillsides around the city of Granada (where $5 Foodie chef Amanda calls home), and bay trees dot the plazas of the Albayzín, Granada's historic quarter. This soup is vegan ... read more

93¢ per serving

Apple Berry Crisp
(5.0)
Tart apples and colorful berries, cinnamon-scented and topped with hearty and healthful oats—it's the best breakfast imaginable in cool weather. We crave it often. It's so easy to make variations on this family favorite, too, depending what's in season or on sale: apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, any type of berries, and even pomegranate se ... read more

$1.46 per serving

Asparagus and Eggs with Creamy Lemon Sauce
A springtime treat, bright-green asparagus spears are topped with pan-poached eggs. The creamy mayo-mustard-lemon sauce brings it all together. The sauce, a Dijonnaise with citrus, is ridiculously easy to make, and our "pan-poaching" method proves more dependable than traditional poaching. Savor as a light lunch or brunch. It will give you that "I' ... read more

$1.77 per serving

Asparagus with Bowtie Pasta
(4.0)
The day that all the beautiful dark green asparagus hits the market, it is spring. On Sunday, a day for pasta, this recipe draws us into a reverie of a warm afternoon in May in the Italian part of southern Switzerland, near Lake Lugano. A blackboard outside a stately-looking restaurant on the town square announces the featured dish, bowtie pasta wi ... read more

$1.15 per serving

Bacon-Scallion Quesadillas
(5.0)
This simple, zesty dish relies on tortillas to make the budget work. It’s filling and quick to prepare. The tortilla is an excellent, economical staple, but ordinary quesadillas become more interesting with the addition of crispy bacon and scallion. Top with sour cream and fresh salsa for a foodie treat.

68¢ per serving

BBQ-Baked Beans
(5.0)
Fun to cook over an open fire in a cast iron pan, this summery classic takes little labor, whether you cook outdoors or in.

$1.73 per serving

Best Summertime Pasta with Fresh Tomato, Basil, and Garlic
This wins the vote among the Foodie Chefs for all-time best late summer eating, and it's truly fun to make. You set it up in a few minutes—no cooking—and come back later to boil pasta, toss the sauce and pasta together with shredded cheese, and mm-mmm! The ripest tomatoes you can get your hands on go into a bowl along with fresh basil, garlic, and ... read more

$1.51 per serving

Black Bean, Corn, and Zucchini Fritters with Creamy Dipping Sauce
(4.5)
These savory pancakes are a great way to enjoy many different vegetables and create a satisfying and healthful meal. We started with zucchini, beans, and corn, the revered "three sisters" of Iroquois tradition, and gave it a Southwestern point of view with black beans and cilantro. Sauteéd onion adds a sweetness that complements the texture of the ... read more

34¢ per serving

Blackberry-Lemon Muffins
(4.8)
These homemade treats are not only easy to make, they are delicious, much healthier and, of course, cheaper (at just 39¢ per muffin) than store-bought ones. We used fresh blackberries, but raspberries or blueberries work great, too, depending on what is in season (or you can use frozen berries). These are a big hit with all of us for breakfast, and ... read more

$1.55 per serving

Blueberry Whole Wheat Pancakes
We love pancakes for a lazy weekend breakfast. This version is extra flavorful—and healthful—with whole wheat flour, fresh berries, nutmeg, and a rich maple butter syrup to top it all off. Enjoy these on their own or with a side of bacon on a weekend morning. If you have extra, set some aside for a quick weekday bite.

$1.70 per serving

Brie Panini with Fresh Pear and Red Fruit Jam
(4.5)
A luscious combination of creamy cheese and slightly crisp pear slices grilled in a pan makes for a marvelous lunch. The red fruit jam (strawberry or raspberry will do) adds a touch of sweetness that complements the rich notes in the brie. A fancy foodie treat for a great price!

$1.73 per serving

Broccoli with Beef and Ginger
(5.0)
Quick, flavorful, healthful, and inexpensive—that's a good stir-fry! In our recipe, a zesty ginger sauce spikes broccoli and beef. Any number of other vegetables and protein combined with this sauce will make excellent eating and easy cooking, too. Think tofu with hoisin and cashews; fresh pineapple and pork; or mushrooms and spinach. At just $1.30 ... read more

$1.24 per serving

Brunswick Stew
(5.0)
Corn, tomatoes, and lima beans simmered with chicken make for comfort food at its best. This colorful yellow, green, and tomato-red stew invites everyone to gather around and serve themselves from the pot. It works equally well with fresh or frozen vegetables. For plain or fancy occasions, our family has made this farmhouse favorite almost forever ... read more

$3.57 per serving

Butternut Squash and Kale Risotto
(5.0)
This classic Italian rice is made with some of our favorite winter vegetables: butternut squash and kale. Roasting the squash in the oven (while the risotto cooks) brings out its sweetness, which complements the rich flavors of the greens, onions, and garlic. We use arborio rice which, yes, requires some stirring, but we find that it can be stirred ... read more

89¢ per serving

Butternut Squash Soup
This is our family's favorite butternut squash soup recipe, and we've tried many. Carrot and ginger add warm layers of flavor that complement the buttery squash. Besides wonderful flavor, butternut squash has a lot to offer—vitamins A, B6, and C, along with carotenes and high fiber content. Our method involves roasting the squash in the oven to bri ... read more

$1.41 per serving

Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Scramble
(5.0)
Egg scrambles are an easy and versatile breakfast staple that we make at least once a week with various vegetables. This simple version with sweet caramelized onions and mushrooms makes for a quick breakfast (or lunch) packed full of protein and vitamins and elevates scrambled eggs to foodie status. Fresh rosemary (if available—we source ours direc ... read more

$3.04 per serving

Chicken with Plum Tomato and Prosciutto
(5.0)
So many of our beloved dishes come to us by way of adaptation from the original. This was especially true of Italian American neighborhoods where everyone, it seems, was busy reinventing old world classics in a new world. Our chicken with plum tomato and prosciutto has its origins in the traditional veal saltimbocca—translation, “jumps in the mouth ... read more

$1.42 per serving

Chicken, Herb, and Sweet Corn Pie
(5.0)
Does it get any more comforting than this? Tender shredded chicken and corn baked in a creamy, herbed sauce under a golden pastry crust. This is a great day-two use of chicken when you want to make three meals from one roaster (see our Garlic and Lemon Roasted Chicken) for another economical supper. No need to say more!If you have time to make your ... read more

$2.21 per serving

Chicken-Apple Sausage with Roasted Vegetables
This is what to cook when you have assorted vegetables on hand and not a lot of time to stand at the stove. It only requires a little chopping, and once the dish goes in the oven you'll have time for other things. The colorful vegetables sweeten with roasting and go nicely with chicken-apple sausage (or any other type of precooked sausage) and cara ... read more

$2.79 per serving

Chickpea, Tomato, Mint, and Feta Salad with Garlic-Parmesan Crostini
(5.0)
This light but filling salad is loaded with protein and vitamins. Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber, while feta adds protein, calcium, and B-vitamins and a foodie touch to this inexpensive dish. The mint really makes it if you can find fresh mint at a good price (we often grow our own), though you can substitute other fresh or dried herbs if ... read more

$2.46 per serving

Chili with Cinnamon and Cacao
(5.0)
The classic Mexican pairing of chili pepper, tomato, and unsweetened chocolate gives a richness of flavor you have to taste to understand. And once you do, it's unlikely you'll ever turn back. Cook and feast within the hour, or keep the chili over a night or two and the flavor only deepens. It's mild enough for gringo-mouths, but splash it with gre ... read more

$1.02 per serving

Chocolate Truffles
(5.0)
These are the creamiest, most decadent treat — pure chocolate truffles. They are remarkably simple to put together and require just 4 basic ingredients. Melt chocolate bars or chips, add a little cream and a bit of butter, and spice them up with vanilla, peppermint, or orange extracts. Roll them in cocoa powder or crushed nuts for an impressive han ... read more

41¢ per serving

Chocolate-Orange Spiced Banana Bread
(4.7)
We can't get enough of this decadent banana bread. It's a luxurious-tasting dessert (or breakfast, if you're in the mood for a real treat) and you get to use up those ripe bananas you have sitting around. Chocolate and orange (from its juice and zest) complement each other nicely, and a touch of spice adds a foodie twist to traditional banana bread ... read more

62¢ per serving

Classic Marinara Sauce
Most agree that marinara has roots in Naples and that cooks prepared this simple sauce for mariners returning to port. So it’s classic in one sense, but it’s also true that there are many personal and regional variations, involving onions, parsley, carrots, and chile peppers. At its simplest, and to our minds best, it centers on tomatoes, olive oil ... read more

$1.56 per serving

Coconut Chia Pudding
(5.0)
Chia is the latest health craze, and with good reason—it's a superfood. Chia seeds are one of the best plant-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, with over 7 times more than found in salmon. They also are loaded with calcium, fiber, and iron. We first tasted chia pudding when experimenting with a dairy-free diet, and fell in love with it—and now w ... read more

$1.23 per serving

Coconut Curried Lentils
Creamy, hearty lentils that taste sweet and flavorful? Yes, thanks to this blend of Indian spices and luscious coconut milk, lentils are transformed into a treat. You'll be surprised how delicious this dish is, and it's easy to prepare, not to mention economical. We're a big fan of lentils for their nutrition and versatility, and are excited to sha ... read more

$1.08 per serving

Creamy Homemade Hummus
(5.0)
Hummus is incredibly easy to make at home. This recipe calls for mainly pantry ingredients, and is about 5,000 times tastier than store-bought (not to mention cheaper!). We perfected our hummus with just the right amount of tahini, fresh lemon, garlic, and a pinch of cumin. You can serve this creamy dish so many different ways: on lightly toasted p ... read more

$2.10 per serving

Creamy Mac and Cheese
We've spent years perfecting this recipe— it's so creamy and decadent that we only serve it to friends and family on very special occasions. The secret lies not only in the ingredients but how you make it as well. We start with al dente pasta, coated in olive oil or butter to maintain a freshly cooked texture. This is absolutely key, because it pr ... read more

$2.41 per serving

Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms
(4.5)
This is quintessential, rustic Italian comfort food. Polenta differs slightly from what we know as cornmeal but nearly any available yellow or white cornmeal will do the job. Remember, "available" and "economical" are our watchwords! It's deliciously creamy, and offers and impressive meal for just pennies. I'll never forget when Carol and I (Hugo) ... read more

$1.96 per serving

Cuban Picadillo
(5.0)
Picadillo is Cuban home cooking at its best. While it appears in many variations across Latin America, we bow to a traditional take on this gratifying recipe: beef or pork, green pepper, raisins, olives, and tomato. Typically, black beans and white rice accompany picadillo for a delightful, easily prepared, and—of course—inexpensive meal.

$1.04 per serving

Easy Black Bean Posole
Too good to be true? Only until you try this rustic, healthful vegetarian stew filled with authentic Mexican flavor. You won't believe how easy and quick it is to prepare, and yet the result is astounding. Plus, you can make it all in one pot. Chewy, fiber-rich hominy and black beans combine with tangy salsa, green chiles, and lime to create a perf ... read more

28¢ per serving

Easy Chocolate Cake
(3.3)
Otherwise known as "Wacky Cake," this World War II-era confection was innovated from basic pantry staples—without requiring any butter, eggs, or milk. Just throw all of the ingredients in a bowl, stir, and bake. The result is an incredibly moist and delicious chocolate treat that can be assembled in minutes (even with the help of toddlers!). Dusted ... read more

$1.84 per serving

Escarole Rice Soup
The sum here is definitely greater than the parts: a rosy broth, aromatic with garlic and a hint of nutmeg, envelopes slightly chewy arborio rice laced with dark greens. Topped with melting parmesan or romano cheese, it makes a pleasing supper. This is also a refreshing way to make a meal from leftover chicken bones. Did we say super economical and ... read more

$1.94 per serving

Farmhouse Sausage and Vegetable Soup
(5.0)
Everyone is hungry, we forgot to shop, and of course the fridge is almost bare. This awesome accidental soup—it’s thick, more like stew, and full-flavored—surprised even the cook when it was ready. From the fridge came 4 carrots, 3 sausages, 2 potatoes, 1 carton of chicken broth, some leftover marinara sauce and a takeout box of rice. With a little ... read more

$1.58 per serving

Flatbread Napoletana
Flatbread pizza is good, fast, and cheap! Our kitchen hackers discovered that an uncooked (raw) flour tortilla delivers the perfect consistency of a thin crust loaded with sweet tomato sauce, veggies, and a sprinkling of goat cheese—a real treat. It makes a quick dinner, or a tantalizing appetizer that you can serve guests. Alternatively, you can u ... read more

$1.00 per serving

Fourth of July Cake
It wouldn't be the Fourth of July without this cake. So carefree, and you can share the fun by letting family or friends help you decorate it. Our quick vanilla cake, dusted with confectioner's sugar, is topped with fresh strawberries (or raspberries) and blueberries. You can use almost any basic cake recipe, such as our Almond Cake, or substitute ... read more

$2.56 per serving

French Onion Soup
(4.5)
French onion soup is a classic, originating as a super-inexpensive but warming supper in 18th-century Paris. We especially love this dish on cold winter evenings. The rich flavors of the beef broth are complemented by caramelized onions and melted gruyere (if you can't find an inexpensive one, you can use swiss cheese instead). Onions are cheap, fl ... read more

$2.70 per serving

Garlic and Lemon-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
(4.8)
Fragrant with lemon and garlic, this comfort supper is truly economical. A whole chicken is surprisingly easy to prepare, requires little prep yet is impressive when on the table and makes 6 servings. If you have fewer to feed, you can save some of the chicken for other meals (try our Green Chili and Lime Chicken Stew, Chicken and Corn Pie, or our ... read more

73¢ per serving

Gazpacho
Cool, refreshing, and bright with tomatoes, this soup originated in southern Spain, where summers get really hot. Perfect for a summer night at home, perfect as a party appetizer served in small glasses, perfect for lunches and picnics, gazpacho fits our agenda in every way. It's healthful, inexpensive, simple to make, and full of lively flavors.

$2.83 per serving

Gemelli with Rustic Tuscan Sauce
(5.0)
The Tuscan approach to food is probably the closest of all to our idealized vision of perfect country cooking: ingredients produced locally, used in season or “put up” for winter, making them affordable, and because they do not travel, they are fresher, better tasting and more healthful. Tuscany happens to be blessed with some of the planet’s most ... read more

$1.11 per serving

Ginger Curried Lentils
(5.0)
Here it is: our most inexpensive dinner ever, and the recipe that started the $5 Foodie experiment. Red lentils, shown here, turn saffron-hued in their brief cooking time, blending with a delicate balance of ginger, onion, garlic, curry, and—surprise—fresh lemon. Fragrant basmati rice complements the Indian flavor profile, though white or brown lon ... read more

$2.39 per serving

Green Chile and Lime Chicken Stew
(5.0)
This green chile chicken stew is one of our quickest dinners to prepare. We love making this on weeknights, since it requires minimal prep and can cook—in just one pot—while you do other things. The flavors of the green chiles are complemented by onion, garlic, lime, and fresh cilantro. You can use that leftover chicken from a previous dinner (if y ... read more

$2.08 per serving

Green Chile Chicken and Vegetable Enchiladas
These are the tastiest, easiest enchiladas. Smothered in a tangy green chile sauce, tender chicken and assorted vegetables are sparked by a dash of cumin. We really like corn and spinach here, but you can use a variety of veggies, depending on what you have—bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, and mushrooms, to name a few.

$1.51 per serving

Japanese Soba Noodles with Fresh Vegetables
(5.0)
Japanese soba (buckwheat) noodles are readily available in most grocery stores and are especially good when served cold, with fresh vegetables and a bit of tamari or soy sauce. This is a great time to cut costs by chopping up a few fresh vegetables you have left over from other recipes. Cabbage, carrots, bell pepper along with any other availab ... read more

52¢ per serving

Latin-Style Black Beans and Rice
There's nothing quite like a big pot of delicious Latin-style beans. Beans are among the least expensive of all foods, yet they are extremely nutritious, full of flavor, and packed with fiber, protein, iron, and calcium. Preparing dried beans is much easier than you think, and it doesn't require overnight soaking. The result is surprisingly flavorf ... read more

$1.63 per serving

Lemon-Spinach Orzo
(5.0)
This light, flavorful dish is full of lemon-scented pasta, garlic, and hearty greens. It's so simple to make, which is another reason to love it. Serve it on its own or as a side dish (without the feta and olives) to accompany our Chicken with Plum Tomato and Prosciutto. Or you might like to add a few pieces of grilled chicken or fish with a squeez ... read more

$2.23 per serving

Lime-Coconut Green Curry with Chicken
(3.0)
Green curry with lime is one of those dishes—when made this way—that leaves guests swooning and demanding the recipe. With tender, bright green vegetables and the fragrance of fresh cilantro, it melds gentle zings of spice and pepper with coconut milk and richly flavored chicken broth to create a tasty curried soup. Yes, a key to truly memorable gr ... read more

33¢ per serving

Luscious Lemon Cake with Turmeric
(5.0)
This lemony confection is an ideal summer treat. Fresh lemon zest and turmeric give a bright yellow hue to this moist cake, which can be garnished with confectioner's sugar or caramelized lemon slices. Served as a light dessert or with tea for an afternoon delight, it's great any time of the day. We even indulge in a slice with coffee for breakfast ... read more

$2.57 per serving

Mediterranean Quinoa-Lentil Salad with Fresh Herbs
(5.0)
For a fresh take on a Mediterranean salad, we combined lentils, quinoa, fresh herbs, raisins, and cucumber, with a creamy lemon vinaigrette. The key to a wildly tasty and satisfying salad is a balance of textures and flavors—crunchy, smooth, sweet, and tangy—and it's all here, complemented by a bright, fresh homemade dressing you can make in minute ... read more

$2.07 per serving

Mesquite Smoked Brisket (Done in your oven, no smoker or grill required!)
Get ready for delicious, mouth-watering brisket without having to dust off your smoker or grill or spend hours tending to it. This technique not only stands up to traditional slow-cook methods of preparing brisket using a wood-smoker but has actually WON competitions. We season our brisket with an assortment of aromatic spices, then we wrap it i ... read more

$3.59 per serving

Mulled Wine
Winter is here, the holidays are near. We are in the mood for a cozy libation to enjoy at home around the fire. Mulled wine couldn't be easier to make, and you can use any inexpensive red wine (even boxed wine). We made this version with a merlot, though garnacha, tempranillo, pinot noir, or any blend will work nicely. We added cinnamon, whole clov ... read more

$1.67 per serving

Mushrooms Stuffed with Chile & Onion
(5.0)
Start with fresh mushroom caps (white or baby portabellas work nicely) and let nothing go to waste by combining the mushroom stems with onion, garlic, and sweet anaheim chile in a sauté pan. With an optional splash of beer, the smoky flavors are concentrated into a luscious filling. Precooking the vegetables and mushroom caps eliminates the excess ... read more

96¢ per serving

Oatmeal with Apple and Apricots
(5.0)
Forget prepackaged oatmeal, which can be pricey and ordinary. Buy rolled oats in bulk for just pennies and prepare them yourself for a delicious and hearty breakfast that's ready in just 5 minutes. Whole rolled oats are not just cheap, they are also extremely nutritious, offering loads of fiber, protein, potassium, and magnesium. The texture is che ... read more

$1.59 per serving

Olive and Herb Tuna Wrap
(3.5)
Tuna is an excellent source of protein (here 15 grams per serving!), B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Plus it’s inexpensive and makes a quick and easy lunch. Zesty bits of olive and fresh dill balance the flavors and let this dish stand out.

59¢ per serving

Orange and Honey Glazed Carrots
Carrots with green stems, when available, make an especially eye-catching presentation for this side. Left whole for glazing, the carrots can be garnished with their decorative greens for serving. We love this as part of a trio of colorful and economical side dishes for the holidays, along with a Fresh Cranberry Relish and our Roasted Brussels Spro ... read more

30¢ per serving

Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins
Muffins are a great breakfast treat. This version pairs fresh orange with chocolate chips and a touch of spice, a winning combination for flavor and price. The chocolate adds a bit of richness but they are just sweet enough in our opinion and aren't overloaded with sugar unlike commercial muffins. We enjoy them with a cup of coffee in the morning, ... read more

$1.17 per serving

Orange-Banana French Toast
(5.0)
This ridiculously inexpensive breakfast is inspired by the New Orleans classic, bananas foster. French toast becomes a foodie favorite with caramelized bananas and a squeeze of fresh orange.

$1.51 per serving

Orecchiette with Italian Sausage and Rapini
Orecchiette is paired with sweet Italian sausage and hearty greens in a white wine garlic sauce in this flavorful and filling dish. Rapini, also known as broccoli rabe, is a delicate, slightly bitter green that is packed full of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A and C. Broccoli rabe is not broccoli, despite its misleading name; it's actu ... read more

$2.08 per serving

Pan-Fried Noodles with Tofu and Soy-Chili Sauce
(5.0)
This stir-fried pan noodle dish is a favorite with foodies of all ages—even our 2-year-old can't get enough—and it makes a good, quick weeknight dinner. Onion, zucchini, bean sprouts, and scallion went into the dish here, though many other vegetables will do nicely. For example, broccoli, carrot, bell pepper, celery, spinach, cabbage, snow peas, bo ... read more

$2.81 per serving

Panko Fried Chicken Sandwiches
The fried-chicken sandwich is an indulgent classic. Here crunchy panko breadcrumbs give texture to a light but juicy take on an old-time tradition. Onion rolls and chopped scallions contribute extra flavor and dill pickle slices add tang. If you're feeling brave, add some hot sriracha! ... read more

$1.00 per serving

Pasta e Ceci Stew
It's getting to be soup season! Pasta e ceci, Italian pasta and chickpea stew, is a go-to for a quick and so-good dinner. Hearty chickpeas add protein and fiber to a subtly-flavored, tomato-based vegetable broth. Fresh greens, like kale, spinach, or escarole, complement the flavors in this delicious plant-based stew, topped off with a squeeze of le ... read more

$1.90 per serving

Penne with Smoked Gouda, Bell Pepper, and Spinach
(5.0)
Here's a quick and tasty pasta—with our Italian roots, we never get enough pasta! The foodie twist is a layer of smoky flavor from the gouda cheese, while the red pepper flakes give a bit of kick. If you can't find an inexpensive smoked gouda, you can substitute regular gouda or smoked mozzarella. We love to make this pasta with lots of veggies (be ... read more

12¢ per serving

Perfect Pie Crust
Pie crust is an essential basic. We often just buy a prepared pie crust when we want one, but once in a while we like to roll up our sleeves and make our own. It's not too difficult once you get the hang of the technique. While traditionally crust is made with butter or vegetable shortening, we prefer making ours with oil, since it's more cost-effe ... read more

$1.08 per serving

Pesto for Pasta
Fragrant and piquant, this traditional blend of nuts, fresh basil, a bit of garlic, cheese and oil is made in five minutes. It is adaptable: almonds, walnuts or pine nuts are all excellent—choose what you have on hand or can find at a good price. Fresh mint, cilantro, parsley or spinach can replace the basil, though basil is traditional. Pesto goes ... read more

$1.90 per serving

Pink Shrimp Sauce with Linguine
A pink sauce delicately laced with shrimp, wine, and cream melds with linguine for a romantic and luscious main dish. A hint of tomato paste creates the lovely hue and lends a soft flavor undertone. While shrimp is normally on the pricey side, this dish remains economical by blending a few shrimp in the sauce for flavor while topping each plate wit ... read more

$2.58 per serving

Potatoes Gratin with Glazed Carrots
(4.5)
The potato is an excellent, inexpensive staple. For centuries it's been known that potatoes contain most of the vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, B6, potassium, magnesium, and iron, to name a few) needed for sustenance, while being incredibly cheap. Here potatoes are dressed up in a classic gratin with onion and cheese. The meal is rounded off with ... read more

$2.26 per serving

Puerto Rican Chicken and Cabbage Stew
In college, a classmate of mine shared her family's recipe for this delicious, filling and inexpensive stew—perfect for a foodie student on a budget. It also seems a bit like a magic trick because you don't add any broth or water, the stew creates its own tasty broth as it cooks.You can use inexpensive cuts of chicken, like thighs, for this recipe ... read more

30¢ per serving

Quick Chicken Broth
Homemade chicken broth is a delicious way to use the bones from a roasting chicken. It greatly enhances the flavor of other recipes, contains far less salt than commercial chicken broth, and is a fraction of the cost. It can be easily frozen for future use as well.

72¢ per serving

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts
Roasted Brussels sprouts are delish, easy to prepare, and good for you. The toasted walnuts complement them perfectly, and the dish is topped off with a slightly sweet balsamic glaze. We love this as part of a trio of colorful and economical side dishes for the holidays, along with a Fresh Cranberry Relish and our Orange and Honey Glazed Carrots.Th ... read more

$1.62 per serving

Rum Chocolate Ricotta
(4.0)
Chocolate, honey, and rum whipped together with ricotta cheese make for a denser, more intense dessert than traditional chocolate mousse. Think of it as the best of mousse and chocolate pudding combined. You can use farmer’s cheese rather than ricotta if you prefer. Add a little extra rum and whipped cream if you've had a long day!

$1.11 per serving

Salad Greens with Raspberry-Balsamic Vinaigrette
A treat to accompany dinner on Valentines Day, or any day, fresh salad greens are enhanced by the magic, long known to Italians, of berries marinated in the gentlest and sweetest of vinegars, balsamic. You can use fresh or frozen berries, and a combination of dark greens, like kale or spinach, along with romaine or butter lettuce is especially appealing.

$2.20 per serving

Sausage, Peppers and Onions
Fun to cook over an open fire in a cast iron pan, this summery classic takes little labor, whether you cook outdoors or in. Serve the sausages in rolls, accompanied by multicolored baked beans (see our BBQ-Baked Beans recipe below!) and relax. You probably deserve it! By the way, this menu easily adapts to a variety of preferences, as you can choos ... read more

99¢ per serving

Savory Red Pepper Bread Pudding
Eggs, bright red peppers, tangy feta cheese, and bread are baked together in the rich tradition of English savory puddings. The bread combined with eggs gives this hearty dish a wonderful texture. This recipe is equally delicious in a vegetarian rendition, or with lightly caramelized sausage or ham if you'd like to add meat. You can use any combina ... read more

$3.82 per serving

Shepherd's Pie
(5.0)
This is a lighter take on the classic dish, which originated in Britain as a cheap but hearty meal made with lamb and potatoes. Cauliflower is substituted for the potatoes (though potatoes are also inexpensive) and ground turkey for the lamb, but most of us can’t really taste a difference. At just $1.56 per serving it's a foodie favorite, and it's ... read more

$3.41 per serving

Simple Spicy Paella
(5.0)
At last, a paella recipe that fits in a frugal foodie budget! Paella is the national dish of Spain, Valencia to be precise, where for a long time, rabbit and duck were simmered with rice over a wood fire made from orange tree branches. These days, and the closer to the coast you roam, the trend is towards seafood or a mix of seafood and meat. Our v ... read more

$1.05 per serving

Simple Veggie Quiche
(5.0)
Quiche is a perfect, versatile dish that is easier to make than you might think, and is incredibly economical. It relies on just a few pantry staples, and is friendly to adaptation. Broccoli and cheddar complement each other wonderfully in this French classic. If you have onion and bell peppers, spinach, swiss or gruyere cheese, or bacon or ham, yo ... read more

$1.93 per serving

Spaghetti alla Carbonara
(5.0)
The fastest, cheapest, most elegant main dish ever. How and where this fabulous creation originated is disputed. Some say that American soldiers infatuated with pasta brought bacon and eggs to Italy at the end of World War II and asked their Italian friends for a dish that used these ingredients. This pasta has been a family favorite of ours for ye ... read more

$2.11 per serving

Spinach and Mushroom Crepes
(5.0)
The crepe is a surprisingly economical treat, despite its glamorous French associations and astronomical price tag at restaurants. Crepes are made from a few basic ingredients, can be served hundreds of different ways, sweet or savory, and don’t require any special pan or utensils for cooking. Prepare a large batch of crepes ahead of time and store ... read more

$2.51 per serving

Squash Stuffed with Spicy Beef
This is a wonderful warming dinner, perfect to make during winter when squash is in season (and on sale at the supermarket). Acorn squash (or other type, such as kabocha) doubles as the serving bowl, providing a pretty—and impressive—presentation. Beef is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove, and a little chili powder gives it some kick. ... read more

$1.72 per serving

Strawberry Salad with Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Liven up your salad with this delightful and easy variation. Fresh strawberries add sweetness to dark, leafy greens, and with our tangy homemade maple-balsamic vinaigrette you won't believe how tasty salad can be. If you have a few walnuts and feta or goat cheese crumbles to toss on go for it. Perfect for a special occasion or an everyday treat.

$5.00 per serving

Summer Salad with Lemon Farro
Contrasting color, texture, and sweet, sour, and salty flavors make a salad exciting. In this favorite hot-weather entree, we've mixed light and dark greens along with colorful vegetables, crunchy seeds, raisins, a dash of honey, fresh lemon, and blue cheese. Farro—a satisfying, chewy grain—cooks quickly and the lemony vinaigrette on both the green ... read more

$1.73 per serving

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
Enchiladas are simple, delicious and, of course, wildly inexpensive. What we like about this version is that it's full of sweet, nutritious potato and onion, with black beans adding fiber and protein. Plus, it's much easier to make than you might think. We're trying to eat more plant-based meals, and this fits the bill for satisfying and healthy. T ... read more

$1.25 per serving

Sweet Potato Chili
On a cold day, a warm bowl of delicious chili makes for a perfect dinner. This versatile, plant-based recipe is hearty and nutritious. Sweet potatoes, black and kidney beans, onion, and bell peppers simmer in a spiced tomato base. The key is the combination of spices — cocoa powder, chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon — which give rich layers of flav ... read more

$1.56 per serving

Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Corn Tacos with Creamy Salsa Verde
(5.0)
Tacos are always a welcome economical dinner, and can be made countless ways. We love this flavorful version with lots of colorful vegetables, hearty black beans, and sweet corn, and it's full of protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The incredibly easy, creamy sauce gives this dish zip and the tang of green salsa especially enhances the flavors ... read more

50¢ per serving

Tart Fresh Cranberry Relish
(5.0)
These beautiful seasonal berries need no cooking in this upgrade (in our opinion!) of sugary, cooked cranberry sauce. A little honey, cinnamon, an orange, and a blender are all you need. Tell no one how effortless this treat is to prepare when you bring it to a holiday gathering! We love this as part of a trio of colorful and economical side dishes ... read more

$1.32 per serving

Tea Sandwiches
(5.0)
Tea sandwiches somehow transform basic ingredients into a special, tasty, bite-size treat. Whether you have them for lunch or afternoon tea, they are so simple to make and so extraordinarily delectable. The key is to use thinly-sliced bread with crusts removed. We paired cucumber with cream cheese, avocado, and mint, and egg salad with dill and sto ... read more

$1.16 per serving

Turkey Carver Sandwich
Wishing that Thanksgiving could last longer? The Turkey Carver sandwich is a great way to give fresh life to Thanksgiving leftovers. The sandwich is layered with bit of cranberry and mayo (or gravy) for that mouth-watering taste of celebration. We like to use crisp lettuce and a baguette to add a bit of extra crunch. The combination is surpri ... read more

76¢ per serving

Turkey Noodle Soup
What to do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Don't throw away those bones... use them to make soup! Turkey soup is so delicious and easy to prepare. It's the perfect way to maximize your leftovers after the holiday and makes for one comforting supper. Turkey bones provide a rich, nutritious broth that you can use right away for soup or freeze for ... read more

69¢ per serving

Tuscan White Bean Soup
With the first cool weather come thoughts of soup—warming, nutritious, tasty! In Tuscany, cannellini beans are a favorite, simmered along with garlic, a splash of olive oil, and a hint of rosemary. Beans are full of healthful fiber, protein, and potassium, in addition to iron and calcium, and are an easy way to prepare a one-pot meal. And at just ... read more

31¢ per serving

Twice-Baked Potatoes
Perfect for the holidays, these elegant potatoes are so easy to make yet the presentation is something special. You can top them with cheese, scallions, sour cream, or bacon crumbles. The oven does most of the work!

95¢ per serving

Veggie Fried Rice
(5.0)
Foodie fried rice is a healthful and flavorful dish that can be as exotic or as basic as you like. You can garnish it with so many optional extras that no two batches end up tasting the same. We like to start with a base of white or brown rice and load it up with caramelized onion, crispy carrot, peas, a bit of garlic, and ginger. Makes a quick lun ... read more

61¢ per serving

Velvety Corn Chowder
This creamy, rich-tasting chowder is actually good for you. It's low in fat, and made with little salt and no dairy! The inspiration comes from Oprah herself, and her cook Rosie. We've been cooking it up for years now, and decided it's time to share our vegan version. Go for it while there's still fresh corn in the markets, some of the sweetest of ... read more

$2.38 per serving

White Lasagne with Spinach and Bechamel Sauce
(5.0)
A pleasure to prepare, this unusual white lasagne has wonderful, complex flavor and a delightfully creamy texture. In France and Spain, lasagne is often made with bechamel (a silky white sauce) instead of tomato sauce. Combined with spinach and a balance of creamy and pungent cheeses, the bechamel binds the flavors and textures gracefully. In this ... read more

$1.98 per serving

Zucchini and Carrot "Pasta" with Marinara
Here's a satisfying way to meet your quota of veggies. Marinara is the most versatile of all tomato sauces—a topping for pizza, a sauce for meat or pasta, and here a sauce for green, yellow and orange vegetables. The fettucine-like shapes can be made with an ordinary vegetable peeler, and zucchini lends itself especially well to this. If you have a ... read more

$2.81 per serving

Zucchini and Goat Cheese Omelette with Fingerling Potatoes
The omelette is a French classic, and it makes it onto our list for its super low cost and versatility (not to mention deliciousness). If you don’t have zucchini, you can substitute any vegetable that appeals to you. Grating the zucchini gives it a fine texture that blends well with goat cheese, and the sautéed fingerling potatoes round out the mea ... read more

= quick and easy

= gluten free

= vegetarian

= vegan