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51 Dirt Cheap Meals Ideas for Breakfast and Dinner

Dirt Cheap Meals
Dirt Cheap Meals

Dirt Cheap Meals – Easy yet most delicious recipes to save your penny!

Here I am going to disclose some of the best dirt cheap meals! Yes, you read it right! You won’t have pondered, but dirt cheap meals are the most ideal and go-to meals when you run out of money; what more? You can effortlessly reward yourself with optimal health as mostly dirt cheap meals are loaded with health-friendly and nutritious veggies and ingredients!

The dirt cheap meals I will be sharing can restrain your unnecessary food expenses, so go for these easy and delicious dirt heap meals as they will prevent you from spending a fortune on fancy ‘Instagrammable’ meals! These meals are easy-peasy; it only takes 15 minutes to prepare these funky appealing meals, and family will be in a complete ‘Aww’ to have such finger-licking yummy amusement!

If you have been consistently finding some super tasty, delicious yet cheap meals, explore this guide to lovely affordable meals that will blow your mind with the most fantastic food options that you never thought could even get fitted in the dirt cheap meals realm!

As monotonous, dull brunch can disappoint you to infinity, so go for these meals, when you feel tight on money yet crave yummy mouth-watering brunch!

Explore my list of excellent cheap meals that feature the ultimate dirt meals that only have the sole purpose of consummating the taste buds of people in the most affordable way! You could add on more nutrient-packed items as following your budget bar!

Folks, one thing you have to keep in mind, these dirt cheap meals are the only go-to option when there is a dearth of the penny as these meals not wholly health driven foods, these can’t be considered as Keto and diet-friendly foods. So, feel free to carve out your combinations for weekly cheap meals out of these numerous pocket-friendly recipes!

DISCOVER THE YUMMIEST TREAT OF DIRT CHEAP MEALS FOR BREAKFAST!

Just follow these straightforward and super easy breakfast recipes that pave the way for quick, delicious dirt cheap meals in a couple of meals. And do not fuss over the breakfast blues; you could even choose to have these mouth-watering meals for brunch or dinner if you love them!

FROSTY CEREALS + MILK

FROSTY CEREALS + MILK
FROSTY CEREALS + MILK

The cereals mostly cost less than 10 cents or even less than that—my list of go-to cheap meals never forgets this one; I always get plenty of it when I visit a grocery store. If we talk about cereal, raisin bran is the cheapest while being tastiest at the same time. You could even opt for different cereals as per your likes!

FRIED EGGS

FRIED EGGS
FRIED EGGS

Among all, fried eggs are the handiest and super easy recipe that gets even much tastier when a splash of olive oil is drizzled over the top. These fried eggs with their golden hues and beautifully soft egg yolks pair up well with toast, this meal is super easy and cheap, which win everyone’s heart! 

PEANUT BUTTER + TASTY BAGEL

PEANUT BUTTER + TASTY BAGEL
PEANUT BUTTER + TASTY BAGEL

Bagels are another beautiful yet affordable cheap meal option that fits the bill for funky breakfast! An addition of peanut butter or jam will work out to best enhance the flavor and taste. You can even add on some eggs to make your meal more savory!

SWEET SOUR TOMATO SOUP + GRILLED CHEESE

SWEET SOUR TOMATO SOUP + GRILLED CHEESE
SWEET SOUR TOMATO SOUP + GRILLED CHEESE

This dish is full of nutrition and one of the cheap-and-easy meals across the globe. This meal is mostly preferred for the to-carry lunch box, makes an ideal option to break the afternoon crash at work! My family wholeheartedly loves this meal, and kiddos sometimes ask for it out of the blue!

The grilled cheese preparation is pretty much simple: Roll on some butter on bread, and keep them on a hot griddle. You can also add up an extra layer of cheese on bread, or pour some extra additions like savory sausages. Keep heating it on both sides to the whole point cheese is melted and the sandwich takes up a golden brown hues. And the soup process is even easier, will cost you $1 to $4 for an organic tomato bisque. This homemade creamy soup recipe also thrives best on cold winter evenings!

ENERGIZING OATMEAL

Oatmeal also makes the perfect option when all you want to follow is a dirt cheap vegan meal! Oatmeal will be the best option for budget meal prep! You can quickly get very cheap packed oatmeal that have numerous flavors and tangy additions.

And if you have a thing for plain oatmeal, this dirt cheap vegan meal is even more reasonable for you! Whenever I make oats, I love to mix some brown sugar or plain for a little kick of sweetness. Chuck sugar options and go for nuts if you have a unique obsession for cutting calories.

CRUNCHY WAFFLES

CRUNCHY WAFFLES
CRUNCHY WAFFLES

How could we forget mentioning waffles when we are talking about dirt cheap meals, yes! Waffles are among the top breakfast meals that are known globally for their toothsome taste. To create some more appeal in your cost-friendly meal, try coupling it up with unique colors and flavors that your kiddos will love!

YUMMY FRENCH TOAST

French toast is the love for many people worldwide, needless to say, because of its affordable cost and yummy taste! While growing up, my parents used to get us many treats, so they hold an irreplaceable spot in my go-to brunch dish list!

TANGY YOGURT WITH SWEET FRUITS

TANGY YOGURT WITH SWEET FRUITS
TANGY YOGURT WITH SWEET FRUITS

You can get a yogurt tub for a lesser price than individual containers. I always get yogurt at the best prices from local markets. Yogurt is one of the best dirt cheap healthy meals as the big tubs of yogurt cost for $2 even less! For 1 person, you can get a smaller container that will be even cheaper. Yogurt can also be preserved in an unopened state and yogurt stays fine, even for days to month till the best before date.

SALAD WITH TONS OF GREENS AND SPINACH

Greens can never be disregarded for any health-friendly diet. From salad to salad sandwich, you can make your alterations with a spinach salad to fit your taste buds. Spinach green salad is one of my special meals! All you need for this spectacular breakfast is spinach, along with chunks of your favorite veggies or nuts. You can thrive your brunch with strawberry spinach salad as this homemade salad is tasty and much appealing in appearance!

CLASSIC VEGETABLE SALAD

VEGETABLE SALAD
VEGETABLE SALAD

The amazing vegetable salad is one of the best options when Keto diet is one of the underlying concerns for following cheap meals. At the same time, you can make it taste more wonderful with spicy foods like low carb meats. Or use greens like leafy lettuce or kale and vegetables. An addition of nutrition-packed veggies makes your greens much more delicious. 

CHICKEN SALAD

A salad is just a plain excuse for taste buds to enjoy an extra dip of savory, tangy dressings! Chicken salads are affordable and can be turned into sandwiches very quickly, and I love the way ranch dressing transforms it into some very tangy! And my chicken salad never falls short of flavoursome vibrant veggies like carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, and much more. You can never go off track with this one when you have the healthiest yet cheap items on your brunch table!

There are various options to make this meal more versatile, like slices grapes, chopped celery, nuts like cashews, and much more! Bring on your cherished seasonings to elevate the yumminess!

FLAVOURFUL PANCAKES

FLAVOURFUL PANCAKES
FLAVOURFUL PANCAKES

For gourmet budget meal prep, make some space for lovely pancakes in your dirt cheap meals list. Pancakes are the incredible brunch option works out best in affordable meals option. You can replace water with milk if you want ultimately distinct taste, just like you do with its counterpart waffles. Whenever I have come across the complicated scenarios regarding money, I had always opted for pancakes as I love these affordable flavorsome sweet balls.

EGG SALAD SANDWICHES

Eggs almost hold a unique spot in almost dirt cheap meals! My folks crave this light, simple, and tasty brunch. With just raw ingredients like bread and eggs, you get excellent egg salad sandwiches that are undoubtedly fantastic cheap meal option. Yes, an extra trace of mayonnaise or salad dressing makes it even a lot yummier.

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DAL INDIAN CURRY

DAL INDIAN CURRY
DAL INDIAN CURRY

Very few of you might have heard the dish names’ Dal Makhani’! Dal is an essential dish among Indian staple food, which is loaded lentils that are full of iron, vitamins, and nutrients.  Dal can be considered one among the dirt cheap meals as it is pretty much inexpensive, and lentils get cooked perfectly tender when you opt for a slow cooker.  A plain side dish of steamed white rice and veggies are ideal to have with dal makhani!

CREPES

Crepes are just simply delicious and flavorsome, it does not matter if the filling sour, tangy or sweet. You can even pour milk to substitute water, and you will get a tasty alteration in taste. It just takes a simple basic recipe to enjoy crepes, so give it a try!

CHEESE MEAT SANDWICHES

For cheese meat sandwiches, you can opt for the meat of your choices such as chicken, turkey, or beef, and amalgamate it with a dash of cheese! You can add up a tomato or even spinach if you desire.

TOOTHSOME TACOS

Mix 1 lb. of ground beef, one drained can of black beans along with taco seasoning to prepare taco meat. It stretches the meat for minimal cost!

SOULFUL SPAGHETTI

Vegetarian Spaghetti is the topmost solution to have spaghetti most affordably, you can use a plain old pasta sauce for it. You can opt for a pound of ground beef or ground turkey that is cheap and available for less than $3 if you would like an extra filling.

RELAXING BLACK BEAN SOUP

BLACK BEAN SOUP
BLACK BEAN SOUP

Black bean soup is an attractive option among dirt cheap meals. Its basic recipe requires few steps. Take a saucepan and add 2 cans of black beans and one small jar of salsa to it. Keep it on the stove to heat it, run in the blender to get a smooth paste. Pour some salt for taste. This immensely tasty soup could also be used for dipping or topping purposes.

FROZEN PIZZA

 Some grocery markets sell the frozen pizzas at reasonably low cost such as $2.00 or less, but yes, you will find variations at costly prices, but most of them don’t cost more than $5! Make your kiddoes scream with joy and go for this very cheap meal!

RAMEN NOODLES  

Ramen noodles belong to the prime food category that never gets boring and dull. Stream one a raw egg in the ramen noodles preparation and keep on whisking until scrambled, afterward mix some frozen veggies.

BEAN BURRITOS

 Burritos can be very beneficial for your health; these are packed with fiber-rich beans, fewer calories, and a fair amount of protein; cook up some dry beans to fill your burrito with if you want to make your prep cheaper! Fry your beans in a pan along with a dash of oil and liquid; after the beans are rehydrated, keep frying until you get the consistency of your choice.

CRISPY SALTY BAKED POTATOES

CRISPY SALTY BAKED POTATOES
CRISPY SALTY BAKED POTATOES

 You can have the best crunchy, crispy brunch with just one power ingredient! The affordable and straightforward baked potato recipe can even be prepared by cooking newbies. Ultimately crisp and crunchy, bakes potato recipe is an utterly flavorful treat. Some basic toppings like cheese and sour cream will be best to evoke more tanginess. Some extra shredded Mexican cheese, bacon bits, onions, tomatoes, olives, broccoli, and you will indeed have best tangy brunch course!

RED BEANS + BROWN RICE

Flavorful and creamy red beans take more time to prepare, but it is the perfect dish to feed your folks whole week on dirt cheap meals! Or you can even get a pre-packed red beans & rice box mix for $1 or less. Along with some savory sausages, you can have a super cheap and tasty meal.

TUNA CASSEROLE

The classic recipe for tuna casserole is a simple process with few inexpensive ingredients; the amalgamation of essential elements like one can of cream of mushroom soup, a dash of milk, 1lb of cooked egg noodles, two cans of drained tuna, salt and pepper get you the amazing and affordable casserole. You could also stream some frozen peas if you crave for more nutrition. Heat all the ingredients on the stove to the point bubbles start to form!

EXOTIC KOREAN BEEF

If we lookout for a spectacular flavor, nothing beats this one option among all the dirt cheap meals. You need some cooked rice, ground beef, and simple kitchen spices to turn into a mouth-watering meal! Korean beef meal is also incredibly affordable, which makes it a good option for cheap meal preps. You can find numerous simple recipes to cook Korean beef.

OMELET

A fluffy, light omelet is a recipe that has separate permanent admirers; all the credit goes to its comfortable, handy preparation! Once you learn how to make the classic omelet, you can create numerous variations in the filling. I love to have the cheese filled omelet coupled up with garlic mushrooms on dull morning brunches.

CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP

This is another perfect soup that makes a fantastic option for dirt cheap meals! Roasted pumpkin soup is truly delicious and makes several servings! It just takes a simple process of roasting the pumpkin and adding it to a pot along with your favorite veggies and bring it to a light boil. Some tangy, savory toppings elevate its yumminess.

HOMEMADE LASAGNA

Everyone should make a flip on a regular monotonous meal by going for spectacular lasagna, at least once a week! Homemade lasagna tastes like paradise; you won’t believe unless you try, so it a shot! While homemade lasagna sounds complicated but trust me, it can give the experience of lovely aromatic flavor on dull brunches. You can freeze lasagna for the next day’s meals!

RELAXING GREEN SMOOTHIES

RELAXING GREEN SMOOTHIES
RELAXING GREEN SMOOTHIES

Green smoothies are almost an everyday slot for all gym freaks, and why not? Green smoothies deliver many nutrients and essential vitamins, that too, at a relatively low cost! It’s the most accessible gateway to stuff your diet with a healthy dose! Green smoothies get paired up well with almost all kinds of brunches and balance out the diet; these smoothies are pretty much easy to make and can be stored easily.

BANANA OATMEAL

As I have already mentioned, the lovely facet of oatmeal as an affordable meal and banana is the celebrated healthy food, which is very cheap. The simple pairing of banana and oatmeal can do wonders if you are concerned about the health and calorie count. You can anytime cook a handful of oatmeal in a bowl and drizzle on your favorite fruits and nuts like raisins to substitute bananas.  I can assure you, this ultimate easy and affordable meal will make you feel lighter and energized for the whole day!

CHICKPEAS + PASTA

If you are one among those who are forever participants of meatless weekends or trying to cut out meat to follow a vegetarian plant-based diet, then here is a perfect recipe for you!

Heat one package of pasta on the heat flame. After draining your pasta, stream a can of chickpeas, one jar of Ragu pasta sauce, a small diced onion after draining the pasta. Blend them all and keep simmering on low heat to your onions are wholly cooked.

STIR FRIED GARLIC CHICKEN

Make this recipe your priority on dirt cheap meal plans if you are a special adorer of garlic. This classic Asian styled chicken is best to make with fewer efforts and lesser expenses. Your whole week will be pulled off very well with this super light a yummy meal! You could couple up some rice with it to have an amazing dinner and increase the traces of veggies if you want to keep a low diet.

QUESADILLAS

Quesadillas are fairly affordable and versatile, too, just like oatmeal and French toasts. You can utilize complete whole leftover food slots like meat and veggies! Black bean salad and chicken tortilla soup are the best side dishes to pair up with quesadillas, and you, within a few minutes you have the most fantastic meal.

QUINOA

Quinoa is considered the best option for those who like to maintain a high protein kick along with optimum nutrition! Everybody is familiar with the fact that quinoa is pretty much cheap and holds a tremendous amount of protein and essential vitamins. No doubt, quinoa recipe are also very calming and hearty, that can be made in less than 15 minutes. You can get some topping ingredients of your own choice when the quinoa is getting cooked.

CLASSIC VEGETABLE SOUP

CLASSIC VEGETABLE SOUP
CLASSIC VEGETABLE SOUP

Homemade vegetable soup is a perfect option as compared to the canned store brought soups. A soup loaded with an array of veggies is an excellent cheap meal to fulfill your daily nutritional needs even when you are tight on money. If we consider prices, veggies cost much lesser than meat and adapt with almost every kind of meal. A single pot of vegetable soup can feed many people, thus saving your penny. You can even store it for the next brunch sitting.

SAVORY CHILI

You could effortlessly stretch your ground beef by preparing chili. If we’re searching for some easy dirt cheap meal containing ground beef, this meal should undoubtedly be added to your go-to options!

 You can use raw ingredients like beans, paprika, tomato sauce, chili powder, and some spices to make the most delicious chili recipe. So chuck all those pricy restaurant made options and go for a homemade recipe. When you have some remaining chili, and you can quickly get another cheap diet meal. Store it and bake it once again and serve!

WARM CHICKEN POT PIE

Chicken Pot Pie is the ultimate option that holds a place in most dirt cheap meals, and it’s one of the most relaxing foods across the globe yet fairly inexpensive and straightforward to make! A single serving will feel many people. The recipe gets manifold easier and ready within few minutes when you bring in pre-packed rotisserie chicken in the preparation. You can also find numerous amazing recipes.

OATMEAL RAISIN CRANBERRY COOKIES

OATMEAL RAISIN CRANBERRY COOKIES
OATMEAL RAISIN CRANBERRY COOKIES

Cookies are lovely food as they give a wonderful gourmet treat with little efforts! And when cooked well, they can provide any desert a big run! Just like its lovely counterpart, cupcakes, cookies require no additional beforehand preparation. Oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies are delightful flavourful cookies that make the best option for dirt cheap meals prep! Even though these soft cookies are filled with sugar, they also contain healthy ingredients like raisins and cranberries!

AbigailBradley
Hello everyone, this is Abigail! First of all, I would sincerely thank you for giving me a valuable moment to discover my food blog! Though I am not a professional chef, food blogging and cooking have always been in my veins. I found the magic and creativity I can evoke through different pantry arts!