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Overwhelmed by Back-to-School Costs? Check Out these 15 Cheap Meal Ideas!

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Affordable Meals I Resort To When School Costs Start Mounting Up
Affordable Meals I Resort To When School Costs Start Mounting Up

Overwhelmed by Back-to-School Costs? Check Out these 15 Cheap Meal Ideas!

In search of affordable and simple dinner recipes for those hectic school nights? Look no further! Here are some delicious options that fit the bill.

Quick and Affordable Meals

Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

This low-cost meal is both hearty and comforting, cooking up fast in one pan. It's the perfect solution for a quick and easy dinner.

Pork Chops and Applesauce

This affordable and easy-to-make meal feels special due to the sweet applesauce balancing the savory pork. It's a great option for a meal that feels a bit more special without breaking the bank.

Sheet Pan Chicken

This fast, healthy, and cheap dinner is made with seasoned chicken and leftover vegetables, roasted on one pan. It's a great way to use up any veggies you have on hand.

Reliable Sources for Budget-Friendly Recipes

Knoxville Moms

This site shares quick, tested, and budget-friendly ideas like Taco Tuesday, Ravioli Bake, Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders, and Breakfast for Dinner — all designed to be easy and appealing even for picky children.

Recipes from French Creek

This site provides five back-to-school dinner recipes that take 30 minutes or less to prep, including beef & broccoli sheet pan meals, steak fajitas, and crockpot chicken burrito bowls. These recipes can often be frozen ahead, making busy nights easier.

Thriving Home Blog

This blog lists budget-friendly, easy meals that work for groups but are perfect family-friendly options: casseroles like Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake, Chicken Spaghetti, and slow cooker Carnitas. Many of these can be prepped in advance or doubled for leftovers.

How Sweet Eats

This site features a comprehensive guide with 85 favorite back-to-school dinners designed to take about 30 minutes, focusing on family favorites and easy preparation to fit into a busy school schedule.

Tips for Finding and Using these Recipes

  • Look for meals that maximize the use of affordable staples like pasta, rice, canned beans, and inexpensive cuts of meat.
  • Use slow cookers or sheet pan meals to save active cooking time.
  • Prepare meals in bulk and freeze portions to save time on future busy nights.
  • Incorporate versatile, simple meals like tacos, casseroles, or skillet dishes that can be adapted based on what you have on hand.

Additional Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas

  • Lemon Pepper Pork Chops
  • Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
  • 2-Ingredient Burger Buns
  • Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
  • Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
  • Green Bean Hamburger Casserole
  • Beef Barbacoa
  • Herb-Crusted Chicken
  • Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
  • Vegetable and Ground Beef Skillet
  • Easy Cheeseburger Pie
  • Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

With these recipes and tips in mind, you're well on your way to creating delicious, budget-friendly dinners for those hectic school nights!

  1. While cooking up the Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet, you can find solace in its comforting taste and quick preparation.
  2. Pair Pork Chops and Applesauce with a cup of healthy tea for a balanced meal that is easy on the wallet.
  3. Sheet Pan Chicken offers a combination of speed, health, affordability, and versatility in one dish.
  4. Check out Knoxville Moms for budget-friendly recipes like Taco Tuesday and Breakfast for Dinner, crafted for even the pickiest of children.
  5. Recipes from French Creek provide quick solutions for weeknight dinners, like steak fajitas and crockpot chicken burrito bowls.
  6. The Thriving Home Blog offers budget-friendly, easy meals like Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake and slow cooker Carnitas, perfect for families.
  7. How Sweet Eats features a guide with 85 back-to-school dinner recipes that take approximately 30 minutes, focusing on easy preparation and family favorites.
  8. To extend the reach of your budget, look for meals that utilize staples like pasta, rice, canned beans, and inexpensive cuts of meat, and consider freezing portions for future use.

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