On Food: Frugal Cooking For Families: Recipes And Meal Planning Ideas To Save Money

To keep costs low, build your pantry around ingredients that are shelf-stable, versatile, and pennies per serving:

Use small amounts of meat bulked up with black beans and corn. To keep costs low, build your pantry around

Eggs and pancakes are incredibly cheap.

Roast a large chicken on Sunday. Use the meat for tacos on Monday, and boil the bones for a soup base on Tuesday. 3. Budget-Friendly Recipes Your Family Will Love The "Everything" Vegetable Fried Rice This is the ultimate "clean out the fridge" meal. Base: Leftover cold rice (day-old rice fries better). Protein: Scrambled eggs or a single chicken breast. Use the meat for tacos on Monday, and

Red or brown lentils simmered in a jar of basic marinara or canned crushed tomatoes. Flavor: Add plenty of dried oregano and garlic powder. Serve: Over a big box of spaghetti or over baked potatoes. Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas Feeding a crowd one quesadilla at a time is tedious. Base: Leftover cold rice (day-old rice fries better)

Lay tortillas on a large baking sheet, fill half with canned black beans (rinsed), a sprinkle of cheese, and some salsa. Fold them over and bake at 400°F until crispy.