Probably one of the quickest, easiest and cheapest meals for large families is the black beans and rice. Packed with protein and fiber with a few portions of fat and calories, this meal consists of a few ingredients that you’ll typically find in your fridge or pantry. You can easily make one meal under $5 and serve six people.
2. Chicken Parmesan
Oozing with the flavor from chicken tenders, marinara sauce, and parmesan cheese, this dish is easily one of the heartiest meals you can make with just $5 that can already serve two people. Don’t know how to do it? Here’s an easy-to-follow recipe from Spoon University.
3. Mac n Cheese
An oldie but goldie, who can resist the smell and flavor of homemade mac n cheese! I think this is one of the cheap meals kid-friendly dishes every parent should master. All you need is some pasta, milk, and shredded cheese and you can whip up this dish in minutes without even going over $5. Here’s an instructional guide plus video for a classic mac n cheese, courtesy of Spend With Pennies.
4. Chicken stew
Chicken stew is a nourishing meal that often looks complicated, but is actually easy to make, and cheap too! It has everything you’ll want in comfort food: hot soup, juicy chicken meat, and healthy vegetables. Here’s a recipe from Carlsbad Cravings that you can follow.
5. Oatmeal and Fruit
Healthy and cheap, oatmeal is a classic breakfast staple in most households. What’s wonderful about oatmeal is that you can make one easily. Add in slices of fruit to enhance the flavor and increase fiber and vitamins.
6. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Another one of the cheap meals you can make quite easily, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich are good for breakfast and mid-day snacks. Also, PB&Js can please the entire family, regardless of age.
7. Pancakes
Another fail-proof breakfast that’s extremely cheap and quick to make is pancakes. Pancakes are available in ready-to-cook mixes, but making them from scratch can prove to be more cost-effective. Plus, you can top the pancakes with syrups and fruits of your choice to make them more enticing and delicious.
8. Omelets
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