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Ten Meals on $10

By: Maureen Callahan

On a budget? Here are 10 great meal ideas--each for $10 or less!

Editor's Note

We have recently revised our price estimates for these meals. (In the upward direction, we're sorry to report.) However, we are aware that food prices continue to rise and may not reflect the estimates we’ve given here.

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Splurge on a few ingredients; penny-pinch on others. Striking that balance makes it easy to be creative while feeding a family of four.

Roast Chicken Feast

The meal: Roast chicken makes the perfect special occasion meal. Use smaller broiler/fryers and roast potatoes along with the bird to save money. Carrots gussied up with butter and dill make an inexpensive side. Cost: about $7.

The splurge: A Tin Roof Sundae bar for dessert. Buy a pint of generic vanilla ice cream, a jar of fudge sauce and snack-pack peanuts. Cost: about $6.

Mangia, Mangia

The meal: Less costly than spaghetti and meatballs, Spaghetti Carbonara calls for eggs, bacon, and Parmesan to flavor noodles. Serve with chopped iceberg salad. Cost: about $9.

The splurge: Garlic Bread. Cost: about $3.

Spaghetti Carbonara II

Chili for Four

The meal: One-pot meals are crowd pleasers, not to mention easy on the cook. Elevate this bare bones recipe with the garnishes below and a side of baked cornbread. Cost: about $8.

The splurge: Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped scallions, cilantro, and sour cream. Cost: about $5.

Mac & Cheese Comfort

The meal: The ultimate in comfort food can be a little pricey with four cheeses and cream, so buy bulk dairy products to keep cost down. Serve with steamed broccoli. Cost: about $10.

The splurge: Chocolate Pudding. Cost: about $4.

Made in China

The meal: A veggie-rich stir-fry is so easy on the budget you'll have money leftover to add a few extras. Start the meal with Egg Drop Soup and finish with fresh fruit. Cost: about $9.

The splurge: Fresh pineapple. Cost: about $4.

Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

The meal: Tomato soup goes gourmet with the addition of roasted bell peppers and cream. Try different cheeses and breads to send your usual grilled cheese upscale. Cost: about $10.

The splurge: Fresh basil to stir in soup. Cost: about $2.

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

Quick Quiche

The meal: A store-bought piecrust keeps this broccoli and cheese quiche simple. Serve with a side of mixed salad greens. Cost: about $9.

The splurge: In-season fresh berries. Cost: about $5.

Easy Broccoli Quiche

Stroganoff Savvy

The meal: Switching to hamburger instead of beef tips cuts down the price of Stroganoff without sacrificing flavor. Serve with steamed zucchini. Cost: about $10.

The splurge: Fresh parsley to garnish Stroganoff and zucchini. Cost: about $1.

Simple Hamburger Stroganoff

The Ultimate Tuna Noodle

The meal: What budget meal repertoire would be complete without Tuna Noodle Casserole, particularly one with a crunchy potato chip topping? Serve with steamed broccoli florets. Cost: about $9.

The splurge: Homemade butterscotch brownies. $4.

Magnificent Mexican

The meal: This well-loved enchilada recipe is made to serve eight, so cut it in half, or make the full recipe and freeze leftovers. Cost: about $10.

The splurge: Sliced avocado to serve on the side. Cost: about $2.

Chicken Enchiladas

Comments

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nookerbean

Jun. 30, 2009 1:53 pm

This is such a great idea. With everyone being on a budget, it is hard to "search" for ideas on dinner. Thank you for having my next two weeks worth right here...all in a shopping list.

Rose

Sep. 30, 2009 8:49 am

nice! i was hoping for ideas but i already do most of this. for those that don't.. use it

trm

Oct. 3, 2009 7:27 pm

any out there that don't have milk, cheese, cream and more dairy.

L C Peters

Dec. 20, 2009 10:54 pm

This will help me start the new year off right.. I just retired in March and am trying to budget on SS and Retirement benefits; thanks much for the news.

damepk

Dec. 26, 2009 6:30 pm

please add even more suggestions...i too am on a strict budget, thanks for the 10 ideas...how about making it 20 low cost meal ideas...

AprilW

Dec. 28, 2009 9:30 am

I'm saving for a 9 day Disney vacation for 5.Here are some things on my menu for my family of 5 plus husband's lunch. My budget is $100 for gas and food for the week.Sometimes I'll spend $150. I shop in bulk for meat at Sam's and PRICE MATCH at Walmart when I must shop local.Our only local store to shop since Katrina is Walmart. I also buy mostly meat one week and mostly veggies the next. I plan a budget and menu a month in advance. 10 lbs. leg quarters costs $7 (walmart)here and a boneless pork loin is about $13 (sam's). Turkeys are on sale for about $7 each so I put some in the freezer. 5 lbs. of 93% lean ground turkey is $10 at Sam's. 10 lbs. potatoes are $4. on my menu: tacos crock-pot of beans w/ leftover ham bone or sausage tuna noodle casserole bean burritos (big can of beans is $1) sausage and chicken jambalya (w/leftover meat) turkey pot pie $6,make your own pie crust.it's a cinch. chicken and dumplings $6 chicken rotel casserole $6, corn as a side potatoe soup w/ leftover meat salad w/ all veggies $10 hot dogs on some Saturdays $5 baked potatoe night salmon patties, $5 for 2 cans of salmon for 4 big patties potatoes au gratin $4 w/ leftover ham vegetable soup w/ leftover veggies pork chops $6,wild rice $4, lima beans $2 party size frozen lasagna $10 box of turkey burgers $7 gumbo (can use chicken,sausage,or shrimp)$10-$15 meatloaf $6, a side, green beans $2 tomatoes soup w/ ABC noodels $2 may add a grilled cheese speghetti night $10 salibury steaks,rice and gravy,veggie $10 chicken and rice bake $8 sausage poboys $6 for breakfast Hope this helps a little. We also have chili and stir-fry.I also make a lot of homemade breads (pancakes, muffins,biscuits, cornbread,banana bread,oatmeal,grits,etc.).I'm always looking for newer,cheap things to add.

AprilW

Dec. 28, 2009 9:39 am

Cutting up meat into smaller cubes makes it go further.Sometimes instead of cooking the whole roast $9, I'll cut it in half and cube the meat. Meat for flavor is a nice change from meat as the main course.

Nancyroseville

Dec. 28, 2009 10:51 am

I make "Refrigerator soup" which is filled with leftover meats, pastas, vegetables. Saute celery and onion, add chicken broth or water with boullion, a can of tomatoes, a can of beans and a bay leaf, salt and pepper and you have a hearty meal with lots of flavor. Leftovers freeze well.

Nightaura

Jan. 5, 2010 3:49 pm

Tonight I made a dish I figure cost me about $7 dollars, as I buy meat in bulk. 1-1/2 pound of ground beef ($5.00 in bulk at BJ's), 1 box of Rice-A-Roni Spanish rice (I used generic that I got for I think $.88), a can of diced tomatoes (cost maybe $1, as I bought a case at BJ's), 2 tbsp butter and 2-1/4 cup water. Brown beef, drain, add rest of ingredients and simmer 15-20 minutes. One pan, cheap, EZ and my boys LOVED it.

Gknee424

Jan. 8, 2010 8:31 pm

I bought 50# bag of rice at Sams for $15 and have been using rice 3-4 nights a week. Tonight I made Chicken Fried rice, using a combo of recipes from here combined with what I had. I chopped the carrots and peppers super tiny, since I have picky eaters. I hit a good sale on Chicken breast $1.87 per pound. I used alot of scrambled egg as it is a super cheap protein source. I imagine I spent around $3-$4 total, it fed my family of 5, and I have some for my lunch tomorrow. This was an excellent cheap meal!

Gknee424

Jan. 8, 2010 8:33 pm

I also made rice pudding for dessert... Gotta love 50# of rice for $15!

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