It’s 2023 and it’s hard to find budget-friendly meals that are both nutritious and delicious. That’s why Journalist Lily Morgan is here to share her top recipes under 5 dollars that will make your mouth water and your wallet smile.
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Vegetarian Chili Mac
Vegetarian Chili Mac is an easy and affordable meal to make with simple ingredients. It’s the perfect combination of creamy cheese sauce, crunchy macaroni, and spicy chili. Plus, it’s vegetarian-friendly, so everyone can enjoy this hearty dish. To make this delicious meal for four people, you will need 2 cans of chili beans, 1 package of macaroni pasta, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of diced onion, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent. Then, add the chili beans and chili powder and stir. Bring the mixture to a low boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. When the macaroni is finished cooking, drain it and add it to the chili mixture. Add the cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Serve the Vegetarian Chili Mac warm.
Cheesy Potato Soup
Cheesy Potato Soup is one of the most comforting dishes you will ever eat. The combination of potatoes, cheese, and spices is simply irresistible. Plus, this soup is incredibly easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. To make this delicious dish, you will need 2 pounds of potatoes, 1/2 cup of diced onion, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 2 tablespoons of butter, 4 cups of chicken broth, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
Start by peeling and dicing the potatoes into small cubes. Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent. Then, add the potatoes and black pepper and stir. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Remove the pot from the heat and use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it is creamy. Add the cheddar cheese and heavy cream and stir until the cheese is melted. Serve the Cheesy Potato Soup warm.
Taco Salad
Taco Salad is an easy and budget-friendly meal that is sure to satisfy. It’s the perfect combination of crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and zesty taco seasoning. Plus, it’s vegetarian-friendly, so everyone can enjoy this tasty dish. To make this delicious meal for four people, you will need 1 head of lettuce, 2 tomatoes, 1 can of black beans, 1 can of corn, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of salsa, 1/4 cup of diced onion, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until the onion is translucent. Then, add the black beans, corn, chili powder, and salsa and stir. Simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, wash and chop the lettuce into small pieces. Slice the tomatoes and place them in a large bowl with the lettuce. Add the black bean mixture and stir until everything is evenly combined. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and serve the Taco Salad warm.
Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Baked Spaghetti Casserole is an easy and affordable meal that is sure to please. It’s the perfect combination of creamy cheese sauce, crunchy noodles, and savory Italian spices. Plus, it’s vegetarian-friendly, so everyone can enjoy this delicious dish. To make this delicious meal for four people, you will need 2 cups of spaghetti noodles, 1 jar of marinara sauce, 1/2 cup of diced onion, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of shredded parmesan cheese.
Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent. Then, add the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning and stir. Bring the mixture to a low boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions. When the noodles are finished cooking, drain them and add them to the marinara sauce. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Conclusion
It’s easy to find budget-friendly meals that are both nutritious and delicious. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. From Vegetarian Chili Mac to Baked Spaghetti Casserole, these recipes under 5 dollars are sure to satisfy your taste buds and your wallet. So don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen and save some money while you’re at it! As the wise rapper Macklemore once said, “Thrift shop, thrift shop, can’t beat those prices, no!”
