::pins immediately::
Andrew Richard / BuzzFeed
Price estimates assume you have a basic pantry stocked: spices, sugar, flour, cooking oil, and salt. All prices were calculated using Amazon Fresh under a Brooklyn, NY zipcode. Organic produce was limited to the dirty dozen.
1. Chicken with Mango-Tomato Salsa
A little sweet, a little spicy, crazy easy AND actually affordable? Sign me up.
Cost breakdown:
Boneless chicken tenderloins - $4.99
Mango - $0.99
Red onion - $1.49
Grape tomatoes - $3.49
2 limes - $0.50
Cilantro - $1.29
Taco seasoning packet - $0.99
Total cost: $13.74
Get the recipe on Cutefetti.
2. Easy Ratatouille with Bell Peppers
Diana Yen / thekitchn.com
It doesn't have to be as fancy to be delicious.
Cost breakdown:
2 medium yellow onions - $0.72
Garlic - $0.69
Eggplant - $1.79
Zucchini squash - $2.49
2 large red bell peppers (organic) - $4.84
Tomatoes (organic) - $3.48
Tomato paste - $0.67
Fresh basil - $2.50
Total cost: $17.18
Get the recipe from The Kitchn.
3. Sweet Potato, Chicken, and Quinoa Soup
Cost breakdown:
Boneless skinless chicken breasts - $4.99
Quinoa - $3.88
2 lb sweet potatoes - $3.92
1 can black beans - $0.98
1 can diced tomatoes - $0.89
Garlic - $0.69
Chili seasoning packet - $0.77
Chicken broth (with leftovers) - $4.98
Total cost: $21.10
Get the recipe on Chelsea's Messy Apron.
4. Banh Mi Pork Bowls with Pickled Carrots and Radishes
Don't let making your own pickles scare you away, you just plop them in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Cost breakdown:
Pork tenderloin - $3.49
Garlic - $0.69
2 Jalapeños - $0.99
Soy sauce (with leftovers) - $2.79
Shredded carrots - $2.99
Radishes - $1.26
Brown rice (steam-able bag, so you don't have to cook it) - $1.59
Red cabbage - $1.83
Cucumber - $0.69
Cilantro - $1.29
Total cost: $17.61
Get the recipe on Skinny Taste.
5. BBQ Chicken Tacos with Texas Caviar
In the estimate, we substituted frozen corn for grilled corn, because on a weeknight it's just easier. If you have leftover grilled corn, go for it!
Cost breakdown:
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs - $3.68
Bottle of BBQ sauce - $1.88
Flour tortillas - $1.62
Frozen corn - $2.31
Can black beans - $0.85
Tomato - $1.99
Jalapeno - $0.99
Red onion - $1.49
Red bell pepper - $2.42
Red wine vinegar - $1.78
Total cost: $19.01
Get the recipe on Climbing Grier Mountain.
6. Wild Rice Pilaf with Corn, Bell Peppers, and Basil
If you want more protein, add a rinsed can of beans or chickpeas.
Cost breakdown:
2 medium yellow onions - $0.72
2 cloves garlic - $0.69
2 large red bell peppers (organic) - $4.84
Wild rice blend (with leftovers) - $4.37
Bag of frozen corn - $1.19
1 lemon - $0.59
Pine nuts - $4.39
Total cost: $16.79
Get the recipe on Well Plated.
7. 5-Ingredient Super Simple Chicken and Stuffing
Round it out with a veggie (like the carrots shown + priced here) for a simple comfort meal.
Cost breakdown:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (with leftovers) - $4.99
Stovetop Chicken Stuffing mix - $1.98
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup - $3.18
2 cans chicken broth - $1.98
Carrots (to steam on the side) - $1.57
Total cost: $13.70
Get the recipe on Cincy Shopper.
8. Zucchini and Tomato Frittata With Feta Cheese
A frittata for four feat. seasonal veggies.
Cost breakdown:
Zucchini squash - $2.49
Eggs (with leftovers) - $2.91
Fresh parsley - $0.99
Feta cheese - $3.99
Grape tomatoes (organic) - $3.49
Total cost: $13.87
Get the recipe on The Foodie Corner.
9. Pulled Tropical Chicken Sandwiches with Coleslaw
The cole slaw recipe's included, but there's no shame in going the lazy route and buying some pre-made at the deli counter.
Cost breakdown:
Bottle of tamari - $3.18
Can crushed pineapple - $0.86
Tomato paste - $0.67
Fresh ginger - $3.84
2 lb chicken breasts (not organic, frozen) - $4.99
8 buns - $3.40
Pre-made cole slaw - $4.78
Total cost: $21.72
Get the recipe from Real Food Whole Life.
10. Cheesy Beef Tortellini Pasta
Take your typical tortellini-and-jar-of-sauce up a notch.
Cost breakdown:
Ground beef - $4.49
Red onion - $1.49
Garlic - $0.69
28oz can crushed tomatoes - $1.86
10oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies - $2.09
9oz three cheese tortellini - $4.23
Shredded mozzarella cheese (with leftovers) - $2.79
Shredded cheddar cheese (with leftovers) - $3.00
Total cost: $20.64
Get the recipe on Damn Delicious.
11. Lemon and Herb Chicken Breasts with Steamed Asparagus
You cook the chicken with lemon juice on a bed of onions, and add the asparagus in the last few minutes to steam a little.
Cost breakdown:
Boneless skinless chicken breasts - $4.99
Yellow onion - $0.36
Fresh thyme - $1.20
Lemon - $0.59
Asparagus - $3.99
Parsley - $0.99
Steam-in-microwave rice for serving - $1.59
Total cost: $12.12
Get the recipe from Baking Queen 74.
12. Frito and Chili Pie with Cheese
Chili's warming in the fall and winter, but Frito pie is made to enjoy ~all year~.
Cost breakdown:
Ground beef - $4.49
Medium onion - $0.36
8 oz can tomato sauce - $0.47
14 oz can diced tomatoes - $0.89
15 oz can Pinto Beans - $0.69
15 oz can Chili beans of your choice - $0.99
Package of taco seasoning - $0.99
Shredded Cheddar - $6.12
Bag of Fritos - $2.99
Total cost: $13.99
Get the recipe on The Salty Marshmallow.
13. Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta
You don't even have to cook the pasta ahead of time — you add it to the pot partway through cooking.
Cost breakdown:
Boneless skinless chicken breasts - $4.99
Linguine pasta - $1.39
Chicken broth - $1.98
Heavy cream - $3.69
Lemon - $0.59
Capers - $2.09
Total cost: $14.73
Get the recipe from The Recipe Critic.
14. Zucchini Noodles with Pork Ragu
There's no better time to zoodle than zucchini season.
Cost breakdown:
Pork tenderloin: $3.49
Garlic: $0.69
28oz can crushed tomatoes: $1.89
Jar roasted red peppers (with leftovers): $2.99
Fresh thyme: $1.20
Fresh parsley: $0.99
2 zucchini squash: $2.49
Total cost: $13.74
Get the recipe on Skinny Taste.
15. Creamy Chicken Caesar Wraps
A self-contained meal perfect for enjoying on your patio or balcony, even if you don't exactly have "outdoor furniture."
Cost breakdown:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - $4.99
Caesar dressing - $1.98
Chicken broth, small can - $0.99
Shredded parmesan - $2.49
Fresh parsley - $0.99
Flour tortillas - $1.69
Romaine lettuce - $1.69
Croutons - $1.29
Total cost: $16.02
Get the recipe on Damn Delicious.
16. Lentil Curry with Onion, Garlic, and Peppers
A great candidate for a prep-and-freeze-for-later dinner.
Cost breakdown:
Red onion - $1.49
Garlic - $0.69
Yellow pepper - $3.29
Lentils - $2.78
Tomato paste - $1.09
Can coconut milk - $2.25
Curry powder - $2.43
Garam masala - $3.59
Steam-in-bag brown rice to serve - $2.00
Total cost: $17.61
Get the recipe on The Pretty Bee.
17. Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
A no-cleanup weeknight winner.
Cost breakdown:
Potatoes - $4.99
Shredded cheddar - $2.79
Bacon - $3.99
Sour cream - $1.69
Fresh chives - $1.20
Total Cost: $12.66
Get the recipe from Well Plated.
18. Super Easy Sloppy Joes
Since you save so much on your main, you could take the easy road and get store-bought sides.
Cost breakdown:
Ground beef - $4.49
Red onion - $1.49
Red bell pepper - $2.42
Carrot - $1.09
Two15oz cans tomato sauce - $1.76 (use about one and a half cans)
Tomato paste - $0.98
Worcestershire sauce - $1.90
Buns - $3.40
Total cost: $14.13
Get the recipe on A Pretty Life In The Suburbs.
