Food and Recipes

It seems like the dollar menu at your local drive-through would be cheaper than shopping for groceries and cooking at home. But is it?

By Danielle Fisher

People choose vegetarianism for many reasons: animal rights, religious beliefs, health. But what about skipping meat to save money? Does vegetarianism save?

By Debra Ronca

Proteins are essential to your diet but can wreak havoc on your wallet. But if you know what to buy and how to pair them up, buying proteins can cost less than you think.

By Sara Elliott

Why buy tomatoes when you can grow your own from the ground up? Find out how easy tomato seeds are to harvest, save and plant in your own garden!

By Alia Hoyt

Don't let your leftover vegetables rot in the fridge. With a little creativity, you can use them for every meal of the day.

By Sara Elliott

Leftover tomato juice is a mecca of flavoring options just waiting to be tapped into. Don't drain that flavor goodness down your sink; get creative and spice up your meal.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Long known and loved as "the other white meat," pork is every bit as versatile as chicken. Pork chops, in particular, are delicious, healthy and easy to prepare in any number of ways. So what's the fastest way to take them from fridge to plate?

By Alia Hoyt

Between work, school, homework and household chores, sometimes it's a wonder that our families get fed at all. But these 10 dinners are nutritious and delicious without being a major time suck.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Some recipes are easy to improvise, while others require an exact set of ingredients to turn out. But sometimes you don't have the funds to include that one ridiculously overpriced additive. Don't worry; we have the alternatives you're looking for.

By Jill Jaracz

Quick, which is the best deal on the menu: the roast chicken, the Caesar salad or the filet mignon? The answer might surprise you.

By Kim Williamson

If you think beans are just a side dish, you don't know beans! Try some of these ideas for incorporating nutritious, quick-fixing canned beans into everything from party dips to desserts.

By Heather Kolich

Casseroles are delicious and relatively easy to make. But they're not always quick. So what do you need to punch out a tasty dish that'll feed your family but won't force you to stay in the kitchen cooking all night?

By Ellen Stockstill

Has your kid uttered the immortal words, "Not baloney sandwiches again"? Well, what's a mom on a budget to do? Try one of these new school lunch ideas, of course!

By Caitlin Uttley

Casseroles serve crowds, cook inexpensively and clean up in a jiffy. But can you make budget casseroles without sacrificing flavor?

By Julia Layton

Whether you serve it on the cob or as part of a larger dish, corn is both cheap and delicious. It's no wonder that the tasty vegetable is so popular with budget-minded eaters who don't want to sacrifice flavor for cost!

By Alia Hoyt

Times are tough, but the party must go on. These ideas for economical party fare let the good times roll without sinking your budget.

By Heather Kolich

You love to entertain, but who has time for all that cooking, decorating and cleaning? Luckily, you can solve all those problems with one word: potluck.

By Linda C. Brinson

Black beans are a versatile, tasty ingredient in soups, salads, chili and even brownies! Here are 10 things you can make with a can of black beans.

By Natalie Kilgore

Do you have a bushel of banana peppers from your garden, and nothing to do with them? Never fear. We have ways to use them all.

By Debra Ronca & Shaun Chavis

Finger foods are perfect mealtime options for the days when a fork and knife seem like way too much trouble. Learn more about five of our favorite easy, family-friendly finger food options!

By Alia Hoyt

How much time would you spend making a cake? An hour? 10 hours? A few days? We've compiled a list of the most labor-intensive -- and tastiest -- desserts out there.

By Caitlin Uttley

In order for people of yesteryear not to offend friends and family with bad breath, they had to get creative with cleaning their teeth. See how they did it.

By Sara Elliott

With all the hoopla about natural and artificial sweeteners, getting the facts straight can leave you feeling sour. Are either really better for you?

By Christine Venzon

Believe it or not, chewing gum can be really beneficial for your teeth -- if you chew it long enough.

By Sara Elliott

Dark chocolate has gotten a bad rap over the years as a candy that gives you cavities. You don't want to eat too much of it, but a nibble here and there can actually be good for your teeth.

By Jessica Willis