Budget Meals

Budget Meals are not only wallet friendly but they can be delicious too. Learn how to shop on a budget, substitute expensive ingredients for cheaper ones and everything in between to keep the green in your hand.

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Throw It In a Salad! 5 Salad Recipes That Save You Money

Salads have come a long way from simple greens and dressing. We've got 5 recipes that definitely aren't your grandmother's salads.

By Emilie Sennebogen Menus / Budget Meals

10 Alternatives to Expensive Ingredients

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 Menus / Budget Meals

10 Budget Busters on Everyday Restaurant Menus

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 Menus / Budget Meals

10 Delicious Uses for Canned Beans

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 Menus / Budget Meals

10 Frugal Cooking Tips

To make the most of your food budget, you have to be a strategic shopper and a careful cook. Here are 10 steps you can take, both in the supermarket and in your kitchen, that are guaranteed to whittle down your grocery bills.

By Alison Cooper Menus / Budget Meals

10 Frugal Pantry Staples

Every pantry needs a stock of staple ingredients on hand for dinner, and these 10 won't hurt your purse strings too much.

By Emilie Sennebogen Menus / Budget Meals

10 Frugal School Lunch Ideas

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 Menus / Budget Meals

10 Great Casseroles on a Budget

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

By Julia Layton Menus / Budget Meals

10 Healthy Family Meals on a Budget

Sure, you can take advantage of the "four cans for a dollar" special. But do you really want your family eating sodium-rich, canned food with preservatives every night? How can you make some healthy, cheap meals?

By Debra Ronca Menus / Budget Meals

5 Tips for Making a Meal for Under $25

Whole lobsters for four might be a splurge. But lobster mac and cheese? That's more reasonable. What simple tricks can keep your homemade meals under $25 without sacrificing the tastiest ingredients?

By Julia Layton Menus / Budget Meals

10 Low-budget Uses for Corn

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 Menus / Budget Meals

10 Party Food Ideas on a Budget

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 Menus / Budget Meals

10 Reasons You Should Host a Potluck

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 Menus / Budget Meals

10 Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget

You don't have to spend a fortune on your groceries. We'll show you how.

By Danielle Fisher Menus / Budget Meals

5 Cheap Pasta Meals for Families

With rising food prices, pasta is a great foundation for feeding your family on the cheap. Check out our suggestions for a variety of satisfying, economical pasta meals.

By Heather Kolich Menus / Budget Meals

10 Creative Ways to Use Banana Peppers

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 Menus / Budget Meals

5 Delicious Frugal Meals

You're not restricted to tasteless, lackluster foods just because you're on a budget. Here are five delicious and frugal meals that won't break the bank.

By Natalie Kilgore Menus / Budget Meals

5 Easy Cheap Dinners for Families

Finding cheap family dinners that won't bore your brood might seem daunting. But we've cooked up five winners for you.

By Kim Williamson Menus / Budget Meals

5 Frugal Gourmet Recipes

If gourmet meals seem out of reach because of your budget, it's time to change the way you think about high-end food. Savvy chefs know that frugal gourmet cuisine lies in fresh ingredients and a sense of creativity in the kitchen.

By Bambi Turner Menus / Budget Meals

5 Great Cheap Meals for Large Families

Feeding a large family on a budget? We've got some surprising options, ranging from jambalaya to pulled pork.

By Caitlin Uttley Menus / Budget Meals

5 Healthy Vegetarian Meals on a Budget

Your body won't be the only thing getting healthier if you eat vegetarian meals more often -- your bank account could also reap the benefits.

By Alison Cooper Menus / Budget Meals

5 Holiday Meals That'll Break the Bank

Hosting a holiday gathering is never a snap, so why make it harder on yourself by cooking dishes with expensive ingredients? Here are five holiday meals you should steer clear of if you don't want to spend a fortune.

By Alison Cooper Menus / Budget Meals

5 Low-cost Foods That Are Full of Vitamins

Do you think eating healthy is expensive? It certainly doesn't have to be.

By Julia Layton Menus / Budget Meals

5 Low-Cost Ways to Get Your Daily Fiber

Picking the high-fiber apple over the high-sugar cookie isn't always about self-discipline. It can also be a financial consideration: In most cases, the apple costs more. How can you get more fiber for less?

By Julia Layton Menus / Budget Meals