23 Meals That Cost $10 Or Less

"I grew up poor and this was and is STILL one if my favorite cheap meals!"

Personal Finance Editor

"Pillsbury pizza dough, 2 cans of chili, 3-4 hot dogs, shredded cheddar, white onion, and mustard. My husband was surprised by how much he liked it the first time I made it."

—Brittany, Riverbank, CA

"We add skillet gnocchi. Put a block of feta and a pint or better of grape tomatoes in a casserole dish, drizzle with olive oil, your choice of spices like dried oregano, basil, garlic, etc. Bake until the tomatoes are cooked. Stir in the skillet gnocchi, bake for another 5–7 minutes, and done. Inexpensive, easy, simple ingredients, crazy flavorful, and hearty! Good option for a meatless Monday, too."

—Sarah

"This got me 1,000+ Reddit upvotes, so it must be good... I shared a very simple salad that people on the internet freaked out over. All you need is arugula, watermelon, feta, and a balsamic dressing (I use vinegar and a small amount of glaze). Mix and eat! Simple, cheap, and everyone LOVES it."

—Robin, Chicago

"Once groceries skyrocketed, I found an online Indian food site that sells all sorts of dried goods and spices. A $4 bag of lentils, some tinned tomatoes, onion, and optional coconut milk are the base (all cheap at Aldi).

I use a handful of spices and garlic to taste and put it all in the slow cooker for six hours or slow on the stove (soak lentils first). Blend if you like it creamy or eat with rice or flat bread or as a soup with dollop of yogurt or even cold as a "bean dip".

I bought spices in bulk so they cost less. I know not everyone has space for storage and neither do I — I store them in a box on top of my bookcase! The total for 9 packs of beans/lentils and enough spices for years was $60. Each batch makes about 5–7 liters for around $9."

—KK, Sydney

"Simply spaghetti, a can of tuna (preferably in oil), and a single tomato, with salt/pepper/olive oil to taste. If you're fancy you can add chili flakes, garlic, and onion depending on budget."

—youwishyouwereme007

"I grew up poor and this was and is STILL one if my favorite cheap meals! White rice cooked normal, two sunny-side-up eggs, Cajun seasoning (Tony's to be specific), and ketchup. Pop the yolks and mix it all up, delicious."

—Kris, Louisiana

"My friends beg me to make this for them all the time. Baked penne with vodka sauce, spinach, mushrooms, and any other veggies I want to throw in, and shredded mozz. Easy, cheap, SO GOOD."

—Robin, Chicago

"Verde Enchilada Sauce

Vegetable Stock

Green Bell Peppers

Onion

Garlic

White Beans

Spice to taste

Ground meat or chicken thighs are optional

Warm, filling, and can be easily stretched for several meals."

—chelynwei

"One cup of rice, one can of carrots and peas, a half can of corn, soy sauce, chicken stock, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder. Drop an egg in for protein and if you don't mind them, bacon bits."

—google_111288789788060830592

"Essentially nachos but on tots instead of chips.

1 lb. Ground Beef $5

1 lb. Tater Tots $3

Taco Seasoning Packet $1

1 cup shredded cheese $1

Enough food to feed four people."

—robert_dunder

"My sister made this for me once and said it was a 'peasant dish' of sorts because it has so few inexpensive ingredients. Simply fettuccine pasta, baby bella mushrooms (either pre-sliced or whole), butter, parmesan cheese, and salt/pepper. For an extra kick, I usually add crushed red pepper flakes."

—crispyporcupine

"Sauté an onion in butter and olive oil, add sliced beef kielbasa and chopped cabbage and boiled curly cue pasta. Still my quick half-hour meal prep any day of the week."

—Mavis, California

"Chop whatever veggies are on sale (pumpkin, broccoli, beans, carrots, eggplant) into cubes. Toss in seasoning of choice and oil, same with chickpeas. Roast in oven until veggies cooked. Good over rice, barley, lettuce, on flatbread as pizza, or in a wrap. Bonus, add a drizzle of hot sauce and a cheap yogurt or mustard-based dressing."

—KK, Sydney

"I’m sharing this recipe my Italian housemate from Milan shared with me when I was at university. It's easy, cheap, and absolutely delicious.

Preheat the oven to 425° F. You take one 32 ounce can of tomatoes, (or two 15 oz cans). I personally prefer fire-roasted tomatoes for this, but that's not required. 1/2 cup of butter cut into 8 pieces (which will be 8 tablespoons of butter), 8 cloves of garlic peeled and crushed, 1/4- 1/2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes, and here's where the recipe gets wiggle room.

The original recipe calls for two anchovies in oil, I have used anchovy paste or two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce which has anchovies as an ingredient in it. I have not tried using fish sauce, but that could potentially work as well. Any one of these ingredients will work, but leaving this element of the recipe out will make the final dish lacking. Just use whatever is in your cupboard.

Now for the process. With one of your tablespoons of butter, grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking pan. Then dump all the ingredients into the pan and stir them all together. Add a pinch of sugar (or don't, I always forget to do this, but the recipe says to do it) and season to taste with salt and pepper to taste. When done, place in the 425°F oven for 35 minutes to an hour until the sauce is 'jammy.' The time will depend on what type of tomatoes you use. Whole tomatoes will take longer. Crushed tomatoes will take less time.

Halfway through the baking time start cooking the pasta. My housemate said bucatini are the preferred pasta shape for this dish, but I’ve also used spaghetti. When the sauce is done, use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to get the large lumps out, and then mash everything together well until it forms a cohesive sauce. (This shouldn't take more that a minute.) Add a little saved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it if you need to. Sprinkle some Parmesan on top if you like to eat pasta that way (which I do) and there's the easy, cheap, meal done!"

—redtoenails

"Boxed mac and cheese with roasted broccoli and sausage (veggie or meat) added to dress it up."

—Anonymous

"Ramen. Definitely not just for broke college students. With a frozen bag of broccoli, a packet of ramen, frozen chicken breast (or a rotisserie chicken), soy sauce and brown sugar, ramen can turn so fancy and delicious in minutes. I steam the broccoli, boil the ramen, then throw those in with the chicken and seasonings in a pan for a few minutes. Dress it up even more with a soft boiled egg and sesame seeds and wow you've got yourself a meal."

—Emma

"Tofu is hella cheap and tacos are endlessly customizable for your taste and budget. You might even be able to throw in some rice and beans on the side."

—Anonymous

"A delicious childhood meal my mom made on a regular basis (and I still make today) we called 'Hot Dog Casserole'!

Ingredients:

(2) green bell peppers

(1) large yellow onion

(3–4) celery stalks, leaves included

(1/2) tablespoon of red pepper flakes

(4+) minced garlic cloves

(1 ) large can of peeled tomatoes

(1 ) package of hot dogs

(3–4) tablespoons olive oil

(2–3) tablespoons Italian seasoning

(1 1/2) cups rice & (3) cups water

Cut veggies into chunky bite-sized pieces and sauté five minutes in olive oil along with red pepper flakes. Empty tomatoes into mixing bowl and hand crush them. Slice the entire package of hot dogs diagonally into bite-sized pieces and add them and minced garlic to sautéd veggies and cook for another few mins. Add crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning to sauté pan. Cover and cook on low to medium heat for 15-20mins while rice cooks.

Veggies should still have some bite! Recipe can be upgraded with kielbasa or even chicken. Serve over rice, basmati preferred!"

—georgeeespinel

"I love to make Swedish meatballs over egg noodles! I cook up a whole bag of meatballs on the stovetop while I’m boiling the noodles. Then, make the gravy out of one of those little packets and add in cream of mushroom soup. Tastes so good, is so simple to make, and makes plenty of leftovers that freeze and reheat in the microwave for an easy frozen meal!"

—Brooke, North Dakota

"Quick & easy. 1 lb ground beef, 1 package of beef ramen noodles, 1 packet of onion soup mix and 1 can cream of mushroom soup.

Brown ground beef and drain excess grease. While beef is browning, cook noodles in only water and then drain. Mix seasoning packet into noodles after draining, then mix onion soup mix and mushroom soup into hamburger. After thoroughly mixing, add in the noodles and mix again. Good alone or with potatoes and a veggie."

—reinstorf1

"Ingredients:1 lb Ground pork $4–6Either 1 bag of coleslaw mix or 1 head of cabbage $0.70-3.001 pack of maruchan chicken ramen $0.87(Can also add garlic, chopped onion, and carrots, soy sauce for less than $10, depending on what you have. It's great without!)Brown pork with onions and garlic over medium heat, season to taste with salt and pepper. Break up ramen and add to pan along with 1 cup of water and seasoning packet. Cover and steam for approx. 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in chopped cabbage and steam for another 2-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on its own with soy sauce to taste or add over rice if preferred."

—Ramsey, Minneapolis MN

"As a kid (11 maybe), my best friend in the neighborhood and I would play outside all day in the summer. Sometimes I'd be invited to dinner after. One night, we had the most delicious meal and I kept telling her Mom how good it was. She called it goulash and said it was so easy to make: ground meat, elbow macaroni, and Campbell's Tomato soup.

I put my own adult spin on it now (onions, garlic, a splash of fish sauce or Worcestershire) and it still is one of my biggest comfort foods. I know it's not REALLY goulash, but the original recipe is a tasty classic to me. Definitely is under $10!"

—primitivebarbie

"Literally five ingredients: one canned chicken, one box of pasta ($1.25, store brand works, I prefer Ditalini but use whatever your heart desires), one small can of peas and carrots ($0.79), one jar of Barilla pesto ($4.19), and for good measure, an envelope of Goya chicken seasoning (roughly $0.20 after getting a box of 20).The recipe is simple: in a big pot, start boiling water for pasta, then cook pasta for desired time, roughly 6–8 mins depending on the shape chosen. Meanwhile, open and drain your canned chicken and heat up on a skillet with a dash of water (add more if needed to keep chicken from sticking to the pan). Season with the Goya chicken powder, stir. Open and drain can of peas and carrots then add to chicken mix. Stir until well incorporated and heated through, turn off heat. When pasta is finished, drain, add a tablespoon or two of butter, let melt. Then add pasta to skillet with chicken and the entire jar of pesto. Stir until very well combined.This is my go-to recipe when I want a good solid meal for my family but I have nothing defrosted nor the energy to stay in the kitchen long. It's simple, quick, super tasty, and under $10 to make! Hope you'll get to try it!"

—Veronika, New York