Aside from housing and transportation, Americans spend the most money on food.
According to 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spends $4,643 on groceries each year. That breaks down to about $387 per month and about $12.90 per day.
The average American household is made up of 2.5 people. So, that’s about $5.16 per person each day.
How do you make that $5 stretch while balling on a budget?
Put down the top ramen. It doesn’t cost much to make a meal that tastes top dollar.
We’ve complied a list of recipes that are easy on the wallet AND the palate. Take a look below.
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Balling On A Budget: Cheap Meals That Taste Good & Won’t Break The Bank was originally published on 92q.com
1. Better Than Takeout Chinese Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients
For the chicken marinade
– 1/3 pound of chicken
– 1 tsp of corn starch
– 1 tsp of soy sauce
– 1 tsp of vegetable oil
– a pinch of baking soda
For the stir frying
– 2 eggs
– 3 tbsp oil
– 2 cups of cooked rice
– 1 tbsp of minced garlic
– 1/4 cup of red onion
– 1/3 cup of green beans
– 1/2 cup of carrot
– 1/4 cup of spring onion
For the seasoning
– 1 tbsp of light soy sauce
– 2 tsp of dark soy sauce
– 1/4 tsp of salt or to taste – pepper to taste
2. Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
– 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes (500 grams or 4 cups)
– 8 oz asparagus
– 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil + 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese
– 1/4 tsp salt – 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 8 oz block Feta Cheese – 10 oz penne pasta,
– 4 garlic cloves, finely minced, divided
– 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, finely minced
3. Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
– 1 ½ lb Boneless skinless chicken thighs 650g, substitute with chicken breasts or bone-in chicken thigs
-1/3 cup fresh cilantro or parsley chopped
-1/3 cup Lime juice from fresh limes
-Zest of one lime
-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes this is optional
-1 teaspoon garlic granules
-2 tablespoon olive oil divided
-Salt to taste
-½ cup water or low sodium broth
-Freshly ground black pepper
Variation
Add honey or brown sugar to marinade.
Soy sauce
4. Easy Cajun Jambalaya
Ingredients
– 1 tbsp, onion powder
– 1/2 Tbsp, paprika
– 1- 1 1/2 teaspoon creole seasoning
– One packet of Sazon seasoning
– pinch of black pepper
– Salt to taste
– 4-6 thyme stems *
-2 tablespoons salted butter
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 green bell pepper, diced
– 1 medium yellow onion, diced
– 2 stalks, scallions-chopped
– 2 1/2 cups cups of chicken broth
– 1/2 cup of Sofrito(Goya brand)
– 1 can, seasoned diced tomatoes(drained)
– 1 cup of long grain rice
– 2 cups of smoked turkey sausage
– One chicken breast, chopped
– 10–12 colossal shrimp
5. Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme
Ingredients
-1 pound ground beef
-1 packet taco seasoning mix
-3/4 cup water
-1 can nacho cheese
-8 burrito-size flour tortillas
-6 tostada shells
-1 cup sour cream
-2 cups lettuce, shredded
-1 cup tomato, diced
-1 cup Mexican cheese blend
-Cooking spray
6. Chicken and Waffles Casserole
Ingredients
– 10 toaster waffles
– 6 eggs
– 3/4 c. milk
– 1/4 c. maple syrup, plus more for drizzling
– 2 tbsp. melted butter
– kosher salt
– Freshly ground black pepper
– 2 c. chopped breaded chicken
7. Oven Baked Blackened Tilapia
Ingredients
-3 tilapia fillets approximately 3/4 lbs total weight
-cooking oil spray
-2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon onion powder
-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
-1 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper powder optional
-1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
