20+ Frugal Meals for Families for When You're Broke or on a Budget (2024)

Is money tight? Do you need to save on your food budget? Here are more than 20 frugal meal ideas to get you started and help you keep you grocery bill down!

Back a few years ago my husband worked in sales- at a commission-only position. This meant that some months were great and some, not so much.

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Then we hit a recession and people weren’t buying. At all. Ever. During that time our food budget had to take a hit. We had to come up with cheap and frugal meals to feed our large family without breaking the bank.

I mentioned this a few times before, especially in my 19 Ways to Save Money on Groceries, but if you are not already- GROW YOUR OWN!! This will help you so, so, much when it comes to making more meals for less money. Even if it’s just a couple of plants on a patio- do it!

20+ Frugal Meals for Families for When You're Broke or on a Budget (1)

When money was a little tighter we had our garden- or stuff we preserved from our garden. And we had our chickens- and a lot of eggs!

Even if you don’t have chickens, eggs are pretty inexpensive (if you buy regular grocery store eggs anyway) and a great source of protein.

Before we get to the ideas, you may want to check out my list of 7 Frugal Foods To Stretch Your Budget. These are staples you should have on hand at all times.

20+ Frugal Meals to Make When Money is Really Tight!

Frugal Breakfast Ideas:

A note on breakfast: In our house we don’t have a breakfast time. It’s a do-your-own-thing deal for all of us.

Most of the things I listed as breakfast we actually make for lunch or dinner and then freeze the leftovers for breakfasts.

Pancakes/Waffles

Waffles/Pancakes are really cheap to make. If you’ve got milk you can use it, but you don’t have to. If we are really tight on money I will make it with just flour, water, eggs and baking powder.

The kids like them with peanut butter or dusted with cinnamon sugar.

Eggs

Fried, Boiled, Scrambled….whatever way you like them, eggs are cheap and easy.

Oatmeal

We buy oats in bulk and they last a long time. If you have a bulk food club you can order from in your area then do it.

Oatmeal is a hearty, filling breakfast for just about anyone. Stir in some homemade preserves, pumpkin butter, or brown sugar.

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Muffins

Muffins are super easy and can be made really inexpensive. A basic muffin is just flour, eggs, water/milk, and baking powder.

Add in OJ, blueberries, mashed bananas, etc and you can make a yummy, filling, breakfast.

French Toast

Our local grocery store has large loaves of french bread regularly for $0.99 or less. We buy a lot and save them in the fridge or freezer.

One loaf plus some eggs and cinnamon and you’ve got a pretty cheap meal for a big family.

Homemade Bread/Toast

If you aren’t already making your own bread you should be. We also buy flour in bulk and try to keep loaves of fresh bread around at all times.

Try my Honey Oatmeal Bread, it’s a favorite here!

Homemade Biscuits

Biscuits make a great addition to any frugal breakfast. You can pair them with some meat (like sausage) or just slather them in butter.

Here are my favorite biscuit recipes:

  • buttermilk biscuits
  • sweet potato biscuits

Both are delicious and quick and easy to make!

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Egg Burritos make easy, filling, frugal meals for breakfast or lunch!

Frugal Lunch Ideas:

Egg Burritos

Scrambling up eggs, topping with cheese and stuffing in a homemade tortilla.

We have these multiple times per week. You can also try making these swiss chard crepes and filling them with eggs.

Mac N Cheese

Pasta is cheap. It’s not the best for you, but when you are broke, that doesn’t always matter. We love this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese….but it’s easy to make on the stove too!

French Bread Pizza

I mentioned the cheap loaves of French bread. We use it to make pizzas for a quick and frugal meal for lunch. Cut it in half lengthwise, sprinkle with sauce and cheese and stick it in the oven. We feed 6 people for less than $3 with this one.

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Salads

If you have a garden going salad is basically free- lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes.

It’s not always kid friendly, but if you start them young or try deconstructing the salad and just giving piles of cut veggies with dip. Add cheese, apple, hard boiled egg for a more filling salad.

Sandwiches

the old standby- grilled cheese, peanut butter, lunch meat if you can find a good deal on it. Homemade bread makes it more economical and healthier too!

Tortilla Pizzas

We use tortillas a lot in our house. My kids love to make their own mini pizzas on tortillas.

Write down all of your favorite recipes in my Blank Recipe Journal! Having good recipes on hand for homemade food is one of the best ways to keep your food budget down! Get the Blank Recipe Journal today!

Frugal Dinner Ideas:

Pasta

Pasta, especially if you pair it with homegrown, homemade sauce, is the ultimate frugal meal.

In most grocery stores you can get a large box or bag of pasta for under $1. You can add meat to it to make it a more complete meal, or add in extra veggies to add some more nutrition.

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Chili

Chili, especially if you go heavy on the beans and light on the meat, if a wonderful frugal meal. Use homegrown tomatoes and it’ll be even cheaper.

Try out my Instant Pot Chili for an easy way to make chili using dry beans (cheaper!) that doesn’t involve soaking them.

Vegetable Soup

This is virtually free if you have a garden- dump in whatever vegetables you have growing, water, tons of herbs, salt, pepper, maybe a handful of pasta or can of beans, and you are good to go.

If money is super tight, skip the broth and just add lots of herbs and spices to your water to increase the flavor.

If you aren’t a vegetarian you can make stretch a roasted chicken or ham by throwing the bones into the soup pot while it cooks to add more flavor and nutrients.

Bean Soup

Beans are the ultimate filling and frugal ingredient. And they are versatile.

Dry beans are more frugal than canned ones and not much harder to cook with- you just have to remember to soak them ahead of time or use a pressure cooker to speed up the process.

Check out how this mom makes one pot of bean soup and uses the leftovers to make new meals all week!

Learn how to make Poor Man’s Crab Cakes for a frugal meal!

Bean and Cheese Burritos

Refried bean burritos are on our menu weekly. It’s the quickest meal- great for busy families- that won’t break the bank.

Save more money by making the refried beans yourself!

Tacos

Cutting back on meat is an easy way to save money, but let’s face it, some people just aren’t cut out for the vegetarian life (like my husband and kids!).

We buy ground hamburger in large amounts since it’s usually cheaper. I use it for chili, pasta, and of course tacos.

Make your own Taco Seasonings to save a bit more!

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Rice

There are so many ways to cook rice. You can have it multiple times per week and not repeat a meal. Some of our favorites are fried rice, Mexican rice, and garlic butter rice.

The 4 Food Groups

Sometimes the most frugal meals I could come up with at the time was simply piecing together what I had or what was on sale.

Homemade bread + on sale or in garden veggies + on sale or home canned fruit + cheese/yogurt/on sale meat. And you know what- I think those easy meals were always the favorites!

There are 20 or so ideas to get you started. Are you struggling to keep your food budget down? What are your cheapest meal ideas? Be sure to check out my post on How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck for more tips!

You May Also Like:

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20+ Frugal Meals for Families for When You're Broke or on a Budget (2024)

FAQs

20+ Frugal Meals for Families for When You're Broke or on a Budget? ›

Pasta is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples you can buy, and that's exactly why it's the perfect food to feed to a crowd! Plus, everyone loves a good pasta dish. Grab yourself a buffet server warming tray so you can pop your cooked pasta inside and keep it warm all evening long!

What is the cheapest food that can feed a lot of people? ›

Pasta is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples you can buy, and that's exactly why it's the perfect food to feed to a crowd! Plus, everyone loves a good pasta dish. Grab yourself a buffet server warming tray so you can pop your cooked pasta inside and keep it warm all evening long!

What is the cheapest meal you can make? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  • Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  • Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  • Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  • Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  • Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  • White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  • Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Jun 8, 2024

What is the most frugal food? ›

You will want to purchase cheap foods that are filling! Oatmeal, rice, beans, bread, and other starches are filling and will keep you full until your next meal. Beans and rice are also super versatile foods, and you can take them and transform them into easy meals you will actually enjoy!

What is a frugal meal? ›

Frugal meals are the meals that do not require expensive ingredients but are hearty and nutritious. These meals require only a little planning in advance so that you can gather all the required ingredients.

How to feed 20 people cheaply? ›

  1. Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. ...
  2. Tasty Taco Bar. Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. ...
  3. Baked Potato Bar. ...
  4. Crockpot Ham. ...
  5. Killer Carnitas. ...
  6. Chicken Spaghetti. ...
  7. Ham and Cheese Sliders. ...
  8. Shredded Beef Tacos.
May 23, 2024

What is the cheapest food to live off of? ›

10–16: Grains and legumes
  • Brown rice. Brown rice is a fantastic, cheap food that provides fiber, vitamins and minerals. ...
  • Oatmeal. Oatmeal is another nutrient-dense whole grain that is typically affordable at about $2 a pound. ...
  • Canned beans. ...
  • Dried Lentils. ...
  • Edamame. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Air-popped popcorn.

What is the cheapest food that lasts the longest? ›

10 Cheap (and Healthy) Foods that Last a Long Time
  • Dried Beans and Lentils. Average Price: Under $2 for a 1-pound bag. ...
  • Brown Rice and Other Whole Grains. Average Price: About $2 (depending on where you purchase) for a 1-pound bag. ...
  • Frozen Vegetables. ...
  • Peanut Butter. ...
  • Canned Tuna. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Whey Protein. ...
  • Apples.

How to survive on $20 a week for food? ›

WHAT TO BUY WITH A $20 GROCERY BUDGET
  1. 1 loaf of bread, $1.
  2. 1 (16-slice) pack cheese, $1.
  3. 1 (16-oz) pack spaghetti noodles, $1.
  4. 1 head Iceberg lettuce, $1.
  5. 2 Roma tomatoes, $1.
  6. 1 lb ground beef, $3.
  7. 1/4 lb thin-sliced deli ham, $2.
  8. 1 box mashed potato flakes, $1.

How can I be frugal instead of cheap? ›

15 Tips for Living Frugally Without Looking Cheap
  1. Eliminate monthly subscriptions.
  2. Shop for new insurance.
  3. Reduce prescription costs.
  4. Buy used items.
  5. Rent, don't own.
  6. Purchase at the right time.
  7. Buy high-quality products.
  8. Enlist your friends.

How can I eat cheap everyday? ›

We've listed some top tips for how you can make the most of your money and eat well on a budget.
  1. Eat out less. ...
  2. Check your cupboards. ...
  3. Take a shopping list. ...
  4. Make new meals using your leftovers. ...
  5. Choose cheaper brands. ...
  6. Buy cheaper cuts of meat. ...
  7. Eat more veg. ...
  8. Try eating a smaller portion.

What is a good daily food budget? ›

What's a reasonable food budget? Many financial advisors and gurus recommend spending no more than 10%-15% of take-home pay on food, a figure that includes restaurant dining and takeout.

How to feed 100 people for cheap? ›

Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

How can I feed 50 guests cheaply? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  1. Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  2. Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  3. The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  4. Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  5. Sausage Casserole. ...
  6. Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  7. Quiche Lorraine. ...
  8. Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

What is a cheap food for a crowd? ›

Cheap tricks for the best outdoor cookouts.
  • 1 / 7. Hot Dog Snack Board. ...
  • 2 / 7. No-Cook Dip and Veggie Summer Board. ...
  • 3 / 7. Instant Pot Pulled Porchetta Sandwiches. ...
  • 4 / 7. Chicken Caesar Salad Skewers. ...
  • 5 / 7. Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad. ...
  • 6 / 7. Fish Tacos. ...
  • 7 / 7. Ice Cream Sandwiches for a Crowd.
Apr 19, 2023

How many people can $100 feed? ›

So $100 can actually help to feed 500 hungry people, keep food waste from landfills and bring balance to social disparities.

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