Think outside the box: Cheap dinners better than breakfast cereal – Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indianapolis Traffic

(FOOD DRINK LIFE) – Rising food prices are forcing Americans to get creative with their grocery budgets. Many families are looking for ways to further optimize their ingredients, making meals from leftovers or exploring new recipes to make the most of what they have on hand.

While an occasional cereal night can be a fun treat, there are other options that are both affordable and simple for feeding your family. Get inspired to think beyond the cereal box with pasta dishes, pre-packaged ingredients and simple proteins. These meals are not only inexpensive, but also satisfying, leaving everyone wanting more.

Several meals of a roast chicken

A single roast chicken can be a versatile and economical ingredient, perfect for creating multiple meals with minimal effort. Shredded rotisserie chicken works great in easy dishes like salads, sandwiches and stews. But once you’ve used all the meat from the chicken, don’t throw away the bones.

Simmer the carcass with the onion, carrot, celery and spices in a pot of water for a few hours; an electric pressure cooker can shorten the process if you’re pressed for time. With a few ingredients from the fridge or pantry, you can easily turn broth into a comforting soup. It’s also a tasty substitute for water when preparing rice or in a one-pot pasta dish.

Stretch your budget with pasta and rice

In addition to using rotisserie chicken to stretch your grocery budget, canned proteins like tuna and chicken have a long shelf life and can be used to stretch pasta and rice dishes.

Pasta salads are always an easy choice; they are filling and allow you to use up small pieces of cheese, vegetables, olives or meats that would otherwise go to waste.

One-pot pasta dishes are also an option if you’re looking for a quick, filling meal that won’t leave you with a pile of dishes to wash. Simply cook the ingredients in water or homemade stock, set it to low, and forget about it.

For inspiration, try bowtie pasta topped with peas and canned ham – an economical and versatile option. You can enjoy it hot or cold, making it perfect for meal prep. Other ideas include spaghetti with roasted chicken for a protein-packed meal, penne loaded with colorful leftovers or fresh vegetables, and egg noodles with tuna and your favorite canned vegetable for a light but hearty meal.

Rice as a main course or side dish

Make a flavorful rice pilaf by sautéing rice with onions, garlic and broth and adding vegetables or proteins of your choice. For a comforting option, try a creamy risotto simmered with broth, parmesan and a splash of white wine. A simple meal of rice and beans, seasoned with your favorite spices and served with salsa and a side salad also makes a quick and easy dinner on a budget.

Stretch your rice further by using it as a stuffing. Simply fill the steamed peppers with cooked rice, minced meat and spices and bake until tender. Zucchini and yellow squash can also be hollowed out and stuffed in the same way with rice, beans, and a variety of ingredients for low-carb dinners in a pinch.

The versatility of eggs

Eggs are an inexpensive protein to incorporate into inexpensive dinners any night of the week. Of course, you can always scramble or fry eggs on the sunny side up and serve them with toast and bacon for a delicious and filling breakfast for dinner, but don’t stop there. Eggs cook quickly and have a neutral flavor, making them a versatile option for any meal of the day.

Consider combining eggs with leftovers to create delicious meals, especially after emptying the fridge. Using what you have on hand saves money and reduces food waste. Omelets and quiches are one way to achieve this, but don’t be intimidated, making a quiche is quite simple using a pre-made pie crust. Or, skip the preparation altogether and make a crustless quiche in a pie or casserole dish.

And of course, you can’t go wrong with the basics. Boil eggs in advance on meal prep days for those weeknights when you want to get a quick meal on the table. A simple egg salad sandwich sometimes does the trick. Cobb salads are another way to use eggs – and that roast chicken – for dinner. Simply chop up some hard-boiled eggs, pair them with bacon, tomatoes and cheese and top them with your favorite greens for an inexpensive and filling meal in minutes.

Jazz up avocado toast with a fried egg and various greens or vegetables for a complete meal, or if you have leftover chicken or shrimp, dice your protein and add it to leftover rice and a few scrambled eggs for a hearty fried rice meal that rivals your favorite takeout. place.

Managing your finances and running a household can be difficult, but there are plenty of delicious, budget-friendly dinners that are just as easy as a bowl of cereal. With creative meal planning and out-of-the-box thinking, you’ll be able to save money and put delicious meals on the table.

Michele Brosius is the creator of Midlife Healthy Living, where she skillfully combines her love for cooking with budget-conscious nutritional strategies. Through her blog, she encourages women to adopt a healthier lifestyle with simple recipes and wellness advice.