Recipes  

10 Weekday Budget Recipes to Cook This Year

The price of groceries is set to increase again this year. While there’s no escaping it, some recipes can let you save a bit of money. Aim for affordable proteins, canned goods, pasta and even eggs to cook cheaper but still delicious meals. Here are some ideas for you to cook again and again over the next months.

1. Chicken Legs with Olives and Artichokes

Bone-in chicken legs are cheaper than breasts and are always a meat cut to favour when you want to save money. In this case, coat them with spices and cook with olives and artichoke hearts. Serve with potatoes that finish cooking with the chicken.

2. Ramen Noodles with Kimchi and Pork

Just a few cents a packet at the grocery store, dry ramen noodles can transform into a delightful dish when you take the time to cook with them. In this version, mix them with ground pork and kimchi, then garnish with a runny egg for a complete meal.

3. Zucchini Salad with Grapes and Tuna

A can of tuna is super convenient for lunches and busy weeknight dinners. Make a pretty salad by serving the fish with white bean purée, fresh grapes and tender zucchini, mixed with pesto. A quick, cheap and fresh meal!

4. Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

Give a hint of sweetness to your mac and cheese by incorporating butternut squash and carrot, two local ingredients that are affordable year-round. To add a bit of texture to the macaroni, garnish the dish with a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds as a finishing touch.

5. Fresh Herb and Oat Soup

Oats are a good option to make satisfying meals, even beyond breakfast! This recipe uses steel-cut oats that soften as they cook in a broth seasoned with herbs and spices. You get a rich, thick soup, perfect for lunch or a light supper.

6. Tofu Shish Taouk Plate

Shish taouk chicken, without the chicken, is much more affordable! In this dish, replace the poultry with tofu coated in sour cream, spices and cornstarch. To create a “meaty” effect, tear the tofu roughly to give it an imperfect shape. You’ll get the great taste of shish taouk, cheaper!

7. Pork Chop with Cherry Tomatoes

Embracing simplicity is a great strategy to save money. Simply marinate a pork chop for a few minutes in oil with oregano and lemon, letting it get tender and juicy. As this recipe is for a single serving, it also allows people who live alone to avoid waste.

8. White Bean and Sausage Stew

This tomatoey dish uses Toulouse sausages and white beans. And you can make it very easily! All the ingredients cook in the same pot for an all-in-one meal that the whole family will love.

9. Egg Roll in a Bowl (Cabbage Noodles with Ginger Pork)

This deconstructed egg roll combines all the ingredients we love without having to stuff dough and fry the roll. Simply serve ground pork seasoned with ginger over cabbage “noodles” and sprinkle the dish with store-bought crispy fried noodles for the crunchy texture.

10. Frittata with Chips and Caramelized Onions

Onions, eggs and chips are all you need to make this surprising and delightful frittata. Drop the chips into a preparation of whisked eggs to soak for a few minutes, then pour it over caramelized onions. It’s even easier to get people to like the meal if they know that it contains chips.

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