Brown rice is inexpensive and a healthy dinner staple.
Fast food seems cheap; so it can be puzzling when financial experts recommend making meals at home to save money. It is possible to stretch your grocery budget so even a $2 restaurant burger seems expensive. Choosing your grocery items carefully so they can be used in several different combinations while providing financial value is key. The additional good news is that many of these foods provide vital nutrients and will last a long time in your freezer or kitchen cupboard.
Instructions
Ingredients
1. Purchase a variety of reasonably-priced starches. Serving sizes of each item will vary according to the type of food; check product nutritional labels for what is a serving for the particular item you're buying. Brown rice and whole wheat bread each cost about 18 cents per serving, whole wheat pasta 24 cents per serving, and pita bread 30 to 55 cents per serving. All of these items have significant levels of protein and fiber. If you don't mind including a traditional breakfast item in your dinner, consider old-fashioned oats at 13 cents per serving.
2. Choose some dairy foods and alternative options. Nonfat Greek yogurt is 89 cents per serving, but has twice the protein of brown rice or whole wheat pasta. A store brand egg substitute can cost between 25 and 37 cents per serving, but contains vitamins A, B12, D and E. Real eggs are another option; prices will vary according to the type of egg -- brown, white, organic, free range -- and your location. However, a dozen eggs can be as cheap at $1.19, or approximately 10 cents for one egg.
3. Seek out canned and dried items. Refried beans are 34 cents per serving and contain calcium and iron; canned tuna is 70 cents per serving but is protein-rich and contains omega-3 fatty acids. Dried lentils are 10 cents per serving. Canned tomato sauce will cost about 28 cents per serving and contains vitamins A and C.
4. Buy fresh and frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables in a bag can be as cheap as 25 cents per serving, while offering vitamins A, C and potassium. Frozen soybeans, also called edamame, are 56 cents per serving but contain iron and calcium. A russet potato is 33 cents and contains vitamin C, iron and potassium. Fresh spinach prepackaged in a bag costs 66 cents per serving and contains vitamins A, C, calcium and folic acid.
10 Dinners for Less than $2 Per Serving
5. Prepare a serving of brown rice. Steam frozen vegetables to serve alongside the rice or mixed in with it. Scramble an egg to add protein. Total per-serving cost is as low as 53 cents.
6. Slice a pita bread in half to create a pocket. Line the pocket with fresh spinach, and fill with two scrambled eggs. Total per-serving cost is as low as $1.16.
7. Prepare one serving of whole wheat pasta. Top with tomato sauce. Finish off the meal with Greek yogurt for dessert. Total per-serving cost is as low as $1.41.
8. Use one serving of spinach to create a bed of greens on a plate. Top the spinach with one serving of canned tuna. Prepare a baked potato to eat as a side. Total per-serving cost is as low as $1.69.
9. Cook one serving of lentils. Steam one serving of edamame and place in a side dish. Prepare one serving of brown rice and pour the lentils over the rice or serve in a separate dish. Total per-serving cost is as low as 84 cents.
10. Toast one serving of whole wheat bread. Heat up one serving of refried beans. Fry two eggs in a skillet, and serve on the same plate with the beans, or place the refried beans in a side dish. Total per-serving cost is as low as 72 cents.
11. Cook one serving of old-fashioned oats. Eat with a side of whole wheat bread, and a serving of Greek yogurt. Total per-serving cost is as low as $1.20.
12. Cut one potato into quarters and boil it until soft. Serve with steamed frozen vegetables and a side of heated refried beans. Total per-serving cost is as low as 92 cents.
13. Hard boil two eggs. After they cool, crack and peel them and place them on a bed of spinach on a plate. Eat alongside a serving of whole wheat pasta topped with tomato sauce. Total per-serving cost is as low as $1.38.
14. Drain one serving of canned tuna. Mash the tuna with a fork. Spread the tuna between two slices of whole wheat bread. Eat with a side of steamed frozen vegetables. Total per-serving cost is as low as $1.31.
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