They all clock in at about $5 per serving. More money, less dishes.
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
Note: Cost estimates in this post assume you already have a few kitchen essentials on hand — like oil, flour, sugar, and spices. Prices are based on Fresh Direct prices when available, and various other online prices when not available, so exact costs will vary depending on where you live and where you shop.
1. Veggie-packed Southwest Pasta
• 1 box whole wheat rotini - $1.99
• 2 c frozen corn kernels - $2.40
• 1 green bell pepper - $0.65
• 1/2 medium red onion - $0.89
• 1 15 oz can Rotel - $2.20
• 1 c taco seasoning - $0.99
• 4 c chicken broth (2 cartons) - $6.60
• 1 15 oz can black beans - $1.29
• 1/4 c Mexican cheese blend ($4.99 for a 2 c package) - $1.25
Cost per serving: $4.57
Cost for 4 servings: $18.26. Get the recipe here.
2. 55-Minute Chicken and Rice Bake
• 1 jar Picante sauce or salsa - $2.70
• 1 c frozen corn (1/2 bag) - $1.20
• 3/4 c uncooked white rice (3/20 of a 2lb bag that costs $3.29) - $0.50
• 1 1/4 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breast - $6.40
• 1/2 c shredded cheese - $2.99
Cost per serving: $3.50
Cost for 4 servings: $14. Get the recipe here.
3. Dr. Pepper Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• 1 pork shoulder butt roast - $30
• 1 onion - $0.89
• 1 can Dr. Pepper (from a $6 12-pack) - $0.50
• 3/4 c barbecue sauce - $2.50
• Hamburger buns for serving as sandwiches - $3.69 for pack of 8
Cost per serving: $4.75
Cost for 4 servings (recipe makes approximately 8 servings): $19. Get the recipe here.
4. Pea, Potato, and Onion Frittata
• 1 potato - $0.69
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 1/2 c frozen peas (1/4 of a 2 c bag) - $0.60
• 4 eggs (assuming $3.29 for a dozen) - $1.09
• Parmesan cheese to serve - $3.99 for a 5 oz container
Cost per serving: $3.59
Cost for 4 servings (recipe makes 2): $14.34. Get the recipe here.
5. Spicy Sausage and Pasta Skillet
• 14 oz Andouille sausage - $6
• Red onion - $0.89
• 16 oz can tomato sauce - $1.50
• 1 c chicken broth (1 can) - $1.50
• 2 jalapeños (at $0.87 each) - $1.74
• 8 oz penne pasta (1/2 a 16 oz box at $1.59) - $0.80
• 4 oz cream cheese (1/2 an 8 oz block) - $1.99
Cost per serving: $3.60
Cost for 4 servings: $14.42. Get the recipe here.
6. Slow Cooker Beef-Stuffed Bell Peppers
• 5 bell peppers - $3.25
• 1 lb ground beef - $6
• 1 10-oz can enchilada sauce - $2.50
• 1 yellow onion - $0.80
• 1 c cooked Mexican rice - $2.19 for a microwaveable cup, or use leftovers.
• 1 c shredded cheese - $2.99 for the package
Cost per serving: $3.89
Cost for 4 servings: $15.54. Get the recipe here.
7. Quick Texas Toast Pizzas
• 1 box frozen Texas Toasts - $3.49 for 8 toasts
• 1 can pizza sauce - $2.19
• 1 bag shredded mozzarella cheese - $2.99
• 1 package pepperoni - $2.98
Cost per serving (2 toasts): $2.91
Cost for 4 servings: $11.65. Get the recipe here.
8. Gluten-Free, Vegetarian Potato, Kale, and White Bean Hash
• 1 russet potato - $0.69
• 1 white onion - $0.80
• 1 can white beans - $1.50
• 1 bunch Lacinato Kale - $3.49
• 1/4 c parmesan cheese ($3.99 for a 5 oz container) - $0.79
Cost per serving: $3.64
Cost for 4 servings (1 recipe serves 2): $14.54. Get the recipe here.
9. Easy Chicken Alfredo
• 1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts - $6.40
• 2 cloves garlic - $0.80 (for the head of garlic)
• 1 14-oz can chicken broth - $1.50
• 1 c heavy cream - $3.99 (for the carton)
• 1 box penne pasta - $1.59
• 2 c Parmesan cheese - $5.99
• Flat leaf parsley - $1.99
Cost per serving: $5.56
Cost for 4 servings: $22.26. Get the recipe here.
10. Cabbage and Sausage Skillet with Rice
• Turkey or chicken kielbasa - $5
• 1/2 head of cabbage - $1.48
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 1 1/4 c chicken broth (most of 1 carton) - $3.29
• 1 15-oz can fire roasted tomatoes - $2.19
• 1 c instant brown rice (1/2 of a 2c box) - $1.63
Cost per serving: $3.60
Cost for 4 servings: $14.39. Get the recipe here.
11. Game Day Chili
• 2 slices of bacon (1/5 of a $4.29 package) - $0.85
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 3 cloves garlic - $0.80 for the head of garlic
• 1/2 lb ground beef - $3
• 1 bottle of beer (from an $8.99 six-pack) - $1.49
• 3 c black beans (about 2 15-oz cans) - $2.58
• 2 14-oz cans tomato sauce - $2.98
• 1 14-oz can crushed tomatoes - $1.20
Cost per serving: $3.43
Total cost for 4 servings: $13.70. Get the recipe here.
12. Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
• 3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs - $11.97
• 1 c Orange Marmalade - $2.50
• 1 c Barbecue sauce - $2.50
• 1/3 c soy sauce - $2.80
• 1/4 c chopped green onions - $1.99
Cost per serving: $5.44
Cost for 4 servings: $21.76. Get the recipe here.
13. Swiss Chard and Onion Frittata
• 1 bunch Swiss chard - $3.49
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 6 eggs (assuming $3.29 for a dozen) - $1.65
• 4 cloves of garlic - $0.80 for the bulb of garlic
• 1/4 c Parmesan cheese plus more to serve - $3.99 for a 5 oz container
Cost per serving: $2.68
Cost for 4 servings: $10.73. Get the recipe here.
14. Ground Beef Skillet Spaghetti
• 1 lb ground beef - $6
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 1 green bell pepper - $0.65
• 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes - $1.69
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce - $0.79
• 1 4-oz can mushrooms - $2.19
• 8 oz uncooked spaghetti (1/2 of a 16-oz box) - $0.79
• Shredded cheese - $2.99 for the package
Cost per serving: $3.97
Cost for 4 servings: $15.90. Get the recipe here.
15. Vegan Coconut Curry Lentils and Potatoes
• 1 c brown lentils (approx 1/3 of a 16 oz) package - $0.66
• 2 c coconut milk - $2.39
• 1 1/2 c vegetable broth - $3.79
• 2 russet potatoes - $0.69
• 1 c frozen peas (1/2 of a 2 c bag) - $1.20
• 1/4 c cilantro - $1.99
Cost per serving: $2.68
Cost for 4 servings: $10.72. Get the recipe here.
16. Homemade Sloppy Joes
• 2 cloves of garlic - $0.80 (for the head of garlic)
• 1 lb ground beef - $6
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce - $0.79
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce - $4.19 (for a 10 oz bottle)
• 1 package hamburger buns - $3.69 for a pack of 8
Cost per serving: $3.87
Cost for 4 servings: $15.47. Get the recipe here.
17. Macaroni and Cheese Chili
• 1 lb ground beef - $6
• 3 cloves garlic - $0.80 (for the head of garlic)
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 2 c chicken broth - $3.29 (for a 2 c carton)
• 2 c jarred spaghetti sauce - $2.99
• 1 10-oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies - $2.19
• 1 16-oz can chili beans - $2.19
• 2 c elbow macaroni - $1.59
Cost per serving: $4.96
Cost for 4 servings: $19.85. Get the recipe here.
18. No-Bake Pizza Pasta
• 1 package Italian sausage - $5.49
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 2 cloves garlic - $0.80 (for the head of garlic)
• 1/2 c pepperoni - $2.98 (for a package)
• 1 14-oz can tomato sauce - $1.49
• 2 1/2 c Farfalle pasta - $1.59
• 1 1/2 c chicken stock (most of 1 carton) - $3.29
• 1 c shredded mozzarella cheese - $2.99
Cost per serving: $4.86
Cost for 4 servings: $19.43. Get the recipe here.
19. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - $6.40
• 2 c chicken broth - $3.29
• 1 10-oz can enchilada sauce - $2.50
• 2 14-oz cans black beans - $2.58
• 1 14-oz can fire-roasted tomatoes - $2.19
• 1 15-oz can corn - $1.69
• 2 cloves garlic - $0.80 (for the head of garlic)
• 1 onion - $0.80
Cost per serving (assuming 4 servings; recipe makes 4-6 servings): $5.06
Cost for 4 servings: $20.25. Get the recipe here.
20. Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 2 cloves garlic - $0.80 (for the head of garlic)
• 2 sweet potatoes - $1.80
• 2 15-oz cans black beans - $2.58
• 4 c vegetable stock - $7.58
Cost per serving: $3.39
Cost for 4 servings: $13.56. Get the recipe here.
21. Southwest Skillet Chicken and Rice
• 2 large chicken breasts - $6.40
• 1 onion - $0.80
• 1 green pepper - $0.65
• 1/2 c frozen corn (1/4 bag) - $0.60
• 3/4 c chicken stock (most of 1 can) - $1.50
• 1 c uncooked rice (2/10 of a 2lb bag that costs $3.29) - $0.64
• 1 15-oz jar salsa - $2.70
• 1 c shredded cheese - $2.99 for the package
• Green onions - $1.99
Cost per serving: $4.57
Cost for 4 servings: $18.27. Get the recipe here.
