Sometimes things come up in life – and we have to put our big girl panties on and live to a strict food budget…
But if you only know a handful of recipes and keep on recycling them week in and week out, things will definitely get boring.
I know we’ve given you so many recipe ideas over the years, but hey, if you are anything like me, I’d like my stuff nicely arranged in one place! This is why we thought of listing 98 frugal meal ideas in one post.
Come on, I know you want to bookmark it!
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Healthy Ham Veggie Cups
| Aussie Chicken | You don’t have to whip up something out of beans or rice to make a frugal meal. Sometimes, a frugal meal means something cheaper but just as delicious (if not more delicious!) than takeout! Grab the recipe here> |
| Bacon and Veggie Slice | Oh, nothing better than a piece of Bacon and Veggie slice for lunch, this is an easy-to-cook recipe that is tasty and filling for the family. Grab the recipe here |
| Black Pepper Chicken | If you love Asian dishes, you should try this stir fry recipe! The black pepper in this recipe adds depth to the flavour, and the capsicum perfectly complements everything. Grab the recipe here> |
Cheap And Simple Chicken Piccata | It’s always smart to have a chicken recipe or two under your belt, which is why we’re fans of this Chicken Piccata. It might sound complicated, but it’s actually just a method for cooking the meat, and serving it with a sauce. Grab the recipe here> |
| Chicken and Apple Croquettes | Unlike store-bought sausages that are too salty and too fatty, this recipe is not only delicious but also full of nourishing ingredients like chicken, apple, and cheese! Grab the recipe here> |
| Chicken and Bocconcini Pizzas | For me, homemade pizza beats store-bought any day! Perhaps it’s because you know exactly what went into it? That’s the charm of frugal meal planning! Grab the recipe here> |
| Chicken Cucumber Salad | You’ll never go wrong with a salad. Her recipe uses a creamy dill yoghurt dressing that is just the bomb! Grab the recipe here> |
| Healthy Ham Veggie Cups | We used sliced ham as our pastry and the result of these healthy snacks jampacked with veggies is TASTY! Grab the recipe here> |
| Healthy One-Pan Honey Lemon Chicken | Healthy One-Pan Honey Lemon Chicken is a family favourite among even picky kids. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and sour, healthy for parents and kids, and it tastes incredible! Grab the recipe here> |
| Honey Baked Chicken Pieces | If you aren’t keen on chicken on the bone, you can substitute chicken pieces for breast but reduce the cooking time to prevent it from over-cooking. Grab the recipe here> |
| Italian Stuffed Capsicums | The humble mince makes another appearance in this yummy Italian recipe. Double points for frugality by using rice! Grab the recipe here> |
| Mandy’s Moist Marinated Chicken | This is my Mummy’s recipe. It is one of the most amazingly moist and tender recipes we have made to date. Best of all, it is super easy to make! Grab the recipe here> |
| Mexican Chicken Bake | Mexican Chicken Bake is a good use of chicken thighs and cheese. Chicken and cheese can never go wrong in my opinion! Grab the recipe here> |
| Roasted Cabbage and Chicken | One of the healthiest – and most frugal – way to cook is by roasting. Follow this recipe for a perfect chicken and cabbage roast! Grab the recipe here> |
| Sausage Casserole | Sausage Casserole is an easy “all-in” recipe that provides a wonderful and complete dinner for the entire family! Grab the recipe here> |
| Slow Cooker Chicken-N-Dumplings | There is a reason why Asian cuisine is popular in households — they’re so easy to make and they rarely cost too much! Add these dumplings to your recipe list. Grab the recipe here> |
| Slow Cooker Sausages in Onion Gravy | Slow Cooker Sausages in Onion Gravy is perhaps one of the easiest recipes on the entire website to make! You can use any type of sausages, I particularly like using Italian style as it gives it a bit of a kick. Grab the recipe here> |
| Sweet N Sour Pork | Do your own takeaway at home with this yummy Sweet N Sour Pork recipe. You know exactly what has gone into it and it tastes even better than the takeaway one! Grab the recipe here> |
Beef Recipes:
 | Mongolian Beef The yummy combo of soy sauce and peanut butter makes another appearance here, as well as frugal superstars, mince and rice! Grab the recipe here> |
| Quick Minestrone Soup I love a hearty and filling Quick Minestrone Soup on a cold winter’s night”? with some crusty buttered bread, it makes for a wholesome and delicious meal. Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting Your fussy eater wouldn’t be able to say no to this revamped classic dish. Feel free to use ground turkey in place of beef! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Slow Cooker Beef Ragu is a delicious mince mix that goes perfectly with pasta. It is a little more hearty than our traditional bolognaise sauce and freezes just beautifully! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Zucchini Meatloaf Squeeze in mega-nutrition to your kids’ meals with this recipe! This meatloaf is so tasty they wouldn’t even suspect a thing. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Bulk Spaghetti Bolognaise Bulk Spaghetti Bolognaise is a great way to save time and money in the kitchen as it is a family favourite and so versatile. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Chilli Minced Beef and Beans This is probably not the last recipe on this list that uses mince, and that’s because it’s probably the most frugal way to eat meat. Nevertheless, this recipe is incredibly tasty! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Throw the meat and ingredients in and forget for hours. It always comes out so tender! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Beef Chorizo Sliders Here’s a more interesting take on sliders — chorizo adds more zing to the otherwise plain sandwich. Add an avocado slice on top to complete the flavour! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Cheesy Spinach Burgers Who says burgers can’t be healthy? Add spinach (and lots of cheese) to your burger patties and your kids will be none the wiser. Grab the recipe here> |
| Family Meat Pie Meat pies are my eldest son’s favourite food in the whole world, In fact, he would only eat meat pies if he could and he loves this version! Grab the recipe here> | |
| Corned Beef Pink Pie You simply can’t go wrong with this kind of comfort food”?pastry, mashed potato, corned beef and white sauce (I know right!) and it is so amazing that even some of the children of our office staff went back for thirds! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Beef Stroganoff {Gluten Free Recipe} Beef Stroganoff is a family favourite, and I’m sure you have made this countless times before. But this recipe is different — it is gluten-free! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Salt and Pepper London Broil Yummy doesn’t always mean complicated, and sometimes, the simpler the recipe, the more fantastic the result! You need to try this recipe because you will only need four ingredients for the rub. Grab the recipe here> |
| Louigi’s Meatballs You haven’t eaten good meatballs until you have tried our tender marinated Louigi’s Meatballs. The trick is mixing the mince with milk. This breaks down the enzymes in the meat making them so tender, so succulent, your family will be begging you for more! Grab the recipe here> |
Fish Recipes:
| Tuna Melts Tuna Melts are a cheap and easy meal to make for when money is tight! You’ll love eating it with soups, during lunch or dinner! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Sardines on Toast Jumpstart your mornings with this healthy breakfast! Not only is it chock-full of carbs and protein, it has a high level of omega-3 as well. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Tuna Mornay Tuna Mornay is a tremendously frugal dinner and tasty too! You can substitute the tuna for salmon if you aren’t a tuna fan. Best of all, you can feed a family of four for under $10! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Fish Stew Recipe This recipe for fish stew is not only very healthy but also easy to make. Reminders from the chef: use deveined shrimp and do not overcook the seafood! Grab the recipe here> |
 | 20-Minute Swai Stew This recipe takes literally only 20 minutes to make and is very economical because it uses ingredients that are already in your pantry. The olives give a nice flavour to the dish! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Fish Taco Recipe Are you a fan of tacos? Then remove the icky, fishy image of fish tacos from your mind because this beg to differ. She uses beer batter as it is light and airy! Grab the recipe here> |
 | White Wine Poached Salmon Fillets White Wine Poached Salmon Fillet might sound like a dish read from a high class resto’s menu, but we guarantee that it is much better made at home. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Tilapia Fillet Recipe How to make a fish dish taste better and more refreshing? Add citrus! This recipe uses lemon, orange, and grapefruit so there’s no shortage of vitamin C here. Grab the recipe here> |
| Sweet and Tangy Oven Baked Salmon If you’re a fan of salmon, there aren’t too many recipes that do the fish justice like our Sweet and Tangy Oven Baked Salmon. Remember, you can add toasted sesame seeds on top, which you can toast in a pan just before tossing them on your salmon. Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Effortless Fish and Potato Cakes Fish and Potato Cakes is so much better homemade than those bought in the shops. And what mum doesn’t love any quick, easy and delicious recipe? Grab the recipe here> |
 | Chilli Tuna Rice with Vegetables This lunch has everything you’ll possibly need in a good tuna meal – rice, a tonne of vegetables, and citrus. This is a great meal to take to work! Grab the recipe here> |
| Tuna Salad for Lunches I buy those little tins of ‘tuna salad’ with tuna, corn kernels and mayonnaise and I love it smothered on fresh bread with butter and it is totally divine. But at $1.50 or so a can, it can really add up. Here’s how to make it easily at home (I bulk it up even further with pasta so it can be a meal on its own!) and it lasts up to three days in the fridge! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Fish Sticks You can use almost any kind of fish for this recipe as long as they are the white, fleshy type. She recommends frying these babies in very, very hot oil! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Fish risotto Cooking frugal dishes not only means stretching your meal budget but also aims to create food with as little waste as possible. This is a good recipe that minimises waste and helps the environment! Grab the recipe here> |
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Vegetarian Recipes:
| Frugal Vegetarian Lasagne If you are after a Frugal Vegetarian Lasagne, then this is the recipe for you. Very easy and cheap to make, the whole family will love it! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Spinach Lasagna Rolls Adding veggies into pasta is a great way to sneak in some decent nutrition for the kids, and this lasagna recipe is no exception. The recipe also freezes well! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Frugal Bruschetta Frugal Bruschetta is a delicious start to a meal but it can also save you money too by filling up hungry tummies before a main meal. And if tomatoes are in season, then this truly is a frugal starter! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Bell Pepper and Potato Frittata Frittatas are on top of the list of the most frugal dishes ever! They easily extend a meal and they are really filling, too. This recipe, which uses green bell pepper and potatoes, is perfect for St. Paddy’s day. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Green Plantain Empanadas with Cheese Filling Empanadas are Latinos’ gift to mankind, and this recipe is no exemption. It is totally gluten-free because it uses green plantain dough in place of regular flour. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Mushroom Garlic Quinoa Recipe Carbs are a foolproof way to extend a meal, but if you want to avoid pasta and rice, a healthier alternative is quinoa. It tastes really good, too! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Tasty Vegetable Fritters with Tomato Relish Get your kids to eat more vegetables with these fritters! They taste so yummy they can serve as lunch or snack. And don’t miss out on her homemade tomato relish! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Spicy Corn Fritters These Spicy Corn Fritters certainly aren’t for the faint-hearted! They are particularly delicious served with cream cheese and smoked salmon on top”? mmmm, makes me hungry just thinking about it! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Kale & Quinoa Patties Quinoa makes another appearance on this list, and this time, with another superfood, kale. This recipe tastes so delicious, it makes clean eating a lot easier. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Skillet Pizza Potatoes The second pizza on our list proves that pizza can be frugal! This drool-worthy pizza is made in the skillet and uses potatoes instead of regular pizza dough. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Kielbasa and Cabbage? This dish may be your standard vegetable-based dinner, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is frugal, reliable, and delicious! Grab the recipe here> |
| Leftover Pasta Bake For Under $10 Leftover Pasta Bake is a great recipe to make the night before a food shop. Get rid of all the leftovers and bits and pieces out of the fridge and throw them into a pasta bake. Feel free to substitute any of the ingredients it’s really up to what you have left! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Lentil Sweet Potato Casserole One cannot organise a list of frugal meals without throwing in a casserole recipe or two! This spicy-sweet recipe is incredibly healthy and the lentils make it more filling. Grab the recipe here> |
 | 20-Minute Black Beans Recipe Rice and beans are probably the best ingredients a meatless but filling meal can use, and this one uses ingredients that are probably already in your pantry! Grab the recipe here> |
| Macaroni Cheese For Under $8! Macaroni Cheese was my favourite food growing up, I had it every birthday. This is a particularly amazing recipe because you can make the Macaroni Cheese for under $8 bucks! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Double Crunch Chile Relleno Monte Cristo Sandwiches Traditional Monte Cristo sandwiches are good enough, but what happens if you add chilli relleno to the mix? One stack of awesome coming right up! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes I probably could eat baked potato for an entire month (for months?) and wouldn’t get tired of it. This recipe adds egg to the usual baked potatoes, making it a good breakfast meal! Grab the recipe here> |
| Lemon Risotto For Under $9! Lemon Risotto is a very fresh and filling meal that is frugal too. It will easily feed a family of four for under $10 with leftovers! This is a great recipe for weeks when the budget is tight, and it’s sure to fill any belly! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Roasted Tomatoes and Potatoes When everything goes wrong, roast some tomatoes and potatoes! The secret is in using lots of olive oil. Grab the recipe here> |
Soup Recipes:
 | Taco Soup Recipe I know you guys love taco and crave for soup on cold nights (we all do), but have you ever thought of combining the two? Follow this recipe for a hearty meal your kids (especially your husband) will enjoy! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Loaded Vegetable Soup When the recipe says “loaded,” it is safe to assume that it really is! This vegetable soup is literally a chock-full of colourful vegetables that will surely fill your tummies. Grab the recipe here> |
| Cream of Pumpkin Soup For Under $7 There’s nothing like a hearty Cream of Pumpkin Soup to warm you up on a cold night! I love it with crusty hot bread! It makes for a great meal in itself and it freezes really well! Grab the recipe here> | |
 | Mushroom Soup You don’t need to buy canned soup to get your mushroom soup fix. This recipe is a lot healthier and very hearty and you know exactly what went into it! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Veggie-Packed Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup Yet another good use for your slow cooker! She prefers her vegetable soup to be quite chunky and uses black beans to make it more filling. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Tuscan Bean Soup Recipe Another hearty and filling meal, this soup recipe also uses beans. You can eat it alone, and you can also use it as a dip for bread, even sandwiches! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Low Fat Chicken and Barley Soup Low Fat Chicken and Barley Soup is a yummy dish for those cold nights when you want something to warm you up, but without the guilt. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho A Spanish recipe, Gazpacho is intended to be served cold, making it perfect for the warm weather. It’s very easy to make: grill, process, then serve! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Black Bean and Salsa Soup Like Asian recipes, Mexican dishes are apparently very popular among the frugal bunch, too! Give your traditional soup a run for their money with this salsa-based recipe. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Homemade French Onion Soup Mix Run out of French Onion Soup Mix or just want your own version at home? Here’s how to make your own Homemade French Onion Soup Mix! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Beer-Cheddar Soup The maker of this recipe recommends two things. First, toast the bread cubes one day ahead and store them at room temperature. Second, do not use dark beer to not make the soup too bitter! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Chicken Corn and Noodle Soup This is a thick, hearty soup that is a mixture between chicken noodle soup and creamy corn chowder! This one is also good for when you aren’t feeling too well. Grab the recipe here> |
 | Dill Pickle Soup Even if you don’t love pickle, you will surely love this savoury-sour soup! The best part is that this nutritious soup is so easy to make. Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Slow Cooker Vegetable Black Bean Tortilla Soup Another Mexican-inspired delicious recipe, this soup again puts your slow cooker to good use but you can also make it on your stove top without changing a thing! Grab the recipe here> |
 | Poor Man’s Soup There’s nothing poor about this soup — in fact, it is rich in nutrients, will fill up your stomach, and will warm your cold heart… Kidding aside, bookmark this recipe for times when you need to stretch your dollar a bit further! Grab the recipe here> |
| Bacon and Potato Soup This is one of the Stay at Home Mum fans’ favourite winter warmer soup! Aside from having two of our favourite things (bacon and potatoes!), bacon and potato soup freezes really well. Grab the recipe here> |
What are your go-to frugal recipes? Please share it with us!
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