# 18 Yummy Meals To Make When You Are Broke! - Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/dinner/18-yummy-meals-to-make-when-you-are-broke/ - Published: 2022-01-06T15:00:00+11:00 - Author: Clare Whitfield ## _These yummy meals are on rotation in my household on days when I struggle to make the food stretch until next pay day._ Got only basics in your fridge, freezer and pantry?  These recipes are really simple, have very basic ingredients and are cheap cheap cheap! ## **1. 󠀁[Poor Man’s Lasagna](https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/104145810116376705/)󠁿** It’s cheap but tastes wayyy better than the ones you eat at restaurants. It’s a cheap Lasagna recipe you can modify and adjust according to your taste for a satisfying and hearty meal. > [Get the recipe here!](http://budgetmeals.info/poor-mans-lasagna-recipe/) [⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉[ [budgetmeals.info](http://budgetmeals.info/poor-mans-lasagna-recipe/) --- **[2. Hawaiian Fried Rice](https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/537828380481802494/)** The main ingredients of this one consist of rice, ham, bell peppers and pineapples– it looks scrumptious and feels summery like I’m having lunch by the beach! Yummmm > [Get the recipe here!](https://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/hawaiian-fried-rice/) [⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉[ [life-in-the-lofthouse.com](https://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/hawaiian-fried-rice/) ## **󠀁[3. Pinto Beans and Rice with Sausage](https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/133067363967053380/)󠁿** What makes me want to whip some [Pinto Beans and Rice with Sausage](https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/133067363967053380/) is that the house smells so delicious when I make these! It’s going be a mouthwatering dinner – trust me! And something that will stay way lower than your budget. > [Get the recipe here!](https://simplelivingmama.com/2015/06/mamas-pinto-beans-and-rice-with-sausage/) [⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉[ [simplelivingmama.com](https://simplelivingmama.com/2015/06/mamas-pinto-beans-and-rice-with-sausage/) ## **󠀁[4. Salmon (or Tuna) Patties](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/salmon-patties/)󠁿** You’ll be shocked at how many recipes only need few, easy reach ingredients but can be turned into yummy meals. Actually, this recipe is just a can of fish (whichever canned fish you prefer), some mashed potato, a bit of curry powder and whatever else you might have in the fridge. It is also delicious on sandwiches the next day with a little tomato sauce! You can serve salmon or tuna patties on their own, or with some steamed veggies or just a plain salad. Keep the leftovers in the fridge covered in plastic wrap so the kids can just graze when they get hungry. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/salmon-patties/) [⌊Delicious homemade chicken patties perfect for budget friendly meals⌉⌊Delicious homemade chicken patties perfect for budget friendly meals⌉ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/salmon-patties/) ## **󠀁[5. Yoghurt Baked Chicken Pieces](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/yogurt-baked-chicken-pieces/)󠁿** These are fabulous done on the barbecue – so you don’t even have to turn on the oven.  The yoghurt makes the chicken pieces really tender, especially if you have the time to ‘marinate’ them overnight. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/yogurt-baked-chicken-pieces/) [⌊Juicy grilled chicken thighs with herbs and lime slices on a white platter⌉⌊Juicy grilled chicken thighs with herbs and lime slices on a white platter⌉ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/yogurt-baked-chicken-pieces/) ## **󠀁[6. Banana Oaty Smoothie](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/banana-oaty-smoothie)󠁿** This is a great recipe for breakfast or a snack in-between meals.  Did you know you can use rolled oats in milkshakes to ‘fill empty bellies’?  If you ever have any bananas that are starting to go a little black, never throw them out, always peel them and pop them in a ziplock bag and place them in the freezer.  They freeze amazingly well and then your** Banana Oaty Smoothie** will be cold and delicious. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/banana-oaty-smoothie) [⌊Homemade milkshake in mason jar with striped straw budget friendly dessert⌉⌊Homemade milkshake in mason jar with striped straw budget friendly dessert⌉ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/banana-oaty-smoothie/) ## **󠀁[7. Faster](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/faster-pasta)󠁿󠀁[ Pasta](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/faster-pasta)󠁿** We named it Faster Pasta because you can make it in less than 15 minutes! Plus it is incredibly frugal. Make his for a cheap, quick, easy and delicious dinner on week nights! > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/faster-pasta) [⌊Delicious homemade spaghetti with rich bolognese sauce perfect for affordable family dinners⌉⌊Delicious homemade spaghetti with rich bolognese sauce perfect for affordable family dinners⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Faster-Pasta.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1) ## **󠀁[8. Loaded Sweet Potato Bake](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/loaded-sweet-potato-bake/)󠁿** Ditch the expensive meat, you don’t need meat to make yummy meals.   And sweet potato is so damn cheap, filling and bloody delicious! > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/loaded-sweet-potato-bake/) [⌊Stay at home mum⌉⌊Stay at home mum⌉[ ## **󠀁[9. Nicoise Salad With a Twist](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/nicoise-salad-with-a-twist/)󠁿** Don’t feel like cooking? Yeah, me neither. This is a good one for the hot summer nights.  A combination of tinned fish, salad and eggs, it is hearty and can be thrown together in literally two minutes. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/nicoise-salad-with-a-twist/) [⌊Stay at home mum⌉⌊Stay at home mum⌉[ ## **10. 󠀁[Mince Wellington ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/mince-wellington/)󠁿** It’s like a meatloaf but with sausage and definitely more delicious! It has lots of veggies, too. So it’s healthy and filling. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/mince-wellington/) [⌊Affordable homemade meatloaf with herbs and breadcrumbs⌉⌊Affordable homemade meatloaf with herbs and breadcrumbs⌉[ ## **󠀁[11. Banana Raspberry Coconut Baked Oats ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/banana-raspberry-coconut-baked-oats/)󠁿** Another recipe in this list of yummy meals to make when you’re a bit low in budget is breakfast and dessert rolled in one. Exciting right?! I am sure kids love the idea, too. This [Banana Raspberry Coconut Baked Oats](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/banana-raspberry-coconut-baked-oats/) is filled with healthy and tasty goodness. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/banana-raspberry-coconut-baked-oats/) [⌊Stay at home mum⌉⌊Stay at home mum⌉[ ## **󠀁[12. Zucchini Slice](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/zucchini-slice)󠁿** The Zucchini Slice is always a winner for us whether we’re trying to be frugal or just want to whip up something healthy and delicious at the same time. You definitely need to make some this summer! > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/zucchini-slice) [⌊Delicious cheesy vegetable frittata perfect for budget friendly meals⌉⌊Delicious cheesy vegetable frittata perfect for budget friendly meals⌉ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/zucchini-slice) ## **󠀁[13. Two Ingredient Greek Yoghurt Pizza Dough](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/greek-yoghurt-pizza-dough/)󠁿 ** You only need TWO FREAKING INGREDIENTS to make this delicious pizza base. No, we’re not kidding!!!!  Then you just add whatever you have on top – with a bit of grated cheese – and dinner is done! > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/greek-yoghurt-pizza-dough/) [⌊Stay at home mum⌉⌊Stay at home mum⌉[ ## **󠀁[14. Cheesy Broccoli ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/cheesy-broccoli-pasta-bake/)󠁿󠀁[Pasta Bake](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/cheesy-broccoli-pasta-bake/)󠁿** An easy pasta recipe with some veggies and cheese that makes an easy, flavourful and satisfying family dinner. When money is tight we need to have a few key recipes up our sleeves to stretch the grocery budget – **Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake** is on top of our list! > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/cheesy-broccoli-pasta-bake/) [⌊Stay at home mum⌉⌊Stay at home mum⌉[ ## **󠀁[15. Mexican Red Rice](http://www.recipetineats.com/mexican-red-rice/)󠁿** You got to give Mexican Red Rice a try! It won’t disappoint you. It’s flavourful, delicious and smells heavenly. The spices really amp up the flavour on this one. > [Get the recipe here!](http://www.recipetineats.com/mexican-red-rice/) [⌊Family enjoying a day out on the city street⌉⌊Family enjoying a day out on the city street⌉ ](http://www.recipetineats.com/mexican-red-rice/) [www.recipetineats.com](http://www.recipetineats.com/mexican-red-rice/) ## **󠀁[16. Tuna Mornay](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/make-tuna-mornay)󠁿** Eating Tuna Mornay never feels like we’re trying to be frugal. It doesn’t make you think money is tight when each bite gives you a cheesy, luscious and pleasurable experience. PS. Substitute with salmon if you want! > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/make-tuna-mornay) [⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉⌊18 yummy meals to make for when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉[ ## ** 󠀁[17. ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/salmon-patties/)󠁿󠀁[Hot Dog Casserole](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/hot-dog-casserole/)󠁿** Hot Dog casserole lets you use up leftover BBQ sausages that the kids have ignored since yesterday. Hotdog Casseroles always get gobbled up as soon as I’m done making them – leftover or not! The kids love it. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/hot-dog-casserole/) [⌊Stay at home mum⌉⌊Stay at home mum⌉[ ## **󠀁[18. Crispy Smashed Potatoes](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/crispy-smashed-potatoes/)󠁿** All you potato lovers out there – this recipe will be a favourite! These **Crispy Smashed Potatoes** are heavenly soft on the inside and wonderfully crispy on the outside. > [Get the recipe here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/crispy-smashed-potatoes/) [⌊Baked potatoes topped with melted cheese fresh herbs and seasoning perfect for budget friendly c⌉⌊Baked potatoes topped with melted cheese fresh herbs and seasoning perfect for budget friendly c⌉ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/crispy-smashed-potatoes/) > Being broke isn’t too bad with these delicious recipes, right? ## _So, what are you going to make for dinner?_ [⌊18 yummy meals to make when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉⌊18 yummy meals to make when you are broke | stay at home mum⌉[ ![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/ 12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1) Clare Whitfield Chief Editor Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work. [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)