10 Old-Fashioned Recipes That Cost Almost Nothing to Make Today

Tight economic times call for creative solutions. But some of the best solutions are the ones that have stood the test of time.

Thankfully, there’s a beautiful tradition of low-cost meals that are still just as cheap today as when they were first made popular. You might already be familiar with some of these favorites, but I’m sure there are a few ideas you haven’t tried.

My advice is to master a few of these recipes, and develop your own unique spin on them. They’re endlessly customizable and can be tweaked to your own preferences to keep your palate from getting bored.

I hope this article is an encouragement to you to take control of your financial destiny and to embrace a simpler style of eating this is as frugal as it is delicious.

Beans and rice

You can buy dry beans and white rice in bulk for a fraction of what you’d spend on processed food… or even canned beans. Throw in a few seasonings and you’ve got a healthy, delicious meal that will satisfy the entire family. If you want to splurge, you can throw in an onion, or a bit of meat (bacon, ham, or even sausage to give it flavor.)

Pasta & sauce

There are few meals that are easier to make and more consistently delicious than a simple plate of pasta with some sauce— whether you use canned sauce or make your own (it’s easy to make your own). I like to sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of mine and a little crushed red pepper for a subtle heat. But the real star in this dish is the pasta, so choose one that you enjoy.

Potatoes

I’m not sure how things are where you live, but around us, potatoes are still super cheap and definitely one of your best values in terms of calories per dollar. There are literally hundreds of ways to prepare and serve potatoes from baked to fried, but my suggestion for maximum creativity is roasted potatoes with your choice of seasonings. They add a wonderful flavor and texture to any dish.

Vegetable soup

If you’re looking to maximize the use of leftover ingredients, you can’t do better than a simple vegetable soup. Only have a carrot or two left? Just one onion or some leftover celery? Throw it all in a pot along with some broth and seasonings and let it simmer until the flavors emerge. Not only is this a cheap meal, it’s a delicious way to warm yourself during the winter and enjoy food in a low-stress, low-key manner.

Eggs & toast

Since discovering my sensitivity to gluten, I’ve had to cut out a lot of bread products from my diet. This has been one of the hardest sacrifices of all because one of my favorite meals (and favorite breakfasts) was simply a few eggs and toast. You couldn’t ask for a better start to the day if you’re a fan of a savory breakfast. My wife loves to enjoy her eggs with a bit of hot sauce of chili paste on top. She said it helps her to wake up!

Egg drop soup

While classic Chinese egg drop soup does include some exotic ingredients like snap peas, mushrooms, and soy sauce, the base is really just eggs and chicken broth. I’ll be the first to admit that eggs and chicken broth on their own isn’t a particularly exciting meal, but the point is that you don’t need much more than these staples to create a delicious meal. You just need to master the art of flavoring creatively, which can come from many sources such as herbs and spices.

Pancakes

At my frugal little Bible College, they used to host a pancake dinner once a month. Not only was it a fun way for friends to eat together, it was one of the cheapest meals on the menu. Pancakes, when made from scratch, are nearly any of the cheapest meals you can make, and certainly one of the most delicious. Depending on your toppings of choice, the price can increase quite a bit, but you can always keep it simple with a little butter and table syrup.

PB&J

Some people might think it’s sad to eat like a college student, but whenever I’m longing for something truly comforting, there are few choices that can compete with a good old fashioned PB&J. My preference is natural peanut butter, and a fruit-forward jelly, but even the store-bought stuff tastes delicious when slathered on a piece of white bread. Whatever is in peanut butter and jelly, it sure makes for a cheap and filling meal anytime of day.

Grilled cheese

As a parent of four kids, I can personally attest to the frugality that is a simple grilled cheese sandwich. You can make this lunch time staple on the cheap with white bread and a few slices of american cheese, or you can turn it into a modest gourmet meal with thick slices of sourdough bread and sharp cheddar cheese (if you’re really ambitious you could even add a few slices of bacon). No matter your approach, grilled cheese will always remain one of the greatest meals of all time.

Ramen noodles

Some people knock them, but I say there’s a lot to love about ramen noodles. They’re the cheapest meal on this list, and also probably among the easiest to make. And when you’re running short on time and don’t want to mess with too many ingredients, ramen is a great option that you can throw together with almost no effort at all. Have some extra time? Throw in some vegetables or leftover meat and you’ll have one of the best lunches possible.