1. Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs with Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 medium potatoes (diced)
- 2 carrots (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the herb mixture onto the chicken thighs.
- Arrange the chicken, potatoes, and carrots on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 35-40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Serve and enjoy!
Cost: $12
2. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Ingredients:- 1 lb beef sirloin (sliced thin)
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and cornstarch.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned.
- Add broccoli and stir-fry until tender.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and cook until thickened.
- Serve with rice or noodles.
Cost: $13
3. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients:- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 5 sandwich buns
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season pork shoulder with salt and pepper.
- Slow cook pork in a crockpot on low for 8 hours or until tender.
- Shred the pork and mix with BBQ sauce and vinegar.
- Serve on sandwich buns.
Cost: $14
4. Baked Ziti
Ingredients:- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, basil, and salt.
- Pour into a baking dish, top with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Cost: $12
5. Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia
Ingredients:- 5 tilapia fillets
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Season tilapia fillets with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and serve.
Cost: $10
6. Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole
Ingredients:- 1 lb pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Mix cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour into a baking dish, top with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Cost: $12
7. Vegetable Fried Rice
Ingredients:- 2 cups cooked rice (preferably cold)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions:
- Heat sesame oil in a pan, add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry until tender.
- Push veggies to the side and scramble eggs in the pan.
- Add cold rice and soy sauce, stir well, and cook for 5-7 minutes.
- Serve hot!
Cost: $10
8. Chili Mac
Ingredients:- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can kidney beans (drained)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Cook ground beef in a pot until browned.
- Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- Mix pasta with chili, top with shredded cheese, and serve.
Cost: $13
9. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:- 5 bell peppers (tops cut off, seeds removed)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ground beef in a pan, add tomatoes and cumin.
- Mix in rice and stuff each pepper.
- Place peppers in a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Cost: $12
10. Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients:- 2 eggplants (sliced)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Dip eggplant slices in breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes.
- Layer baked eggplant slices with marinara sauce and cheese in a baking dish.
- Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly.
Cost: $12
11. Loaded Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 5 large russet potatoes
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crispy bacon (crumbled)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake potatoes for 45-60 minutes, until tender.
- Slice potatoes open and fluff the insides with a fork.
- Top with sour cream, cheese, bacon, green onions, salt, and pepper.
- Serve immediately!
Cost: $10
12. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients:- 10 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Coat drumsticks with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Brush with BBQ sauce and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until crispy.
Cost: $12
13. Veggie Stir Fry
Ingredients:- 3 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (grated)
Instructions:
- Heat sesame oil in a pan, add garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Add soy sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Serve with rice or noodles!
Cost: $10
14. Shakshuka
Ingredients:- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 4 eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Add tomatoes, cumin, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Make wells in the sauce and crack eggs into the wells.
- Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until eggs are set.
- Serve with pita bread!
Cost: $10
15. BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients:- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 5 sandwich buns
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook chicken breasts in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours until tender.
- Shred the chicken and mix with BBQ sauce.
- Serve on sandwich buns.
Cost: $12
16. Gnocchi with Garlic Butter
Ingredients:- 1 package gnocchi
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook gnocchi according to package instructions.
- In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Toss cooked gnocchi in garlic butter.
- Sprinkle with parmesan and serve.
Cost: $12
17. Margherita Flatbread Pizza
Ingredients:- 2 flatbreads
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella (sliced)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread marinara sauce over flatbreads.
- Add mozzarella slices and bake for 8-10 minutes until crispy.
- Top with fresh basil and drizzle with olive oil.
Cost: $11
18. Baked Zucchini Boats
Ingredients:- 4 zucchinis (cut in half and hollowed out)
- 1 lb ground turkey or beef
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ground meat in a pan, add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning.
- Stuff zucchini halves with the meat mixture and top with mozzarella.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly.
Cost: $12
19. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells
Ingredients:- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup spinach (cooked and chopped)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta shells according to package instructions.
- Mix ricotta and spinach and stuff the shells.
- Place stuffed shells in a baking dish, cover with marinara sauce, and top with mozzarella.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
Cost: $13
20. Creamy Penne Pasta Salad
Ingredients:- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cucumber (diced)
- 1/2 cup red onion (diced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions.
- In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Add pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
- Chill for 30 minutes and serve.
Cost: $10