Making the Most of the Pantry, Budget Friendly Meals

Well, I guess this is a blog post that is long overdue.  While the impetus to create this collection of budget friendly recipes has been a nasty virus,

it’s really the kind of collection that is always welcome, right?  I mean, who doesn’t want some go-to recipes that are easy on the wallet, but still taste amazing?!

This is the time to pull out that can of kidney beans, that jar of artichoke hearts, all the rice in the top cupboard, or even the eggs and nuts we may not think to use for dinner options.  We may not have the luxury of popping into the grocery store with ease.  We may just want some fresh ways to use what is sitting in the back of our cupboards.  Sometimes shopping our pantry and fridge produces the best meals.  Many of the ones below will do just that!

So, I went through the blog, back to the beginning, and chose the recipes that fit the bill.  They will either be focussed on using canned goods, like beans, fish, or veggies like tomatoes, or they may be recipes that are dried pasta or rice based.  Some will have inexpensive cuts of meat as part of the recipe, a lot will be meat free.  Any of the fresh veg being used are readily available, and are on the less expensive end.

Sometimes we have the funds, the time, the freedom and the luxury to cook whatever we’d like.  But at those moments, we may not have the creativity or mental where-with-all to come up with a dish for what we stocked the pantry with.  So this will be a great guide to keep in mind.  For this reason, I’m also saving it in the Pantry section of the blog.  So you’ll be able to find it quickly.

Most of these recipes can be made year round, with what is in the pantry and fridge.  And like I always encourage, if you don’t have or like one ingredient, swap it out for one that fits the bill in your home.  If some recipes use meat like meatballs in a soup, feel free to leave them out for a vegetarian option. I apologize in advance for any of the older recipes and the photos associated with them!  It wasn’t until I started this exercise that I was confronted with my abominable photo skills back in the day.  But I promise, the recipes still work, and taste fabulous!! 

I hope you find lots to work with in this little collection.  There should be enough variety that your family will be more than satisfied with the dishes you choose.  

Here we go, let’s start with SOUPS:

Roasted Potato And Leek Soup

North African Harira Soup

Moroccan Tomato and Red Lentil Soup

Broccoli and Feta Soup with White Beans and Parsley

‘Cream’ of Celery Soup

Oven Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Parsnip, Rosemary and Mixed Nuts Soup

Butternut Squash Soup with Turkey Meatballs and Tortellini

Now let’s grab some POULTRY dishes that are budget friendly:

Saffron Scented Chicken Pilaf

Easy Breezy Chicken Paprikash

Horiatiki Stuffed Peppers

Here are some great VEGETARIAN meals, both pasta and rice:

Jewelled Israeli  Cauliflour Couscous

Egyptian Koshari

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad over Coriander Rice

Tiny Tomato Cobblers

Primo Antipasto Pasta

Pasta with Kale, Lentils and Caramelized Onions

Red Lentil and Tomato Curry over Rice

Spaghetti Pangrattato

Romanesco and Cheddar Crustless Quiche

Squash and Brown Butter Sage Orzotto

Spaghetti with Tuna, Lemon and Chilli Flakes

Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Yogurt Sauce

Classic Frittata

Cheddar Kale and Cherry Tomato Baked Eggs

Savoury Cauliflower Cake

Roasted Cauliflower Pancetta and Sage Pasta

Cabbage alla Carbonara

 

And a few dishes with MEAT (however some are meat optional):

Hummus Kawarma

Pasta with Pancetta and White Beans

Grilled Sausage and Potato Salad with Sauerkraut

Harissa Shrimp and Cauliflower ‘Grits’

Quebecois Pork and Bean Stew

German Farmers Breakfast

Retro Sloppy Joes with Honey Mustard Coleslaw

Swedish Meatballs

 

Classic Carbonara

Lion’s Head Meatballs

Charcuterie Mac n Cheese

Deconstructed Warm Kale and Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad