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"My Quick Half-Hour Meal Prep Any Day Of The Week": People Are Sharing Their Favorite Meals That Cost $10 Or Less To Make

"I grew up poor and this was and is STILL one if my favorite cheap meals!"

Recently, we asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to share their favorite meals that cost $10 or less to make — whether it's for themselves, their families, or their friends — and people came through with all kinds of tasty ideas. Here's what they had to say:

1. Chili Dog Pizza

chili dog covered in cheese

2. The TikTok Feta Pasta

"We add skillet gnocchi. Put a block of feta and a pint or better of grape tomatoes in a casserole dish, drizzle with olive oil, your choice of spices like dried oregano, basil, garlic, etc. Bake until the tomatoes are cooked. Stir in the skillet gnocchi, bake for another 5–7 minutes, and done. Inexpensive, easy, simple ingredients, crazy flavorful, and hearty! Good option for a meatless Monday, too."

—Sarah

3. Watermelon Salad

"This got me 1,000+ Reddit upvotes, so it must be good... I shared a very simple salad that people on the internet freaked out over. All you need is arugula, watermelon, feta, and a balsamic dressing (I use vinegar and a small amount of glaze). Mix and eat! Simple, cheap, and everyone LOVES it."

—Robin, Chicago

4. Lentil Dahl

bowl of lentils

5. Pomodoro al Tonno

"Simply spaghetti, a can of tuna (preferably in oil), and a single tomato, with salt/pepper/olive oil to taste. If you're fancy you can add chili flakes, garlic, and onion depending on budget."

youwishyouwereme007

6. Cajun-Seasoned Rice and Eggs

"I grew up poor and this was and is STILL one if my favorite cheap meals! White rice cooked normal, two sunny-side-up eggs, Cajun seasoning (Tony’s to be specific), and ketchup. Pop the yolks and mix it all up, delicious."

—Kris, Louisiana

7. Baked Penne with Veggies

dish of cheesy baked pasta

8. Green Chili

"Verde Enchilada Sauce

Vegetable Stock

Green Bell Peppers

Onion

Garlic

White Beans

Spice to taste

Ground meat or chicken thighs are optional

Warm, filling, and can be easily stretched for several meals."

chelynwei

9. Fried Rice

"One cup of rice, one can of carrots and peas, a half can of corn, soy sauce, chicken stock, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder. Drop an egg in for protein and if you don’t mind them, bacon bits."

google_111288789788060830592

10. Totchos

tater tots covered in cheese and bacon

11. Mushroom Pasta

"My sister made this for me once and said it was a 'peasant dish' of sorts because it has so few inexpensive ingredients. Simply fettuccine pasta, baby bella mushrooms (either pre-sliced or whole), butter, parmesan cheese, and salt/pepper. For an extra kick, I usually add crushed red pepper flakes."

crispyporcupine

12. Cabbage and Curly Cue Pasta

"Sauté an onion in butter and olive oil, add sliced beef kielbasa and chopped cabbage and boiled curly cue pasta. Still my quick half-hour meal prep any day of the week."

—Mavis, California

13. One Pan Roast Veggie and Chickpea Bowl

bowl of vegetables and chickpeas

14. Pasta with Roasted Tomato Sauce

"I’m sharing this recipe my Italian housemate from Milan shared with me when I was at university. It’s easy, cheap, and absolutely delicious. 

Preheat the oven to 425° F. You take one 32 ounce can of tomatoes, (or two 15 oz cans). I personally prefer fire-roasted tomatoes for this, but that’s not required. 1/2 cup of butter cut into 8 pieces (which will be 8 tablespoons of butter), 8 cloves of garlic peeled and crushed, 1/4- 1/2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes, and here’s where the recipe gets wiggle room. 

The original recipe calls for two anchovies in oil, I have used anchovy paste or two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce which has anchovies as an ingredient in it. I have not tried using fish sauce, but that could potentially work as well. Any one of these ingredients will work, but leaving this element of the recipe out will make the final dish lacking. Just use whatever is in your cupboard. 

Now for the process. With one of your tablespoons of butter, grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking pan. Then dump all the ingredients into the pan and stir them all together. Add a pinch of sugar (or don’t, I always forget to do this, but the recipe says to do it) and season to taste with salt and pepper to taste. When done, place in the 425°F oven for 35 minutes to an hour until the sauce is 'jammy.' The time will depend on what type of tomatoes you use. Whole tomatoes will take longer. Crushed tomatoes will take less time. 

Halfway through the baking time start cooking the pasta. My housemate said bucatini are the preferred pasta shape for this dish, but I’ve also used spaghetti. When the sauce is done, use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to get the large lumps out, and then mash everything together well until it forms a cohesive sauce. (This shouldn’t take more that a minute.) Add a little saved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it if you need to. Sprinkle some Parmesan on top if you like to eat pasta that way (which I do) and there’s the easy, cheap, meal done!"

redtoenails

15. Mac and Cheese with Extras

"Boxed mac and cheese with roasted broccoli and sausage (veggie or meat) added to dress it up."

—Anonymous

16. Dressed Up Ramen

bowl of ramen

17. Tofu Tacos

"Tofu is hella cheap and tacos are endlessly customizable for your taste and budget. You might even be able to throw in some rice and beans on the side."

—Anonymous

18. Hot Dog Casserole

"A delicious childhood meal my mom made on a regular basis (and I still make today) we called 'Hot Dog Casserole'!

Ingredients:

(2) green bell peppers

(1) large yellow onion

(3–4) celery stalks, leaves included

(1/2) tablespoon of red pepper flakes

(4+) minced garlic cloves

(1 ) large can of peeled tomatoes

(1 ) package of hot dogs

(3–4) tablespoons olive oil

(2–3) tablespoons Italian seasoning

(1 1/2) cups rice & (3) cups water

Cut veggies into chunky bite-sized pieces and sauté five minutes in olive oil along with red pepper flakes. Empty tomatoes into mixing bowl and hand crush them. Slice the entire package of hot dogs diagonally into bite-sized pieces and add them and minced garlic to sautéd veggies and cook for another few mins. Add crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning to sauté pan. Cover and cook on low to medium heat for 15-20mins while rice cooks.

Veggies should still have some bite! Recipe can be upgraded with kielbasa or even chicken. Serve over rice, basmati preferred!"

georgeeespinel

19. Meatballs with Egg Noodles

meatballs and pasta

20. Creamy Beef Ramen

"Quick & easy. 1 lb ground beef, 1 package of beef ramen noodles, 1 packet of onion soup mix and 1 can cream of mushroom soup. 

Brown ground beef and drain excess grease. While beef is browning, cook noodles in only water and then drain. Mix seasoning packet into noodles after draining, then mix onion soup mix and mushroom soup into hamburger. After thoroughly mixing, add in the noodles and mix again. Good alone or with potatoes and a veggie."

reinstorf1

21. Egg Roll Casserole

"Ingredients:
1 lb Ground pork $4–6
Either 1 bag of coleslaw mix or 1 head of cabbage $0.70-3.00
1 pack of maruchan chicken ramen $0.87
(Can also add garlic, chopped onion, and carrots, soy sauce for less than $10, depending on what you have. It's great without!)

Brown pork with onions and garlic over medium heat, season to taste with salt and pepper. Break up ramen and add to pan along with 1 cup of water and seasoning packet. Cover and steam for approx. 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in chopped cabbage and steam for another 2-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on its own with soy sauce to taste or add over rice if preferred."

—Ramsey, Minneapolis MN

22. "Goulash"

bowl of goulash

23. Pesto Chicken Pasta

"Literally five ingredients: one canned chicken, one box of pasta ($1.25, store brand works, I prefer Ditalini but use whatever your heart desires), one small can of peas and carrots ($0.79), one jar of Barilla pesto ($4.19), and for good measure, an envelope of Goya chicken seasoning (roughly $0.20 after getting a box of 20).

The recipe is simple: in a big pot, start boiling water for pasta, then cook pasta for desired time, roughly 6–8 mins depending on the shape chosen. Meanwhile, open and drain your canned chicken and heat up on a skillet with a dash of water (add more if needed to keep chicken from sticking to the pan). Season with the Goya chicken powder, stir. Open and drain can of peas and carrots then add to chicken mix. Stir until well incorporated and heated through, turn off heat. When pasta is finished, drain, add a tablespoon or two of butter, let melt. Then add pasta to skillet with chicken and the entire jar of pesto. Stir until very well combined.

This is my go-to recipe when I want a good solid meal for my family but I have nothing defrosted nor the energy to stay in the kitchen long. It's simple, quick, super tasty, and under $10 to make! Hope you'll get to try it!"

—Veronika, New York

What's your favorite $10 meal? Tell us all about it in the comments.