Cheap Dinner Recipes: Cheap Can Be Delicious Too

By now, many of us are feeling the economic crunch and we are looking for ways to save money, including finding ways to make a delicious cheap dinner. Just because we are trying to make meals on the cheap, doesn't mean they have to be unhealthy or, let's face it, disgusting. There are plenty of ways to save money and eat well.

Pasta is cheap. Although most of us don't want to eat spaghetti every day, many of us don't realize how delicious it can really be. Forget about those boxed macaroni and spaghetti mixes. You can make a whole dinner for your family for just a few dollars a person by using spices, a few chopped vegetables, tomato paste and pasta. Add a nice romaine lettuce salad with lemon and oil dressing and you've got a filling, yet healthy cheap dinner.

Soup anyone? It's a nearly forgotten tradition, but serving soup with bread before a meal is an excellent way to save money and fill up a family. Plus, soups can be fun and very healthy. Lentil soup is very high in protein, but low in fat and provides nutrients that your body craves. You can serve a simple broth with vermicelli noodles, a creamy potato soup, or any other soup you can come up with. Soups generally freeze well too so make a big batch and save some for later to make your work week go more smoothly.

Rice is a filling, delicious and easy to make with the help of a rice cooker. Consider recipes that are heavy on rice, lighter on the meat with some vegetables. Many Asian dishes are healthy and inexpensive to make and are real family pleasers. Serve with hot and sour soup or a noodle soup to bulk up the meal.

Planning makes a huge difference. Did you know that Americans throw away thousands of pounds of food every year? Stop wasting your money by making a menu plan and shopping list. Once you have a plan, you will know exactly what to buy and how much. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how little you will waste and the savings go right back into your pocket.

Kimmy Verden enjoys writing about cooking tips, including cheap dinner recipes like the ones that can be found at pasta recipes etc and chicken breast recipes etc.