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Cheap Meals to Stretch Your Grocery Budget

A budget-friendly meal that uses pantry staples to feed a family of four for under ten dollars, bringing warmth and flavor to the dinner table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Tex-Mex
Servings 4 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain rice (white or brown) White cooks faster
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Don’t skip the garlic
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced Any color
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Liquid and Beans

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained Or use 1 cup fresh tomatoes

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen corn Optional but adds sweetness
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack) Optional
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley For garnish

Seasoning

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Add-Ins

  • Optional add-ins: cooked shredded chicken, ground beef, or a drained can of chickpeas

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt, cooking for 4 to 6 minutes until soft and slightly golden.
  • Add minced garlic and bell pepper. Stir for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
  • Stir in the rice and toast it for 2 minutes, moving it around to prevent stickiness.
  • Add cumin, paprika, and oregano, toasting the spices for 20 to 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and lower the heat. Cook white rice for 15 minutes, brown rice for about 35 to 40 minutes, until tender.

Cooking

  • Once the rice is nearly done, stir in the drained beans, diced tomatoes, and frozen corn.
  • Cover and let heat through for 5 minutes.
  • If desired, sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and let sit off heat for 2 minutes to melt.
  • Finish by squeezing lime and sprinkling with cilantro or parsley.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve family-style, allowing everyone to customize their plates with toppings.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water if it looks dry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 15gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 300mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5g
Keyword Budget Cooking, Cheap Meals, family dinner, One-Pot Meals, Rice Dishes
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