I believe everyone should have access to nutritious and delicious meals, no matter what kind of budget you're on or how much time you have. My recipes are pretty quick to pull off, don't require a ton of kitchen skills, and stay within (or under!) the USDA’s low-cost food plan budget of about $9 per adult per day. Let's get cookin'!
Simple Summer Eats
Here in the South, the weather is already approximately 1 million degrees with 1 zillion percent humidity, so I like to do everything I can to keep my oven off and do most of my cooking outside. Here are some of my favorite summer recipes to beat the heat:
- Peach Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Burrata & Arugula
- Zucchini Linguine with Lemon, Feta, & Mint
- Asian Pork Burgers With Spicy Mayo & Pickled Veggies
- Spicy Pineapple Watermelon Salad With Jalapeños
- Quick & Easy Greek Burgers with Feta & Tzatziki
- Easy Watermelon Skewers With Feta, Mint, & Basil
- Easy Grilled Chicken Pita Wraps
- Hawaiian Roll Chicken Sliders With Grilled Pineapple
No-Bake Desserts For Summer
Y'all, I'm a sissy when it comes to summer heat. That's why I avoid my oven as much as possible from about June-September (with the exception of my peach crumble pie and blueberry peach dump cake cobbler because they're that good). That said, I'm still a huge sweet tooth! Here are some of my favorite ways to satisfy my dessert cravings when the mercury rises:
- No-Bake Indoor S'mores Bars w/ Golden Grahams Cereal
- Blueberry Parfaits With Lemon Chantilly & Gingersnaps
- Easy Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream (No Egg Recipe!)
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake
- Easy Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (No Cook, No Eggs!)
- Mint Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
- Fruity Pebbles Cereal Bars (a.k.a. Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Food Budgeting 101
Grocery prices are seemingly ever on the rise, but that doesn't mean your meals have to suffer. If you have a well-stocked pantry, start by doing a No Spend Challenge. The idea is to eat through the pantry and freezer with minimal grocery hauls for perishables as needed. (Don't worry—there are plenty of pantry meals you can make without much, like my childhood favorite linguini and white clam sauce or salmon sweet potato cakes!) For more ways to save money while still eating well, check out my favorite food budgeting tricks and tips:
- How To Reduce Food Waste At Home
- How to Combat Inflation at the Grocery Store
- Don't Buy It, DIY It! 12 Budget-Friendly Breakfast Hacks So You Can Save $$$ and Ditch the Packaging for Good
- Surprising Secrets Revealed: 13+ Unconventional Ways & Places to Slash Your Grocery Bill
- No-Spend January Challenge: Grocery Edition
- How to Build a Little Free Pantry & Feed Your Community
- How to Make Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth or Bone Broth for FREE
- How to Make Fancy Coffee Shop-Style Drinks at Home
Healthy, High-Protein Breakfast
Looking for easy, budget-friendly breakfasts that start your day on a healthy foot? I've got you covered!
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Good & Cheap Meals
Living as a bougie foodie on a shoestring budget is easier than you might think. Lean into grains, legumes, and scratch-cooking to extract major flavor without a big bill. These are some of my all-time favorite recipes that come in under $2 per serving:
Affordable Luxuries
If you've got a foodie heart on a shoestring budget, I see you! Here are some of my favorite ways to add a little sparkle to my day—without breaking the bank.
New & Recently Updated Posts
A mix of old favorites that I've updated, easy tricks for keeping your food budget in check, and shiny new recipes I couldn't wait to share. Enjoy!
Game Day Favorites
Hosting your crew to root on your favorite team? Here are some excellent ways to keep everyone happily fed:
Takeout Fakeout
Craving your favorite takeout, but sticking to a tight budget? Not to fret. You can make it yourself! Here are some fantastic copycat recipes to get you started:
Homemade Bread
Ever since I started baking yeasted bread 20 years ago, I haven't been able to quit. And while my sourdough starter, Breadna, has only been around for about 5 years, she and I have built quite a rapport. Come get some flour on your apron!
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Fast & Easy Recipes
Just because you're busy doesn't mean a homemade meal is out of the question. Here are some of my favorite simple dishes to get you fed without any fuss:
Check out more Fast & Easy Recipes→
Plant-Based Favorites
Whether you're looking for Meatless Monday inspiration or are just trying to eat more veggies, my collection of vegan and vegetarian meals is sure to leave you satisfied.
Check out more Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes→
Yummy Sides
Whether you need something tasty to bring to your next potluck, or just need a little something extra on the dinner table tonight, my favorite sides will give the main dish a run for its money:
Check out more yummy sides→
Trending Posts
Whether you're in need of a super fast pantry meal, show-stopping side, grab-and-go breakfast, or something sweet to help you chillax, these tried and true recipes have you covered. They're what readers currently can't get enough of!
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