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'!
Halloween Recipes For the whole family
Joe and I love spooky season and always go all out for Halloween. Sure, there's plenty of treats to go around, but don't forget to load up on some healthy fall dinner recipes as a base before all that sugar hits your system!
Fall Favorites—Pumpkin Edition
Y'all, the weather FINALLY changed here in the South, and I'm so here for it I can barely contain myself. Here are the first things I'll be whipping up to celebrate pumpkin spice season:
- Easy Pumpkin Protein Pancakes (No Protein Powder!)
- Easy, Make-Ahead Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal Recipe
- Protein-Packed Pumpkin Banana Muffins (No Protein Powder!)
- Moist Banana & Pumpkin Muffins with Streusel Topping
- Healthy Pumpkin Pecan Waffles
- Dump-and-Go Bread Machine Pumpkin Spice Yeast Bread
- Easy 4-Ingredient Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Sauce (Sugar-Free Option!)
Apple Recipes For Your Orchard Haul
Joe and I love to go apple picking every year, but when we do, we inevitably go overboard. After all, we're only two people—20 pounds might be a bit excessive! When my apple enthusiasm gets the best of me, here are the recipes I turn to:
- How to Make Crispy Apple Chips (Dehydrator or Oven)
- Easy Caramel Apple Cobbler (Made With Cake Mix!)
- Quick & Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter For Canning
- Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread With Spiced Maple Caramel
- Cinnamon Apple Preserves for Canning
- Baked Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats (One Pot Recipe!)
- Spicy Butternut Squash Soup With Apples (One-Pot!)
- Dutch Oven Turkey Breast with Creamy Apple Gravy
Game Day Favorites
Football season has officially arrived! Hosting your crew to root on your favorite team? Here are some excellent ways to keep everyone happily fed:
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
- Top 12 Tips For Hosting The Holidays On A Budget (Without Feeling Stressed)
- 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!
See more budget-friendly breakfast recipes →
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:
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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!
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!
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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