Looking to save money while still enjoying delicious meals? Look no further! In this article, you will find 10 frugal cooking recipes from scratch that are not only budget-friendly but also burst with flavor. From hearty soups to tantalizing desserts, these recipes will help you make the most out of your pantry staples and create mouthwatering dishes without breaking the bank. So, grab your apron and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure filled with creativity and thriftiness!

10 Frugal Cooking Recipes from Scratch

Are you looking to save money while still enjoying delicious and satisfying meals? Look no further! In this article, we will share with you 10 frugal cooking recipes that you can easily prepare from scratch. These recipes are not only budget-friendly, but they are also simple to make, using ingredients that are readily available. So, let’s dive into the world of frugal cooking and embrace the art of preparing affordable meals without compromising on taste or quality.

1. Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• Assorted vegetables (carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, etc.)
• Vegetable broth or stock
• Herbs and spices (bay leaves, thyme, black pepper, etc.)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Chop the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces.
2. In a large pot, heat some oil or butter and sauté the onions until translucent.
3. Add the remaining vegetables and cook for a few minutes.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth or stock, along with the herbs and spices.
5. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer until the vegetables are tender.
6. Season with salt to taste before serving.

Frugal Tips:

• Use seasonal vegetables or those on sale to keep the cost low.
• Make a large batch and freeze individual portions for later use.

2. Rice and Beans

Ingredients:

• Rice
• Canned or dried beans (black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice and cook it according to the package instructions.
2. In a separate pot, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the beans, along with their liquid (if using canned beans) or water (if using dried beans).
4. Stir in the cumin and salt, and let the mixture simmer until the beans are tender.
5. Serve the beans over the cooked rice.

Frugal Tips:

• Use dried beans instead of canned to save even more money.
• Leftover rice and beans can be repurposed into other dishes, such as burritos or tacos.

3. Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

• Pasta of your choice
• Canned or homemade tomato sauce
• Onion
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Boil the pasta until al dente, according to the package instructions.
2. In a saucepan, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in olive oil.
3. Add the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning, and simmer for a few minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce and toss until well coated.
6. Serve with grated cheese, if desired.

Frugal Tips:

• Make your own tomato sauce using canned tomatoes and herbs to save money.
• Opt for inexpensive pasta options, such as spaghetti or penne.

4. Homemade Pizza

Ingredients for Dough:

• All-purpose flour
• Yeast
• Salt
• Warm water

Ingredients for Pizza Topping:

• Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, etc.)
• Assorted toppings (pepperoni, vegetables, etc.)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Gradually add warm water and mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
5. Preheat the oven to the highest temperature.
6. Roll out the dough into the desired shape and thickness.
7. Spread the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes over the dough.
8. Add the cheese and your preferred toppings.
9. Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Frugal Tips:

• Make your own pizza dough instead of buying pre-made.
• Use leftover ingredients, such as vegetables or cooked meat, as pizza toppings.

5. Lentil Curry

Ingredients:

• Lentils
• Onion
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Curry powder or spices (cumin, turmeric, coriander, etc.)
• Coconut milk or tomato puree
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Rinse the lentils and cook them according to the package instructions.
2. In a pan, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
3. Add the curry powder or spices and cook for a minute.
4. Pour in the coconut milk or tomato puree and bring to a simmer.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add the cooked lentils and let the curry simmer for a few minutes.
7. Serve with rice or naan bread.

Frugal Tips:

• Purchase lentils and spices in bulk to save money in the long run.
• Leftover curry can be frozen for future meals.

6. Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Olive oil
• Herbs and spices (paprika, garlic powder, thyme, etc.)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature.
2. Rub the chicken drumsticks with olive oil and season with herbs, spices, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until cooked through and golden.
4. Serve with a side of vegetables or salad.

Frugal Tips:

• Purchase chicken drumsticks in bulk or when on sale to maximize savings.
• Leftover chicken can be used in sandwiches or salads.

7. Stir-Fried Vegetables

Ingredients:

• Assorted vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, etc.)
• Garlic
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat some oil in a wok or pan.
3. Add the chopped garlic and stir-fry for a minute.
4. Add the vegetables and cook until they are crisp-tender.
5. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil (if using).
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve as a side dish or over steamed rice.

Frugal Tips:

• Choose local and seasonal vegetables for better prices and freshness.
• Use frozen vegetables when fresh ones are not available or affordable.

8. Potato Hash

Ingredients:

• Potatoes
• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Vegetable oil or butter
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Peel and dice the potatoes into small cubes.
2. Chop the onion and bell pepper.
3. Heat the oil or butter in a skillet.
4. Add the potatoes, onion, and bell pepper to the skillet.
5. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are crispy and golden.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve as a hearty breakfast or as a side dish.

Frugal Tips:

• Purchase potatoes in bulk as they are usually inexpensive.
• Use leftover potato hash for breakfast burritos or as a filling for wraps.

9. Tuna Salad

Ingredients:

• Canned tuna
• Onion
• Celery
• Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
• Dijon mustard (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Drain the canned tuna and place it in a bowl.
2. Chop the onion and celery into small pieces.
3. Add the chopped onion and celery to the bowl with tuna.
4. Mix in the mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, and Dijon mustard (if desired).
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve the tuna salad on bread, crackers, or salad greens.

Frugal Tips:

• Look for sales or discounts on canned tuna to stock up.
• Try using less expensive cuts of tuna, such as chunk light.

10. Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats
• Flour
• Butter
• Sugar (white or brown)
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Optional additions (chocolate chips, dried fruits, nuts, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature.
2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
6. Fold in any desired additions, such as chocolate chips or dried fruits.
7. Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto a greased baking sheet.
8. Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are golden around the edges.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before enjoying.

Frugal Tips:

• Purchase oatmeal and flour in bulk for better prices and convenience.
• Customize the cookies using affordable additions, such as raisins instead of chocolate chips.

With these 10 frugal cooking recipes, you can create delicious and economical meals from scratch. Whether you’re looking to stretch your food budget or simply want to embrace a more frugal lifestyle, these recipes offer a variety of options for every taste and dietary preference. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your apron, and enjoy the joy of cooking wholesome and budget-friendly meals in your own kitchen!