Cooking can be both enjoyable and cost-effective, especially when you use simple and affordable ingredients. Here are some cheap and easy meal ideas that you can try with minimal ingredients and preparation time. :

1. Spaghetti Bolognese:

• Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 pound (450g) spaghetti

• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

• Instructions:

1. Brown ground beef in a pan, add onion and garlic.

2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

3. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.

4. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.

5. Serve the Bolognese sauce over spaghetti, garnish with Parmesan.

2. Vegetarian Stir-Fry:

• Ingredients:

• 1 cup broccoli florets

• 1 bell pepper, sliced

• 1 carrot, julienned

• 1 cup snap peas

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• Cooked rice for serving

• Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a wok or skillet, sauté ginger and garlic.

2. Add vegetables and stir-fry until tender.

3. Pour in soy sauce, toss to combine.

4. Serve over cooked rice.

3. Chicken and Vegetable Quesadillas:

• Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup diced onions

• 4 large flour tortillas

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• Salsa and sour cream for serving

• Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, bell pepper, cheese, and onions.

2. Spoon the mixture onto half of each tortilla, fold in half.

3. Heat oil in a pan, cook quesadillas until golden on both sides.

4. Slice and serve with salsa and sour cream.

4. One-Pan Baked Ziti:

• Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• Instructions:

1. Cook ziti according to package instructions.

2. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic, drain excess fat.

3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

4. Mix cooked ziti with the meat sauce, transfer to a baking dish, and top with mozzarella.

5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.

5. Vegetable and Chickpea Curry:

• Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 bell peppers, sliced

• 1 zucchini, sliced

• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

• 2 tablespoons curry powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Cooked rice for serving

• Instructions:

1. Sauté onion in a pan until softened.

2. Add bell peppers and zucchini, cook until vegetables are tender.

3. Stir in chickpeas, coconut milk, curry powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.

4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, serve over cooked rice.

6. Tuna and Vegetable Casserole:

• Ingredients:

• 2 cups egg noodles, cooked

• 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained

• 1 cup frozen peas

• 1 cup sliced carrots

• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup

• 1/2 cup milk

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large bowl, mix cooked noodles, tuna, peas, carrots, mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper.

3. Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with cheddar cheese.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

7. Black Bean and Vegetable Quesadillas:

• Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 4 large flour tortillas

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• Salsa and guacamole for serving

• Instructions:

1. Mix black beans, bell pepper, corn, and cheese.

2. Spoon the mixture onto half of each tortilla, fold in half.

3. Heat oil in a pan, cook quesadillas until golden on both sides.

4. Slice and serve with salsa and guacamole.

8. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas:

• Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) chicken breasts, thinly sliced

• 1 onion, sliced

• 1 bell pepper, sliced

• 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• Flour tortillas for serving

• Salsa, sour cream, and shredded lettuce for toppings

• Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss chicken, onion, and bell pepper with fajita seasoning and oil on a sheet pan.

3. Spread in a single layer and bake for 20-25 minutes.

4. Serve with warm tortillas and toppings.

9. Easy Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry:

• Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) beef strips

• 2 cups broccoli florets

• 1 bell pepper, sliced

• 1 carrot, julienned

• 1 cup snap peas

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• Cooked rice for serving

• Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a wok or skillet, sauté ginger and garlic.

2. Add beef and stir-fry until browned.

3. Add vegetables and continue stir-frying until tender.

4. Pour in soy sauce, toss to combine.

5. Serve over cooked rice.

10. Chickpea and Vegetable Curry Stew:

• Ingredients:

• 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

• 2 tablespoons curry powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh cilantro for garnish

• Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté onion until softened.

2. Add carrots, potatoes, chickpeas, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, curry powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.

3. Simmer for 20-25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

4. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

These dinner ideas offer a mix of flavours and are simple to prepare. Adjust quantities based on your family size and enjoy these tasty and budget-friendly meals!