Eating for $2.50 a Day: Cheap Meal Ideas You Need to Try

The $10 budget challenge

Shopping list

I started my challenge at Dollar Tree, where I spent $10.71 on the following items:

• Pancake and waffle mix
• Pancake syrup
• Sausage links (6 pieces)
• John Morel smoked sausage
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced potatoes
• Red kidney beans (12 oz)
• Jasmine rice (2 cups)
• Stir fry blend (broccoli, carrots, peas, peppers)
• Seasoning blend (onion, celery, red and green bell pepper, parsley)

Breakfast ideas

Pancakes and sausage

For breakfast, I used the pancake mix, syrup, and sausage links. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pancake mix (yields about 5 pancakes)
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 sausage links

Instructions:

1. Mix the pancake mix and water.
2. Heat a little oil in a pan, cook the sausage links until browned.
3. Pour pancake batter into the pan to make small pancakes.
4. Serve with sausage and syrup.

This breakfast was filling and lasted me several days. The pancake mix yielded about 15 pancakes in total, ensuring multiple breakfasts.

Lunch ideas

Potato soup

Potato soup was a comforting and easy lunch option.

Ingredients:

• 1 can diced potatoes
• 1/4 bag seasoning blend
• Salt and pepper
• Water

Instructions:

1. Sauté the seasoning blend in a little oil.
2. Add the diced potatoes and enough water to cover them.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes until the potatoes are soft.
5. Mash some of the potatoes for a thicker consistency.

This recipe yielded two bowls of delicious potato soup.

Dinner ideas

Sheet pan sausage and veggies

A simple sheet pan meal provided two dinners.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag stir fry blend
• 1 John Morel smoked sausage
• 1 cup cooked jasmine rice (prepared in advance)
• Salt, pepper, and olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Spread the stir fry blend on a sheet pan.
3. Slice the sausage and add to the pan.
4. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.
6. Serve over 1/2 cup of jasmine rice.

Chili beans

Chili beans made for a hearty meal that lasted two days.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz red kidney beans (soaked and cooked)
• Remaining seasoning blend
• 1 John Morel smoked sausage
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• Salt, pepper, and oil

Instructions:

1. Sauté the sausage and seasoning blend in oil.
2. Add the cooked beans and diced tomatoes.
3. Add a can of water, season with salt and pepper.
4. Let it simmer until flavors meld.

This meal provided two servings and was surprisingly flavorful.

Cheap meal ideas

By carefully planning and utilizing a few simple ingredients, I managed to create a variety of meals that lasted four days for just $10.

This challenge not only helped me stick to a tight budget but also encouraged me to be creative in the kitchen. If you're looking to save money, I hope these meal ideas inspire you to make the most out of a small budget.

Which meal idea will you try first? Comment down below.

Next, check out these 2 Easy Recipes I Made as Part of My Pantry Clean-out Challenge.