Budget Friendly Meals

Mash part of the beans to make this paprika-scented soup creamy without adding cream. Canned pinto beans keep the method…

Whole brown lentils simmer until tender, then meet sweet peppers, cumin and a lemon finish. A little crisp pepper and red onion at the table add contrast to this thick, spoonable stew.

A tender beef meatloaf with softened onion, a moist cracker crumb mixture and a tangy tomato top. Bake once, then save slices for sandwiches.

A bubbling family pasta bake with a creamy white cheddar sauce, mustard for depth and fresh green onions. Serve with a crisp vegetable side.

Dried red lentils turn creamy without soaking. Cumin, softened onion, garlic and lemon make a hearty, flavorful soup with very little spicy heat.

A hot oven, butter and enough room on the pan bring out the sweetness of carrots. Lemon at the end keeps them lively alongside a roast.

Crunchy cabbage with a creamy, tangy dressing makes a useful companion for burgers, baked pasta and next-day meatloaf sandwiches.

A reliable pot of fluffy rice that gives beans, chicken and saucy vegetables a simple base. A little butter and parsley keep it useful across several meals.

A budget vegetable side with tender potatoes, sweet carrots and peas, finished in butter and a little of their cooking liquid.

Cold butter, a light hand and a hot oven give these biscuits tender layers. Make eight and plan the extras for tomorrow’s soup or breakfast.

One simple loaf for dinner bread, meatloaf sandwiches and toast. Slice only what you need so the remaining loaf keeps better.

A big pot of beef, black beans, small red beans and tomatoes, with 1½-cup portions, optional heat variations and a three-meal plan. Yield and cost are estimates.