My Inexpensive Go-To Recipe That’s Easy To Make

Groceries are expensive right now and many of us are having to do some serious budgeting. If you don't mind leftovers, I have an easy to make inexpensive recipe that will only cost around $15. Yesterday, I was reading a story about a mom of two who's limiting what she buys in order to make ends meet. She's baking her own bread, which I've thought about doing, and buying things when she sees they're on sale.

Today I did some grocery shopping and bought two loaves of bread because they were BOGO free. I don't eat sandwich bread lots, but it's an inexpensive item to buy and bread is versatile. In addition to sandwiches, you can make toast, French toast, croutons, and breadcrumbs. It's always good to have on hand.

Obviously, all households are different as to what foods are a must but it's always a bonus to have a few inexpensive recipes that are easy to make. One of the things I make often when money is tight is a rice/bean/smoked sausage dish. Usually, you have most of the ingredients on hand and there are different ways to spice it up.

Beans are a staple for me as they're good for you, a protein source, and very inexpensive. As a general rule, you can snag a can of beans for less than a dollar at most grocery stores. Personally, I like Cannellini beans. They're great in lots of dishes! These beans can go in rice, pasta, and even salads. I also like dark kidney beans.

The priciest thing in this recipe is the smoked sausage or kielbasa. I get the Johnsonville Turkey Kielbasa, which costs around $6 or $7 dollars. White or brown rice works in this dish. Canned tomatoes, around $3 tops at most stores, is optional. Onions, garlic, peppers and celery are all fine for this recipe.

I cut the sausage into small pieces, and brown them in a hot skillet. Once they're finished, I put them into a bowl. Using the same pan, I sauté an onion and if I have garlic, I'll add that into the pan once the onions are translucent. Sometimes I'll also sauté celery with the onion, as I like the crunch. Once the veggies are cooked, I'll add two cans of drained beans, just to warm them up.

In a separate pot, I'll cook a cup or two of rice. Once the rice is cooked, I'll add the veggies, beans and sausage to it. Then I'll add a drained can of tomatoes. Spice wise, I like to add some salt, pepper, and some red pepper flakes. Or I'll add some Cajun seasoning that I usually have. Greek seasoning works as well.

Let all the ingredients simmer on low for a bit. It the dish looks too dry, adding chicken or veggie broth will help and give it more flavor. Sometimes I'll add some butter to the dish, as it adds a richness.

That's it! It's filling, has lots of protein, fiber, and it's not too unhealthy. And it's cost-effective and easy to whip up. If you're not a fan of sausage or kielbasa, chicken goes well in this dish too. If you like spicy foods, adding some Texas Pete gives this meal a nice punch.

Not a fancy meal but when you're on a budget, this is easy, tasty, and not too expensive. And you can grab the ingredients at any grocery store.

Are you tired of grocery shopping? Are you tired of trying to figure out what to cook for dinner every night? Trust me, I get it. Balancing your day and trying to figure out what to eat at night can be such a headache. That is why take-out seems to just be everyone's favorite thing to do after a long day!

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