15 Best Extremely Cheap Meals Under $1

Byarlo Jack
15 Best Extremely Cheap Meals Under $1

Eating on a budget doesn’t mean giving up hearty, delicious meals. With a little creativity and smart shopping, you can prepare satisfying dishes for less than $1 per serving. These 15 recipes are proof that you don’t need to spend big to eat well — perfect for students, families, or anyone looking to save money while enjoying real comfort food.

1. Egg Fried Rice

Leftover rice gets a new life in this budget-friendly favorite. With just a couple of eggs, some soy sauce, and frozen vegetables, you’ll have a filling and flavorful dish that’s ready in minutes.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 2 cups cooked rice (day-old works best)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup frozen peas & carrots
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

Directions:

  1. Scramble eggs in a skillet and set aside.
  2. Add veggies and rice; stir-fry 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in eggs and soy sauce, cook until hot.

2. Ramen Stir-Fry

Instant ramen is famous for being cheap, but you don’t have to eat it plain. By stir-frying it with an egg and vegetables, you can turn this humble packet into a hearty, satisfying meal.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 1 pack instant ramen
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

Directions:

  1. Cook ramen (without flavor packet) and drain.
  2. Stir-fry veggies, add cooked noodles, soy sauce, and a scrambled egg.
  3. Serve hot.

3. Bean and Cheese Burritos

Simple yet delicious, bean and cheese burritos are filling, protein-packed, and easy to make in bulk. They’re proof that a few basic ingredients can stretch into a meal the whole family enjoys.

Ingredients (4 burritos):

  • 4 tortillas
  • 1 can refried beans
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Directions:

  1. Warm tortillas. Spread beans and sprinkle cheese.
  2. Roll up burritos and heat in skillet until golden.

4. Cabbage Stir-Fry

Cabbage is one of the cheapest vegetables available, and when stir-fried with onions and soy sauce, it becomes a savory, comforting dish that pairs perfectly with rice.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 3 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

Directions:

  1. Heat oil, sauté onion until soft.
  2. Add cabbage and soy sauce, stir-fry 5 minutes.
  3. Serve with rice.

5. Lentil Soup

Lentils are one of the most cost-effective sources of protein. A bowl of warm lentil soup is not only cheap but also nutritious and filling, making it an ideal budget-friendly dinner.

Ingredients (4 servings):

  • 1 cup lentils
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 4 cups broth or water

Directions:

  1. Sauté onion and carrot.
  2. Add lentils and broth. Simmer 25 minutes until tender.
  3. Season with salt, pepper, or spices.

6. Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich

Sometimes the simplest meals are the most satisfying. Peanut butter and banana on bread is sweet, filling, and packed with energy, all for less than a dollar.

Ingredients (1 serving):

  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 banana, sliced

Directions:

  1. Spread peanut butter on bread.
  2. Add banana slices, close sandwich, and serve.

7. Pasta with Garlic and Oil (Aglio e Olio)

This Italian classic uses just a few pantry staples: pasta, garlic, oil, and chili flakes: to create a flavorful, comforting dish that feels fancy while costing next to nothing.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • 3 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Pinch chili flakes

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta, reserve ½ cup water.
  2. Sauté garlic in oil, add chili.
  3. Toss with pasta and reserved water.

8. Veggie Omelet

Eggs are one of the most affordable proteins, and when paired with a handful of vegetables, they make a hearty omelet that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 4 eggs
  • ½ cup chopped vegetables
  • Salt & pepper

Directions:

  1. Beat eggs, season with salt and pepper.
  2. Pour into skillet, add veggies.
  3. Cook until set, fold, and serve.

9. Rice and Beans

A timeless budget staple, rice and beans are nutritious, versatile, and extremely cheap. They’re the ultimate comfort food that fills you up without draining your wallet.

Ingredients (4 servings):

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 can beans (black or pinto)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Directions:

  1. Cook beans with cumin and garlic powder.
  2. Serve over rice.

10. Tomato Soup with Grilled Bread

Canned tomatoes transform into a rich, cozy soup that pairs beautifully with crispy grilled bread. It’s cheap, warming, and perfect for chilly days.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 slices bread

Directions:

  1. Sauté onion, add tomatoes, and simmer 15 minutes.
  2. Season and blend if desired.
  3. Grill bread and serve alongside.

11. Baked Potatoes with Toppings

Potatoes are incredibly affordable and endlessly versatile. Baked until fluffy and topped with beans, cheese, or vegetables, they become a hearty meal that costs just pennies.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 2 large potatoes
  • ½ cup cheese or beans

Directions:

  1. Bake potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 45 minutes.
  2. Cut open and top with cheese, beans, or veggies.

12. Sloppy Joe Lentils

This clever twist on a classic uses lentils instead of ground beef, making it much cheaper while still delivering that saucy, satisfying sloppy joe flavor.

Ingredients (4 servings):

  • 1 cup lentils
  • 1 cup ketchup or tomato sauce
  • 4 hamburger buns

Directions:

  1. Cook lentils until tender.
  2. Stir in ketchup and simmer 5 minutes.
  3. Spoon onto buns.

13. Veggie Stir-Fry Noodles

Noodles are inexpensive and filling, and when tossed with stir-fried vegetables and soy sauce, they make a quick, tasty dinner that’s light on your budget.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 4 oz noodles
  • 2 cups vegetables
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

Directions:

  1. Boil noodles and drain.
  2. Stir-fry vegetables, add noodles and soy sauce.

14. Eggplant Curry

Eggplant is a budget-friendly vegetable that soaks up spices beautifully. Cooked down into a curry, it becomes a rich, hearty dish that pairs perfectly with rice.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 1 eggplant, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 cup broth or water

Directions:

  1. Sauté onion and eggplant.
  2. Add curry powder and broth, simmer 20 minutes.
  3. Serve with rice.

15. Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Warm, creamy oatmeal is already one of the cheapest breakfasts you can make, but adding a spoonful of peanut butter turns it into a protein-rich, satisfying meal that keeps you full for hours.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 1 cup oats
  • 2 cups water or milk
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter

Directions:

  1. Cook oats in water or milk until soft.
  2. Stir in peanut butter and serve warm.

Conclusion

These 15 extremely cheap meals prove that eating on a tight budget can still be flavorful, hearty, and fun. By using versatile staples like rice, beans, eggs, and pasta, you can stretch your dollars while still enjoying satisfying dishes. Next time you’re meal planning, try one of these under-$1 recipes and see how affordable good food can really be.