LPT request: meal ideas that stretch

Submitted by PutridOil8535 t3_yb5mkw in LifeProTips

Hi guys, I’m in an unfortunate slump as a single mom, I have $15 to last 2 weeks. What are some meals that I can make stretch (not spaghetti my 2 year old hates it lol) so I can feed me and my 2 kids? (Serious question) thanks in advance for the ideas!

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Random_Raw_Dogger t1_iteu1fu wrote

See if there are any food banks, churches and other organizations that distribute food donations locally, chances are there will be no charge.

r/frugal may also help with suggestions. They are the masters of living well... frugally.

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just_a_lil_shroom t1_itesnw4 wrote

Rice stretches far for what you pay, when we were really broke growing up we'd have rice and cooked carrots

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PutridOil8535 OP t1_itestoi wrote

I have about a half bag of rice, I will get some carrots to mix with it thank you 😊

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Meshitero-eric t1_itglile wrote

If you can afford to buy a loin roast (if you're eating meat, that is), buy them on sale, trim the fat and freeze it for adding a little oil or flavor to a meal (potatoes work well), and slice the roast into pork chops.

Pork, rice, and veg is a great meal. If you have a rice cooker, try adding veggies on top of the rice and use a little stock and season in place of some of the water.

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falconuruguay t1_itf4yfg wrote

Apply immediately for food stamps and WIC...since you are in a pinch, and there are kids involved, the chances are almost 100% that you will be issued emergency funds, and they will process your application much much faster.

2nd, call 211, and talk to the folks there...they will guide you to all of your local resources that can provide assistance, such as food banks, pantries, and other groups that provide help for single moms.

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akelly_75 t1_itewcj6 wrote

Have you signed up for food stamps? This won’t help your immediate problem; but may help in future; along with WIC (women, infants and children) food program.

Other commenters re: food pantry is a very good suggestion; also some states have utility assistance during winter months.

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_not_on_porpoise_ t1_itg3u0e wrote

It may help immediately, as they could be approved for expedited food stamps depending on their circumstances. The best way to get this is to go in and apply directly at the office.

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-nukethemoon t1_itevc9f wrote

/r/povertyfinance might help you navigate this tough time.

Everyone recommending rice and beans are right. You can also throw in russet potatoes, quick oats in bulk, canned veggies.

YouTube channel Great Depression Cooking might have some cheap varieties for you. Here’s her Poorman’s Meal https://youtu.be/p-GVl7scrYE

Definitely contact local churches and food banks. When my mom was having trouble navigating a divorce, raising 2 kids on a low wage, we were able to score fresh veggies and staples from a local church.

I wish you all the best, no one should have to go through this.

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PutridOil8535 OP t1_itevmvg wrote

Thank you very much 😭 times have been so tough for me and my baby girls but I’m gonna get through this for them.

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Destinneena t1_itfcw47 wrote

I just wanted to also add that search YouTube for budgeting for family off of 30 a month or something like that!

Also check what you have, you could be amazed at what you can do with what you have on hand!

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Helios4242 t1_itetohg wrote

Not sure if its too close to spaghetti for the kid, but Maruchan Ramen comes 12 for $3.60. One package is 370 calories and has 8g protein so covers a meal for the basics of macronutrient needs. I like to jazz it up with carrots (get the full size ones, they're ultra cheap. One package will last for 20ish of these meals). Ideally you can add an egg for protein (I just make a poached egg in the boiling water for the ramen). It adds $0.25 per meal but makes it a more filling meal. This adds more but I like to get rotisserie chicken from the store and I can either have that plain or add a bit to my Ramen. I can freeze what I don't use in a few days. Save the bones for making broth for stew, which is another cheap option. Potatoes, carrots, cheap stew meat.

Rice and beans is another classic cheap option.

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PutridOil8535 OP t1_iteubkt wrote

Thank you very much I will get some ramen

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Helios4242 t1_itev5oh wrote

The beef one probably has the most neutral flavor for kids. Chicken one isn't spicy but tastes like curry. Shrimp one they have to like shrimp.

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Independent-Error121 t1_itiw34l wrote

Don't do Ramen, do potatoes. Potatoes are surprisingly very cheap and much more healthier than ramen will ever be.

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Helios4242 t1_itj80ye wrote

no protein

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Independent-Error121 t1_itj853h wrote

Better them Ramem

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Helios4242 t1_itj8vpr wrote

name me a way to get 8g protein in 370 calories for 30 cents other than rice and beans which I also identified.

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Independent-Error121 t1_itj9li9 wrote

Potatoes with brown rice and beans

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Helios4242 t1_itjaiic wrote

You don't need the potatoes for that. It's redundant with the rice.

Rice and beans is indeed good You get better meal diversity if you have two types of meals but if they both need to be on the cheap you can't do rice and beans for both lmao.

Only real problem with Ramen is the sodium but that's a problem with a lot of things.

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ETAVEGAMING t1_itevp6x wrote

Healthy? Rice and eggs. Unhealthy? Ramen noodles.

Do you have a vehicle? Do doordash for a couple hours.

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WriteUrOwnEnding t1_itfuh8a wrote

Try posting to r/assistance - if you put up an Amazon wish list, people will usually help out with groceries for a few weeks.

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RascalRibs t1_iteslz9 wrote

$15 for two weeks? There's not too much you can do with that...

Rice and beans?

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PutridOil8535 OP t1_itet5od wrote

I’ll get a couple cans of beans thank you for your suggestion

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-nukethemoon t1_iteua8m wrote

Dry beans are about the same price and you can stretch them further, but they cost more time to prepare.

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Destinneena t1_itfcqwb wrote

If op can do the rapid method that saves more time! (I also would like to add that slow cooking them works to heat the house, if needed, and it can be made while doing other things)

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StrangerXtasy t1_itffmd0 wrote

Cans? I would buy Dried beans. Cook them and mix with rice.

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FancyRoom8541 t1_itfo1pp wrote

Look up Pro Home Cooks on YouTube and sort by their oldest videos. They have alot of videos on how to make really good meals with just a couple $.

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john-witty-suffix t1_itfwy21 wrote

Not sure if this will help on that small of a budget, but one thing to bear in mind is that having some different seasonings (sriracha, curry powder, etc.) can make the same stuff "stretch" -- in the psychological sense -- a lot further.

EDIT: I realize the OP is about actual food, but I guess the angle here is you could buy a larger quantity of a cheaper -- but boring -- food and still keep your sanity. :)

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Cute_Bird707 t1_itf5izw wrote

/Eatcheapandhealthy would have suggestions (hope I got that name right)

YouTube has tons of meal plans for around $10 a week. I figured you could work with that since you said you have beans and they include beans

Here's one to get you started. https://youtu.be/hXntLW_QYuw

Please check out a food pantry or look and see if there's a free mini pantry in your area. https://www.littlefreepantry.org/ https://www.thelittlefreepantries.org/find-a-pantry

Auntbertha.com might have resources in your area too.

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Peterthinking t1_itfao6e wrote

Perogies. For one egg, 4 cups of flour a bit of salt and two large potatoes you can feed 3 people for over two days.

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Evening_Tradition407 t1_itf909e wrote

Jambalaya can be pretty cheap to make and rather filling. I make mine with less Cajun spice than the recipe states so my kids will be able to enjoy it too. I would also suggest peanut butter and jelly. I use cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches in fun shapes for the kids. Scrambled eggs/omelets can be a high protein cheap meal if you can find eggs for a good price. Good luck mama. I hope you make it through this rough time.

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insidesnail143 t1_itffmp2 wrote

Brown some Hamburg as well you can get the big roll of it for cheaper it comes in 5lbs I think?! With mixed frozen veggies even & rice and it's yummy ! Also store brand cereal for the toddler! Try dollar tree for snacks for the baby as well I'm also a mum who lives stretching it more than I'd like to admit and yes pantries churches just search your area shit even Facebook market place for ur area just ask and people will usually lend a helping hand all you need is one ya know. Best of luck mumma you got this xoxo

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nopurpose t1_itfw2is wrote

Learn how to bake bread and get some peanut butter. Bread is 4 ingredients... Water, salt, yeast, and flour. You only need one packet of yeast and you can keep the starter alive for multiple batches. Daily bread for calories, peanut butter for protein.

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Lsufaninva t1_itg5cji wrote

Tuna mixed in to Mac and cheese kept my sisters and I fed.add a can of English peas if you’re feeling fancy

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whyunoletmepost t1_itg5vzu wrote

A cheap/easy dinner is chicken thighs (usually $3 a pound or less), rice, and a $1 bag of frozen veggies with whatever spices I have around. If I have any left over I throw it all in a pan the next night and add some soy sauce or teriyaki to get a second dinner out of it. Baked beans and potatoes are also great cheap sides that can be "recycled" the next day into a stew. That being said I have 20 bucks in my venmo and would be glad to send it to you if you want.

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_________FU_________ t1_itg7kll wrote

Chicken fried rice.

1 roasted chicken from the store (Sam’s is like $5 for a whole chicken)

1 box of 5 min rice

1 bag of mixed vegetables

1 white onion

3-4 eggs

Garlic

Salt, pepper, cooking oil and soy sauce.

  1. Boil water and then add 5 min rice.
  2. After rice is added remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  3. Cook the onion and garlic in some oil until the onions turn clear
  4. Add in the vegetables and cook them throughly. Of your bag has carrots you might want to boil the veges first. Carrots take forever to cook.
  5. Split veges to one side and add your eggs
  6. Once the eggs are cooked and your chicken (chopped up)
  7. Now once the chicken is hot add rice
  8. Add soy sauce to add color and flavor.
  9. Let everything cook together and when ready eat!

I made this yesterday with 3 cups of rice and it will last me at least a week or more. I normally reheat it over the stove with fresh soy sauce to give it a fresh taste. It’s normally made with old rice so it’s perfect!

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_________FU_________ t1_itg80b1 wrote

Chicken Salad

1 roasted chicken

1 bag of grapes (purple is dope)

1 bag of pecans or almonds

1 bag of celery

1 white/yellow onion

Mayo, salt, pepper

  1. Dice the chicken
  2. Add chicken to bowl
  3. Dice grapes, onion, celery and pecans
  4. Add everything
  5. Add Mayo, salt and pepper to taste

This is great on toasted bread with chips. Can last for a week plus.

I rotate these for lunch and dinner.

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Bear_Jake t1_itg9q2k wrote

Oatmeal, rice, peanut butter, spaghetti.

You can also look into donating plasma twice a week which could earn you some extra cash for groceries, its a pretty painless process!

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keepthetips t1_itescvm wrote

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Crazyeyes3567 t1_itfq8vb wrote

Rice, carrots, onions, potatoes, chicken, cabbage

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Adenosine01 t1_itfvv3w wrote

Mac and cheese with hotdogs cut up in it, ramen noodles

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World_Navel t1_itg13ry wrote

Lentil soup (aka dal) over rice. Don’t skimp on the seasonings and salt. https://www.google.com/search?q=dal+lentil+soup

Like others have pointed out, you could also contact churches and food banks. People donate to these precisely because they don’t want you and your kids to go hungry!

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uniqueperson22 t1_itg1rwp wrote

Lentils, dry lentils. Cook them with carrots and onions.

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baked_tea t1_itg3822 wrote

r/eatcheapandhealthy

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Crystalraf t1_itg6m84 wrote

find a food pantry. There are some food pantries that offer food, no questions asked.

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Tschensche t1_itgafu8 wrote

Rice is the Carb to go. And depending on where you live, you can get canned sardines in oil very cheap… open can and mix it with hot rice and you got yourself a cheap and rich food…

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gertbfrobe22 t1_itgeeuc wrote

Also, check out the website budgetbytes. She has great recipes that are pretty inexpensive that may be useful in the future. I use her website a lot!

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scubagalrd t1_itgoey2 wrote

Lentils, beans, & rice are cheap & go a long way. Lentil sloppy joes, black bean mexican dishes, beans & rice,....

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Swankymode t1_itgrr9s wrote

Sweet potatoes. They’re pretty cheap, nutrient dense, and have a lot of prep options to keep them from becoming dull. Also look for food banks and churches that have food donation programs.

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MND420 t1_ith1y1i wrote

In The Netherlands we have traditional dishes called “stamppot”. It’s basically cooked potatoes and vegetables, then mashed together, topped with gravy and smoked sausage.

Two pounds of potatoes, one pound of vegetables (whole carrots, kale, endive) and two onions, prepared in a two gallon pot should be enough for 6 adult sized portions.

Gravy can be replaced with powdered gravy and the smoked sausage with (canned) hot dogs to make it cheaper.

I also like chili sin carne. Rice, canned red kidney beans, canned diced tomatoes, canned adobo sauce, garlic. Leaving out the meat, because that is usually what makes it more expensive. But great dish to make in large amounts.

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wingedespeon t1_ith7wso wrote

Mashed potatoes and cabbage is pretty cheap.

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Anakin_Skywanker t1_ith9hod wrote

When I was a kid and money was tight my mom would add and sub black beans to any meal that used ground beef. Use the beans for half of the beef required. (Example, if the meal requires a pound of ground beef, do half a pound of beef and then an equivalent volume of beans) The beans take the seasoning of the beef well and make it significantly more filling. Works especially well for meals like tacos.

You can also sub ground turkey for ground beef. It’s much cheaper. It does require substantially more seasoning though because the turkey doesn’t take seasoning as readily as beef.

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mommadragon72 t1_iths7k2 wrote

One of my fav meals growing up was pasta with toast. Make the pasta, add a bit of oil and garlic salt. Butter( or otherwise oil) the toast them cut it into small bits and fry them up with a touch more garlic salt. Top each bowl of pasta with toast bits. I know it's not super healthy but it's comfort food and cheap

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TheRainStopped t1_iticjvo wrote

May not be an option for you but marketforce.com will pay you $10 and a free meal at Five Guys if mystery shop and answer some questions. Best of luck Mama.

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CollinUrshit t1_itj4e7n wrote

Oatmeal(bulk not packets) with store brand jelly mixed in, might work for a cheap breakfast and snack. Make with water since milk wouldn’t be budget friendly. I fed my kids macaroni noodles with butter and parmigiana cheese recently and they liked it. Could maybe snag some parm packets from a gas station or pizza place.

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jkmkhk t1_itjwutl wrote

Lots of food banks have emergency boxes that you can pick up with 2-4 Ema emergency food for a family of 4 if your income qualifies. SNP, churches, and WIC are also good resources.

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