Cooking for the whole family can be a strain on your time – and your wallet. At Farm Boy, we want to transform grocery shopping from another errand into a source of inspiration, while maintaining excellent value. That’s where these 10 recipes come in handy. Easy to make, delicious to eat, and all under $25. With vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, and even vegan dishes, there’s a budget-friendly meal for everyone to enjoy!
Please note that the costs per serving are approximate and are based on prices at the time of writing. We have also not included the cost of pantry/kitchen staples like olive oil, salt, and spices, with the assumption that you already have them in your kitchen. Garnishes are optional and are not included in the cost breakdown. Find everything you need at your neighbourhood Farm Boy fresh-market and for more budget-friendly tips, be sure to check out our flyer!
Blog Overview
- 10 budget-friendly meals and recipes under $25.
- Recipes include vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and gluten-free options.
- Many budget-friendly recipes rely on a base of starches like rice, quinoa, or pasta.
- Each recipe offers an approximate cost per serving, at an average of four people per recipe.
- Discover more tips for budget-friendly meal planning for the whole family.
Tips for Budget-Friendly Meal Planning
- Choose meatless or plant-based options to stay under budget while still getting proper nutrition.
- Stretch your ingredients across multiple meals, rather than single-purpose items.
- Meals with starchy bases like rice, pasta, and quinoa go a long way to maximizing your budget.
- Purchase seasonal produce to get the most bang for your buck.
- Rely on pantry staples, canned items, and frozen options when necessary.
- Batch-cook and freeze dishes to enjoy later in the week.
- Shop flyer deals on our digital flyer page and build your menu around what’s on sale.
Budget-Friendly Recipes
Spicy Burst Tomato Pasta
Approximate Cost per Serving: $4.94
Dietary: Pescatarian or Vegetarian
An easy, delicious, and budget-friendly meal is only a few minutes away. You don’t have to be a chef to create this gourmet-style dish: boiling water and blistering tomatoes are all it takes. (If you happen to be gluten-free, you can swap out this pasta for a gluten-free version or spiralized veggies.)
This simple dish is as delicious as it is cost-effective. If you’re looking to increase the protein, simply add a can of Farm Boy™ Skipjack Tuna. It’s basically a shortcut recipe to pasta alla tonno!
Butter Chickpeas
Approximate Cost per Serving: $5.53
Dietary: Vegetarian
Butter chicken is a beloved dish in Indian cuisine and a popular choice if you’re not a big fan of spice. For an even more convenient meal, prepare this budget-friendly dish ahead of time and allow it to simmer. This allows the flavours to deepen and develop, making for a richer, more complex taste.
We used our Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce, which is a favourite from our Hot Bar, now available to take home. It’s prepared by us with authentic Indian spices like cumin, turmeric, garam masala, cardamom, and curry. Hearty, wholesome, and vegetarian-friendly, this meal is as delicious as it is economical.
Red Lentil Ragu
Approximate Cost per Serving: $1.70
Dietary: Vegan or Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Wholesome and satisfying, this ragu recipe is definitely a must-try when it comes to pasta. Made in the same way as a traditional Bolognese sauce, this vegan recipe substitutes lentils for the usual ground beef. (An added bonus, it also makes this meal much more cost-effective.)
Full of fibre and protein thanks to the lentils and hemp hearts, it’s also chock full of beautiful umami flavour. The addition of our tangy Balsamic Vinegar gives this dish a brightness that helps to balance and lift the other ingredients. Try it with polenta, spiralized veggies, or any of our fresh or dried pastas.
Plant Based Beef and Broccoli
Approximate Cost per Serving: $4.25
Dietary: Vegan
All the convenience of your favourite Chinese takeout, except better (and cheaper). This plant-based dinner recipe is incredibly quick and easy to prepare, with a delicious sweet and savoury flavour from our Teriyaki Cooking Sauce. We used our Vegan Beef-Less Tenders, but you can sub your preferred plant-based protein (tofu or tempeh would be delicious).
Make this plant-based comfort food an even more convenient dinner option by pairing with our Organic Jasmine Rice (it comes together in just one minute!).
Easy Butter Shrimp Curry
Approximate Cost per Serving: $6.25
Dietary: Pescatarian
Butter chicken is a favourite item from our Hot Bar. While there are plenty of ways to hack our Hot Bar to get the most bang for your buck, you can also stretch your dollar with this recipe at home.
We’ve swapped chicken for protein-packed shrimp and bulked up the whole meal with tender basmati rice. Quick and convenient thanks to our chef-prepped Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce, this budget-friendly dinner is ready in a little over 30 minutes.
Fresh Linguine and Meatballs in Sugo di Pomodoro
Approximate Cost per Serving: $5.50
Dietary: N/A
Is there any easier dinner idea than simple pasta and meatballs? Not when you’re using our fresh pasta, Sugo di Pomodoro, and chef-prepped meatballs! This meal idea uses only five ingredients and is an excellent option when you’re craving hearty pasta. It also happens to be easy on the wallet.
For a dish that’s on the table in less than half an hour, first cook the meatballs in the oven. While they cook, warm the sauce and boil water for the pasta. When the meatballs are done, toss them in the sauce. Since our fresh pasta is ready in just 3-4 minutes, you’ve got a delicious dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Spicy Eggplant Pasta
Approximate Cost per Serving: $4.88
Dietary: Vegetarian or Vegan
Sometimes the best dinners are the simplest ones. This pasta makes excellent use of eggplant for a deliciously authentic Italian flavour. Pasta dishes are always a good budget-friendly choice, as you can dress them up with whatever you have in your pantry or fridge.
This recipe doesn’t require many ingredients and relies primarily on pantry staples like pasta, tomato sauce, and extra virgin olive oil. Fresh basil and roasted eggplants take it up a notch when it comes to elegance while staying well within your grocery budget.
Hearty Chickpea Soup with Basil Pesto
Approximate Cost per Serving: $3.25
Dietary: Vegetarian or Vegan, Gluten-Free
For a delicious cold-weather meal, we recommend making this hearty chickpea soup. With a rich, flavourful broth, this recipe is just thick enough to straddle the line between soup and stew.
We’ve made this soup with our Organic Chickpeas, but you can add any beans you like best. A source of plant-based protein, iron, and fibre, beans are a delicious, budget-friendly way to add nutrition to any meal. If you’re cooking this soup for vegans or vegetarians, be sure to use a plant-based Parmesan (like our Vegan Parmezzan) or one that doesn’t contain animal rennet. (Or omit it all together.) You can also finish this dish with our Vegan Pesto. Made fresh by us with simple ingredients, it’s a plant-based product we think you’ll love!
Turkey Chili
Approximate Cost per Serving: $4.60
Dietary: Gluten-Free
If you’re looking for a recipe to freeze in batches and enjoy later, this is the dish for you. This wholesome, healthy chili recipe uses both kidney beans and chickpeas to increase the amount of fibre and protein, helping you to feel fuller for longer. It also has generous amounts of veggies, like bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and corn. And it’s budget-friendly, to boot!
We haven’t included the optional garnishes in our costing, but at approximately only $4.60 per serving, there’s definitely some wiggle room. Avocado, anyone?
Red Lentil Dal
Approximate Cost per Serving: $3.24
Dietary: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Think plant-based dishes aren’t satisfying? Think again! This Indian-inspired dish relies on red lentils, which are full of plant-based protein and fibre. They’re put to great use in this dal recipe. Dal means “to split” and earns its name from the use of pulses like split peas and lentils. As a dish, it has a thick, stew-like consistency that is best enjoyed in the chillier months.
Pull out your spice rack for this dish, as it really makes the flavour. To really stretch your meal, serve it with roti, naan, or rice.
