Cheap recipes for families: inexpensive food for less than 2 euros

Sometimes it seems like good food requires either a golden spoon or at least a bulging wallet. But let's be honest: who wants to worry every time about how to cook for a family with full bellies and still without a lot of financial effort? This is exactly where we come in!

We have put together 4 simple and inexpensive recipes with which you can conjure up really delicious dishes for less than 2 euros per person. From hearty cheese macaroni to delicious baked potatoes with bacon to a quick pasta with peas and spinach - there is something here for every taste. Best of all, you don't have to be a gourmet chef or budget prodigy to master these recipes.

The only challenge will be to stop your family after the first bite before the plate is empty. Because these recipes are not only cheap, but also super tasty - and without any boredom on the plate! So, get ready to save big next time you go shopping and treat your family to delicious, quick meals.

Are you ready to dive into the world of affordable kitchen magic? Then grab your cookware and off you go – because you can eat really well even on a budget!

App recommendation:Do you often wonder what to cook? Thefree EatClub appputs an end to it. From quick after-work meals to healthy recipes to show-off meals, everything is included. Practical: With the app's digital shopping list you also save time in the supermarket!

1. Cheap recipe for cheese macaroni (mac n' cheese)

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 500 g chicken makaroni
• 600 ml milk
• 4 EL MEHL
• 4 THE BUTTER
• Salt & possibly nutmeg, as desired
• 8 tablespoons grated cheese, e.g. Gouda

Preparation:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, drain and return to the pot. In the meantime, carefully melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan, remove it from the heat and stir in the flour with a whisk.
2. Pour in a third of the milk, stir everything together and put the pot back on the stove over a medium heat. Gradually add the remaining milk and bring to the boil. Season with salt and nutmeg if desired.
3. Put the pasta in a baking dish, pour the sauce over it, sprinkle with the cheese and bake in the oven at 180 degrees.

   Price per portion: approx. €1.20

Reading tips:

Brilliant variation: Mac n' Cheese Muffins

Mac n' Cheese muffins are a great variation of the Mac n' Cheese recipe and also a cool party snack. The ingredients for the hearty pasta tarts also cost less than 2 euros.

The recipe is in the video:

2. Cheap recipe for baked potatoes with bacon

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 4 very large, floury potatoes
• Aluminum foil
• 2 cups of sour cream
• Milch
• Salt & Pepper
• Herbs of your choice, possibly frozen (e.g. parsley, chives or dill)
• small packet of grated cheese
• Bacon cubes

Preparation:

1. Clean the potatoes with a brush and rinse thoroughly under running water, then cook in lightly salted water for 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry with kitchen paper and wrap in aluminum foil.
2. Then you bake them in the oven at 220 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (after 15 minutes, poke the potatoes with a small knife to check whether they are already soft).
3. In the meantime you can mix the sour cream. To do this, put the sour cream in a small bowl and stir it with a little milk until smooth. Then season it with salt and pepper and add your favorite herbs.
4. Take the finished potatoes out of the oven, cut them lengthwise through the aluminum foil with a knife and carefully unfold them. If you like, you can now sprinkle some grated cheese and bacon on top and bake the potatoes briefly in the oven. Then top with sour cream and herbs.

   Price per portion: approx. €1.70

3. Cheap recipe for pasta with peas and spinach

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 500 g pasta of your choice (e.g. penne or orecchiette)
• 250 g gefroren Spinach
• 1-2 cups frozen peas
• 1 cup grated hard cheese
• 1 cup cream
• Salt, pepper and possibly nutmeg (as desired)

Preparation:

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package instructions until al dente, drain and drain, reserving a cup of pasta water. Place the empty pot back on the stove, pour in the cream and add the frozen spinach. Bring to the boil, add the peas and simmer briefly until the peas are cooked.
2. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the cheese, season with salt, pepper and possibly nutmeg, then add the pasta. Mix everything together and add some of the pasta water if you find it too dry. Season again and serve hot.

   Price per portion: approx. €1.50

Also read:

4. Cheap fried rice recipe with vegetables

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 4 cups rice, e.g. basmati rice
• 1 large zucchini
• 3 carrots
• 2 cups peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1-2 onions
• 4-6 tbsp soy sauce or Maggi
• 2 tsp oil for frying

Preparation:

1. Cook the rice according to the package instructions
2. In the meantime, dice the zucchini, carrots and onion(s) and fry them in the oil.
3. Then add the cooked rice to the pan and fry it, add the peas and season with soy sauce. Find the right amount of soy sauce (or Maggi), as both sauces are very salty.

Price per portion: approx. €1.80

Reading tips:

We hope you like our recipe and wish you a lot of fun cooking, baking and trying it! Feel free to write to us tooInstagramor onFacebook: We are always happy to receive suggestions and recipe requests!