https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 13:00:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304845 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:21:56 +0000 MrsSCB 2304845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Will your H eat quinoa? I ask because mine kind of side-eyes it, haha. But this chili is delicious!! <a href="http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2012/10/black-bean-sweet-potato-and-quinoa-chili-with-smoked-chipotle/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2012/10/black-bean-sweet-potato-and-quinoa-chili-with-smoked-chipotle/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304840 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:18:17 +0000 MCD919 2304840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The burrito bowl idea is so versatile! We usually keep it simple with brown rice, black beans and diced bell pepper, topped with hot sauce. Could also add cheese, sour cream, avocado, tomato etc. A weekly staple for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304801 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 07:51:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2304801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are all GREAT ideas! I can't wait to try to add a few into my Pepperplate recipe log. Last night we did big salads (added purple onion, orange pepper, croutons, and bacon bits). I think all of use split 2 chicken breasts and I have 1 serving left for lunch today (so 4 servings for 2 chicken breasts). If we had the chicken alone or just BBQ'd we would have served 1 whole breast per person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304780 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 07:35:53 +0000 Ms. RV 2304780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Oh I love dragon noodles... just not those ones! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304777 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 07:33:56 +0000 erinbaderin 2304777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: It breaks my heart to hear you say that - dragon noodles are a staple in my house, we probably eat them once a week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304609 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:19:15 +0000 Mae 2304609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband's favorite meatless meal is my veggie enchilada lasagna. </p> <p>6 tortillas (cut in half), can of refried beans, can of black beans, 1 onion and 1 pepper (sautéed), 1 tomato (or just whatever veg you like), 1 bag cheese, 1 jar enchilada sauce. </p> <p>Mix together your cooked pepper/onion (or other veg) + diced tomato + black beans. Add either some taco seasoning or some cumin/chili pepper. From bottom up do 4 tortilla halves, half refried beans, half veg mix, half cheese, 1/3 sauce, 4 tortilla halves, rest of beans, rest of veg mix, 1/3 sauce, 4 tortilla halves, 1/3 sauce, rest of the cheese. Bake the whole thing for 30-40 min at 375. This is at least 2 dinners for us (probably 3 if we don't have guests! also freezes really well if you'd rather make it in two 8x8s rather than one 9x13) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304600 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:13:39 +0000 gingerbebe 2304600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lentils to make sloppy joes and shepherds pie works really well for me, as does any curry with chickpeas. Just add a spoonful of Better than Bouillion or any stock cube to boost the flavor. The Kitchn has a recipe for hippie curry that is really simple and tasty. My husband doesn't usually like vegetarian meals but he doesn't really notice in those recipes. Black bean and sweet potato chili over pieces of cornbread kinda hides the meatless nature, esp. covered with cheese and sour cream. My trick to vegetarian chili is to add retried beans - it gives it a thicker, creamier texture. I hate how so many veggie chilis are watery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304579 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:00:21 +0000 Ms. RV 2304579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, Budget Bytes has only steered me wrong once (dragon noodles) and probably half my recipes are from there.<br /> <a href="http://www.budgetbytes.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.budgetbytes.com</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304578 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 19:58:22 +0000 Ms. RV 2304578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kielbasa (preferably turkey) and cabbage. I made this the other night and got four servings for $3.50 of ingredients. I did not use the onion.<br /> <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fast-kielbasa-cabbage-skillet" rel="nofollow">http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fast-kielbasa-cabbage-skillet</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304489 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 18:07:09 +0000 petitenoisette 2304489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do black bean tacos once a week. Just sub a can (or two) of black beans for the ground beef and proceed as normal. Honestly I barely even notice the difference anymore! </p> <p>These are good too: <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/10/acorn-squash-quesadillas-tomatillo-salsa/" rel="nofollow">http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/10/acorn-squash-quesadillas-tomatillo-salsa/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304486 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 18:02:30 +0000 ldh112 2304486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love eating mainly vegetarian and have to try to make things my husband will also consider "substantial" :)</p> <p>Breakfast tacos (can do these in a variety of ways but here is a recipe we like a lot)</p> <p><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-breakfast-tacosaco-recipes-from-the-kitchn-203922" rel="nofollow">http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-breakfast-tacosaco-recipes-from-the-kitchn-203922</a></p> <p>Enchilada Casserole:</p> <p><a href="http://pinchofyum.com/healthy-mexican-casserole-roasted-corn-peppers" rel="nofollow">http://pinchofyum.com/healthy-mexican-casserole-roasted-corn-peppers</a></p> <p>Burrito Bowls:</p> <p><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/burrito-bowls/" rel="nofollow">http://www.iheartnaptime.net/burrito-bowls/</a><br /> or<br /> <a href="http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2012/05/quinoa-black-bean-burrito-bowls/" rel="nofollow">http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2012/05/quinoa-black-bean-burrito-bowls/</a></p> <p>Slow cooker chili</p> <p><a href="http://www.lovepomegranatehouse.com/slow-cooker-chili/" rel="nofollow">http://www.lovepomegranatehouse.com/slow-cooker-chili/</a></p> <p>Quinoa Chili</p> <p><a href="http://www.cookingclassy.com/2013/07/quinoa-chili/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cookingclassy.com/2013/07/quinoa-chili/</a></p> <p>Aloo Gobi (Indian dish)</p> <p><a href="http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2013/04/recipe-for-slow-cooker-aloo-gobi-spiced-cauliflower-and-potatoes.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2013/04/recipe-for-slow-cooker-aloo-gobi-spiced-cauliflower-and-potatoes.html</a></p> <p>Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (so good!)</p> <p><a href="http://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2012/12/vegetable-lentil-shepherds-pie.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2012/12/vegetable-lentil-shepherds-pie.html</a></p> <p>One pot pasta dish:</p> <p><a href="http://www.apronstringsblog.com/one-pot-wonder-tomato-basil-pasta-recipe/?fb_source=pubv1" rel="nofollow">http://www.apronstringsblog.com/one-pot-wonder-tomato-basil-pasta-recipe/?fb_source=pubv1</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304185 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:51:15 +0000 erinbaderin 2304185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make chili with beans and butternut squash and don't miss the meat at all (although I'm not a big meat eater to begin with....)</p> <p>Scrambled eggs on toast with avocado and cream cheese, or with baked beans and shredded cheddar cheese. Baked sweet potatoes with black beans and cheddar. Or we're huge fans of this recipe: <a href="http://www.budgetbytes.com/2014/06/chorizo-sweet-potato-skillet/" rel="nofollow">http://www.budgetbytes.com/2014/06/chorizo-sweet-potato-skillet/</a> It has meat but only 3 sausages, so pretty cheap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304167 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:32:55 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2304167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownepiano: These are great! I love that site! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304147 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:15:28 +0000 sleepybear 2304147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: <a href="http://www.juliasalbum.com/2013/02/easy-chickpea-and-vegetable-curry-recipe-with-quinoa/" rel="nofollow">http://www.juliasalbum.com/2013/02/easy-chickpea-and-vegetable-curry-recipe-with-quinoa/</a><br /> This is the one I've made - you can probably substitute vegetables based on when you have/like or use rice instead of quinoa to make it cheaper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304133 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:08:13 +0000 yoursilverlining 2304133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you already buy meat on sale? Cheap, tougher cuts of red meat are perfect for crockpot meals, or simmering stuff like chili, soup, stew, etc. Same with buying right after a meat-featured holiday (i.e., buy corned beef the day after St. Patty’s, ham after Easter, turkey after Thanksgiving).</p> <p>Buying whole chickens is also a cheap way to go about meat. Remove skin and simmer in water with whatever scrap veggies you have on hand for a couple of hours and you’ll get 16 or so cups of chicken stock. Then remove the shredded meat from the bones and there will be enough meat for large pan of chicken enchiladas, chicken salad for salads or sandwiches or other meals. Risotto is a cheap and easy side with the stock. </p> <p>One meal we love is to shred up sweet potato and fry up like hash browns in a little olive oil. Sautee mushrooms and onions and top with a sunny side up egg. Surprisingly filling and you can switch up the spices and veggies with what you have on hand and like. You could easily add a bit of quinoa too. </p> <p>We also love to eat farro in place of meat. It’s a meatier and more filling grain than rice or quinoa, but it takes longer to cook, so I’ll cook it a couple days ahead if I know we’ll be using it on a busy weeknight. </p> <p>We also make curry on a pretty regular basis (red Thai curry usually). Sometimes add chicken (one breast thinly sliced is plenty for several people), or tofu. Though, I can get chicken cheaper than tofu.</p> <p>I love eating less meat, but have to be careful to make sure I replace the meat with enough protein. If you just replace with pasta or white rice or “junky veggies” (like corn, peas, plain lettuce, etc.), you’re just getting tons of extra carbs that won’t keep you full like good protein will. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304117 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:58:04 +0000 Mamaof2 2304117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another idea is cheese tortellini</p> <p>I can get a pack for 6.99 and it feeds 4 of us - add in a salad and/or some garlic bread </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304110 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:51:12 +0000 brownepiano 2304110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and cornbread quiche is a good way to make quiche more filling. Quiche can use up any random leftovers you have too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304107 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:49:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2304107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baked mac &amp; cheese can be substantial on it's own. The cheese adds up though.</p> <p>Buttered egg noodles (super cheap) with Kraft parmesean cheese is a cheaper side. I save the $5 a small tub shredded cheese for when we can really see it on the food.</p> <p>My husband likes substantial food too, but surprisingly a warm spinach salad fills him up. I make a DIY version of Buck di Beppos spinach salad with warm balsamic glazed tomatoes. The only really pricey things are the walnuts and goat cheese. I swap out the walnuts for lower cost pepitas and toss them in a Sriracha (sp) &amp; brown sugar mix.</p> <p>Using potatoes, whether white or sweet, always results in us eating less.</p> <p>Every once in a while I'll make a mushroom ravioli or cheese &amp; spinach tortellini. None of it's done by scratch, but between the pre-made pasta and sauce it's still much cheaper than adding chicken or seafood in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304106 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:49:12 +0000 brownepiano 2304106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This time of year I like to use squash and beans. The beans are cheap and the squash is usually cheap if you can get to a farm or find a sale.<br /> Butternut Squash and black bean enchiladas<br /> <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/11/butternut-squash-and-black-bean.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/11/butternut-squash-and-black-bean.html</a><br /> Sweet Potato Chili (I know you listed chili, but the sweet potatoes makes it more filling) <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/01/05/sweet-potato-chili/" rel="nofollow">http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/01/05/sweet-potato-chili/</a><br /> Butternut Squash Coconut Chili (in the crockpot) &lt;--- coconut milk is expensive but you can make it with regular milk. <a href="http://thefigtreeblog.com/2012/11/slow-cooker-butternut-squash-coconut-chili.html" rel="nofollow">http://thefigtreeblog.com/2012/11/slow-cooker-butternut-squash-coconut-chili.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304104 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:46:44 +0000 looch 2304104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: you can also toast sandwiches, panini style. That ups the filling factor for me, even if the fillings are exactly the same as a cold sandwich. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304100 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:46:08 +0000 dagret 2304100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>kielbasa and pierogies: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/kielbasa-with-pierogies-caramelized-onions-493886" rel="nofollow">http://www.food.com/recipe/kielbasa-with-pierogies-caramelized-onions-493886</a> </p> <p>Sausage with beans, greens and tomatoes.</p> <p>Pot roast is expensive, but I like to do a pot roast one day and Closet cooking's pot roast soup the next: <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/01/pot-roast-mushroom-soup.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/01/pot-roast-mushroom-soup.html</a> </p> <p>Simply Recipes chicken and dumplings are amaazzzing. I don't usually do the whole cut up chicken - just 4 or 5 thighs, usually. <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_and_dumplings/" rel="nofollow">http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_and_dumplings/</a> </p> <p>i also like to do a pork roast one night, then maybe pork quesadillas , or a pork hash with fried egg with the leftovers. Or moo shu pork wraps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304098 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:45:50 +0000 jape14 2304098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are big meat eaters so we can try to cut meat where we can, or have it be something to add flavor to a meal, but not necessarily bulk. Breakfast for dinner is the easiest way to do this - our standby is sweet potato hash. </p> <p>For two people, we do one medium/large sweet potato cubed, diced onion/bell pepper (usually 1/2 a medium onion and a whole bell pepper, but you could reverse the ratio and make it cheaper), 1-2 sausages from butcher counter, crumbled (1 for 2 people is plenty! we like chorizo for some spice) or 2-3 slices of bacon, crumbled (4 would be plenty for 4 people). Saute it all in a large pan with some oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Then we serve with an over-easy egg on top. You could easily cut the meat, or if you use the meat minimally, it's still pretty cheap! If DH is really hungry, he gets a piece of toast to go with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304084 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:36:44 +0000 sorrycharlie 2304084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do spinach and cheese ravioli once a week usually - sometimes traditional with sauce, sometimes baked ravioli (think lasagna style), sometimes toasted (ala wedding apps). It's pretty filling! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304076 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:31:48 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2304076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sleepybear: What is a vegetable curry? Recipe? </p> <p>We can do a meat dish meal for about $10-12 for the four of us. Which is still expensive for a homecooked meal. So I would like to find recipes that are significantly cheaper than that without sacrificing quantity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304070 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:30:14 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2304070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ooh I forgot about Grilled Cheese sandwich and tomato soup (DH wont just eat soup for dinner). </p> <p>Also forgot about adding a breakfast for dinner into my meal plan! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304068 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:23:47 +0000 catlady 2304068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Burrito bowls with beans<br /> Frittatas or quiche<br /> Pasta with veggies (can be pasta salad, pasta with sauce, pasta bake, really anything)<br /> Stir fry veggies and tofu with brown rice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304064 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:19:39 +0000 sleepybear 2304064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second burrito bowls - I like using roasted sweet potato, black beans, corn, and avocado. Sometimes I mix it up and use quinoa instead of rice, too. Vegetable curries are also really good and filling - I've made one with chickpeas, mushrooms, and spinach that's delicious! (And my husband likes it enough to not complain about missing meat :silly: ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304060 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:18:04 +0000 MrsSRS 2304060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lentil and sweet potato soup.<br /> Baked potatoes with black beans and cheese and salsa<br /> Omelets or frittatas with cheese, veggies, potatoes<br /> Spinach salad with hard boiled egg plus grilled cheese and/or tomato soup<br /> Pasta salad with rotini, black beans, veggies </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304055 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:15:08 +0000 looch 2304055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. I love breakfast pizza for dinner, with roasted red pepper sauce instead of tomato, caremelized onions and bacon. Then I either scramble eggs OR I put whole eggs right on the pizza about halfway through the cooking time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-traditional-dinner-meals-to-turn-cheapmeatless#post-2304034 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:06:03 +0000 Mamaof2 2304034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Burrito bowl would work! I like refried beans, rice and then all the toppings - tomato, lettuce, avocado, cheese, etc </p>