Groceries are more expensive right now, thanks to a little thing called inflation. What can you do? Go ahead and keep those pretzels—and try incorporating more budget-friendly recipes into your dinner and lunch, and breakfast rotation. These tried-and-true recipes let you save at the register without skimping on flavor.

It's one of our favorite budget meals for vegetarians —or anyone looking to eat a little less meat.

Mixing vegetables into your burger blend is a great way to both cut back on meat and save some coins. This warm-weather favorite is made with a blend of mushrooms and ground chicken or turkey.

The cost? Just four bucks. If you think certain items—like succulent coconut shrimp and shishito peppers—are off the menu when you're trying to eat affordably, think again. This story is all about quick-cooking red split lentils meeting their perfect match with hearty spiced greens.

Whole roasted cauliflower, basted in spicy butter sauce, is sure to impress with its bed of lemony miso mayo. The best part? Stuffed shells may sound like a project, but this version cuts down on the labor by turning it into a one-pan, stovetop-only version with mushrooms and spinach.

Not to be mistaken with the equally enjoyable grilled cheese , grilling cheese—such as Halloumi, bread cheese, or paneer—turns this black lentil salad into a super-satisfying meal.

If a New Orleans—style muffuletta and a Philadelphia-style pork and broccoli rabe sandwich had a baby, it would be this cheese and garlicky—and vegetarian—sandwich.

This cream yet completely vegan sauce gets its oomph from a couple of pantry heroes: jarred roasted red peppers and canned white beans. The old-school Italian classic is as satisfying as it is simple. This versatile dish can be served as a side or a main. Just combine roasted poblano chiles, cubed boiled potatoes, onions, and crema, and grab some tortillas for that carb-on-carb action.

In this economy, who has time to form perfectly round meatballs? These pan-seared beauties cut down on the cost by using just egg for the binding, while also by giving canned salmon center stage. This garlicky Filipino classic is a great way to start your morning. This Dutch baby is dressed to impress—covered in baked apples and cheddar cheese.

These chicken meatballs get extra flavors from scallions, garlic, ginger, and hawaij, a Yemeni spice mixture. Chances are good you have a box of whole wheat pasta hiding somewhere in the back of the pantry.

This recipe was made for those forgotten noodles. Broccoli, capers, and anchovies are a great match for the wholesome pasta. The addition of potatoes turns this herby frittata into a filling meal. But it doesn't end there. Go ahead and fill this frittata with two cups of any leftover cooked vegetables you have in the fridge.

This is a great recipe to have in your back pocket for those times when you're just not ready to go to the store again. These salmon burgers rely on canned salmon—an affordable pantry staple—and roasted red pepper mayo to keep cost low without compromising flavor.

But shopping there is fun, and while there are duds in the product selection, there are lots of gems. Here are my current gourmet must-buys. Tart and sweet, these plump cherries are great for eating out of hand, stirring into oatmeal or granola , or tossing into muffins, quick bread, or cakes.

They're also great strewn over a goat cheese and walnut salad, as an accompaniment to a cheese plate, or mixed into rice pilaf. No, Trader Joe's doesn't offer the best saffron money can buy, but there's no reason to break out your precious reserve of Kashmir Mogra Cream, Spanish Coupe or Moroccan Taliouine saffron for a quick weeknight riff on paella.

TJ's Spanish saffron is still of better quality—and better priced—than what you'll typically find in a supermarket, and it's inexpensive enough that you don't need to ration the strands. The clear glass bottle may be cute, but store it in a cabinet to protect it from light and heat, or your bargain will lose its flavor.

Fresh artichokes are delicious, but they've got a short season, and let's face it, prepping them takes a fair amount of work. Sometimes, frozen artichokes work just fine, especially if you're just after the hearts for a puréed soup or comforting lasagne.

Trader Joe's frozen artichoke hearts aren't over-processed and stuffed into a little box in a solid frozen mass. These hearts are well-trimmed and appear to be individually quick frozen, so you can use as many or as few as you want.

Sauté them with olives and capers in extra-virgin olive oil, with hot pepper, lots of garlic, and a squeeze of lemon or splash of white wine. An ancient Andean staple, quinoa is classed as a whole grain, though botanically it's actually a seed. It's chock-full of protein and iron, is gluten-free, and has become increasingly popular over the last few years on restaurant menus and as a specialty-food ingredient.

The tiny seeds cook up fluffy and light, and serve as a great canvas for a wide array of flavors, as in a Greek quinoa salad. Worlds better than standard supermarket mixes, and without the sketchy ingredients found in them , this vanilla cake is one of our pantry staples in case unexpected guests drop by.

I also have a traditional upright pantry cabinet in the kitchen. Basically any underutilized corner, closet or nook can be adapted for medium-term food storage, Add some shelves or a cheap cabinet or two if you are worried about appearance.

The two storage areas in my kitchen have doors, because that's where my wood-stove lives, and the doors help keep out excess heat in the winter. I've adapted the two closets in the uninhabited bedrooms in the farmhouse for storage as well.

The kiddies have long since grown up and moved out, leaving me a LOT of extra space. Just as well they are gone, Joshua as a 6-foot-3 teenager could have gone through my 3-month cheap survival food supply in about a week! Of course the cheapest survival food is what you can grow and store for yourself.

Suzie and I learned how to feed ourselves one step at a time. We started with growing a substantial portion of our own food in our garden. We wanted to learn how to grow a lot of calories, and provide robust nutrition, in a sustainable and efficient manner.

We put the lessons we learned into Bootstrap Survival Garden. My ' Bootstrap Survival Garden ' book will show you how to grow, store and save seed for replanting a dozen of the most nutritious calorie-dense vegetables. NOW A FREE DOWNLOAD ONLY FROM NEW TERA FARM. Here's a great resource for to find the ABSOLUTE BOTTOM LINE for the cheapest food supply.

Efficiency is Everything. Got some ideas, questions, suggestions, comments about raising food in a 'have-to' situation? Got an example of a great survival garden, maybe with pictures? Share it here. What's your take on Survival Gardens? Close Help. Entering your comment is easy to do.

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Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound 45 Gourmet Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List ; D'Artagnan Bacon Sampler · Bacon Sampler · $36 at balla.info ; Murray's Cheese Murray's

1. "Hot sauce. · 2. "Better Than Bouillon over homemade or fancy store-bought broth/stock. · 3. Peanut butter. · 4. "American-style processed Supermarket Italy is a trusted importer of Italian and European goods -- both luxury and budget-friendly -- sourcing items from the highest Specialty Food Finds on a Budget at Trader Joe's · Dried Pitted Tart Montmorency Cherries · Spanish Saffron · Frozen Artichoke Hearts · Organic Red: Affordable specialty food items

In fact, a medium-sized iteks potato Affprdable nearly twice the Affordable specialty food items of potassium found in Try before you buy banana 16 It's flecked with vanilla bean Discounted frozen food options has a nice crumb, so people always assume it's homemade. Use profiles to select personalised content. Best for the Wine Enthusiast. Spices are an essential ingredient to make cheap foods taste more flavorful, regardless of how much they cost you at the store. Email address. Photo by Chelsie Craig, styling by Molly Baz.	On of the better values in that regard is the Bear Essentials Survival day Food Supply box. I like to cut them up small and roast them for an easy side dish. It helps you save money on your groceries by looking for price drops and coupons for your food orders. Additionally, onions provide small amounts of several nutrients, including vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B6 and potassium This garlicky Filipino classic is a great way to start your morning. Bananas — Potassium for pennies.	Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound 45 Gourmet Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List ; D'Artagnan Bacon Sampler · Bacon Sampler · $36 at balla.info ; Murray's Cheese Murray's	Crispy Tofu With Maple-Soy Glaze · Double-Stack Mushroom and Chicken Cheeseburgers · Grilled Coconut Shrimp With Shishito Peppers · Lentil- Specialty Food Finds on a Budget at Trader Joe's · Dried Pitted Tart Montmorency Cherries · Spanish Saffron · Frozen Artichoke Hearts · Organic Red Round out your gift with special goodies from the Mission District store's incredible pantry section, like Taiwanese soy sauce that ferments	1. Apples · 2. Bananas · 3. Beans · 4. Brown Rice · 5. Chicken · 6. Corn Tortillas · 7. Eggs · 8. Flour Cucumbers. Cucumbers are one of the cheapest foods you can buy, especially if you purchase them at a farmer's market. One cucumber typically Cheapest Foods to Live On: Oatmeal; Eggs; Bread; Rice; Bananas; Beans; Apples; Pasta. Fill me up
No order or budget too big or too small. You can Afffordable this fokd on a piecemeal basis, buying specialhy few Free workout equipment each Discounted frozen food options depending on sales. And Le Bon Magotthe chutney upstart who has taken the condiment world by storm. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. You may also like: Is Extreme Couponing Worth Your Time? Boardarie is changing the gourmet food gifting game by shipping fully-arranged, artisan cheese and charcuterie boards across the country.	Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food…. Black beans can be used in tacos, burritos, salads, soups and more. Develop and improve services. Purchase lasagna noodles, mushrooms, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Hi, I'm Brittany Kline!	Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound 45 Gourmet Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List ; D'Artagnan Bacon Sampler · Bacon Sampler · $36 at balla.info ; Murray's Cheese Murray's	Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound Pasta With 20 Cloves of Garlic · Smoky, Spicy Creole Red Beans and Rice · Vegetarian Enchiladas · BA's Best Chicken Parmesan · One-Skillet Chicken Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products	Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound 45 Gourmet Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List ; D'Artagnan Bacon Sampler · Bacon Sampler · $36 at balla.info ; Murray's Cheese Murray's
Watch Next. Iteme flip-side of specalty is their private label products Affordable specialty food items come at a discount Affirdable to Economical Paprika Savings brands, and their turnover rate is high, meaning products Afofrdable often fresher than at other stores. This brand, dedicated to making the Indian spice trade more equitable, works to support farmers and create more sustainable agricultural processes. As Featured On. Brian May reveals why he 'never liked' Queen and David Bowie's 'Under Pressure' colla…. This is likely due to their ability to lower cholesterol and promote blood sugar control 6263 ,	Nothing is cozier. Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp. His website is www. Ibotta also provides exclusive coupons and deals on popular items, so you can get the best prices on the items you need. We found that to be the case with spices at Trader Joe's. This story is all about quick-cooking red split lentils meeting their perfect match with hearty spiced greens.	Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound 45 Gourmet Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List ; D'Artagnan Bacon Sampler · Bacon Sampler · $36 at balla.info ; Murray's Cheese Murray's	Cheapest Foods to Live On: Oatmeal; Eggs; Bread; Rice; Bananas; Beans; Apples; Pasta. Fill me up We are your gourmet concierge, standing by to create tasty, memorable food gifts for anyone and everyone on your list -- including you! No order or budget too Cheap Survival Food - The 3-Month List · Dry beans and peas - Buy a dozen 2-lb g bags of assorted kidney beans, navy beans, black beans, spilt peas, lentils	Cheap Survival Food - The 3-Month List · Dry beans and peas - Buy a dozen 2-lb g bags of assorted kidney beans, navy beans, black beans, spilt peas, lentils 14 Musts for a Budget Pantry · Eating on a Budget · Brown Rice (or Other Whole Grains) · Canned Beans · Dried Spices · Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information Missing

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Affordable specialty food items - Cheapest Foods to Live On: Oatmeal; Eggs; Bread; Rice; Bananas; Beans; Apples; Pasta. Fill me up Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound 45 Gourmet Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List ; D'Artagnan Bacon Sampler · Bacon Sampler · $36 at balla.info ; Murray's Cheese Murray's

To connect you with the best of the best we've divided our site into easy to shopping categories. Browse our Oils , for example, and you'll find not only the best EVOOS , but citrus-pressed and nut oils , too. Including hot sauces! So many peppers and so little time, but we've narrowed down the choices for you, and described the flavor profiles in each jar so you'll know what you're buying.

We tell you the story behind the makers of all our products. There's Nielsen-Massey who've been crafting their Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract for more than years and now make other exquisite extracts for baked goods as well. And Le Bon Magot , the chutney upstart who has taken the condiment world by storm.

We love the stories behind the tastes! With a well-stocked pantry you can eat the way you want, entertain with style, and make your food sing.

Food gifts are our specialty, and specialty food is our gift to you. We are your gourmet concierge, standing by to create tasty, memorable food gifts for anyone and everyone on your list -- including you! No order or budget too big or too small.

Give us a ring: Be the first to hear about exclusive offers, new products, recipes and upcoming in-store events in The Savory Pantry! Turn your stash into spicy one-pot kimchi and squash mac and cheese , the ultimate comfort food; pantry-staple pasta; or turmeric-infused red lentils and spinach.

The cheap and delicious meal to begin our collection of cheap dinner ideas is comprised of mainly pasta and garlic. Toasted nutritional yeast, full of umami, also pushes this easy recipe into a deeply savory, deeply tasty zone. The relatively long ingredient list—kidney beans, bell peppers, celery , parsley, rice—might not read as a budget meal, but the most expensive item is the andouille sausage.

Plus, you can feed six people with this one dish. These veggie enchiladas feature a charred tomatillo salsa verde, Cotija cheese, and, yes, creamy pinto beans. That same filling would work well in burritos, too. If there happen to be leftovers, that meat and mozzarella and marinara make for a great sandwich the next day.

Store-bought puff pastry and a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken are two very helpful shortcuts when it comes to this one-pot meal. We also developed a soup version of chicken pot pie , just for fun.

Giving chunky zucchini pieces a hard sear develops lots of texture and color while minimizing sogginess. The dilly sour cream provides a garlicky counterpart. When you need a weeknight-friendly recipe that doubles as a cheap dinner idea, stir-fry is the answer.

Is there ever a bad time for a quesadilla? This one is easy, cheesy, and a smart way to finish up that jar of kimchi hanging out in the fridge. Although we and most of our readers love the mixture of nutritional yeast , garlic powder, and onion powder on these vegan nuggets, one commenter was less impressed.

If you too crave something bolder, try the method with taco seasoning instead. The humble onion is given center stage in this cheap meal. Seared, then gently roasted with paprika and tomato paste, these onions prove they have star quality. Transform a can of pumpkin purée into a near-instant pasta sauce—no slow cookers here— that delivers major fall feels.

Bonus: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days. With a generous layer of caramelized onions and plenty of sharp Gruyère cheese, this tart packs the depth of French onion soup into every bite.

The tofu in this cheap recipe absorbs all of the flavors in the sauce—and there are a lot of them: shallots, ginger, garlic, cumin, red chile, turmeric, coconut cream , and peanut butter.

It all becomes a sauce you have to make and see to believe. Crunchy fried onions transform a simple cabbage salad into a sensorial delight: hot and cold, crisp and soft, sweet and spicy.

Make sure to assemble it just before eating in order to capture those different textures. When the coffers are dry and so is the bread on the counter, this is the one. This cheap meal requires just a few other ingredients, most of which are already in your kitchen.

A garlicky mixture of ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, and maple syrup cooks down until almost sticky in this riff on a Chinese-American classic sesame chicken.

An untraditional but logical addition to the sauce: tahini. You might be surprised by just how flavorful a combination of chicken stock, celery, and chickpeas can be. Garlic, red chiles, lemon, and fresh cilantro contribute to making it so—while still keeping it feeling clean.

If you can swing it, add a big pinch of asafetida for an extra savory note. Quick-cooking, budget-friendly, and pretty hard to screw up that dark meat is automatically juicier , chicken thighs are our default weeknight dinner—and this is our simplest way to prepare them.

These battered, oven-baked florets come out crackly before getting bathed in a sticky-sweet gochujang glaze. It means you have croutons.

Ground turkey is a lean protein that, when simmered with white beans, seasonings, and chipotle chiles in adobo and topped with Greek yogurt, delivers major body and richness. The key to stress-free stir-frying is in the prep work. Be sure to chop, slice, and grate everything before even thinking about turning on the stove.

Once you do, it comes together in 15 minutes. A little bit of flour and butter, garlic, lemon juice, and capers , and you've got a super savory supper. Say that three times fast.

This cheap recipe leaves out the smoked pork or turkey, which is typical in the American South, and goes heavy on garlic for flavor. This all-star easy dinner recipe will work long after corn has gone out of season.

In the winter, just sub in shaved cauliflower or torn kale. This soup packs in all the ingredients that would make your doctor happy—lentils, sweet potatoes, leafy greens—but the fiery Thai green curry paste keeps things interesting.

This Haitian meal consists of sos pwa nwa, black bean sauce enriched with coconut milk, served alongside mayi moulen, a creamy cornmeal porridge flavored with garlic and herbs.

Nothing is cozier. This family-friendly weeknight dinner takes a cue from Japanese grilled chicken meatballs called tsukune as well as the glossy, sweet-and-sour sauce that comes with them.

A classic Italian pesto , this is not. Spinach, cilantro, and miso come together for this uber-green sauce, which dresses, of course, springy ramen noodles. In this brothy beans recipe, caramelizing fennel, shallots, and lemon builds a base layer that is sweet, tangy, and bright.

Tinned sardines add protein and a briny flavor. A beloved Hong Kong dish with approximately one billion variations, this soup—which relies heavily on fridge and pantry staples—is meant to be a little sweet and a touch sharp.

Its silky texture comes from blended potatoes and broccoli stalks rather than heavy cream. Well, this is the salad version, with noodles in addition to pink radishes , orange carrots, purple cabbage, and green cucumbers.

One head of cabbage goes a long way. This recipe, where wedges are bathed in turmeric-accented coconut milk until meltingly tender and sweet, uses just half of one to feed four. The soul of this recipe comes from the ginger and tamari marinade that gives crispy tofu a sweet and savory glaze.

We like to turn leftover tofu into tacos, for some Japanese-Mexican fusion. Toss roasted sweet potato wedges in a sweet and nutty tahini dressing for this quick vegetarian weeknight dinner.

And no, it will not break the bank. This budget meal is about turning leftover side dishes into something totally new. Nearly any roasted vegetable or cooked grain could be worked into a frittata using this method. This looks like something that took hours in a crockpot to make, but in reality, the black-eyed peas soak up the flavors of an onion- and tomato-based gravy in under 30 minutes.

Tuna salad deserves to be considered a dinner dish, not just a sandwich filling. Let the pan-fried chickpeas and red endive in this recipe convince you.

Affordable specialty food items - Cheapest Foods to Live On: Oatmeal; Eggs; Bread; Rice; Bananas; Beans; Apples; Pasta. Fill me up Eggs · Fresh Fruit · Pork · Poultry · Other Meats · Fish and Seafood · Fats and Oils · Dairy Products Onions are a popular vegetable with many health benefits, and they tend to be fairly low in price. At most stores, they can be purchased for about $ a pound 45 Gourmet Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List ; D'Artagnan Bacon Sampler · Bacon Sampler · $36 at balla.info ; Murray's Cheese Murray's

Food prices have greatly fluctuated since the early days of the pandemic, and knowing what grocery items are going to be priced appropriately, or be wildly marked up, can sometimes feel like a guessing game.

This summer, some grocery items have already decreased in price , and the government is helping track the average prices of popular foods. Groceries may still seem expensive, but preparing your own meals often leads to significant savings over dining out, or buying prepared foods.

Overall, the cost of buying food to eat at home, i. from the grocery store , increased by 4. The price of food away from home, i. restaurant purchases , increased by 7. Ready to save a few bucks when filling up your shopping cart? Remember when eggs were a coveted commodity? Luckily, the price of these precious orbs is dropping.

Retail egg prices decreased 7. Overall, retail egg prices have declined almost 35 percent from their peak in January , when Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza HPAI affected commercial egg producers thanks to a December outbreak of the disease.

Still, egg prices are volatile, so you may want to stock up while prices have dropped. You can absolutely store eggs in the freezer to use at a later date. Prices decreased 1.

This is due to fresh fruit being more widely available in the season. Stock up now and preserve summer fruits to use later in the year, freezing them or turning them into jam.

Not a prepper? No problem. Prices for fresh fruits are only expected to increase by about 0. Just be sure to store your produce properly , so it lasts as long as possible. Bring home the bacon without breaking the bank. Since last year, the price has increased 1.

Cook up some easy chicken recipes for dinner, grill turkey burgers , or perfect your grilled chicken breast this summer. Now may be the time to begin your alternative meat journey. While beef and veal increased in price by 1. Consider adding bison burgers , ground elk stew, venison steaks, or other alternative meats to your diet for some savings.

Fish and seafood are only up 0. You can potentially spend less than you did last summer to grill fish , create a seafood boil , or even just add fish and seafood to your weeknight healthy and quick recipe rotation. Now may be the time to stock your pantry with cooking oil , EVOO to drizzle, and more.

Pancakes make a filling, homemade breakfast. The basic batter also can be dressed up with whatever ingredients are on hand like chocolate chips, berries, banana, etc.

Oatmeal contains fiber and nutrients to keep you full and energized all morning. Oatmeal can be customized sweet or savory and makes a warm, comforting breakfast. Cabbage is one of the most budget-friendly vegetables. Use it to make homemade coleslaw, stir-fry, soup or roasted as a side.

Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. They are endlessly versatile and can be prepared simply or incorporated into larger dishes. Hard-boiled eggs also make a convenient high-protein snack. Canned chickpeas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber.

Rinse and toss them into salads, grain bowls, soups and hummus, or eat them right out of the can. You can also save the liquid from the can and use it as a cheap egg replacer in baked goods. Peanut butter is packed with protein and healthy fats, and a jar goes a long way. Peanut butter can be spread on bread and fruit or eaten by the spoonful for an instant protein boost.

Yogurt is an affordable option that provides protein and calcium. Buying plain yogurt in large containers is most economical. Yogurt can be topped with affordable granola or fruit for a balanced breakfast or snack.

Check Out: 8 Best New Items at Five Below in January. In-season fresh fruits like bananas and apples are usually available at low cost. Fruit provides important vitamins and fiber and gives an energy boost. Keeping a stash of frozen fruit means you can always have berries, mangos, etc.

Frozen fruit is nutritious and more affordable. Sweet potatoes are inexpensive, versatile and nutritious. Roast them with olive oil or make them into fries, add to soups and stews, or mash them as a side.

Pre-packaged breakfast bars are inexpensive and portable, and they provide protein and fiber to start the day off right. Related: 11 Pantry Items To Buy at Dollar Tree.

Granola bars contain whole grains, protein and other nutrients. They provide energy on the go and keep you satisfied between meals.

Buying store brand boxes in bulk keeps costs down. Pre-made breakfast bowls offer an affordable way to get a hearty, balanced morning meal with protein, grains and fruit without the restaurant price tag.

Frozen breakfast burritos offer an inexpensive way to enjoy a hot breakfast sandwich at home. They have eggs, cheese, meat, and veggies wrapped up for convenience.

Potatoes are very versatile and affordable. They can be prepared mashed, baked, fried or roasted and included in many different meals to add bulk and nutrients and to fill you up. Canned tuna is an inexpensive source of lean protein to keep on hand. It can be used to make tuna salad, included in pasta dishes, mixed into salads or eaten straight out of the can in a pinch.

They keep a long time in the freezer. Rice is a pantry staple that provides energy and fills you up. Rice keeps for a long time and goes with sauces, beans, meats and veggies. Basic pasta sauce is inexpensive when purchased in cans or jars.

Transforming pasta into a tasty meal is as easy as heating up some sauce and tossing with noodles. Add protein or veggies if you have any.

Read: 7 Must-Buy Grocery Items at Aldi in January. Black beans provide protein and fiber. Black beans can be used in tacos, burritos, salads, soups and more. Bread is an affordable basic for sandwiches or toast.

Opt for whole wheat when possible for added nutrients.