Given our packed lives, it's no wonder we return again and again to the simple pleasures.
Take, for example, cooking at home.
What may seem like a mundane act actually satisfies us on a lot of levels: It's healthy, fun, creative and nourishing, not to mention a money-saver.
But not all from-scratch meals are cheap to cook up. That's why we've come up with ten dinners under $10 that are low on cost—and big on flavor. (For more fun ideas about how to spend an extra $10 you find in your pocket, check out the rest of our 10 Things to Do With $10 series.)
What Are Your Favorite Cheap Meals?
Share your favorite at-home, budget-friendly recipes with other LearnVesters in the new LV DiscussionsSTART DISCUSSING
From roasted chicken and pot pie to hearty winter soup, these recipes all feed from two to four. While they don't shy away from pricey ingredients altogether, most are based on your favorite inexpensive staples—pasta, rice, tortillas, potatoes, eggs and beans—so the more exotic add-ins become the stars of the meal.
Whether you're craving Indian, Mexican or plain old comfort food, there's a meal here for this evening ... and the next.
Get More Under-$10 Meals ...
Make grilled chicken with roasted corn, onions and smoky black beans with this delicious recipe.
Our take on risotto tastes luxurious but is surprisingly budget-friendly.
Don't waste money on greasy Chinese takeout: Make a healthy, Asian-inspired cabbage dish instead.