This Single Girl's Favorite Budget Recipes

Ramen Hacks: 30+ Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Noodles

http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/03/ramen-hacks-30-easy-ways-to-upgrade-your-instant-noodles-japanese-what-to-do-with-ramen.html

Ramen in the U.S. has come a long way. Once known only in its 10-for-a-dollar instant-lunch form—a staple of offices and dorm rooms all around the '80s and '90s—high-end real ramen shops are springing up...

Mmm, so many wonderful ideas.

Sriracha and SPAM Fried Rice

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/02/sriracha-and-spam-fried-rice-recipe.html

Having never purchased a can of SPAM before, I thought this Sriracha and SPAM Fried Rice from The Sriracha Cookbook was an eye opener. The first order of business was to find the stuff (no, they don't carry it at Whole Foods, don't bother asking).

Not the healthiest dish, but this dish is like CRACK - sooo addicting.

Yogurt Pancakes

http://chobani.gothamny-devbox.com/kitchen/detail/id/43

Chobani Greek Yogurt is luxuriously creamy and full of flavor. Our yogurt is a delicious way to promote healthy eating habits. Protein-rich with 0% fat and hormone-free milk, Chobani Yogurt is the healthy way to boost your energy.

Only 75 calories, delicious and fluffy.

Molten Chocolate-Nutella Pudding Cakes

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/nutella-pudding-cakes-50400000109729/

You can prepare the ramekins up to a day ahead — do not bake, just cover and refrigerate. Bake the cakes for about 5 minutes longer than the recipe states.

Oh my goodness, these sound so yummy and super easy to make, only $1.12 per serving to boot!

Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

http://www.perrysplate.com/2011/03/stacked-roasted-vegetable-enchiladas.html

This is such a great dish. It’s customizable. It’s fairly healthy. (Hello, check out all of the veg!) And it’s pretty. I love pretty food.

Healthy, tasty, customizable and quick = my new go-to recipe.

quinoa with oven roasted tomatoes + grilled asparagus -- gluten free + dairy free

http://www.everythingreconsidered.com/2012/02/quinoa-with-oven-roasted-tomatoes.html

ast night we made bison meatballs and decided to whip together a quinoa side instead of the usual rice pasta (loaded with carbs and lots of nothingness). i took inventory of what fresh veggies i had readily available - i was too lazy to make my way back to the store and found myself with limited options - roma tomatoes and asparagus. then i dug th

Healthy, quick and tasty

Budget-Friendly Balsamic Mustard Chicken and Oven Roasted Bacon Veggies

http://everydaypaleo.com/2012/03/12/budget-friendly-balsamic-mustard-chicken-and-oven-roasted-bacon-veggies-by-erika/

Here's another budget friendly recipe by Erika, our college student contributor to Everyday Paleo!   Note from Sarah: The cost per person for this meal is

Bacon veggies?!! Sounds like the perfect meal to me.

Crash Hot Potatoes

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/

Man, do I love Australia. First, my oldest daughter was conceived there on our honeymoon...and while we're on the subject, ha...

How super easy and tasty is this side dish, I love rosemary potatoes!!

5-Ingredient Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/five-ingredient-recipes/parmesan-crusted-tilapia

It takes only five ingredients to make this tender fish dish!

This ones easy, healthy and tasty.

Skinny Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken

http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/2012/02/secret-recipe-club-thai-peanut-noodles.html

One of my all-time favorite salads EVER, literally on the face of this Earth, is one with spicy peanut noodles, so when I saw this I just knew I had to make it! I did modify this recipe just a bit by using soba noodles instead of regular spaghetti since soba noodles are only 3 points per serving as opposed to 5.

I looove this dish and this is the perfect healthy alternative -- 222 calories, 5.8 grams of fat.

Loaded Turkey Santa Fe Baked Potato Skins

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/loaded-turkey-santa-fe-baked-potato.html

Skinny potato skins loaded with mildly spiced turkey, black beans, corn and tomatoes topped with cheese - you won't be able to stop at just one!

Fast, tasty and only 76 calories!

Little Quinoa Patties

http://www.sevenspoons.net/blog/2011/4/7/heidi-well-done.html

Anytime I have leftover cooked quinoa, I make these little patties. They are good hot or cold and are well suited to fighting afternoon hunger pangs. It's a bit of a stretch, but they could be described as a (very) distant cousin of arancini, Italy's beloved deep-fried risotto balls.

Yumm, a healthy alternative to the arancini

Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

http://natashaskitchen.com/2011/02/16/shrimp-fried-rice-recip/

Suggested by Claudia:

Cost to Make: $9 to $11- what a deal and provides 6 servings

"Almost" Lasagna

http://family.go.com/food/pkg-family-approved-recipes/recipe-786707-almost-lasagna-t/

Suggested by Krista:

At only $1.50 per serving, this is totally worth a shot.

Spinach Strawberry Salad

http://natashaskitchen.com/2011/07/10/spinach-strawberry-salad/

This salad is simple, amazing, cheap and easy. What more could you ask for? The creamy poppy seed dressing is uber yumm! My sister Svetlana is a very creative and talented cook who shared the recipe with me. It's a keeper!

Suggested by NatashasKitchen.com:

This is definitely a family favorite. Never any leftovers.

Perfect Potatoes au Gratin

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/perfect-potatoes-au-gratin/

One word: Delicious!

Suggested by Larissa:

So delish and easy.

Chicken and Pepper Egg Rolls

http://family.go.com/food/recipe-638653-chicken-and-pepper-egg-rolls-t/

Reminiscent of Pepper Steak, these egg rolls aren't difficult to do and are packed with flavor. Try this easy recipe from Disney Family.com.

Suggested by Krista:

Only $1.35 per serving and they look pretty tasty.

Red Velvet Pancakes

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/02/12/red-velvet-pancakes/

A healthy way to eat red velvet cake… for breakfast!

Suggested by Claudia:

Could you ask for anything more?