Eating on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor and satisfaction. In fact, there are plenty of tasty and creative meal options that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. One of my all-time favorite budget meals is clam chowder and grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s a classic comfort meal that hits the spot every time, and with a few easy tweaks, you can make it even more satisfying and delicious.
ONE OF OUR FAVORITE BUDGET MEALS
In tight financial times, it’s not always easy to come up with budget-friendly meal options that are both satisfying and delicious. However, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for affordability. What’s better than a warm and comforting bowl of homemade clam chowder? Pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich, and you’ve got the ultimate budget-friendly dinner. By making these dishes yourself, you’ll not only save money but also have control over the ingredients you’re using. Plus, the aroma of your homemade chowder cooking will make your house feel like a cozy restaurant. Trust me, your taste buds and your wallet will thank you.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
To whip up this comforting meal, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. These ingredients are affordable and easy to find at any grocery store. With just a little bit of effort and a lot of love, you’ll have a tasty and filling meal that won’t break the bank.
- Bacon – It’s not required, but if you’re an indulgent bacon lover, you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to add a deliciously smoky flavor to your clam chowder. Little strips of bacon, sizzled to perfection, will lend depth and richness to the chowder. It’s a great way to take a classic comfort food up a notch!
- Clams – Canned minced clams are what we use in this recipe. We use them because they are full of flavor, they add a delightful texture, and they are relatively inexpensive
- Onions and Potatoes – The diced onions bring a subtle tang to the clam chowder, adding to the overall flavor. While the diced potatoes provide a hearty richness, but also acts as a natural thickener for the soup.
- Milk – When money is tight, milk is a great way to add richness to a chowder without breaking the bank! We’ve even used powdered milk in desperate times. But if you want to liven things up and have a bit of extra money, throw in some heavy whipping cream. That’s sure to kick things up a notch and take your chowder game to the next level.
- Bread – Shopping for day-old bread for your grilled cheese sandwich is a wallet-friendly solution. Not only is it more affordable, but the firmer texture means that you won’t have to battle with your bread crumbling apart every time you spread butter over it.
- Cheese – American Cheese is the perfect way to achieve melt-in-your-mouth goodness without breaking the bank. Of course, there are other cheeses that taste great if you are feeling adventurous and your wallet is a little thicker.
- Butter – Butter offers the perfect buttery flavor to grilled cheese sandwiches, though sometimes, it may be a luxury. If that’s the case, reach for margarine – it’s more affordable and its smoother texture can make it easier to spread. If you find yourself without either option reach for some mayonnaise, mayonnaise is a surprisingly tasty alternative that gives the sandwiches a slightly garlicky flavor that really hits the spot.
HOW TO MAKE THIS MEAL
- Soup – Put bacon in a pan and cook until it’s crunchy. Add onions and cook until soft. Then add clams, the liquid from the clams, boiling water, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes or until you can stick a fork into the potatoes easily. Lastly, stir in milk and 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook for another few minutes until everything is warm.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches – Heat a skillet on the stove to medium heat. While the pan is heating up, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Put one slice in the hot skillet, butter side down. Put cheese on that slice and top with another piece of bread, butter side up. When the bottom is brown, flip it over and cook until the other side is brown too.
THE BEST WAY TO STORE CLAM CHOWDER
Refrigerate the clam chowder right away to keep it fresh and tasting good. Put it in an airtight container so the soup will stay good for up to 3-4 days. Freezing the soup is not recommended, freezing alters the texture and does not taste as good.
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Simple Clam Chowder
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon chopped
- 6.5 ounces minced clams reserve liquid
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 medium potatoes diced
- 1 cup boiling water
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a soup pot until crispy. Remove bacon.
- Add onion to the pan and cook in the bacon grease until tender.
- Add the clams, the reserved liquid, bacon, water, potatoes, salt, and pepper to the cooked onions. Cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Stir in milk and butter, cook until heated through.
Notes
Nutrition
Simple Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 slices bread
- 4 tbsp butter softened
- 4 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- While the pan is heating butter the outside of each piece of bread.
- Place one slice of bread, butter side down, in the hot skillet. Place a slice of cheese on the bread, and top with a slice of bread, butter side up.
- When the bread has browned, turn over and brown the other side.
Notes
Nutrition
If you’re on a tight budget but still craving a delicious and comforting meal, try making clam chowder with grilled cheese sandwiches. With just a few affordable ingredients and some simple cooking techniques, you can have a homemade meal that feels like a treat without breaking the bank. Enjoy!
For those on a tight budget, what do you think are the most important items to have in your pantry?
Loaded Potato Soup
It’s easy, creamy, and hearty with all of the flavors that you would find in a loaded baked potato. What makes it even better is that it’s quick, and it’s easy on the budget.
Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Smoked cheese and sliced deli meat layered between two thick slices of bread. Then it’s soaked in an egg batter and fried “Disney style”.
Budget Meals: Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Teriyaki Chicken Bowls are the perfect meal for those busy weeknights when you don’t want to sacrifice flavor for convenience.
This looks so yummy Robin! Totally up my alley. I will be making your chowder recipe. Pinned! I would love it if you would share it at the Home Imagined Link party, Hope to see you there. XO- MaryJo
It’s the perfect time of year for soups and chowders! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Hope your weekend is amazing!