For anyone trying to get out of debt and control spending, one of the first areas you can cut spending in is food. Instead of getting takeout or going out to eat most nights, try cooking with seasonal ingredients. Seasonal ingredients will likely be cheaper and better quality than other produce. We have some cheap fall dinner ideas for you that will help you stick to your budget and avoid consumer debt!
Stay on track with debt management with these cheap fall meal ideas.
Fall Seasonal Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Kale
- Leeks
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
While this is by no means a complete list of everything that’s in season in the fall, these veggies should be a good starting point for you to find affordable produce this fall. These seasonal ingredients are versatile and inexpensive, so you can use them in many different recipes beyond the following examples.
Cheap Fall Dinner Ideas
Dinner idea #1: Cheesy chicken, broccoli & rice skillet
All you need to do for this cheap and easy meal is to throw some cubed cooked chicken breasts, cooked rice, broccoli, and shredded cheese together in a pot. You can also add chopped garlic and onions. This is a good dinner to make on weeknights since it doesn’t require much time or effort. It’s so much cheaper to cook this meal than to turn to your takeout menu when you’re having one of those chaotic weeknights! This is perfect for your budget if you’re working on debt management.
Dinner idea #2: Brussels sprouts/kale with bacon, mashed potatoes, and sausage
Most people probably would not consider Brussels sprouts or kale to be their favorite food, but when you saute either of them with a little bacon, you may change your mind! This is one of my favorite fall side dishes! It goes well with mashed potatoes and a protein of your choice. I personally like to use sausage or bratwursts, or whatever is on sale at the grocery store.
Dinner idea #3: Potato and leek soup
Potato and leek soup is a great dinner option for those chilly autumn nights! All you need to do is boil the potatoes and leeks, add some chicken stock, heavy cream, and blend it all together for a creamy, delicious budget-friendly dinner!
Dinner idea #4: Spinach & roasted sweet potato salad topped with feta cheese
The main ingredients to this cheap fall dinner idea are of course spinach, sweet potatoes, and feta cheese, but you can be as creative as you’d like with adding extra ingredients. Dried cranberries, walnuts, red onions, and pumpkin seeds are just a few ideas for additions to this classic fall salad.
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