Inexpensive Meals - Lunch Recipes for Under .50 Cents Per Serving

Serve a Nutritional and Tasty Lunch for as Little as 15 Cents Per Serving

Meal planning can help cut the cost of rising food costs without compromising good taste and nutritional value.

The following recipes are based on the average cost of food in 2007. This is the most current data available from USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) for the purposes of performing cost analysis on recipes. Costs may need to be refined to specific regions of the country and current price increases.

Italian Bean Patties

Serving Size: One patty
Yield: Eight servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 1.19
Per Serving: $ 0.15
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Bean Enchiladas

Serving Size: Two six-inch enchiladas
Yield: Four servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 1.79
Per Serving: $ 0.45
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Spunky Vegetable Pizza

Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
Yield: Eight servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 3.93
Per Serving: $ 0.49
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Tastee Burgers

Serving Size: One burger
Yield: Eight servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 3.50
Per Serving: $ 0.44
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Italian Pasta Salad

Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
Yield: Eight servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 2.40
Per Serving: $ 0.30
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Microwave Potato Corn Chowder

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Yield: Four servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 1.92
Per Serving: $ 0.48
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Veggie Chow Mein

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Yield: Six servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 2.44
Per Serving: $ 0.41
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Quesadilla con Huevos

Serving Size: One quesadilla
Yield: Four servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 1.04
Per Serving: $ 0.26
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Peanut Butter 'n Fruit-wich

Serving Size: One open-faced sandwich
Yield: One serving
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 0.27
Per Serving: $ 0.27
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Red Beans and Rice

Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
Yield: Eight servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 2.95
Per Serving: $ 0.37
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