Inexpensive Meals - Side Dish Recipes for Under 50 Cents Per Serving

Nutritional and Tasty Side Dish Recipes Starting Under 20 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.

Applesauce

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Yield: 10 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 2.38
Per Serving: $ 0.24
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Brown Rice Pilaf

Serving Size: 1 cup
Yield: 4 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 0.80
Per Serving: $ 0.20
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Cabbage Comfort

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Yield: 4 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 0.92
Per Serving: $ 0.23
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Classic Macaroni and Cheese

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Yield: 8 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 2.31
Per Serving: $ 0.29
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Green Bean Saute

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Yield: 6 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 1.90
Per Serving: $ 0.32
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Herbed Potato Salad

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Yield: 6 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 2.44
Per Serving: $ 0.41
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Mexican Rice

Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
Yield: 8 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 3.40
Per Serving: $ 0.42
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Old Fashioned Dressing

Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe
Yield: 10 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 3.65
Per Serving: $ 0.36
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Spicy Baked Squash

Serving Size: 1/4 of an acorn squash
Yield: 4 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 1.30
Per Serving: $ 0.32
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Zucchini Au Gratin

Serving Size: 3/4 cup
Yield: 7 servings
Cost:
Per Recipe: $ 1.61
Per Serving: $ 0.23
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