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As adietitian on a budget, I try to meal plan to start my week as it helps me save money, cut down on food waste and save time in the kitchen. That said, life gets busy and no one is perfect. Especially when I’m returning home from travel or after hectic weekends, it’s harder to take inventory of my kitchen, meal plan and get to the grocery store. During those weeks, I rely on these healthy, super easy dinner recipes. Dishes like Black Bean Fajita Skillet and One-Pot Pasta with Tuna can be mostly made with pantry staples like canned beans, diced tomatoes and canned or frozen produce. Regardless of how bare my fridge gets, I know I usually have what I need on hand. Plus, these recipes are customizable to your palate and what’sstocked in your kitchen. Don’t have eggs for Shakshuka? Try adding a can of beans instead. Want to add frozen spinach to your Kitchen Sink Burrito? The world is your oyster. These meals are simple to make with whatever you have on hand while helping you feel full and nourished for a week you forgot to do your typical menu planning. For more budget-friendly beginner cooking tips, check outThrifty.
01of 11Baked Eggs, Tomatoes & Chiles (Shakshuka)View RecipeThis popular Israeli breakfast or brunch skillet recipe features eggs cooked on a bed of roasted tomato sauce. Serve with warm crusty bread and hot sauce.
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Baked Eggs, Tomatoes & Chiles (Shakshuka)
View Recipe
This popular Israeli breakfast or brunch skillet recipe features eggs cooked on a bed of roasted tomato sauce. Serve with warm crusty bread and hot sauce.
02of 11One-Pot Pasta with TunaView RecipeJoy HowardUse the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs.
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One-Pot Pasta with Tuna
Joy Howard
Use the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs.
03of 11Sweet Potato-Black Bean TacosView RecipeWill DickeyTender, smoky sweet potato is the star of these vegetarian tacos. A mashed black bean spread with onion holds everything in place. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
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Sweet Potato-Black Bean Tacos
Will Dickey
Tender, smoky sweet potato is the star of these vegetarian tacos. A mashed black bean spread with onion holds everything in place. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
04of 11Quinoa with Peas & LemonView RecipeTed & Chelsea CavanaughGreen peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.
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Quinoa with Peas & Lemon
Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
Green peas add a pop of color to this bright whole-grain side dish. Plus, choosing frozen saves you time—no shelling required! Want to save even more time? Use a pouch of precooked quinoa.
05of 11Easy Vegetarian ChiliView RecipeCanned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit–sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.
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Easy Vegetarian Chili
Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit–sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.
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Black Bean Fajita Skillet
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Tuna Casserole with Peas
Leslie Grow |Tuna Casserole with Peas
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Kitchen Sink Burritos
09of 11One-Pot Beans & Rice with Corn & SalsaView RecipeThis one-pot dinner is like a deconstructed burrito bowl–especially when topped with salsa, sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy accent. You can also enjoy it as a meal on its own, or as a vegetarian taco or burrito filling or a side dish on taco night.
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One-Pot Beans & Rice with Corn & Salsa
This one-pot dinner is like a deconstructed burrito bowl–especially when topped with salsa, sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy accent. You can also enjoy it as a meal on its own, or as a vegetarian taco or burrito filling or a side dish on taco night.
10of 11Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & GreensView RecipeGarlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that’s low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.
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Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens
Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that’s low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.
11of 11Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus DressingView RecipeHearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!
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Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!
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