Comfort food is a dish that can bring up warm nostalgic memories, providing a sense of familiarity and security. Comfort food can come in all shapes and sizes, from classic dishes like macaroni and cheese to creamy soups and stews or classic desserts like apple pie or warm cookie. Comfort food is incredibly popular: people looking for a little extra comfort from food can be found from coast to coast. But, eating a comforting dish doesn't need to break the bank. Here's a guide to budget-friendly comfort food meals.
What is Comfort Food?
Comfort food is any dish that reminds us of family, home, or some other type of security. Its taste, appearance, and smell can inspire feelings of nostalgia, making it a balm for the soul. Comfort foods are usually high in carbohydrates and fat, which helps to make them comforting and soothing on a cold day. Comfort food is typically strong flavor-wise; the more intense the flavor, usually the better the emotional reaction.
Comfort food is often simple, home-cooked meals made with ingredients that would never make it into a restaurant dish. Dishes like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, vegetable soup, or pulled pork are all great examples of classic comfort food.
Money-Saving Strategies for Cooking Budget-Friendly Comfort Food
When it comes to saving money on comfort food, the best method is often the simplest: cooking from scratch. Of course, everyone is busy, so it can be a challenge to find the time necessary to shop, prep, and cook the ingredients yourself. However, the savings from the bottom line can often make it worth the effort.
Here are a few tips for keeping costs budget-friendly when cooking up a batch of comfort food:
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Buy in Bulk: Whenever possible, buy ingredients in bulk to get the most bang for your buck. If you can find a local warehouse that offers discounted prices on staples like rice, beans, potatoes, flour, and more, you can save some serious cash on the staples of comfort food.
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Take Advantage of Seasonal Produce: Fruits and vegetables can often have improved flavor and lower prices when they are in-season. Take advantage of that by stocking up on whatever is in-season. Most items will last for a while in the freezer, allowing you to make large batches that will keep for months.
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Find Creative Ways to Stretch Ingredients: Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with recipes. If a dish calls for 2 tablespoons of butter, try to substitute with other ingredients like milk, yogurt, or olive oil. You can also experiment by adding in different ingredients to stretch the dish further. Bulk up a soup with rice, noodles, or beans to further extend the life of the dish.
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Cook Once, Eat Twice: Many comfort food dishes can be made at once and then eaten multiple times. Soups, stews, and casseroles are all great dishes that can be cooked at once and then eaten multiple times over the course of days or even weeks.
Budget-Friendly Comfort Food Recipes
There are a number of budget-friendly comfort food recipes you can make without breaking the bank. Here are few ideas to get you started:
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Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic: This easy side dish is an excellent way to add some flavor to simple mashed potatoes. To make it, preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice a head of garlic in half and brush with olive oil. Put on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, peel 2 pounds of potatoes and bring to a boil in salted water. Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes until soft. Drain and mash with a potato masher, adding a dash of milk, melted butter, and roasted garlic, topped with a little salt and pepper.
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Cheesy Broccoli Casserole: This dish is a great way to dress up plain broccoli and make a delicious side. To make it, preheat the oven to 350°F. Steam 2 bunches of broccoli and set aside. Grease an 11x7-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, and ½ cup of sour cream. Stir in the steamed broccoli. In a separate bowl, mix together ½ cup of sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup of mozzarella, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Once combined, pour the mixture over the broccoli. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
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Chili: This classic comfort food is a great way to warm up on a cold day. To make it, sauté 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped bell pepper in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once fragrant, add 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 pound of ground beef and cook until the beef is no longer pink. Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes, 1 can of tomato paste, 1 can of kidney beans, and 1 packet of chili seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and jalapenos.
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Savory Pork Stew: A hearty stew is another great comfort food that's perfect for cold nights. To make it, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and season 1½ to 2 pounds of pork shoulder with salt and pepper. Once browned, reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves of minced garlic, and 2 cups of sliced potatoes and carrots. Add 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and season with thyme, oregano, and a bay leaf. Simmer for an hour or until the pork is tender.
Conclusion
A little creativity and a pinch of budget-savvy shopping can go a long way towards creating budget-friendly comfort food meals. Whether you opt for delicious mashed potatoes with roasted garlic, cheesy broccoli casserole, chili, or a savory pork stew, you can create tasty, comforting meals without going over budget.