These days, grocery prices can make you feel like you need a financial advisor just to navigate the supermarket aisles. But instead of cringing every time you see the price of your favorite items, there’s a better solution: thrifty meals that don’t sacrifice taste or nutrition. I’m talking about meals that fill us up, make us smile and don’t break the bank. So here’s how to increase your grocery budget while keeping your family happy and your pantry full.

BUY SMART AND PLAN AHEAD

The best secret to frugal meals is planning. It’s not glamorous, but it works. Before you even set foot in the store, take a few minutes to find out what’s on sale today. Think about what’s already in your pantry, your freezer and your refrigerator: sometimes, the ingredients for a good meal are already hidden behind the ketchup. Then, focus your shopping list on what you actually need, especially sale items or seasonal products, which tend to be less expensive. The key is to avoid impulse purchases (fancy cheeses are ridiculously tempting) and stick to your list.

Thrifty Tip: Plan your meals around ingredients that can span multiple dishes. For example, a whole chicken can be roasted for a meal and then shredded for sandwiches, salads or soup later in the week.

COOK ONCE, EAT TWICE (OR MORE)

Speaking of chicken, cooking in bulk is a game changer. Not only do you save time, but you stretch your ingredients further. Prepare large quantities of meals that can be reused. A big pot of chili can make tonight’s dinner, tomorrow’s nacho topping, and Friday’s baked potato topping. Leftover rice? Turn it into stir-fry or fried rice for a second meal. The beans can be used as a side dish one night and a taco topping the next.

Thrifty Tip: Invest in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. These amazing kitchen appliances allow you to prepare hearty, flavorful meals with minimal effort, and often from cheaper cuts of meat or dried beans.

BE CREATIVE WITH LEFTOVERS

The art of turning leftovers into something new and exciting is a skill worth mastering. We’re not talking about reheating last night’s dinner and calling it good. Turn leftover roasted vegetables into a delicious frittata or use extra spaghetti sauce to make a baked pasta dish. Even small things can be transformed, like making a “clean out the fridge” soup or stir-fry.

Thrifty Tip: Keep a “soup bag” in your freezer. Whenever you have leftover vegetables, throw them in the bag. Once full, throw everything into a pot with a little broth, and boom, dinner is served!

GO MEAT FREE

I’m not saying you have to give up meat completely, but reducing your meat intake can save you a lot of money. Meatless meals can be just as filling and satisfying, and there are now plenty of options that make skipping meat easy and delicious. Think black bean tacos, chickpea curry or mushroom risotto.

Thrifty Tip: Eggs are a fantastic, inexpensive source of protein. Scrambles, omelets, or a simple frittata with whatever veggies you have on hand can make a great meal.

MAKE IT FROM SCRATCH

I get it: sometimes it’s easier to buy prepared meals or mixes, but they often cost more and are generally not as healthy. Cooking from scratch doesn’t have to take a lot of time and you don’t need to be a master chef. Simple things like homemade pizza dough, soup, or pancake mix can be made in larger batches and frozen for future meals. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also avoid all those sneaky preservatives and additives.

Money Saving Tip: When cooking, make a double batch and freeze half for later. Homemade bread, muffins, and even cookies can be frozen and defrosted when needed – better than store-bought and much cheaper!

USE YOUR FREEZER LIKE A PRO

Your freezer is one of the best tools for sticking to a budget. You can freeze almost anything: leftovers, bread, sauces, broth, vegetables and even fruit that is starting to soften. The key is to freeze things before they go bad. Overripe bananas? Freeze them for smoothies or banana bread later. Did you buy too many vegetables? Blanch them and freeze them for soups or stews.

Thrifty Tip: Label everything in your freezer with the date so you don’t forget what’s in it. There’s nothing worse than a mysterious container of something that might have been dinner six months ago.

Adopt the meals of the “poor”

Back then, meals like stews, stews and pies were staples because they maximized ingredients and filled budgets. These meals are still perfect for stretching your grocery budget today. Plus, they’re often one-pot meals, which means less cleanup!

Money-Saving Tip: Try a potato or pasta dish, like shepherd’s pie or baked ziti. These ingredients are inexpensive, filling, and easy to add to whatever vegetables or meat you have on hand.