If you’re living on a tight budget, you don’t have to eat plain rice or raw flour—you can make delicious, filling meals for pennies! Using Walmart’s cheapest calorie sources, here are five creative, ultra-affordable meal ideas that maximize energy and flavor.

1. Peanut Butter & Sugar Tortillas (The 30-Second Survival Wrap)

Cost per serving: ~$0.25
Calories: ~500+

Ingredients:

• Flour tortillas ($1.50 for 10)
• Peanut butter ($2.50 for 16 oz)
• Sugar ($2.50 for 4 lbs)

How to Make It:

1. Spread a thick layer of peanut butter on a tortilla.
2. Sprinkle a spoonful of sugar on top.
3. Roll it up and eat it like a burrito.

Why It Works:

• Flour tortillas are cheap and shelf-stable.
• Peanut butter adds protein and fats.
• Sugar gives a quick energy boost.

(Bonus: Add cinnamon or banana slices if you have them!)

2. Oil-Fried Ramen with Egg (The $0.50 Power Meal)

Cost per serving: ~$0.50
Calories: ~700+

Ingredients:

• Ramen noodles ($0.25 per pack)
• Vegetable oil ($4.00 for 48 oz)
• Egg ($0.15 each)

How to Make It:

1. Cook ramen normally, but drain most of the water.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, then fry the noodles.
3. Crack an egg into the pan and scramble it with the noodles.

Why It Works:

• Oil adds 120+ extra calories per tbsp.
• Egg boosts protein for staying power.
• Still cheaper than fast food!

3. Sweetened Oat Pancakes (The 3-Ingredient Breakfast)

Cost per serving: ~$0.30
Calories: ~400+

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats ($2.50 for 18 oz)
• Flour ($2.50 for 5 lbs)
• Sugar ($2.50 for 4 lbs)

How to Make It:

1. Blend ½ cup oats into flour (or use regular flour).
2. Mix with water and 1 tbsp sugar to make a batter.
3. Cook in a greased pan like pancakes.

Why It Works:

• Oats add fiber and nutrients compared to plain flour.
• Sugar makes it taste like a treat.
• No eggs or milk needed!

4. Bean & Rice “Budge Bowl” (The $1 Fiesta Plate)

Cost per serving: ~$1.00
Calories: ~800+

Ingredients:

• White rice ($3.00 for 5 lbs)
• Pinto beans ($1.50 for 1 lb dried)
• Oil ($4.00 for 48 oz)

How to Make It:

1. Cook rice and beans separately (or use canned beans).
2. Mix together with 1 tbsp oil for extra calories.
3. Add salt, hot sauce, or spices if available.

Why It Works:

• Rice + beans = complete protein.
• Oil makes it more filling.
• Endlessly customizable!

5. Sugar-Glazed Bread (The Depression-Era Dessert)

Cost per serving: ~$0.20
Calories: ~300+

Ingredients:

• White bread ($1.50 per loaf)
• Sugar ($2.50 for 4 lbs)
• Oil ($4.00 for 48 oz)

How to Make It:

1. Toast a slice of bread.
2. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle sugar on top.
3. Eat like a sweet, crunchy open-faced sandwich.

Why It Works:

• Tastes like a poor man’s donut.
• Uses only pantry staples.
• Ready in 2 minutes.

Final Tip: Rotate & Customize!

These meals are bare-bones cheap, but you can upgrade them easily:

• Add spices (garlic powder, chili flakes, cinnamon).
• Throw in cheap veggies (onions, carrots, cabbage).
• Use leftovers creatively (turn rice into fried rice with oil and egg).

What’s your favorite budget meal hack? Share below! 🍳💸

(Prices based on Walmart’s online data; may vary by location.)