30-Minute Meals | 50 Meals for $55 | FAST and EASY Meals

[@Art930]

I watch lots of budget meal videos, but what's notable about yours is that you have healthy vegetables at every meal. So many others rely on pasta and tomato sauce only when a 99 cent bag of spinach added to the sauce adds both vitamins and visual appeal.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! I really challenge myself to make sure we have vegetables with every dinner. Sometimes it doesn’t work out but we try to make it happen 😄

[@battlefrenzie]

Crispy tofu tips from a vegetarian: wrap the block with paper towels & squeeze the water out with your hands. Much faster & efficient. Instead of cutting, tear the tofu into pieces. The jagged edge adds texture. Marinade at least 30min. Add way more cornstarch & a touch of oil before air frying. Keep in single layer. Also wouldn't toss into noodles as that makes it soggy. If you want a sauce on the tofu, prepare in separate pan & cook with sauce until it's glazed.

[@LauraLegge]

Oh wow! Great tips! Thank you so much! I’m definitely going to try all of that next time!

[@elenacala]

This!! Also go for extra firm tofu!!! Lots of sauce/marinade cause tofu pretty much had no flavor on its own.

[@LauraLegge]

@@elenacala ok! Thank you so much! ☺️

[@LynnTanner-hb7sh]

Thank you for these tips,I've been cooking more with tofu and appreciated this!

[@elizabethmay7262]

I have a tofu press. Cheap and cheerful from Amazon. Follow the exact method as suggested. It's easier to use a non stick pan. Don't add more oil to the pan whilst cooking. You don't need too much anyway. Good luck tofu cooking ❤

[@elizabethjordan2524]

Love your videos. And I appreciate that there's no goofy B-roll, no mispronouncing words to be cute...just great meal plans and recipes.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! I like to try to get to the point 😄 I hope you love the recipes!

[@MooMoo-fw3kh]

Stop being so critical of the videos people post you try doing it first

[@twistedfrannie9311]

My dog loves the cabbage core its one of his favorite treats.

[@LauraLegge]

Oh wow! I never thought of that! I’ll be sure to give it to my dogs next time or even snack on it myself 😃

[@rina1329]

You are my hero! You cook cabbage and mushrooms, and you are not drowning your food in canned sauce 😅

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! Occasionally we used canned stuff but we definitely try to avoid it when possible 😄

[@laurabattise1057]

Also spritz the air fryer basket and tofu cubes with olive oil before starting the air fryer. You’ll get a more browned, crispy result.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! I’ll give that a try!

[@MessyPaperCrafter]

It’s always interesting to me to see how prices vary across the country. I think your channel has been good at teaching making meal plans, sticking to the shopping list, using what we have on hand and simple meals are yummy meals. I never assume the total price includes pantry items. And I also appreciate that these videos are for inspiration and motivation, not an exact list of what to buy and how to use. You can’t predict what prices will be and people have to use some common sense. Thanx for bring some relaxing and helpful content.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much for all your kind words! I truly appreciate that! ☺️

[@MessyPaperCrafter]

@@LauraLegge You’re very welcome! You’ve definitely been very helpful to me on maintaining my tight grocery budget. 💜

[@LauraLegge]

@@MessyPaperCrafter I’m so glad to hear that! 😊

[@lashortyislabonita623]

You can save the Cabbage cores along with other vegetables scraps and freeze them to use in vegetable broth later on. Delicious meal ideas. Have a bless weekend. Use Corn meal instead of the corn starch to crisp up the tofu.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you for the tip! ☺️ I love doing that! Such a great way to use scraps! I’ll try the cornmeal for the tofu too! Thank you and have a wonderful weekend as well!

[@timcook9783]

I didn't know that. Thank for sharing

[@lorigasca5452]

You rock when it comes to buying groceries Meal plans, etc. I used to do it a lot when I had a house full of kids and brother-in-laws and husbands. Now I have to learn how to cook on a smaller level. Now I have to learn to cook for 2 people sometimes 3.😊❤❤

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! 😄 I bet that can be a challenge sometimes!

[@athia37]

I hear you,and have the same dilemma. I try to make 1/4 what I used to, and still it's too much,so I freeze in more manageable portions.

[@trishwebb4024]

Think about adding bean sprouts to your ‘egg roll in a bowl’. They add a nice crunch to the wilted cabbage - and better too, they bulk up the dish. Enjoying your channel, by the way!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! Oooh!! I LOVE the idea of sprouts in the egg roll in a bowl! Thank you for the suggestion! ☺️ I’ll definitely try that!

[@juliemaymcdougal7515]

A couple tips that I've tried for cooking tofu to a crispy and/or chewy texture and get good flavor. Other viewers might have easier methods: 1. Freeze your block of tofu and thaw it to create more holes and cracks in the tofu (this helps get more water out when it thaws and creates more channels to absorb marinades or sauces) 2. When it's thawed, drain the block, wrap it in a kitchen towel, place it on a cutting board and press it for 15-20 minutes or so by putting a cast iron pan or other heavy item on top so the kitchen towel absorbs the liquid. 3. Then you can cut it into pieces and either marinate it for a while before cooking (this makes a more chewy texture which I like in a curry situation) OR if you are looking to replicate a crispy consistency in a stir fry, toss the pieces in some corn starch and air fry or oven roast plain until desired level of crispiness, then add into a pan that you've already cooked your stir fry sauce down in so your basically coating it with the sauce (works well with stickier sauces like sweet sesame sauce or hoisin glaze. You can even use a thicker premade sauce like sweet and sour type sauce.) Then add in any veggies that you already stir fried (so the majority of the veggies liquid already cooked out) and combine all together. I'm sure I described that in a more complicated way than necessary, but good luck!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much for all the tips!! I’ll give those a try! It sounds like I’m going to need a bit of practice 😅

[@brittany931]

So with my tofu, I use extra firm, I'll drain it and then add it to the freezer. Then pull it out and let it thaw, the liquid comes out, and it makes it easier to squeeze out more liquid. It fries up well and absorbs the sauces better. This is just what works for me.

[@LauraLegge]

Oh wow! Perfect! Thank you so much for the tips! I’ll try that! ☺️

[@Marijana0001]

cabbage cores are the best, eaten alone we used to eat them as kids, super tasty

[@LauraLegge]

Oh wow! I had no idea! I’ll give them a try! Thank you so much for the suggestion ☺️

[@Marijana0001]

that just my experience, try it for yourself :) we would usually add a bit of salt@@LauraLegge

[@rina1329]

As a kid, I always waited for the core when my mom was slicing cabbage 😊

[@LauraLegge]

@@Marijana0001 I definitely will ☺️ it sounds tasty!

[@LauraLegge]

@@rina1329 I love that! How fun! 🤩 it sounds like wonderful memories too

[@KawiLover250]

I used to work for a restaurant where we did tofu noodles and we used extra firm tofu that we cut into cubes so they could be flat and crisp up. We patted them dry and cooked it on medium low with oil until it crisped up then added the sauce.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you! I’ll give that a try!

[@suewynn9748]

Love your meal plans!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear that ☺️

[@bluemoon5766]

My favorite way to eat tofu is when its cooked in the air fryer and tossed with cornstarch tiny bit of oil and whatever seasonings

[@LauraLegge]

Oooh yum! I need to practice a bit more with it! I really want to utilize it more in my cooking

[@bluemoon5766]

@@LauraLegge me too i do enjoy it to heat stuff up too expecially pizza

[@LauraLegge]

@@bluemoon5766 yes!! I love that!!

[@maidsua4208]

Lots of great tips! Thanks. Have you heard of bierocks? There are stuffed rolls, minced meat, onions and cabbage. And I bet 10$ that US-Americans can't resist adding cheese 😅. We use to have them next to vegetable soups and then you are full and happy. Regards, Richarda 😆

[@LauraLegge]

Yum! I’ve never heard of that before but I’m always looking for new ways to eat cabbage. Thank you so much for the suggestion! I can’t wait to try that!

[@kerryrowles5217]

Just found your channel - AMAZING! I cannot believe the prices on your grocery items. I'm in Australia and eggs are $6 a dozen (I know our wages are higher, but not that much higher!) Chicken is still a great buy here, as little as $3.50/kg. I love your recipes and cannot wait to try them. Subscribed. :)

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! It’s interesting to see how different prices can be! I hope you love the recipes ☺️

[@carriecreates1207]

I just want to say, I really enjoy your cooking videos!! Thank you for sharing them with us!!

[@LauraLegge]

You’re welcome and thank you so much! ☺️

[@loriburgess1866]

This is proof that limiting the ingredients for the week makes all the difference. Simply use those limited ingredients differently to create variety.

[@LauraLegge]

Yes! I completely agree. 😄

[@juliephelps7616]

New subscriber. Love most meal ideas you give.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! ☺️ and welcome to my channel!

[@samanthadodd8112]

Love these meals.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@sharonhall2277]

Good meals

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you! 😊

[@mimitadigre4103]

Awesome!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much!☺️

[@hollykailani6792]

Wish prices here were the same. For example, the same bag of spinach is $2.28.

[@LauraLegge]

Oh wow! 😰

[@Suzy12678]

Always an awesome job. Thank you!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much!! I appreciate that ☺️

[@homesteadingwithapurpose9681]

All of them sound delicious.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@rosesandifur6879]

Wow! Just wow!! Thank you!! Love this video!!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that! ☺️

[@annmarieknapp9942]

Every single one of these recipes are things my husband will LOVE, and they can be healthy but fun dishes. THANK YOU! New subscriber here, and I look forward to watching more content. 💖🌹

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! I hope you love everything ☺️

[@toriijeannowicki5760]

Love this meal plan! ❤

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

I made a video of crispy tofu w GF bread crumbs, pretty good if dipped in a yummy sauce. 😊

[@LauraLegge]

Ooh yum! I’ll have to try that! Thank you!

[@Randilynn66]

I use a tofu press to get all moisture out and then coat the cubes in Cornstarch.

[@LauraLegge]

I’ll have to look for one of those! Thank you for the tips ☺️

[@jodibuckmister7402]

great ideas!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@mwahl1686]

I made the Sausage Gnocchi dish for supper tonight and we really liked it! Thank you for sharing it! I used only 6oz of sausage and sauteed one onion in the grease. I also used mini gnocchi because there was something about the standard kind that totally put us off the first time. I'm not sure if it was the garlic or just the sausage (which is our normal breakfast sausage), but the dish came out a little spicy (I remember you've said that you guys prefer things that way though!). It also came out a little salty; the only thing I can think to do is use real unsalted chicken stock or unsalted chicken bouillon in the "broth." Tonight I used reduced sodium bouillon and didn't add any other salt! Super delicious; we added a little less whole milk and a little more water; I just halved the sausage because I remembered you saying you guys found it really rich. We liked it!

[@LauraLegge]

Fantastic! I love those tips! I’ll have to try it that way next time! I’ll look for the mini gnocchi and I definitely will try using less sausage next time. I’ll save your notes and make it that way when we try it next. Thank you SO much for coming back and adding your suggestions! ☺️

[@hello-vs4me]

Thanks for the new meal plans have everything to make these Meals thanks ❤😊

[@LauraLegge]

Yay! I’m glad to hear that! I hope you love the recipes ☺️

[@hello-vs4me]

I did

[@armyofone3893]

Glad I found your channel!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much!! ☺️

[@armyofone3893]

@@LauraLegge yeah it was by total accident. So I sub to a channel called “do it on a dime” Katherine is really sweet (like u) from NC I believe, and does all kinds of crafts and cleaning hacks, mostly from Dollar Tree store. (Dollar Tree also sells Food, some major brands and even a refrigerated section) I’d Really love to see you 2 get together, and do a food episode. Crafters are money conscience but I know a lot of elderly who could use some help that sub to her channel as well. Anyway, I’ll get the word out about your channel to as many as I can on my end! Big Love from the mountains of TN!!!

[@LauraLegge]

@@armyofone3893 oh my goodness, thank you very much! ☺️ I’ll have to check out her channel too! She sounds lovely! I’m sure I’ll love her content!

[@lilpoohbear653]

great meal plan...that ground italian sausage from aldi is really good!!

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! Yes! I was so surprised by how flavorful it was! It was the first time I had cooked with it 😄

[@jacki-m9t]

My grandma would take the hard outer layer of the cabbage core off and then give it to me for a snack. Quite crunchy and tasty. The none edible parts went to compost. I'm looking at your portion size. How many people are you feeding with each meal?

[@LauraLegge]

I love that! I’m feeding 4 people 😄

[@charlottetooth1457]

This looks like a delicious meal plan - I just went out and bought all the groceries and it cost me more than double $55, but then again, I live in Canada, and our grocery prices are ridiculous due to lack of competition and price-fixing between the big grocery companies - We don't have Aldi or any of the other low priced grocery stores apart from Walmart who price fixes along with all the others... I did have to make some substitutions due to things not being available. And I picked up some reduced-price gai lan (a Chinese green) that I will prob add to either the beef or tofu dishes. I was quite excited to see you using tofu - I have about 5 blocks of the stuff in my freezer! To make the tofu crispy, cook it in a single layer in batches in the air-fryer - you want good air circulation around each piece, so no pieces touching. Also, don't be afraid to use small amounts of meat in a Tofu dish - it is not just a meat substitute. The Chinese use meat as a "flavouring" in tofu dishes. I have extra beef because it only came in 1lb packages, so I am planning on chopping the extra finely (like ground beef) and adding it to the tofu.

[@LauraLegge]

Oh wow! That’s crazy how much more the groceries cost for y’all there! 😰 I hope you love the recipes! I can’t wait to hear what you think! I’ll definitely try again with the tofu using the tips you gave me. Thank you so much!

[@ultramagapatriot5874]

You are amazing!!😊😊😊

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much!! ☺️

[@nyn1966]

For crisping yp you tofu, try "tossing" your cubes in a plastic b a g or enen just a bowl. (Covers more surface area. If you are going to marinade, make sure you pay them dry before cooking. I hpe this helps you a wee bit. Good video. Nice inspiri g r w cipes. Thank you for sharing. 😂

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much for the tips! I was wondering what I did wrong 😅 I’m going to try again this week!

[@11plus3]

Wow fantastic

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@susieQ666]

New sub 😊😊

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you so much! 😄 Happy to have you here!

[@WeepingWillow422]

What does tofu taste like? (If you're able to explain the taste) Anyone besides Laura who has tried it is welcome to answer too. The more answers the better. I'd love to hear different perspectives lol.

[@LauraLegge]

To me, it doesn’t taste like much really. It’s very bland until you season it and the texture is light and somewhat creamy. It’s hard to describe 😅

[@WeepingWillow422]

@@LauraLegge Okay thank you. I do like the impossible whoppers at Burger King which I guess are made from soy but I don't know if that differs from tofu.

[@amyclark9581]

For the muffins you made could I use a sub sweetener to make them more diabetic friendly? Thank you

[@LauraLegge]

Yes absolutely! Maybe just look up the conversion rate. ☺️ it’ll work great!

[@lynnplans7737]

I'm not seeing the full recipe for the muffins. Did I miss it somewhere?

[@LauraLegge]

It’s the first recipe in the blog post here ☺️ wholeandhappyliving.com/2023/11/04/50-meals-for-55-30-minute-budget-meals-fast-and-easy-recipes-a-budget-friendly-meal-plan/

[@lynnplans7737]

@@LauraLegge thanks! For some reason it wasn't showing when I looked before. I'm excited to try them!!

[@LauraLegge]

@@lynnplans7737 you’re welcome! ☺️ I hope you love them!

[@shellysinglemomto5437]

How much baking powder, soda, coco powder and sugar???

[@LauraLegge]

From the pantry? Or for a specific recipe?

[@sarasorensen2650]

Consuming full fat fairy regularly helps with vitamin and mineral absorption. No need for reduced fat.

[@LauraLegge]

I love that! Thank you for letting me know ☺️

[@khewitt2873]

Wow, not sure where you are but in Ontario Canada you've got $23 in eggs alone.

[@LauraLegge]

Wow! That’s expensive 😰 I’m in Southern California!

[@adelaideelfie4922]

Do you by chance repeat certain segments of your videos in other videos? Like when you pick out the chicken from aldi's snippet? I feel like I see some things that I have seen before and it makes me think I already watched the video, and maybe I have- it confuses me. And no worries if you do, but it just messes with my brain :) lol

[@LauraLegge]

Sorry about that! 😅 I usually share my shopping trips and then if it’s part of a meal plan, I’ll share the shopping trip again along with the recipes for the plan. I may rethink how I do the videos in the future. Maybe I’ll edit them a bit differently 🤔

[@adelaideelfie4922]

@@LauraLegge Haha no worries at all! A couple videos I stopped cause I thought I already watched them. I almost did it with this one, but I was gone for a week and a half and this was newer, so I knew I couldn't have seen it, but then I saw the chicken part, and I was like so confused! lol.

[@LauraLegge]

@@adelaideelfie4922 haha I see! With the ones that are meal plans, I make sure to mention it in my intro so you can skip ahead if you’ve seen the shopping 😄 I think I also need to figure out a better way to show to thumbnails so they’re not so similar

[@adelaideelfie4922]

​@@LauraLegge Oh i am sure the thumbnails are different, but they are small and well I don't really scrutinize them. It's just a few times while watching (and I like to watch the grocery part, seeing the sales, seeing what's available etc as well as the actual recipes), but while watching I kept hearing the tidbit with the chicken getting one over the other and one having more meat etc, So I immediately closed it out and said oh I saw this one already. Then I did it again with another video. This is the one I realized what may be going on. And no biggie! For me myself I just enjoy the whole experience from the grocery store visit to the end, (not just the recipe part), but no biggie! At least I know now what is going on and will have to maybe go check and find the ones I thought I had seen already. I know it prolly saves time on your end, but I (for me) do enjoy the bits at the stores!

[@vernabryant2894]

I cook my cheese sause in the microwave.

[@LauraLegge]

I love that!

[@bjharrison4460]

How many people are you feeding with each of these meals?

[@LauraLegge]

Usually 4 servings per recipe but I have the servings listed in each recipe on my blog ☺️

[@barbaraburgio6737]

They sell gnocchi at dollar tree!

[@LauraLegge]

Fabulous!! 😄

[@annmich4593]

❤

[@LauraLegge]

😄

[@cherylcournoyer6579]

Where are you shopping at. Those prices are no where near that here in New England

[@LauraLegge]

This is at Aldi in Southern California! Most of the other stores are much more expensive here though.

[@cathyp94]

How come food is so cheap in the US compares to canada

[@sonyavincent7450]

It's even worse in nz. Watching these prices is like going to Disneyland.

[@joycescott-vp1xm]

Us prices are not that cheap everywhere and she didn't go to a regular grocery store . She went to Aldi's. England is way cheaper in food cost. And don't exchange rate currently $1 us dollar equals 1.37 Canadian dollar. So if it is $8 USD it will be 10.94 CAD

[@hello-vs4me]

When the sausage 2.99 got 6 still have 2

[@vernabryant2894]

You're food is a lot cheaper than in Southern Illinois.

[@LauraLegge]

Most of our local grocery stores are expensive but this Aldi is so much cheaper. I’m absolutely loving it!

[@julierayfield8035]

I love that you buy real food and processed junk.

[@LauraLegge]

Thank you! We do buy some processed things still but I try to make as much from scratch as possible 😄

[@MooMoo-fw3kh]

I would like to know who requested for less prep to be done she is already doing a tremendous amount in a little bit of time 1 hour or 2 hours once a week is not a lot for preparing meals for a family for the week stop making ridiculous requests and get out there and start doing the meal preps!

[@KarmicSalt]

smh be honest with the title...using "the things on hand" doubled the price

[@LauraLegge]

Normally I use minimal seasonings and pantry items but this meal plan was definitely a bit different. I should have calculated that in the price. Thank you for letting me know!