Cheap and Healthy Dinners in 30 Mins or Less!

Cheap healthy dinners that actually taste good can be tricky, but here are 3 recipes that are craveable and come in at around $3 per portion. You can get my favorite cookware from Made In today with a 10% off discount on your first order over $100 using my link madein.cc/0124-brian
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Keema Curry Recipe
Ingredients:
▪1 large white onion, diced (about 225)
▪1 medium-large russet potato, peeled and diced (about 150g)
▪5-6 cloves of garlic, pressed ( 20-25g)
▪Olive oil
▪1 pound 85/15 ground beef
▪Salt
▪5g (2t) curry powder
▪3g (1 1/4t) garam masala
▪5g (2t) cumin
▪25g (1 1/2T) tomato paste
▪1 can (400 ml) full-fat coconut milk
▪200g water (about half a can)
▪150g (1 heaping cup) frozen peas
▪150g (1 bag) baby spinach, chopped
▪Steamed white rice for serving
Instructions:
In a 12" nonstick pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil, diced onions, diced potatoes, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions caramelize and potatoes start to become tender.
Add minced garlic, stir, and sauté for another 2 minutes.
Transfer veggies to a bowl and set aside.
Return pan to heat, add olive oil, beef, and a large pinch of salt. Brown the beef, breaking it down well as it cooks.
Add curry powder, garam masala, cumin, and tomato paste to the browned beef. Stir and fry the spices for 20-30 seconds.
Return the cooked potatoes & onions to the beef pan. Combine then add coconut milk and water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is reduced, and the potatoes are tender (about 10 minutes).
Season with salt, then add peas & spinach. Stir and cook until the spinach wilts (2-3 minutes).
Adjust consistency with additional stock or coconut milk if needed.
Serve over rice.
Budget Pad Woon Sen Recipe
Ingredients:
▪14oz box thin rice noodles
▪Neutral oil
▪4 large eggs
▪Stir fry sauce:
▪150g (2/3c) water
▪50g (3T) soy sauce
▪25g (4t) fish sauce
▪40g (3T) brown sugar
▪125g (1/3c) oyster sauce
▪150g white onion (1 medium), sliced
▪225g (1 3/4c) snow peas, sliced
▪225g (2 large) red bell pepper, julienned
▪20g (5-6 cloves) garlic, minced
▪Sriracha or lime for serving
Instructions:
Soak rice noodles in hot water for 15 minutes, then cut in half and drain.
In a 12" nonstick pan over med-high , add oil, crack in eggs, add salt, and scramble. Transfer eggs to a bowl.
Return pan to heat. In 2 batches add oil, & snow peas, peppers, onions, and a pinch of salt. Cook until veggies are just tender then add to bowl with eggs. Add garlic when stir frying 2nd batch.
Wipe pan clean, return to heat, add stir-fry sauce, bring to a boil, then add soaked noodles. Submerge and cook for 30 seconds.
Add cooked vegetables & eggs back into pan. Toss until well combined.
Serve in bowls, optionally with sriracha and/ or lime.
Italian Wedding & Minestrone Mashup Soup
Ingredients:
▪250g white onion (1 large), small diced
▪250g carrots (4-5 medium) carrots, diced
▪75g kale (1 bunch) kale, stems removed, leaves sliced into 1” pieces
▪20g (5-6 cloves) garlic, pressed
▪2 links of hot Italian sausage, meat removed and rolled into small balls (25-30 balls)
▪Olive oil
▪75g (4T) better than bouillon chicken (or any chicken bouillon)
▪1400g/48oz box chicken stock
▪600g/20oz water
▪100g (3/4c) elbow macaroni
▪2 cans white beans, semi-drained
Salt
Pepper and grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions:
Heat a large stock pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, carrots, garlic, and a pinch of salt and sweat until slightly softened, 5-6min.
Add chicken bouillon, chicken stock, and water. Bring to a simmer.
Stir in elbow macaroni, chopped kale and sausage meatballs and cook until pasta is tender.
Add semi-drained white beans. Taste and adjust for salt if needed.
Serve the soup with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro & keema curry
4:40 Less fussy woon sen
6:39 12” nonstick saute pan (ad)
7:40 back to the woon sen
10:42 kale and white bean soup
#budgetmeals #weeknightdinners #recipes

[@sillykeet]

I love "Weeknighting" content so much. Your recipes are approachable and are always something I actually want to eat. I also like the foods that are more of a "project", but nothing beats good things I can make in just about 30 minutes without crazy ingredients.

[@BrianLagerstrom]

Thanks for watching, I hope you try one of these.

[@innawoodsman]

Agreed. I love trying out fancy recipes on a Saturday evening, but having more accessible recipes you can make every night are great. I'm happy a lot of cooking KZbinrs are posting them more.

[@paulasimson4939]

Please, please - more like this! These dinners are so approachable. Not ridiculously and silly in how they keep costs down. Just smart and not ignoring the test and time factors. I would add in chickpeas and cauliflower to the keema curry.

[@tylerdalton4369]

I don't even consciously click on these videos anymore, it's just a reflex. I am merely at the will of the algorithm

[@BrianLagerstrom]

Arent we all. Thanks for clicking

[@groom_of_the_stool]

​@@BrianLagerstromI watch stuff deep outside of the algorithm. It's so niche and rabbit hole-y that it won't even show me similar videos after watching these videos. I have to do a specific search every time.

[@tjj2011]

Same for me 😂

[@deidrecalabro5725]

These are very high quality food vlogs. I only know of a handful that reach this quality...🎉

[@rhettawilliams]

Let's give credit to Brian for his content instead of the algorithm

[@TheSmallzfry]

Thank you for making a note of pan sizes at 8:27! A 12" pan has almost 50% more surface area than a 10" pan which is a big deal that a lot of creators miss! Little things like that are why your videos are hands-down the best for home cooks.

[@DrDyDx]

This looks great! And I noticed you save costs by reusing the garlic pressing footage 😉

[@BrianLagerstrom]

Got me bro.

[@Lavasioth]

speaking of which, where did you get that sturdy looking garlic press???@@BrianLagerstrom

[@gregkrazanski]

​@@BrianLagerstromi hope you reuse that footage every single time you press garlic, would be the best running gag

[@adventure_hannah3841]

@@gregkrazanski YES!

[@isaiahayers1550]

Good eye! I would've never caught that.

[@StayPrimal]

Veggies are SO important. All my life I barely ate any of them. By 30 years old I was very unhealthy, feeling very sick. My blood pressure and my sugar level in my blood were out of control. I noticed I always felt bad after eating, and from there I realized my diet was very poor. Long story short, I started eating very healthy and lots of vegetables, learned how to cook them and noted which one made me feel better than others. I started a huge garden and from there I was eating TONS of veggies everyday. In a matter of months, all my symptoms vanished, I felt healthier than when I was 18 years old. Looking back, I can't believe it took me so long to realize that we are what we eat. If you are eating all kind of refined food filled with chemicals and sugar, all day everyday, its just a matter of time before your body sends you clear messages that you are doing something very wrong,. Starting a garden helps a lot eating healthy without really noticing it :) Everything taste better when its straight from the garden. And soups are the best way to eat tons of veggies too! Cheers for the video Brian

[@joanned35]

I had leftover keema curry(loved it), so I thought for lunch I’d try something adventurous! Used puff pastry from freezer and turned the curry into samosas-ish ! They were so good! Also had some frozen mango chunks so made a quick chutney while the “samosas” were baking. We will definitely add the Keema curry to our regular menu rotation, and make extra for the leftovers! Yum

[@karenparikh4045]

This sounds good. Wish I lived near you lol

[@jordonbay7778]

I really appreciate these style of videos. The weekend is great for the time consuming, technical meals, but its nice to be able to whip up quick, healthy, and affordable meals, especially when you have a family with 4 boys to feed...

[@BrianLagerstrom]

Im trying to hit both worlds. I cook very different during the week than on the weekend for sure.

[@ingridmitchell1742]

Love your videos, they are stright to the point, without watching for ages all the chopping& slicing, you got my attention stright away, a variation of quick, delicious recipes Thank you👍🏼

[@jacksonfl]

Brian - Brilliant. This will help a lot of family cooks whose budgets have been wrecked. Can't wait to try these, and hoping for more of the same. Thanks for doing this for us.

[@calyxedmondson5362]

I really like this kind of thing as an option. My household deals with a lot of mental health issues, so having something that is good, warm, and not overwhelming while still being a nice meal. Anything that'll combat depression, especially this time of year, is a win in my book.

[@chasee3667]

To answer your request, yes Brian, I found this useful and would love to see more videos like this. I will definitely be trying these recipes in the next week or so. Thank you for posting all of these great recipes!

[@HeatherPack]

I already have all the ingredients for all three of these dishes except for the coconut milk. Apparently Brian is living rent free in my head.

[@caleb4thand10]

YES!! Favorite sort of content on the Internet!

[@dwcarrigan88]

Please! More like this! Thanks Bri!

[@mike89812]

Thank you for this. All of these dishes look amazing!

[@matthewmandella8073]

really appreciate the blend of weeknighting content and weekend project meals. hitting the budget, health, speed trifecta is difficult and you keep putting out banger recipes. please keep writing my entire menu for me!

[@lball9975]

Love it! Cheap healthy and not processed!

[@penamunoz]

Please make more of these, you both do such a great job with them!

[@napkintheory]

These videos are super helpful, Brian. I personally love the focus on healthy meals and using veggies. The speed and price are a bonus, too. Thanks so much!

[@CBMX_GAMING]

These videos always seem to strike the perfect balance between realistic for weeknight home cooks, while also being elevated and interesting enough to avoid meal prep fatigue. Great stuff

[@KatyInNH]

Yes, Please more in this series. I also love that you use minimal types of cookware and utensils! I am trying to downsize my kitchen wares as we are now a family of two and all family events are at the kids home now.

[@PTFolderTraining]

You consistently deliver, best bread recipe, spagbol, chicken salad, recent tray dishes are now staples at my home. Thank you

[@languagechefcorey]

I LOVE this style of video, literally gonna use this vid all the time to inspire me.

[@definitelynotarobot835]

I really appreciate the creativity of your content. Your personality adds so much more to your videos. My picky dad loves your recipes, especially your weeknighting ones!

[@dougbrown8144]

I love this concept. These rules literally ticks all the boxes I'm looking for in a recipe. More please!

[@k03hl3r]

This is one of my favorite videos you’ve ever done! I’d love to see more like this, and I’d also love to see your take on meal prep style dishes!

[@ericcutler5463]

You make me happy! I love to cook and you are expanding my horizons. Yes more videos like this one. Thank you so much!

[@nicolebergelin6200]

Yes B-Lag! Love this kind of content. I kicked off the year with your 5 meals for $30 recipes and am really enjoying them all. Super pumped to try making these next. You have really helped me bring my meal prep game to the next level!

[@danieltuckercatholic]

You're killin' it, Bri! I love this series, and I think I'm gonna make that soup next week. Keep up the great work.

[@RyanDudziak]

Absolutely love this kind of content! I make your quick recipes all the time on weeknights

[@fullfatcola4132]

Really love this kind of video, please do consider making more!

[@grazinabielousovaph.d.6283]

Yes please. This content for me is worth gold. As a busy professional - and a foodie- I appreciate anything that is budget and time conscious.

[@JamieBenoir]

This video is awesome! Love the focus on cheap, quick, and healthy!! Please make more of these! I've been making Ethan Chlebowski's Keema Matar recipe frequently for ages, but it will be really nice to mix it up with your Keema curry recipe. The noodles look fire as well.

[@penguinone23]

Love the quick, cheap, healthy meals. Keep em coming.

[@jaydeep7714]

Your keema recipe looks like the perfect answer to what I've been looking for! My partner and I made a vegetable korma with coconut milk last night and we were discussing how our go to keema recipe lacked some cohesion that the korma had. Can't wait to give your recipe a try and thanks as always for the easy weeknighting content!

[@Jerrywave_]

Just what I needed for the new year, thanks Bri!

[@rjsmind]

Brian, I just gotta say I love these videos so much in which you show us how to make meals greater then their part the most out of your entire catalouge. I recently did your Tonkotsu and it was fanatstic but speaking from my heart, these are the dishes that most inspire me to actually cook for myself. Keep up the good work

[@lxa71975]

Thanks Bri! I know what I'll be cooking this week. These videos are perfect for affordable, quick, healthy meals for my kids and I. Really appreciate the work!

[@patriciamagnon6301]

I “Love, Love❤️, Love”, the simplicity of your cooking “Delicious” meals!!! Thank you. 🙏❤️🤗

[@adventure_hannah3841]

Absolutely incredible homerun of a video, Bri! I appreciated this so much. Was sitting here making my meal prep and grocery plan for the week, and nodding with each ingredient I already have at home, and many ingredients I habitually buy on the weekly! This video has been added to my "cookbook" playlist! 😃

[@cfavero1]

This is fantastic! Two great meal videos at the top of a new year. Thank you Brian, I’m going to try both!

[@SES_football]

We definitely need more of these videos!

[@amysill3815]

Yes, please give us more of these types of meals!

[@stacypampuch396]

More, please! Love this.

[@patriciazbaraschuk601]

Thank you for sharing affordable delicious nutritious recipes. Food costs are out of control and we need all the help we can get. Keep up the great work

[@barthagerman1315]

Can, wait to try all three! Keep it up!

[@brendac7101]

Awesome!!! Such healthy budget meals. Thanks Brian ❤️

[@KateMondor]

Always such a pleasure to see a new video from you, Brian. My favourite KZbin food guy.❤

[@janamiller273]

I love these veg focused videos, especially with the focus on keeping things cheap ❤

[@katelynnoonan4194]

i think you do these types of recipes so well!!!!

[@Kevin-vg2kk]

Looking forward to Ep. 2 of this series!

[@kabel9357]

Love, Love, Love these kinds of meals. This is how I cook a lot and I'm always looking for more variety, thanks dude!

[@kevinnowak6680]

Perfect! EXACTLY what I need right now. Thanks, Brian.

[@cfpu4863]

Time of the year when I'm looking for new things to add to the weekly rotation. Love your videos but the weeknight recipes are especially welcome for the cooking most of us 'have' to do when stressed/busy/wrecked/all 3. Now looking forward to making that soup next week - thanks!

[@robinsandrowski6653]

Love your videos. more and more, I'm building my grocery list around your recipes and enjoying Sunday prep and weeknight cooking that is a breeze!

[@Coppertoe]

Made all three. Curry & Soup are our favorites. Thank you, Brian!!

[@cathrynronan744]

You've transformed my weekly dinners! My family and I thank you! More more more videos please!

[@cloudkitt]

Excited to try these, thanks!

[@DanielLTN]

Love this series

[@AnEskimoBakes]

👏🏼👏🏽👏🏼🎊🎉🎊 Love this!!! I’m a huge fan of excellent frugal cooking and living!! Wheee! You show ‘em!

[@berniecrawford3284]

That stir fry is happening today. As usual everything looks delicious and accessible. Thank you for all your work.

[@bettsdn]

I bought that ground beef smasher because of your videos. I can't believe how well it works.

[@aperson1908]

Great food for 4 for only $12. Amazing and very inspiring. Thank you. Also, love how you cook food from different cuisines/cultures. More please!

[@broadwaypointe15]

Fabulous video. Great ideas for a quick inexpensive home meal. Thank you!

[@carolple]

Tried these recipes this week and they are so good!!

[@krussell9995]

Love a hearty, easy to throw together meal. Thanks Bri!

[@banethero]

B Man! Love this type of content as a change of pace to more indulgent or involved recipes (which I also like).

[@leahr.2620]

Can't wait to make all of these, great choices for warming us during our Arctic Missouri weather.

[@rkskdevildog1218]

I love this format and would love to see more “quick weekday meal” videos! Between you, Ethan, Joshua and Sam I always have something food related to watch and draw inspiration from!

[@user-yy9dk3nt6v]

Great stuff! Really Easy recipes I'd definitely want to try out

[@alicestella]

You don’t know how happy it makes me to see every ingredient listed by weight! I keep a list of weights of common ingredients taped to the inside of a cupboard door and I’m always adding to it. Sure beats using measuring cups & spoons!

[@bannanachops]

These are my go to type of meals for sure.

[@yannickjean]

OK wow, those 3 meals seem absolutely delicious! Will try all of them for sure. Thank you and keep them coming!

[@AmberAnastasi]

The way you entered the ingredients and directions made it very easy for me to transfer to my PTE app and as a result I actually made the recipe. Delicious

[@richhare3765]

Thanks Bri. Plan to add these dinners to our dinner meal rotation.

[@AM-wt2ul]

Can't wait to try these!

[@Alex36Quest]

I love these, they're definitely going on my list for next week! You sound a bit sick, Brian, I hope you get well soon and that Lauren's also holding up well.

[@Coppertoe]

Yes! Fast & healthy. I already add the items on my grocery list. Will make them this week. Thank you.

[@rachellecarter6935]

LOVE this video!! Thanks for these recipes. Would definitely like to see more like this.

[@livelaughloaf519]

I make soups like that last one pretty often, some pasta, beans, and usually whatever leftover meats and veg I have around. I love the little sausage meatball idea though. My personal favourite for these kinds of soups is a nice wedge of lemon, and some finely crushed/minced garlic to add right before serving, brightens and wakes everything up really nicely!

[@gaara1303]

Brian you are absolutely killing it with your content recently. Even if you drop a video for a recipe I’m not interested in making I’ll still watch it because it’ll be more entertaining than most videos on my feed. Seriously, you got to be the best channel doing this. Awesome videos man.

[@IMStella0723]

Love the quick, easy, cheap meals. Im definitely trying these!

[@etfulton3]

Made all three of these and they were all great and affordable. More of this please!

[@juliaschinault1421]

Really liked the qualifications for these recipes and having 3 recipes at once!!!

[@willnicol1684]

Made the keema on Friday and it went down really well with the family. I upped the dry spices and included some fresh chilli and ginger as we like things a bit more punchy. But the simple technique is great and a brilliant way to include a load of green veggies

[@frasersgirl4383]

This all looks wonderful!!

[@beahwatson]

can't wait to try these!

[@RomainTYS]

100% adding those recipes to the weeknight rotation it look DELICIOUS ! Thanks a lot Brian ! Cheers from Bordeaux

[@BentusiProgenitors]

Brian. I just made a big ol soup following your 3rd recipe. It's delicious and very easy. Perfect for the winter wonderland that this area was just transformed into. Thanks a lot. Please include more dishes like this. I appreciate you.

[@jeffm5099]

More of this exact content, please!

[@megandouglas960]

Love the time limit. I’m a mom and anything quick and easy help.

[@ae_pd]

Literally my favorite videos. We make all the week night budget meals nearly every week now

[@swayme67]

More!!! Thank you!

[@zoeLl915]

Love this series!! I might have to try these next week! Thank you :)

[@NathanSpiwak]

This is an awesome video! Love these recipes! Can't wait to try them out myself. More of these please!

[@dianelee2975]

i love this series!

[@carolinenolan3467]

More of these please!!

[@SerenityPilled]

Wow, super good video!!! Will definitely be trying this

[@padders1068]

Hey Bri! They all looked delicious, thanks for sharing and I love this format! 🙂😋😎❤

[@tinybarabo]

I tried the soup and the curry, and both of them are amazing!!! We will definitely make them every other week! Thank you!! 🙏🏻