How many meals can I create with 50 dollars?

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Cosori Air Fryer: amzn.to/3szPZkE
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9x13 Baking dish: amzn.to/4a8K0Uu
Hexclad products in video - click this link for 10% off your purchase hexclad.com/prohomecooks
50 Dollar Grocery List: drive.google.com/file/d/16E4w...
00:00 - Intro
01:48 - White Bread
03:06 - Flour Tortillas
04:15 - Butternut Squash Muffins
05:50 - Twice Fried Plantains
06:55 - Thrive Market
08:06 - Spanish Torta
10:25 - Crispy Beef Butternut Squash Soup
12:23 - Fresh Slaw
13:04 - Guacamole
13:29 - Taco Filling
14:55 - Coconut Oatmeal
15:32 - Coconut French Toast
16:25 - Zesty Yogurt Sauce
16:44 - Mac and Cheese
Follow me on instagram @lifebymikeg for behind the scenes action!
Music Credits:
Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
APM Music: www.apmmusic.com
Video Credits
Creator, Host, Co-Editor - Mike G
Editor - Christopher Pressler
Assistant Editor - Cooper Makohon
Motion Graphics - Raphael Oliveira

[@dflosounds]

9/10 for the food, 8/10 for the video. I would've liked to see a breakdown summary at the end, listing each of the meals and how many people they fed. That would really help visualize how far the $50 went.

[@ImLunaShesZeta]

That is exactly what I was thinking. I need all of the statistics.

[@chiefpanda7040]

For real I would have been fine without some of the cooking if he just showed stats great video though

[@italianprincess5046]

i believe it was him his 2 girls and wife. my thing is the portions looked small. but this waa a great and fun video! great ideas to use in my future

[@bekahsbigtinylife]

THIS- I was waiting for the breakdown the whole time

[@ProHomeCooks]

noted for next time!

[@PeterPetraRock]

$50 USD into 2 baked items spread into other meals, 2 snacks for kids, and 6 unique meals. I'd say that's a 10. Blows my mind how far $50 can stretch when you get creative and know how to push the ingredients to the limit.

[@aniruddha199o3]

This might not be for everyone, but sometime I will add cabbage to my soup to give it a fun texture. If you're recreating the soup, you could some of the cabbage that was left at the end in the soup.

[@NewBeginningsYoga]

Portuguese soup always has cabbage 😅

[@intractablemaskvpmGy]

if you have leftover lettuce. Same thing

[@carolinasv525]

I love using cabbage on dumpling or potsticker soups, soooo good!!

[@liliarosales1961]

Because we do pozole with cabbage, that sounds fantastic to me.

[@baileys1004]

I'm reading this comment right as I'm eating Moldovan borș (or borsch as it's known in other countries). The version my family makes has no meat, with the cabbage being the main star (+ it has beans, potatoes and herbs). I'd recommend giving it a go :)

[@katherinedriscoll5871]

Something to think about with leftover cabbage: shredded fried cabbage with red pepper flakes and garlic. My husband and I were introduced to it living in China and I still make for him 10 years later living back home in Canada.

[@brennenryan2696]

It’s also killer with Roman noodles

[@azviking139]

Sounds like a fantastic low carb noodle substitute as well! Wife has PCOS so always looking for the low carb options

[@shuegottschalk]

When I have leftover potatoes 🥔 (ie mashed) and 1/3 or 1/2 head cabbage, I like to make Bubble & Squeak...it's like a cast iron skillet leftover casserole. You can toss in some leftover meat, but if I don't have any, I don't miss it...lots of cheese pulls it together. 😋

[@SadLittleClownGore]

heya! what do you fry it in

[@brennenryan2696]

@@SadLittleClownGore my go to is always avocado oil

[@VRodz-11]

With prices so high on everything, we need more inspiration like this! Keep 'em coming

[@QueenCar523]

I love this! As a chronically single person, I find it difficult to not be wasteful, while also sticking to a budget and keeping it healthy, all while trying not to get bored with the same few meals I rotate through. This gave me a bunch of new ideas! Please keep this series going!

[@abijahdixon2771]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@ashleydalzell-gray7988]

Like to see a spring Mediterranean challenge. Not sure how long butternut squash is going to be available w/in metro areas. So ideally need at least 1 challenge per season based on ingredients being slightly cheaper when they r in season vs not.

[@lurklingX]

omg PLEASE do more of these! getting to see you stretch your creativity is one of the BEST PARTS. but also, of course, the limited budget and seeing how many meals you can get out of it.

[@maryegerton6848]

Cooking with whatever you have left in the fridge and pantry and freezer is fun. It allows you to flex those creativity muscles. You should do these videos more often. Good job 🎉

[@leenaright3949]

I am a single retired nurse living on a limited income ..a social security check once a month. I loved this video. I grew up in a family of 6 children, most everything we ate was made from scratch. Thanks for the ideas and information, this will help me have some healthy food on a very limited budget 🌷

[@jamesofallthings3684]

Well maybe you shouldn't have been hoeing around and you wouldn't be alone.

[@kahineg]

Loved the bread crumb topping for the mac and cheese - a great use of the items. I also loved the Spanish Potato, Onion and Egg omelet. You hit a home run with this show and it gives me the knowledge to use up random items that I would have else wise thrown out.

[@lperry3349]

This was really fun to watch! I hope you do more of these and maybe add onto the challenge. Like $50 plus you’re only allowed a certain amount of time to prep & cook each meal. Or $50 plus limited equipment (like only using equipment that would be available in an average dorm room).

[@Erika-gm2tf]

I love this idea! How bout $50 plus gluten and lactose free?

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

Just say you a poor college student lol.

[@lvoo48]

Spanish tortilla instead of torta. Torta would be like a flat sweet cake. Nice work!

[@SenoritaSevilla]

Came to say this. It looks pretty legit though, minus the cheese. I’m going to have to make some this week!

[@charlottetooth1457]

I remember mum making this in the 1970's - she called it a "Spanish omelette" though - probably a result of her travels to Spain as a young adult. I still make it to this day. It is a cheap, really satisfying meal.

[@marabanara]

Tarta a papas

[@anitapenkert389]

@@charlottetooth1457 in Spain it is called tortilla de patatas or simply tortilla española to differentiate it from tortilla francesa = pure egg omelette

[@JaviRockMusic]

I cried a little when he added cheese to the tortilla 🥲. Also, please peal those potatoes and use olive oil. But I’m happy to see this dish on the channel

[@veronikakotyzova9575]

I would definitely say this performance was on 10! Like for sure! It is amazing how many great things can be done from a relatively small list of ingredients. For next time, could you insert like a summary of all you made? Like a list on the screen, having a list of all things made would be pretty impressive to see next to the ingredients you bought :)

[@_Matchu]

i know its not the same but if check the description, there's a link to the individual costs of the items as well as timestamps to each meal made listed out... hope this helps

[@anileaatje]

I was thinking the same. A nice overview of what was made at the end to recap would have made the video perfect!

[@norellweiner3341]

Definitely a 10/10. Great inspiration, especially with the cost of food constantly going up!

[@robbiesteckenrider3354]

10 love the recipes and you showing your kids actually eating it. That is a bonus!

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

Love this. Healthy and home made is what separates your budget videos from most of the rest on KZbin. Your’s and Josh’s budget videos is how I found this channel. You guys taught me how to cook and freestyle bake. 💖

[@ClaireRousseau]

For a really delicious winter pasta dish, you can use butternut squash to make the winter equivalent of a tomato sauce. I saw a recipe for it, tried it recently & it came out sensational!! Cook up some sausage, reserve it and fry onions and garlic in the sausage fat. Add butternut squash and stock, cook until the squash is tender and partly mash it up with the immersion blender, like you did for your soup. Add cooked pasta, some pasta water, the sausage and a tiny bit of butter, emulsify into a sauce, serve up with permesan and a roasted pumpkin seed topping.

[@llamasjourney9935]

Great idea! You could just roast up the butternut squash seeds instead of buying a pumpkin seed topping. Cheaper and less waste!

[@HighIntentionsYoga]

That sounds amazing!

[@violetviolet888]

@ClaireRousseau: Where did you see the recipe?

[@violetviolet888]

@ClaireRousseau: Where did you see the recipe?

[@sueannesullivan3827]

You are always one of my favorite channels! I love your approach to cooking. All of your dishes were hits with me!

[@denisef2845]

10/10! Please do more of these budget challenges.

[@gsinghacg]

This reminds me of the videos your brother made years ago. Living of $3 a day or something. Hope he’s doing well.

[@jhildebrand7447]

Yes! I would love an update

[@MXdemex]

Mike's great and all but Josh was the one who inspired me to get into cooking. Dude was really passionate about it. He's got his own channel @YouEnjoyLife

[@jhildebrand7447]

​@@MXdemexhey! Thanks for plugging him! I had no idea and subbed.

[@ajknote3347]

What a throwback! I remember seeing them both on some random show with Sean Evans and discovering their channel/this one now has legit gotten me through college, not to mention made me a lot of friends by knowing how to cook without recipes

[@briannguyen6055]

That video started it all for me

[@florenceoconnor8447]

Wow, definitely 10/10, especially with the last dish 😮 Thank you for the inspiration 😁

[@nicolemoreland6257]

10/10. Would love to see more of this concept.

[@stephenhodgetts3220]

Love these videos, Mike nails that trifecta of practicality, flavour, and economics for great family cooking 10/10!

[@Ms.Tie_Reads]

Love your dad energy, and your creativity! Thanks for the inspiration ❤

[@jameshuitt1420]

8/10. Great vid. Honestly about the rue was comindable. I would have liked a picture at the end of all of the meals that could have been Photoshopped together. Do you have a staple pantry video. With the seasonings and other items? Could you have pickled the cabbage

[@charlottetooth1457]

Your daughter is adorable! I love videos that show how to prevent food waste.

[@maryguss575]

this was amazing, watching this i can see how many people who don't have much, and very little experience in cooking can see what you can make with just these items. thank you, you re an inspiration for all of us struggling today with the food prices so high.

[@daniville88]

10/10! A collective image at the end would be fun to see all the wonderful things you made with so little. Recipe links bring the gold star!

[@melw2389]

I loved all the dishes so much so I would love all the written recipes. You should do a cookbook, please.

[@morahinarodriguez2497]

Congratulations 🎉 i love all the recipes. 10

[@ScreamInPanic]

I would love a video were you show spice blends that you do. Like your go to spice mixes for roasted veggies, meats and chicken and some crazy blends. (Ofc salt and pepper is nice and simple but sometimes you want more spices)

[@JacquelinMarie]

This is the first video of yours I am seeing! The whole presentation is 10/10 🎉 Thanks for the ideas and the joy that food can bring to families!

[@debmoore629]

Love having a pot of soup in the fridge for quick and inexpensive meals.

[@joshneedle6776]

You are amazing and have inspired me to not just learn how to cook better, but truly enjoy cooking as a staple in my life. Thank you so much Mike!

[@Becka034]

These are great- I love videos like this! They are alot of work- but so worth it! 10 outta 10!

[@philpicton716]

Excellent, really enjoyed watching the dishes you created especially as ingredients began to diminish. As you rightly said it’s key to have an idea as to what style of cooking you’re intending to create as this will keep waste to a minimum. Loved the Spanish omelette and the pastes dish is definitely one to try. It would be great to make a series of these videos Mike as so many of us would benefit from the no waste, limited budget menu for both the singletons amongst us as well as for families needing to cook to a budget while keeping things interesting. Great episode as usual.

[@nickvice5637]

You are an absolute inspiration.

[@DivineFrag]

I'm feeling an 8.5 to a 9. Rules were stretched a bit, but some of the product, esp. that last meal when you basically had just a bunch of leftovers, was pretty epic.

[@sheriread4150]

We all love your channel! You did great! You're the king of flavor.

[@paulschreiber]

$3.25 for penne and $5.50 for eggs is a lot. I would be paying $2 (WF) and $2.50 (TJs, cage-free), respectively. Good deal on the squash, though.

[@ShuklaAayushi]

Here I am, frantically taking notes (awesome recipes❤) and I hear this cute "omnomnom". Made my day ☺️ I am making the last recipe tonight. Literally have a small chunk of the last of my homemade bread from your recipe. Mine was a little hard (my fault for not kneading it thoroughly). Killed it with this one 🙌

[@platinumplus4016]

10/10 super inspiring for me, I always struggle on those days where ingredients have dwindled before grocery day. It’s really hard to be motivated in the kitchen when you’re the family cook, it feels more like a job than getting creative and things can get a little repetitive but this has definitely given me inspiration thank you!

[@Liz-zen]

Super inspiring! Helpful as I am currently needing to cut my food budget.

[@anneturner2018]

You could have fermented the cabbage for another side dish….😊

[@juliebeaudry8795]

And added it to the wraps he made

[@conradreynolds1012]

love your stuff! helped inspire my home cooking and homegrown journey!

[@vanessacole2547]

Loved this! Please do more of these for us home cooks!

[@soundandstar2205]

Amazing to watch the great relationship he has to food.

[@florianramm4822]

One of your best videos ❤

[@ServedGaming]

Okay basically after the whole video you do need to count the $5 you spent on Oil, but otherwise a solid 9/10 🎉

[@brinicole2999]

And sesame seeds, yeast, sugar, oil spray and normal oil, to name a few but not all that weren't included in the price. It's depressing how expensive everything is these days.

[@hermiona1147]

He used like half a cup maybe, how is that worth 5$?

[@ServedGaming]

@@brinicole2999 Sugar and yeast like he said it himself are not THAT expensive to individually count every gram

[@ServedGaming]

@@hermiona1147 Proper Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Olive Oil as a spray are not cheap

[@jhildebrand7447]

Keep in mind some of this cost would be offset by buying things store brand amd conventionally grown: instead of name brand organic (like the 2 cups of precooked beans from thrive... i get he needed to plug his sponsor, but they're too pricey.)... and he could have used chicken eggs from the yard... and bananas are cheaper per pound than butternut squash. But ya... it's depressing.

[@Crazetex]

love this, this is basically how i try to cook, especially the "welllll let's see if it works" like the squash mac. makes sense considering this is one of the channel's i've been watching to improve my cooking for ages now lol

[@ms.g1709]

Thanks for the ideas!!

[@johnmanzo703]

To be honest, i was going to settle with a 8.5/10. The idea to process some of the soup incredients and then add it back to get that consistency was genius. However, after that final dish i will easily say this was a SOLID 9.7/10.

[@ProHomeCooks]

haha thanks

[@igatago9166]

My best friend and I do the same thing. We're always sending each other pics of what we made with whatever ingredients are left behind, we both dislike wasting food so out comes the creative side. I'm giving you 9.75/10 because I believe there's always room for improvement. Love a good torta but that mac tho!

[@Michelle_Westdam]

this reminds me of the type of cooking that I had to do this past week for our family with 6 kids and grandparents at an AIRBNB! With only limited pantry/spices we had to cook with the groceries we bought, and try to use everything up before we left (cause we didnt want to travel home with much) - the creativity is so FUN!

[@laurenstell8087]

I would love to see a similar video, but feeding your family for a whole week and what you make/spend! I have a 1.5 year old and my husband and i struggle trying to keep it cheap, creative, and easy! Thanks for the inspo!

[@antiquelady60]

Dishes: 7/10. They looked good. I would definitely enjoy them, but they didn't blow my socks off. Doability: 9/10. I don't have your skills, so I don't think I would get the same results, but they looked very doable. Creativity: 11/10. Wow! The way you put things together was amazing! I will try to remember to think outside the (recipe) box a little more when creating meals. Great video! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@tarabaxter2783]

This is a 7 for me. I love these budget cooking concepts and I found this video very entertaining! But I always find it a bit challenging when there is a rule of "I can use X from my pantry because I'm only using Y cents worth." If you're positioning the video as being about reducing food waste (which you stated - but then it should be about "what can I make with these ingredients" and not about the budget) then you're good. But for people who are seeking inspiration on how to work within a budget because *that's all they have* then they're not going to necessarily have a random spice here and there, the pint of oil you used in this video, etc etc. I'd love to see this challenge as a series where video 1 is one such that you're buying those staples and not using all of them so someone following along COULD have those pantry items in week 2 or 3 or 4 of the challenge. Maybe getting the spices from the bulk section where you ARE only getting a few cents at a time could also fit.

[@donnawestbrook8992]

When I was building a new pantry on a strict budget, I bought a few pantry staples and an herb or spice that was on sale over a period of weeks and built meals around them. I began with a good bottle of olive oil, mustard seed, honey, garlic, onion, and ginger, then sage, thyme, rosemary, coriander, cumin, and more as needed from there. It really depends what foods someone most enjoys which would be first for building a new pantry from scratch. I was also fortunate to be able to grow some aromatics and have a vegetable garden, which took so much pressure off of tight budget meals. We all have to figure out what works for us.

[@Oanjoexterminador]

Very nice improv skills, my dude.

[@lindasummer2343]

Awesome video. My best takeaways were browning the beef longer for flavor, having one flavor profile in mind, those smashed plantain in the air fryer (soooo easy) look so delicious, and your baked goods to set you up for the week. Everything looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us, I have been enjoying your content for years now and always learn something.

[@blueststrawberry]

wake up babe new Pro Home Cooks vid dropped

[@jhildebrand7447]

I'm up! Wanna watch together?

[@lydia1679]

In Spanish we don’t say Torta, it sounds weird. It’s “tortilla” the same word as flour tortillas for tacos, I guess the correct translation should be Spanish omelette. Great video, I love this kind of experimentation in the kitchen with what ever you happed to have left

[@LisetteThibodeaux]

I love this format, and I hope you do more of these! I cook like this a lot--looking at what I have in the fridge and figuring out what to make from there. I feel like I don't use up things quick enough and elements go bad. Hearing your thought process, especially for unconventional recipes, is very inspiring. 9/10

[@American_Heart]

Forgot about plantains... brb doing a quick store run because SHEESH those look good

[@zieverinkpatrick]

Great video! I always forget the cabbage in winter dishes. One of my most loved veggies is the celery. Once you add it to a chilli or pasta sauce it just gets significantly better. Quite cheap for the amount of flavour you get.

[@janellebatta4126]

Easy 10/10 please do more of these!

[@hermiona1147]

10/10, very fun challenge and you used almost everything. Please do more!

[@lurklingX]

things like this are my favorite on your channel. this and the $3 a day style. all the money challenge ones end up really making you shine!!

[@yasminhernandez7700]

I honestly congratulate your creativity! That was very creative 👌

[@mywayforum]

It did inspire me to go into the kitchen and start cooking. Thanks Mike! I was kinda fed up with the content lately but this has brought back a spark I once got from yt cooking channels :)

[@KittyMama61]

Okay, even someone who has cooked for over 50 years can be inspired. Thanks! Tonight I'm making sheet pan black bean tacos, with cabbage slaw filling and topped with guacamole from an avodaco I have left. Sometimes I get tired, sometimes I get inspired.

[@Axeloy]

absolutely adore these types of videos

[@teridavis5367]

I am so incredibly impressed! I am not thrilled about butternut squash, but the meals looked really good. The most impressive for me was the Mac & Cheese with the topping. That truly put the meal over the top! Definitely gave me some great ideas, I truly appreciate you!!!

[@AlexDeMiro]

Love it You need to make more videos like this - this one, along with the one for fermentation, are now my favorite, because I can relate, and can try to make something myself.

[@beccasinger4919]

Inspiring! Thank you! Love your channel!

[@jacquelinescheidegger7788]

thank you so much for your creativ cooking with what you have, it's inspiring me to try cooking like you did.

[@sandraarreola9601]

This i give an absolute 10!! Thank u for the inspiration and your 1st videos glimpse of the whole emty refrigerator challenge not to waste food and gives your creativity a challenge ❤❤ God bless you and your beautiful family

[@GoldenRtvrs18]

I love videos like this! I will definitely be using the "blend a bit of the soup" technique!

[@carrieolson3352]

I'm so appreciating this....Thank you! Will be making all of these dishes. So brilliant!!

[@jennifersharp6624]

Such a great idea ! Please more videos like this. 9/10 !

[@simplydifferent.]

That cabagge could've been a nice salad with some salt, pepper, oil and vinegar. It would've tasted really fresh alongside the pasta. Also, in my country we make pasta with fried cabbage, you saute the cabagge until it's brown and sweet and add cooked pasta in it. You can also add some sausages. It tastes like heaven ❤

[@cuber1950]

We loved watching this. I’m inspired to cook now. Thank you!

[@vanessam8137]

10/10, awesome creativity and utilization!

[@WraithStars]

I have been watching your videos for the past 5 years. I started with your video, "Pimp My Kitchen - Organize Your Small Space" that got randomly suggested to me.While I enjoy watching you cook, a lot of the time, I don't what you cook to be relateable in the sense of something I would cook for myself or my family. But I loved all of these meals.

[@creepy_maccaroni]

This is amazing, good job !

[@shoshanas5251]

So good! I needed cheap ideas & these are mostly new for me. Thanks!!!

[@lili7727]

Impressive, 10/10 for using everything. I'm inspired to try this. I'm not very good at not having waste. I'm trying so hard to be better and your video has given me so many ideas and inspiration

[@mignelianazario]

10/10 Hope for more videos like this! Thanks for the inspo.

[@edennoel2]

Nice work! 10/10. I loved seeing everything you made with that grocery budget. Your creativity was awesome!

[@NomadOverNormal]

Ahhh what a throwback video here:)

[@hunter5457]

Great video! I've never made a soup not from a recipe before and your crispy beef butternut squash soup idea inspired me to clear out a lot of stuff in kitchen i already had and make a crispy beef and creamy potato mexican soup sorta thing and it turned out awesome.

[@stephentoumi]

Outstanding! I wish I could meal prep this effectively. This was awesome!

[@libertyg4402]

Yum!! Thank you for sharing this video!

[@HerAeolianHarp]

Fantastic resourcefulness and culinary creativity and skill. Thank you.

[@karipalazzolo6547]

This is so fantastic! Thanks!

[@Taintedeagle]

9 out of 10! great video and great compost setup. These videos are super inspiring. Thank you

[@xsystem1771]

9/10. I agree with one of the other comments about adding a longer summary of the meals and how many people it fed. I haven't seen any comments complaining about you adding a couple small things here and there. I personally think you stuck to it pretty good. But if there ARE people out there that are nitpicking, all they have to do is buy slightly cheaper ingredients and boom, more money to get the dang sugar. LOL This actually has inspired me to do this. We're on a super tight budget, and on top of that there's been more food waste than usual. I need to get my ass back in gear on this stuff, and I think this might have given me the motivation.

[@kimthaelf]

i looove this idea!!! very inspiring

[@DilvenS]

10/10. I loved this & hope for more like it!

[@lovegoesforth3183]

So fun to watch! I love how you create on the fly. That’s the best way to cook! ❤️ 10/10 🎉

[@Nursewhilomena]

Love all the dishes. 10/10 So inspiring. Just love your cooking!