Saving Money with Vegetarian Meals

It’s no secret that meat is expensive.  Even the cheapest cuts of meat don’t go much lower than $3.00 per pound.  Contrast that to plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils at $1.00 or less per pound and you can see that the savings is substantial.

Not only do juicy cuts of beef and slabs of pork ring up higher at the cash register than vegetable-based proteins; you pay a price later on with higher health care costs.  Vegetarians generally live longer than their carnivorous counterparts, and have lower incidence of heart problems and other diseases.  Going vegetarian just a few days a week can help stretch your budget and improve your health at the same time. 

Here are some hearty vegetarian meals that will please everyone in your family.

Hearty Meatless Chili

1 packet dry onion soup mix
4 C water
1 can garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 C lentils (drained)
1 rib celery (chopped)
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce (add more if a spicier chili is desired)
1 clove garlic (chopped)

Combine all ingredients in a stock pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender and water has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.

Black Bean Quesadillas

6 large flour tortillas
1 C shredded Cheddar cheese
3/4 C black beans (rinsed and drained)
½C diced tomatoes (rinsed and drained)
3 green onions with tops, sliced
1/3 C chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp. lime juice
1 tsp ground cumin

Combine black beans, onions, cilantro, lime juice and cumin.  Spoon into tortillas and roll.  Place tortillas in greased glass pan.  Sprinkle with diced tomatoes and top with Cheddar cheese.  Bake in preheated oven at 425 until cheese starts to brown.

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Spinach & Artichoke Lasagna

9 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 can artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
1 package frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed)
1 jar Alfredo sauce
3 C mozzarella cheese, divided

Cook lasagna noodles according to package.  Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender.  Add Alfredo sauce, spinach and artichokes and heat through.  Spread ¼ of the sauce on the bottom of greased 9x13 baking dish.  Top with 3 noodles and ¾ C cheese.  Repeat with 2 remaining layers.  Bake covered at 350 for 40 minutes.  Remove cover and bake until cheese starts to brown.  Let set 5 minutes before cutting.

About the Author:  Kimberly Danger is the founder/creator of Mommysavers.com.  She lives with her family in southern Minnesota.