Cheap Dinner Ideas: How Canned Tomatoes Can Transform Your Meals

Cheap Dinner Ideas: How Canned Tomatoes Can Transform Your Meals

In a world where meal expenses can quickly add up, finding affordable and cheap dinner ideas that don’t compromise on flavor or nutrition is a constant challenge. However, there’s a secret weapon hiding in your pantry that can help you create delicious and satisfying meals without breaking the bank: canned tomatoes. Here are three ways that canned tomatoes can revolutionize your dinner routine with cheap yet flavorful and nutritious options.

#1: Affordable: Canned tomatoes are not only economical but also bursting with flavor, making them a perfect foundation for budget-friendly dinners. Despite their low cost, canned tomatoes are packed with essential nutrients, offering a nutritious boost to your meals without draining your wallet. They serve as a versatile ingredient that can elevate the taste of any dish without requiring a hefty investment. Check out this recipe for an affordable dinner idea that’s sure to please!

#2: Limitless ideas: The beauty of canned tomatoes lies in their versatility, allowing you to create a wide range of dinner options that are both satisfying and budget-friendly. From hearty pasta dishes and comforting soups to flavorful curries and zesty chili, the possibilities are endless. With just a can of tomatoes and a few pantry staples, you can whip up a variety of mouthwatering dinners that will impress your taste buds without denting your budget.

#3: Convenient: In addition to their affordability and flavor, canned tomatoes offer unparalleled convenience. They come pre-prepared, requiring no washing, peeling, or chopping, which saves precious time and effort in the kitchen. Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student on a tight budget, or anyone in between, canned tomatoes streamline the cooking process, allowing you to enjoy homemade dinners with minimal hassle.

Tips for cheap dinner ideas with canned tomatoes

Here’s how you can make the most of canned tomatoes for cheap dinners.

  • Buy in Bulk: Look for sales or purchase canned tomatoes in bulk to take advantage of lower prices per unit.
  • Experiment with Different Varieties: Explore various types of canned tomatoes, such as diced, crushed, or whole, to find the best value for your needs.
  • Stretch Your Meals: Use canned tomatoes as a base for dishes that can be stretched over multiple servings, such as casseroles, one-pot meals, and slow cooker recipes.
  • Compare Prices: Compare prices per ounce or per serving to identify the most cost-effective option when purchasing canned tomatoes.

Moral of the story…

Cheap dinner ideas don’t have to be bland or boring, thanks to the affordability and versatility of canned tomatoes. With their budget-friendly price tag, rich flavor, and nutritional value, canned tomatoes can transform your meals into culinary delights that won’t break the bank. So, the next time you’re planning your dinner menu, reach for a can of tomatoes and let your creativity shine. With a little ingenuity and the right ingredients, you can enjoy delicious and satisfying dinners every night of the week without spending a fortune.

Healthy Shrimp Tacos

Healthy Shrimp Tacos

Whether you’re a cooking novice or a seasoned chef, these Healthy Shrimp Tacos are an incredible dinner option that will surely become a favorite in your household. Perfect for busy weeknights when time is of the essence, these high protein healthy shrimp tacos promise a quick and hassle-free meal solution for the entire family.

However, these tacos aren’t just about flavor – they’re also teeming with nutrients! Thanks to the canned tomatoes, you get a plethora of health benefits including essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (like lycopene) that are cardioprotective and cancer fighting. What’s not to love about that? So, go ahead – bid farewell to dinner dilemmas and say hello to a mouthwatering meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Learn how to make this recipe here. 

 

Try the NEW Tomato Wellness cookbook!

Discover our array of diverse recipes, each designed to bring the warmth of traditional family dining to your table. These meals are not only simple to prepare but also budget-friendly, making them perfect for busy households. Tailored to please every palate, our recipes cater to both individual tastes and family-wide preferences. Developed by our multicultural culinary team, these dishes offer a celebration of global flavors, ensuring nutritious, easy-to-make, and affordable meals for you and your family.

Get this recipe, and other budget-friendly meals, in our cookbook!

Healthy Shrimp Tacos

Healthy Shrimp Tacos

Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned chef, these healthy shrimp tacos are easy to make and will surely become a favorite in your household.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Pound Peeled And Deveined Large Shrimp (31/40) Tails Removed, Thawed If Frozen (Or Substitute With A Mild White Fish, Such As Tilapia)
  • 1/8 Tsp. Kosher Salt, Plus More To Taste
  • 1/2 Tsp. Chili Powder
  • 1 Tbsp. Canola Oil
  • ½ Cup Shredded Red Cabbage
  • ½ Cup Corn, Cooked And Cooled
  • ¼ Cup Sliced Red Onion
  • 8 Corn Tortillas, Warmed
  • ½ Cup Jarred Salsa
  • Lime Wedges, For Serving

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, toss shrimp (or fish) with salt and chili powder. Set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil. When oil is hot, add shrimp
    and cook until pink and curled, about 3-4 minutes. Add additional salt to taste.
  3. To assemble tacos, place red cabbage on warmed corn tortillas. Divide shrimp
    between tortillas and sprinkle with corn and red onions. Top with salsa and serve with lime wedges. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Sliced avocado, drizzled with lime juice and sprinkled with salt, is a simple, delicious and healthy accompaniment for these tacos.
  • Recipe approved by Ellie Krieger, Culinary Nutritionist (RD) for Tomato Wellness.com

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

2 tacos

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 4.5gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 185mgSodium: 480mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 27g

Check out some of our other favorite taco recipes:

Loaded Fries with Chicken

Loaded Fries with Chicken

Imagine sinking your teeth into a forkful of perfectly seasoned fries, each bite bursting with the savory goodness of juicy chicken, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Enter these Loaded Fries with Chicken – this classic comfort food recipe is a symphony of flavors and textures that will have your taste buds dancing with delight.

But it’s not just about the taste – these loaded fries also come with a nutritional boost, thanks to the health benefits of canned tomatoes. Tomato sauce, made from canned tomatoes, is not only a delicious addition to this dish but also a powerhouse of nutrients. Packed with vitamins C and K, as well as antioxidants like lycopene, tomato sauce can promote heart health and protect against certain cancers.

These loaded fries are also the perfect dish for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, gathering with friends for game day, or simply looking for a comforting meal to enjoy on a cozy night in, these loaded fries are sure to hit the spot. Serve them up as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at your next get-together, or make them the star of the show for a laid-back dinner with loved ones.

So, what are you waiting for? Fire up the oven, gather your ingredients, and prepare to indulge in a flavor-packed feast that’s guaranteed to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Get the recipe from our friends at Red Gold. 

Tomato Feta Chicken Wraps

Tomato Feta Chicken Wraps

If you’re on the hunt for a perfectly balanced meal that combines health, convenience, and flavor, then look no further than these Tomato Feta Chicken Wraps. Packed with the nutritional prowess of canned tomatoes, these wraps offer a burst of vitamins and antioxidants that contribute to overall well-being. Not only are they a delicious and satisfying option, but their simplicity makes them an ideal choice for those on the move. Crafted with busy lifestyles in mind, this easy-to-follow recipe ensures that you can whip up a wholesome meal in no time, which makes it perfect for those hectic workdays or busy afternoons. These chicken wraps are also high in protein, which will help satiate hunger and provide the energy boost needed to power through the day. So, say goodbye to mundane lunches and hello to a delightful yet straightforward option that you can proudly take to work or enjoy wherever your day takes you. Learn how to make this recipe here. 

 

Try the NEW Tomato Wellness cookbook!

Discover our array of diverse recipes, each designed to bring the warmth of traditional family dining to your table. These meals are not only simple to prepare but also budget-friendly, making them perfect for busy households. Tailored to please every palate, our recipes cater to both individual tastes and family-wide preferences. Developed by our multicultural culinary team, these dishes offer a celebration of global flavors, ensuring nutritious, easy-to-make, and affordable meals for you and your family.

Get this recipe, and other budget-friendly meals, in our cookbook!

Tomato Feta Chicken Wraps

Tomato Feta Chicken Wraps

Packed with the nutritional prowess of canned tomatoes, these Tomato Feta Chicken Wraps offer a burst of vitamins and antioxidants that contribute to overall well-being.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 6 Oz. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, Trimmed Of Fat And Cut Into Small Chunks
  • 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • Pinch Kosher Salt
  • ⅛ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 (14.5 Ounce) Can Petite Diced Tomatoes, Drained
  • 1 12 Oz Bag Frozen Spinach, Thawed And Squeezed Dry
  • 1/4 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
  • 4 Tbsp. Classic Hummus
  • 4 (10 Inch) Flour Tortillas, Preferably Whole Grain

Instructions

  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and set aside while you preheat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and saute chicken, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. While the chicken cooks, in a medium bowl, mix together drained diced tomatoes, spinach and feta cheese. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  3. Assemble wraps: Spread a Tbsp. of hummus onto each wrap. Divide tomato/spinach mixture between tortillas and top each with diced chicken.
  4. Roll each wrap up and slice in half and enjoy!

Notes

  • If you have leftover chicken (or turkey) in the refrigerator, this is a great way to use it up. Just dice it up and skip the first step of the recipe here.
  • Recipe approved by Ellie Krieger, Culinary Nutritionist (RD) for Tomato Wellness.com

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 wrap sandwich

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 440Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 730mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 32g

For other delicious recipes to enjoy on the go, check out:

Mofongo

Mofongo

Enjoy the flavors of the Caribbean with this recipe for Mofongo! Thanks to the burst of flavor and added health benefits from the pineapple salsa, this vegetarian Mofongo recipe is sure to please everyone at your table! 

What is mofongo?

Mofongo is a Puerto Rican dish that features plantains as the main ingredient. While this traditional recipe often calls for pork, we love that this one is a vegetarian version. 

Making mofongo

Making mofongo is easier than you might think! Start by frying up ripe plantains until they’re beautifully caramelized. Then, mash them together with garlic, salt, and a touch of adobo seasoning until you achieve a delightful mash. Top it off with a pineapple salsa made with canned tomatoes, and voila – dinner is served!

Health benefits 

We’ve already mentioned that this recipe uses pineapple salsa, which is a delicious way to enjoy canned tomatoes. This convenient pantry staple not only packs a punch with flavor, but it stands out even more when it comes to nutritional value. Rich in vitamins C and K, as well as antioxidants like lycopene, canned tomatoes offer a boost to your immune system and promote healthy skin and bones. Plus, they’re a convenient way to add vibrant flavor and depth to dishes like this one.

So, what are you waiting for? Get the recipe from our friends at Kagome USA.