I cook for two, sometimes 3, but am trying to cut down the grocery bill. I figured if 7 people answer with a different meal idea i would have plenty to choose from. Thanks and Happy New Year!

I’ve been unemployed for 6 months and have cut my food costs by 75%. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bunch of certain recipes, rather planning your menus, how you cook and package, and buying on sale.

Go through the market advertisements, mine come on Wednesday and sales start Thursdays. Often there’s a 3 day sale: Thurs., Fri., and Sat, with really great buys.Plan your meals to take advantage.

Buy staples: flour, sugar, spices, butter, olive oil, etc., on sale. I buy many of these at low cost market, like Aldi. Haven’t had a problem with anything. Wouldn’t necessarily buy meat there, but might check it out.

I bake my own breads, (yes, I do have a breadmaker), and cookies. They taste better and cost are nominal.

I make my own seasoning ‘mixes’: Italian, Mexican, chili, taco, lemon pepper, onion salt, etc. All are easily available recipes online to do. I keep them in labeled ziplock bags in refrigerator vegetable keeper. Not only does that save a lot of money, I control salt which usually means I don’t add it.

Use crockpot or slow cooking to make larger amounts of food you all like and freeze in individual or family portions. Adults can use for lunches, if microwave is available.

I make meatballs, a mix of ground turkey and beef in the oven. Some Italian, some mexican. Then freeze them on cookie sheet, when solid, ziplock bag them, labeling and dating. When hard pressed for time, can plop these even frozen into marinara sauce and serve with pasta or as meatball sandwiches.

Hope that gives you some ideas.