Thinking of meals to make while you are on a budget can be difficult. No more resorting to Top Ramen dinners, and instant oatmeal breakfasts- instead, here are some awesome meal ideas that are all under 15 dollars:

Pasta Primavera

8 ounces extra-firm tofu – $3
1 lb pasta (I used pipe doppia rigatura) – $3
1 onion – $.63
2 zucchini – $.98
1 clove garlic – $.10
Sliced black olives – $.79
1 can crushed tomatoes – $.89
Total: $9.39

1) Boil pasta until cooked through.
2) Chop onion into strips and fry in large pan over medium heat until browned. Remove from heat.
3) Dice up tofu and fry until lightly browned.
4) Chop zucchini into equal sized chunks and fry with tofu.
5) Combine all ingredients with garlic and olives.
6) After all ingredients are mixed, drain can of tomatoes and add. Stir in pasta.

Baked Rigatoni
Rigatoni pasta (16-ounce box from Barilla) -$1.59
Lean ground beef (1 pound)- $3.99
28-ounce can plum tomatoes- $2.49
Onion: $.99 cents
Garlic (for the entire head)- $.75 cents
Total: $9.81

1) Chop onions and garlic finely, add to large nonstick skillet on high heat, cook for 1 minute.
2) Next, add ground beef and cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, or until browned; stir to crumble.
2) Combine beef, cooked rigatoni noodles, and plum tomatoes to skillet, turn off heat.
3) Place noodle mixture into pan, and bake at 350° for 20 minutes.

Peanut Butter and Banana Granola

3 cups rolled oats – $2
½ cup peanut butter – $2.10
¼ cup honey – $.84
½ cup dried bananas – $1.40
½ teaspoon vanilla – $.23
Dash of cinnamon – $.02
Total: $6.57

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2) Combine honey, vanilla and peanut butter in a saucepan.
3) Add oats. Once mixed thoroughly with peanut butter mixture, add bananas.
4) Spread out granola evenly. It will be chunky.
5) Bake for 20 minutes. Mix, and bake for another 15.
6) Remove from oven and all for it to cool on the cookie sheet.
7) You are now a Eugenian. Consume with yogurt.

Potato and broccoli casserole
Red potatoes (1 pound)- $1.29
Frozen broccoli (Birds Eye, 10 ounces)- $1.59
Low-fat milk ($2.99 for 1/2 gallon)- $2.39
Shredded cheddar (Richfood, 8 ounces)- $2.79
15-ounce can bread crumbs- $2.19
Total: $10.25

1) Preheat oven to 375°.
2) Place potatoes in a saucepan; cover potatoes completely with water, and bring to a boil.
3) Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Drain potatoes, but leave about 1/2 water of water, and mash until slightly chunky.
4) Next, Steam 1 cup of broccoli. Add broccoli and milk to pan; stir well.
5) Spoon potato mixture into an 11×7 baking dish. Bake at 375° for 35 minutes.
6) Sprinkle cheddar cheese and bread crumbs on top of casserole; bake an additional 5 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Alfredo and Marinara Vegetable Pasta
1 Jar of Trader Joes Alfredo- $1.99
1 Jar of Trader Joes Marinara Sauce- $1.49
1 box of whole wheat Fettuccine noodles- $1
1 bag of fresh cut broccoli- $1.99
1 container of Roma Tomatoes- $2
1 garlic clove chopped up- $0.30
1 container of Bella Mushrooms- $1.99
2 tablespoons of butter- $0.75
Total: 12.32

1)Boil noodles in pot until cooked.
2) Chop garlic clove and add it to a skillet with butter
3) Cook broccoli for 5 minutes on medium heat stirring occasionally.
4) Next, add mushrooms, and tomatoes, let vegetables simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
5) Add the whole jar of Alfredo sauce, and Marinara sauce into vegetable mixture. Cook until ingredients come to a boil.
6) Stir in cooked noodles, and enjoy.