Look, I get it. You’re far from home, your bank account is crying, and instant ramen is starting to feel like your only friend. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to choose between eating well and staying broke. This article breaks down ten actual meals you can make for under $2 each, and yeah, they actually taste good.
Why This Matters (And Why I’m Writing This)
So I’ve been where you are. Not literally maybe, but close enough. I remember sitting in my tiny apartment, looking at my dwindling cash, feeling that weird mix of homesick and just… tired. Really tired of eating the same sad stuff every day.
And here’s what nobody tells you when you move abroad: the loneliness hits different when you’re hungry. When you can’t afford to grab coffee with classmates or you’re skipping meals to save money. It messes with your head, you know?
But then I figured something out. Cooking cheap doesn’t mean cooking bad. Actually, some of my best meals came from having almost nothing in the kitchen. Plus, there’s something weirdly comforting about cooking—even simple stuff—when you’re feeling lost in a new place.
So let’s talk real solutions. Not fancy food blog recipes that need seventeen ingredients you’ve never heard of. Just honest, filling, cheap meals that’ll keep you going.
The Real Talk About Eating on $2 or Less
Before we get into the meals, let’s be honest about what we’re working with here. Two dollars doesn’t sound like much, and it’s not. But it’s enough. You just need to think differently about food for a bit.
See, the trick isn’t finding one magic ingredient. It’s about building a small pantry of basics that stretch. Rice, dried beans, eggs, flour, oil—these are your foundation. They’re boring, sure. But boring keeps you fed.
And another thing: these meals aren’t meant to be gourmet. They’re meant to work. To fill you up. To cost almost nothing. Some nights, that’s all that matters.
10 Actual Meals Under $2 (That Don’t Suck)
1. Rice and Beans with a Kick
Okay, so rice and beans sounds depressing, right? But listen. This is different.
Cook your rice however you normally do. While that’s happening, drain and rinse a can of black beans (or kidney beans, whatever’s cheaper). Heat them up with a bit of oil, some garlic if you have it, and here’s the secret: a little bit of soy sauce and chili flakes. Not much. Just enough to make it interesting.
Mix it together and boom. You’ve got protein, carbs, and something that actually has flavor. Sometimes I crack an egg on top and let it cook in the hot rice. Costs maybe $1.50 for a meal that’ll keep you full for hours.
The thing is, this reminds me of home in a weird way. Not the exact taste, but the feeling of making something from almost nothing. My mom could do that. Turn a basically empty kitchen into dinner for five.
2. Egg Fried Rice (The Late-Night Savior)
This one’s clutch when you’ve got leftover rice. And honestly, you should always make extra rice. Always.
Heat up some oil in a pan. Scramble an egg or two right in there. Add the cold rice and break it up. Add literally anything else you have—frozen peas, a carrot you need to use up, that sad bit of cabbage in the back of the fridge. Soy sauce to taste.
Total cost: around $1.20 to $1.80 depending on what you throw in.
I make this at 11 PM when I realize I forgot to eat dinner because I was studying. Or when I’m too tired to think. It’s fast, it’s filling, and it uses stuff that’s just sitting there anyway.
3. Pasta with Garlic and Oil (Aglio e Olio, If You Want to Be Fancy)
People sleep on this one. It sounds too simple to be good, but trust me.
Boil pasta. While that’s happening, warm up some oil in a pan with sliced garlic. When the pasta’s done, toss it in the garlic oil. Add red pepper flakes if you’ve got them. Maybe some parmesan if you splurged last week.
This costs under $1 most times. It’s what I make when I literally cannot deal with cooking but need real food.
The smell of garlic cooking? It makes my tiny room feel a bit less lonely. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Food that smells good makes you feel more human.
4. Peanut Butter Noodles
Hear me out. This sounds weird but it works.
Cook whatever noodles you have. Mix peanut butter with a little hot water, soy sauce, and vinegar (or lime juice if you have it) until it’s sauce-like. Toss with the noodles.
It’s basically a super cheap pad thai situation. Costs about $1.50. High protein from the peanut butter. Fills you up completely.
I started making this when I was craving something from home but couldn’t find the right ingredients. It’s not authentic anything, but it tastes good and reminds me that I can improvise.
5. Lentil Soup (Sounds Boring, Isn’t Boring)
Okay so lentils are ridiculously cheap. Like, a bag lasts forever and costs nothing.
Boil lentils with water until they’re soft. Add any vegetables you have. Seriously, any. An onion, a carrot, some tomato paste, whatever. Season it however you want—cumin works great, or curry powder, or just salt and pepper.
This makes a huge pot for maybe $2 total, and you’ll eat it for days. It’s one of those meals that actually gets better as leftovers, which never happens.
When I’m feeling really homesick, I make soup. Any soup. There’s something about it that feels like someone’s taking care of you, even when you’re taking care of yourself.
6. Quesadillas (But Make Them Filling)
Two tortillas, some cheese, whatever else you want to add. I usually throw in beans or leftover rice or just scrambled egg.
Heat it in a pan until the cheese melts. Cut it up. Eat it.
Cost: $1 to $1.50 depending on your cheese situation.
This is my go-to when I need comfort food fast. It’s warm, it’s cheesy, it’s easy. Sometimes easy is exactly what you need.
7. Cabbage Stir-Fry
Cabbage is absurdly cheap and lasts forever. Buy one cabbage and you’re set for the week.
Chop it up. Stir-fry it in a bit of oil with garlic and ginger if you have them. Add soy sauce. Done.
Serve it over rice or eat it straight. The whole thing costs under $1 usually. It’s crunchy and satisfying and honestly pretty delicious for something so simple.
I didn’t think I’d like cabbage this much. But when you’re on a tight budget, you learn to appreciate vegetables that stretch.
8. Breakfast for Dinner (Two Eggs and Toast)
Sometimes the answer is just eggs. Scrambled, fried, whatever.
Two eggs, two pieces of toast. Maybe butter if you have it. This costs about 80 cents and it’s actual food.
I eat this when I’m too tired to pretend I’m an adult. It’s what my dad used to make when mom worked late. It feels like a small piece of home.
9. Chickpea Smash
Take a can of chickpeas. Drain them. Mash them up with a fork. Add mayo or oil, salt, pepper, whatever spices you like.
Eat it on bread, with crackers, or just with a spoon honestly. It’s like tuna salad but cheaper and vegetarian.
Costs around $1.20. High in protein. Keeps in the fridge for a few days.
This one surprised me. I made it out of desperation one day and now it’s in my regular rotation. Sometimes the best recipes come from having no other options.
10. Oatmeal (But Savory)
Everyone thinks oatmeal is a breakfast thing. But make it savory and it becomes dinner.
Cook oats with water or broth. Add a fried egg on top. Maybe some soy sauce, green onions if you have them, sesame seeds.
This costs under $1. It’s warm and comforting and fills you up completely. Plus it’s easy on your stomach if you’re stressed (which, let’s be honest, you probably are).
I started making this during finals week when I couldn’t sleep and couldn’t think. It became my go-to comfort food.
The Mental Part (Because It’s Not Just About Food)
So here’s what nobody talks about: eating alone every night is hard. Cooking for one is weird. You start skipping meals because what’s the point?
But here’s the thing I figured out: taking care of yourself with food—even cheap, simple food—matters. It’s a small way of saying “I’m worth the effort” when everything else feels overwhelming.
You don’t need to make it Instagram-perfect. You don’t need matching dishes or a cute kitchen. You just need to eat something real instead of surviving on snacks and sadness.
And honestly? The routine of cooking helps. Even just 15 minutes of chopping and stirring gives your brain a break from worrying about everything else.
Some nights I cook just to cook. Not because I’m hungry, but because I need to do something with my hands. Something that has a clear result. You start with ingredients, you end with food. That simple accomplishment matters when you’re far from home and nothing else feels certain.
Quick FAQ
Q: Can I really eat well on $2 per meal?
Yeah, you can. You won’t be eating steak, obviously. But you can get decent protein, carbs, and vegetables. It just takes planning. Buy basics in bulk when you can, use everything you buy, and get comfortable with simple ingredients.
Q: What if I can’t cook at all?
Then you learn. Seriously, these meals don’t require skill. If you can boil water and heat a pan, you can make everything on this list. Start with the easiest ones (like eggs and toast) and work your way up.
Q: How do I make food last longer?
Cook rice and beans in big batches. Store them in the fridge. They’ll keep for days and you can mix them different ways. Also, frozen vegetables are your friend—they’re cheap and don’t go bad.
Q: What’s the one ingredient I should always have?
Eggs. They’re cheap, full of protein, versatile, and they last a while. You can add them to anything or eat them alone. Second choice would be rice.
Q: Is it okay to eat the same thing multiple days in a row?
Absolutely. Sometimes that’s how you make it work. Just try to switch it up a bit—same base ingredients but different seasonings or additions. Monday’s rice and beans becomes Wednesday’s fried rice.
Q: What about fresh vegetables?
Buy what’s on sale or get frozen. Frozen vegetables are often cheaper than fresh and they’re already prepped. Cabbage, carrots, and onions are usually the cheapest fresh options and they last longer.
Nutrition Quick Facts for Budget Eating
Let’s talk about staying healthy when money’s tight. Because yes, that matters too.
Protein sources under $2:
- Eggs (about 6-7 grams per egg)
- Dried beans and lentils (15-18 grams per cooked cup)
- Peanut butter (7-8 grams per 2 tablespoons)
- Canned chickpeas (12-15 grams per cup)
Why carbs aren’t evil: Rice, pasta, oats—these give you energy. When you’re studying or working long hours, you need that. Don’t skip carbs because someone on the internet said they’re bad. Carbs are fuel.
The vegetable situation: Frozen mixed vegetables are often cheaper per serving than fresh. They’re picked at peak ripeness and frozen, so nutritionally they’re solid. Cabbage is ridiculously nutritious for how cheap it is—vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber.
What you might be missing: If you’re eating very minimal, you might need to supplement vitamin D and B12, especially if you’re not eating much meat or dairy. The cheap store-brand vitamins are fine.
Staying hydrated: This sounds obvious but when you’re stressed and busy, you forget. Keep a water bottle with you. If you’re hungry between meals, drink water first—sometimes you’re just thirsty.
Iron matters: Lentils, beans, and fortified cereals have iron. Your body absorbs iron better with vitamin C, so eating beans with tomatoes or having orange juice with your oatmeal helps.
Cost Breakdown: Homemade vs. Takeout
Let me show you what I mean about savings:
| Meal Type | Homemade Cost | Takeout Cost | Savings | Weekly Savings (3x/week) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egg fried rice | $1.50 | $8.50 | $7.00 | $21.00 |
| Rice and beans | $1.80 | $9.00 | $7.20 | $21.60 |
| Pasta with garlic oil | $0.90 | $12.00 | $11.10 | $33.30 |
| Quesadilla | $1.30 | $7.50 | $6.20 | $18.60 |
| Lentil soup (per serving) | $0.80 | $6.50 | $5.70 | $17.10 |
| Peanut butter noodles | $1.60 | $10.00 | $8.40 | $25.20 |
| Chickpea smash sandwich | $1.20 | $8.00 | $6.80 | $20.40 |
Weekly potential savings if you cook just 3 meals at home instead of buying takeout: $157.20
That’s real money. That’s a monthly phone bill. That’s a plane ticket home if you save it for a few months.
And look, I’m not saying never get takeout. Sometimes you need it for your sanity. But if you can replace even half your takeout meals with homemade, you’ll notice the difference in your bank account fast.
Sample Recipe Card: Rice and Beans Bowl
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes (mostly hands-off)
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 hearty bowls
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white rice ($0.30)
- 1 can black beans ($0.80)
- 2 tablespoons oil ($0.10)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional, $0.15)
- Soy sauce to taste ($0.05)
- Chili flakes or hot sauce (optional)
- 2 eggs for topping (optional, $0.40)
Total cost per serving: $1.80 (or $1.40 without eggs)
Instructions:
First, get your rice going. Rinse it, add water (usually 2:1 ratio), bring it to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Set a timer and forget about it.
While the rice cooks, drain and rinse your beans. This cuts down on the metallic canned taste. Heat your oil in a pan over medium heat. If you’ve got garlic, toss it in and cook until it smells amazing—maybe 30 seconds.
Add your beans to the pan. Stir them around. Add a splash of soy sauce—start with a tablespoon, you can always add more. Sprinkle in chili flakes if you like heat. Let everything warm through for about 5 minutes.
When your rice is done, fluff it with a fork. If you’re adding eggs, fry them in a separate small pan with a tiny bit of oil. I like mine with runny yolks but cook them however you want.
Build your bowl: rice on the bottom, beans on top, egg if using. That’s it.
Nutrition per serving (with egg):
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 78g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 12g
- Iron: 25% DV
- Vitamin B6: 15% DV
Notes:
This recipe is endlessly customizable. Add frozen corn, use kidney beans instead, throw in some hot sauce or sriracha. Sometimes I add a handful of spinach to the beans while they’re heating—it wilts down and adds vitamins without changing the taste much.
The rice and beans keep separately in the fridge for up to 5 days, so make a big batch on Sunday and you’ve got easy meals all week. Just reheat and add fresh toppings.
If you can’t find garlic or it’s too expensive, skip it. The dish still works. Same with the egg—it’s nice for extra protein but not necessary.
One trick I learned: cook your rice in vegetable or chicken broth instead of water when you can afford it. It adds so much flavor for barely any cost. But again, water works fine too.
This meal is particularly good when you’re feeling low. It’s warm, it’s filling, and it doesn’t require much mental energy to make. Some nights that’s what matters most.
The Bigger Picture (Why This Actually Matters)
So here’s the real talk: being broke and far from home is lonely. It just is. And food becomes this weird emotional thing—it’s not just about eating, it’s about comfort and routine and feeling like yourself.
When I first moved abroad, I spent way too much money eating out because I was too overwhelmed to figure out cooking. Then I ran out of money and had to learn fast. It sucked. But also, it taught me something important.
You can take care of yourself even when things are hard. Even when you’re lonely and broke and far from everyone who knows you. Making yourself a decent meal is a small act of self-respect. It says “I matter enough to feed myself properly.”
And the weird thing is, once you start cooking regularly, it gets easier. Not just the cooking part—the whole being-far-from-home part. Having a routine helps. Having control over at least one thing in your day helps.
Plus, eventually you might make friends through food. Invite someone over for rice and beans. Share your extra lentil soup. Trade recipes with the person down the hall. Food connects people, even simple food. Maybe especially simple food.
Final Thoughts (And You’re Doing Great)
Look, I know this article is about cheap meals. But it’s really about more than that. It’s about surviving when things are hard. About making it work with what you have. About taking care of yourself even when nobody’s watching.
You’re far from home, probably stressed about money, maybe questioning if this whole moving-abroad thing was a mistake. But you’re here. You’re trying. That counts for something.
These meals won’t solve everything. They won’t make you less homesick or magically improve your bank account. But they’ll keep you fed. They’ll save you money. And maybe, on the right night, cooking one of them will make you feel a little more capable and a little less alone.
Start with one recipe this week. Just one. See how it goes. Then try another.
You’ve got this. And if nobody’s told you lately: you’re doing better than you think.
Now go make yourself something to eat.
