Recipes under $3

Overhead shot of vanilla pudding in a white bowl topped with a dollop of whipped cream and surrounded by strawberries.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding

This homemade vanilla pudding recipe is super rich and creamy, only takes a few simple ingredients, and is so much better than instant mixes!

Close up side view of Deruny on a plate with sour cream.

Deruny (Draniki) – Ukrainian Potato Pancakes

$2.77 recipe / $0.46 serving

Deruny, also called Draniki, are traditional Ukrainian potato pancakes made with finely grated raw potatoes, onion, flour, and eggs.

One Zucchini Fry dipped into a dish of pizza sauce.

Baked Zucchini Fries

$3.81 recipe / $0.76 serving

Baked Zucchini Fries make a delicious snack or side dish and are the perfect way to use up that extra bumper crop of summer zucchini.

Overhead view of baked pie on a countertop.

Easy 3-Ingredient Pie Crust

$2.35 per recipe

This super easy pie crust recipe comes together in minutes and has just three ingredients: salted butter, all-purpose flour, and water.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

$0.76 each

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies are slightly sweet, super creamy, deliciously filling, and make a fast and easy snack or breakfast!

Overhead view of a bowl of sofrito with a wooden spoon.

How To Make Sofrito

$2.69 recipe / $0.38 serving

Sofrito is the aromatic flavor base of many Caribbean dishes. It's budget-friendly, easy to make, and pure magic in almost any savory recipe.

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

$1.77 each

The secret to the crunchiest, gooiest, air-fryer grilled cheese is to first use a seasoned butter and parmesan cheese spread on the outside of your bread.

Peanut Butter Banana Quesadillas

$0.86 each

Peanut butter banana quesadillas are a quick and easy single-serving dessert that you can make in minutes with pantry staples!

Close up overhead view of a bowl full of air fryer chickpeas with a spoon.

Air Fryer Chickpea Recipe

$1.13 recipe / $0.28 serving

Air fryer chickpeas are extra crispy, take only minutes to make, are a deliciously crunchy, high-fiber snack!

White Bean Salad

$2.77 recipe / $0.46 serving

This simple Lemony White Bean Salad is an inexpensive, light, and fresh option for summer meals or your weekly meal prep.

Easy Roasted Carrots

$2.50 recipe / $0.62 serving

This roasted carrots recipe is easy, inexpensive, healthy, and delicious, making them my go-to side dish for any weeknight dinner!

Cheesy Pinto Beans

$2.92 recipe / $0.73 serving

Cheesy Pinto Beans are a quick and satisfying meal made with simple pantry staple ingredients, like canned beans.