Tuna pasta salad casserole. Pour off the water and stir in 1 can of tuna per packet. Use any amount of the seasoning packet(s), add any regular tuna salad ingredients - mayo, relish, onions, other veg, cheese, just try whatever sounds good. Serve immediately or chill first.
If I have the energy, I take bacon bits or spam bits (whatever chopped fat meat), throw it in the microwave 30 seconds, then crack an egg and mix it in, throw that in the microwave 30 more seconds... then add the noodles and boiled water. When cooked, add a bit of cream and herbs(chives,parsley,etc)
I add a little bit of cream cheese to make it creamier, thicker, and a bit more filling. If you have any green onions or something like that it might help a little. I hope you’re able to get back on your feet soon!
the ol "save some dry crumbled noodles to sprinkle on top for added crunch" is a classic.
depending on what you have on hand, a little spritz of lemon or lime juice works well with certain flavors (not a fan of it w/ beef, but great w/ chicken?). red chili powder or shichimi also delicious
if you get sick of soup, get some cheap tortillas, drain (or drink) the broth, and put the noodles + some cheap toppings in the tortillas for ramen tacos (better than it sounds...??)
Otherwise, if you dice some chicken thighs (cheaper but better cut imo), toss them in cornstarch, salt and pepper, pan fry them with some veggie oil, then toss them in soy sauce, they make a great extra bit of protein to add at the end. Can do the same with a cheap cut of beef like Top Round.
Make sure you’re getting your greens! Pak Choi, mangetout, and tenderstem broccoli are all good additions without breaking the bank.
Baby corn is also a nice addition, depending on where you live you might be able to get a cheap pot of pickled ginger that’ll last, and of course eggs are essential.
Soy sauce and pots of soup stock can be good cheap ways to deepen the flavour of the broth: probably only buy meat if it’s on sale if you’re on a budget, then cook it in bulk and put most of it in the freezer.
This is not answering your question, but related: this is one of my husband's and my very favorite recipes, it is super easy and dirt cheap to make. Mix or buy any ol' southwest spice blend, and swap out the chicken for a can of black beans bc who can afford meat. https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/taqueria-chicken-bowls-6492ec404b18c31a619ff388
Specifically this goes into the chicken flavor for me! Big spoon of it into the middle, it warms up in the broth, then take a nip off of it with every spoonful. It is very good!
I'd never had Thai when I first did this decades ago, but I agreed with a response that it sounded Thai-influenced.
A splash of lemon juice really brings out the flavor. I'll also throw in some eggs and hot sauce. A bit of mayo will thicken the broth. In college, I used to just cook the noodles and add tomato sauce for a quick spaghetti.
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Rice and beans are good too!
Ah, mushrooms replace fat meat well, or u can add them in step 1 with the fat meat.
Also, most veggies will soften up enough in hot water if chopped small enough.
depending on what you have on hand, a little spritz of lemon or lime juice works well with certain flavors (not a fan of it w/ beef, but great w/ chicken?). red chili powder or shichimi also delicious
Add meat and veg as able to have a more well rounded meal
Baby corn is also a nice addition, depending on where you live you might be able to get a cheap pot of pickled ginger that’ll last, and of course eggs are essential.
Oh! Julienne carrots also work! They add colour too, which is nice.
Oatmeal and dry pasta are other good ways of getting cost-efficient nutrition. Oatmeal and milk is a solid breakfast by itself.
https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/taqueria-chicken-bowls-6492ec404b18c31a619ff388
I'd never had Thai when I first did this decades ago, but I agreed with a response that it sounded Thai-influenced.
Creamy Garlic Ramen
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