Quick and Cheap Gluten-free Meals



The biggest drawback to the gluten-free diet is the expense.  Wheat is the cheapest food that you can buy, and having it off your list guarantees a higher ticket at the grocery store.  Here's a quick list of the easiest and least expensive gluten-free meals out there.  Some of them are even naturally gluten-free, and they are all delicious!

Pasta Carbonara
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables with Rice
Oxtail Soup 
Rice Pasta with Marinara Sauce
Roasted Vegetables with Bacon

If you have a favorite cheap and easy gluten-free meal, leave a link or a recipe in your comments!

Comments

Tasty Eats At Home said…
I agree! If you want to go out and buy gluten-free ingredients it can get pricey. I am working on compiling cheap gluten free meals for my brother and sister, who are both on limited budgets but have to follow the diet. Thanks for some additional ideas!
December 7, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Rebecca said…
How could you forget the classic combination, beans and rice? There are many ways to prepare this naturally gluten-free dish. One good one is brown rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, and avocados. Top with Yumm Sauce. We have a recipe for it here: http://greenbabyguide.com/2009/02/18/yumm-sauce-recipe-imitation/. It contains nutritional yeast, which I think is not gluten-free, but maybe you could substitute something else for that or leave it out.
December 7, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Rebecca said…
Oh! And another really quick, cheap, and easy gluten-free meal is a baked potato. If you make them in the microwave, it takes just minutes. Serve with a vegetable or a salad or something.
December 7, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Gina said…
I was thinking about beans and rice today! I don't have a recipe posted for it, but I like the one you have a link to. Thanks!
December 7, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Erin E Lyon-GF Fitness said…
I definitely agree that it is both cheaper and in many instances healthier to choose naturally gluten free foods-in fact I starting drafting a post to that affect today!
I'd say that chicken thighs in the crock pot with tomato sauce and italian seasoning, some microwaved frozen green beans and rice or quinoa would be a great gluten free meal on the cheap!
December 7, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Gina said…
Thanks for the idea, Erin! That sounds really good.
December 7, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
December 8, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Tara @ Go Green Street said…
I just found your blog and wanted to say thanks! I have been searching for gluten-free recipes and meal ideas for some time that do not cost a fortune to make.
December 10, 2009 at 3:06 AM
Nadya said…
Rice n lentils is one of my standbys - http://vestellasvale.blogspot.com/2009/01/winter-favorite-recipes.html
Millet, buckwheat groats, amaranth & teff are other whole grains to experiment with - while teff's more expensive by the pound, I just use ~ 1/4 C with other grains, as it's so small, & a bag lasts me several months. I'm OK with the GF cracked & rolled oats (Bob's Red Mill)

I also use root veggies (I have a CSA membership this year, & we were blessed with sweet & irish potatoes, winter squash, carrots, & other goodies. I often bake them (can bake whole squash when it's smaller, just cut several mini 'windows') & I make my own stock with trimmings I've frozen (also in that post)
I have 'always' used more rice than pasta, so it hasn't been a big shift there - I do have buckwheat & rice pasta, but don't use them much.
December 10, 2009 at 12:49 PM
gfe--gluten free easily said…
Eating gluten free only has to be expensive IF one buys those gf specialty items. Using real food to make delicious recipes like these makes the most sense!

Thanks, Gina,
Shirley
December 20, 2009 at 8:05 AM
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