Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't afford a little flavor. To that end, we offer five delicious and satisfying dinners that cost less than $10 apiece. Forget peanut butter sandwiches and pasta with tomato sauce -- these flavorful dishes are sure to keep you well fed through any tight times ahead.

Calculating Costs

The cost for each meal is based on the amount of the products actually used in the recipe. We considered some ingredients that most people have on hand as staples and didn't count them in the costs. These include herbs, spices, mustard, milk, eggs, butter, sugar, flour, and cornmeal.

Ham and Swiss Bread Pudding (total for meal $ 5.02)

"Hawaiian bread is a childhood favorite of mine, and I always have some around the house. At a recent food seminar at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, I fell in love with a savory bread pudding and was determined to create my own version. I always see Hawaiian bread on sale for two for $5, so it was a tax-season natural. Green onions are also inexpensive, and milk and the seasonings are staples. The only other expense was for ham and cheese." -Krista Ackerbloom Montgomery

Spinach, Caramelized Onion, and Bacon Pizza (total for meal $7.90)

"One of my favorite splurges is fresh-baked bread from the bakery. But when the budget is tight, I make my own. In this case, it's pizza crust -- basically flour and water -- which leaves plenty of money to get creative with the toppings. Onions are always in my fridge, and fresh spinach is about $1.50 a bag; so I splurge on thick-sliced bacon, such as Nueske's, which has an incredible flavor (you'll have 3/4 of the package left, too). I also add real Parmesan cheese. Serve this rich-tasting pizza with a simple green salad of romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, and cherry tomatoes." -Julie Grimes Bottcher

Beef and Bok Choy Hot Pot (total for meal $6.72)

"I love the flavors of the French Onion-Beef Bowl that ran in our March 1999 issue. This is a cheaper, more accessible version of that dish. It uses inexpensive stew meat, which becomes tender as the dish cooks for more than an hour. And while it's simmering, your house will be infused with the scents of cinnamon, ginger, and garlic. Add some bok choy -- a great buy this time of year -- and carrots, and serve over fettuccine or whatever noodles you have on hand for a comforting yet exotic dinner." -Jill Melton

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice and Sweet and Sour Slaw (total for meal $5.13)

"I've always been in love with New Orleans (so much so, in fact, that I got married there). There is just nothing like that pleasant juxtaposition of Creole architecture, spicy Cajun smells, and people who enjoy life without inhibition. One of my favorite things to make during lean times is inspired by my love of the Big Easy -- red beans and rice. With these as the foundation, what could be cheaper? I realize that dried beans can seem something of a chore, with all that soaking time plus hours simmering on the stove. But with this recipe, you can throw the beans, sausage, and seasonings all into a slow cooker to simmer -- hands-free -- while you're at work. It couldn't be easier. When you get home, all you have to do is cook the rice and make the slaw, which is fresh and crunchy, and provides a nice contrast to the hearty main dish." -Ann Taylor Pittman

Italian Potato Torta (total for meal $ 4.12)

"My first post-college trip to Italy was followed shortly by the purchase of my first Italian cookbook. Together, the two inspired this recipe, which has seen my family through times both lean and lush. A gnocchi-like mixture of mashed potatoes, flour, and an egg is patted into a cake pan, topped with tomatoes and cheese, then baked. What emerges is part pizza, part potato pancake. Sometimes I intensify the flavor with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, black olives, and -- if we have it around -- a bit of leftover prosciutto. Serve this with a zesty green salad for a complete, inexpensive feast." -Mary Kay Culpepper