Simple, Affordable, and Healthy Dinner Planning Made Easy

The Simple Dinner Formula

Let’s be honest: most dinner stress comes from overthinking. So here’s the secret move—don’t. Build every meal using three essentials:

• Rice or another grain

• Vegetables or legumes

• A protein source

That’s it. Three pieces. Like IKEA furniture, except this actually makes sense.

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Why This Works (Besides Saving Your Sanity)

1. It’s Cheap—Like, Actually Cheap

Rice, beans, frozen veggies, chicken… this is Hall of Fame budget food. High nutrition, low cost, zero shame.

2. You Can Customize It Without Trying

Change the seasonings, swap the protein, use different veggies—boom. New meal. Minimal effort. Maximum "I cooked" bragging rights.

3. You Don’t Have to Think About It

You’re basically running a dinner algorithm. Pick one from each category and call it a night.

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Easy Dinner Ideas That Don’t Require a 12-Step Recipe

Stir-Fry Night

• Protein: chicken, tofu, shrimp

• Veggies: broccoli, peppers, onions

• Base: rice or quinoa

• Bonus: soy sauce, garlic, ginger (look at you, fancy)

Tex-Mex Bowl

• Protein: ground beef, chicken, or beans

• Veggies: corn, tomatoes, lettuce

• Base: rice

• Bonus: salsa, avocado, lime — suddenly you’re a chef with “flair”

Mediterranean Plate

• Protein: chicken thighs or chickpeas

• Veggies: cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach

• Base: rice or couscous

• Bonus: olive oil, lemon, herbs — Marchand-approved freshness

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Final Thoughts: Keep It Cheap, Keep It Simple

Dinner shouldn’t feel like a second job. When you build meals around grains, veggies or legumes, and protein, you save money, eat healthier, and stop stressing about what to make. Just rotate the ingredients, add whatever seasoning fits your mood, and enjoy meals that are simple, affordable, and actually tasty.