When out camping, relaxing in the wilderness, the last thing that should stress you is the preparation of complex dinners. Regardless of whether you are going out to camp with friends, family, or even alone, having a list of cheap dinner ideas around can make the trip easier, more interesting, and lighter on the pocket. These meals are intended to be quick, inexpensive, and easily cooked over an open campfire, a portable stove, or if the need arises, prepared cold. Thus, let me introduce to you these easy-to-follow recipes that make camp meals simple!
1. Campfire Tacos:
Instead of that messy and tedious preparation of the recipe, enjoy these affordable cheap dinner ideas for campfire tacos. All you need are some tortillas, canned beans, shredded cheese, and salsa. All you need to do is heat some beans in the fire, make your tacos and it’s done!
Cost-saving tip: Use canned beans instead of fresh meat to cut costs.
2. One-Pot Pasta Primavera:
This one is a great camping hack and one of the easiest cheap dinner ideas. It’s a terrific meal for those on the go because it can all be prepared in one pot. Combining pasta, some canned vegetables, and a splash of pasta sauce in a pot on your portable stove will complete the dish.
Cost-saving tip: Use budget-friendly pasta and canned or frozen vegetables.
3. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Soup:
Who doesn’t enjoy an original meal consisting of grilled cheese with tomato soup? Sandwiches can be grilled by using a pan over the fire, afterwards, simply heat some canned tomato soup. This affordable combo is a classic in cheap dinner for camping.
Cost-saving tip: Pre-slice cheese from a block rather than using pre-sliced, which is often pricier.
4. Foil-Packet Potatoes and Veggies:
Mix diced potatoes, bell peppers, and onions with some olive oil and spices, wrap in aluminum foil, and toss it on the fire for 20 minutes if you fancy a veggie meal. This meal is both budget-friendly and delicious, fitting well into any list of cheap dinner ideas.
Cost-saving tip: Use versatile seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder, which can be used for multiple meals.
5. Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry:
If you wish to get rid of dull ramen, simply spice it up with some canned chicken, sliced sausages, or cut-up pieces of veggies. Just boil the noodles, drain them, and fry everything in a column for easy and yummy food.
Cost-saving tip: Add frozen veggies and canned proteins, which are affordable and easy to store.
6. Campfire Quesadillas:
Take a tortilla and put shredded cheese and any other fillings you want, say beans, or cut up some peppers, and wrap them inside. Cook over a fire until the cheese begins to melt and the tortilla is hardened.
Cost-saving tip: Keep fillings simple to avoid overpacking.
7. Hot Dogs and Veggie Skewers:
This is a simple yet good camping dish. When camping, get hot dogs and fast-cooking vegetables such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and some mushrooms and put them on a stick.
Cost-saving tip: Skip the buns for a lighter meal or use leftover bread from breakfast
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8. Chili Cheese Fries:
A very simple and easy comfort meal that only takes a can of chili, a packet of frozen fries, and some shredded cheese. Start by warming up thick chili over the fire, and cook fries. Then add chili and cheese and it’s ready.
Cost-saving tip: Pre-cook fries at home and reheat over the fire.
9. Pita Bread Pizzas:
Take pita bread, cheese, and a pizza sauce along with any other toppings you desire. Take the pita already spread with sauce, top with cheese and any crops, and heat on either the grill or wrap in foil instead.
- Cost-saving tip: Pita bread is more affordable than pizza dough and easier to transport.
10. BBQ Chicken and Veggie Foil Packets:
Foil packs are a fantastic way to prepare a meal without creating a big mess. Cut the chicken into pieces, sprinkle some barbecue sauce, and add chopped vegetables. The entire meal is wrapped in aluminum foil and cooked over the fire for about 25 minutes to allow the flavors to mix.
- Cost-saving tip: Use pre-diced frozen veggies and canned BBQ sauce.
11. Breakfast for Dinner Wraps:
The camping menu would include tortillas, eggs, cheese, and bacon or sausage. The eggs are whisked, combined with the remaining ingredients, and rolled as a wrap. These cheap dinner ideas are versatile, satisfying, and easy to make.
- Cost-saving tip: Choose cheese that can be used for multiple meals to keep costs low.
12. Instant Rice and Beans:
Prepare instant rice with canned beans and some spices on a campfire or stove. It has all the essential nutrients, is quite filling, and is easy to make.
- Cost-saving tip: Canned beans are cheap, filling, and add a good protein boost.
13. Campfire Burritos:
Take some tortillas, add cooked beans, cheese, and anything else you wish to include inside of them. Cover them with foil and place them over the flames for an easy-to-eat supper. This dish is one of the most practical cheap dinner ideas for camping.
- Cost-saving tip: Bulk up with rice to make each burrito more filling.
14. Loaded Nachos:
Line some tortilla chips on aluminum and place on top of canned beans, shredded cheese, and salsa. If you place it inside the oven for the cheese to melt, it will be a quick and tasty dish. This is a perfect option among cheap dinner ideas for groups.
- Cost-saving tip: Use canned beans and homemade salsa for extra savings.
15. Mac and Cheese with Sausages:
Prepared Mac n Cheese with slices of ready sausages. Just boil pasta, pour the cheese mix, and stir inside the sausages, and you have an instant satisfying meal.
- Cost-saving tip: Choose a bulk pack of sausages and use it across multiple meals.
Final Tips for Cheap Dinner Ideas for a Camping
- Plan Ahead: Before leaving for the market, make sure you have a plan and a shopping list.
- Bring food that is not likely to spoil: In addition to canned beans and pasta, rice, and tortillas may all be stored easily since they are economical and can be stored for a long time.
- Repurpose Ingredients: Repeating the same ingredients in different meals will also save money and not make your packing too heavy
While the difficult task of putting so much effort into these cheap dinner ideas, you can prepare cheap, delicious, and wholesome meals while out camping. Be it foil packets, stir-fry, or simple pasta addition, they are quick and friendly to your pocket. So pack your gear, get your stuff ready, and make an amazing and pleasurable camping experience without breaking your bank account!
