By Robin Donovan
In preparation for that looming deadline, you’ve probably spent the last few weeks gathering documents and finding every write-off possible. It’s time to give yourself a much-deserved break from Tax Day stress. Explore these budget-friendly comfort foods and reward yourself after a long tax season without hurting your wallet.
Affordable pasta and Asian noodle dishes
There are few things more comforting than a bowl of hot noodles, especially after a long day of doing your taxes. The last thing you want to do is splurge on a meal after calculating how much you owe to the government. Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive yet comforting noodle recipes suitable for any budget.
Instant noodles are as budget-friendly as you can get, but they taste delicious, and you can easily customize the dish. Add your own broth, aromatics like garlic or scallions, vegetables and your choice of protein – whether it be an egg, tofu or chicken – and you’ll end up with a fancy, homemade ramen dish.
Spicy dishes may be the best way to relieve stress. Enjoy the heat and endorphins that come with mouth-numbing Szechuan dan dan noodles, which you can make with a few pantry ingredients, a bit of ground pork and whatever green vegetable you have on hand. Within a few bites, you’ll feel a burning sensation in your mouth, but the noodles will be too delicious to stop.
You can’t talk about noodles without mentioning Italian pasta, and that’s for a good reason. Pasta is filling, easy to make, inexpensive and yummy, making it a perfect meal to end a stressful evening. Spaghetti aglio e olio is a popular recipe known for being simple and requiring only a few ingredients. You’d be shocked at how flavorful the garlic, red pepper flakes and olive oil combination is. And if you are up for it, you can make your own low carb pasta recipe from scratch.
The soothing simplicity of hearty soup and stews
Soups and stews have always been reliable meals in times of financial strain. With even the simplest ingredients, you can cook a soothing and hearty soup or stew that warms both the body and soul. You can’t go wrong with the staple chicken noodle soup that will help you recover from a stressful day of taxes and numbers.
Hungarians knew what they were doing with goulash, a beef stew and one of Hungary’s national dishes. You probably have everything on hand already. It’s made with basic ingredients, including beef, vegetables, paprika and other spices. Try this savory stew with bold combinations of flavors that’ll amaze your tastebuds and offer a delicious escape from your tax-related worries.
Casseroles as one-dish wonders for frugal comfort
Casseroles are well-loved for being convenient and economical comfort food. To help your bank account recover from Tax Day, try some casserole recipes that won’t disappoint. Plus, they’re a great way to meal prep for the week ahead, so you won’t be tempted to splurge on any pricey takeout.
If you’re looking for classics, try baked mac and cheese. This rich and creamy dish, reminiscent of your childhood or family gatherings, will surely bring an extra feeling of comfort.
Have ground beef, vegetables and pasta on hand? Throw them together and bake for a cheeseburger casserole. You can easily incorporate any mix of affordable ingredients in a casserole and make your own tasty, creative rendition.
Affordable sweet and savory munchies to lift your spirits
If there are any days when you need a kick of dopamine, it’s those approaching tax day. You deserve a snack, no matter where you are in your tax journey. Make a bowl of sweet and salty snack mix with popcorn, M&M’s, pretzels and whatever you desire. Or, for a somewhat healthier snack, make some chocolate-covered fruit using whatever is on sale at the grocery store. Put on your favorite movie and munch on some chocolate-covered apple slices and your snack mix for a well-deserved night of rest.
Budget-friendly dessert delights
For more indulgent treats, there are plenty of affordable dessert options that won’t break the bank. Put on a podcast for some background entertainment, and get out your baking pans and measuring cups to whip up delicious desserts that’ll provide a satisfying end to any meal.
Cakes and cookies don’t have to be overly complex or require half a day to make. The classics like carrot cake and brownies are beginner-friendly and don’t need fancy, overly expensive ingredients. Set aside your tax worries and get in the flow of baking. Soon, you’ll have a comforting scent of baked goods wafting through your kitchen.
When you’re in a hurry or don’t want to cook large portions, mug cakes are perfect for a one-serving dessert. The best part is that you can just pop your mug with the batter in the microwave, and within a matter of minutes, you have a cake ready for you to dig into.
Alleviate Tax Day stress with affordable comfort food
If you’ve had to make a tax payment this season, your wallet may be feeling a bit light. That’s not to say that you can’t enjoy some much-needed comfort food. There are many budget-friendly recipe options that you can pick from. From affordable noodles to hearty soups, convenient casseroles and simple snacks and desserts, indulge in your favorite comfort food to relieve Tax Day blues.
Robin Donovan is the author of more than 40 cookbooks, including the bestselling Campfire Cuisine, Ramen Obsession and Ramen for Beginners. A food writer, recipe developer and food photographer, she is the creator of the food blog All Ways Delicious, where she shares easy recipes for the best dishes from around the world.
