With grocery prices continuing to rise, many families are looking for ways to make their meals go a little bit farther. A few small changes in the kitchen can help you save money without giving up flavor or satisfaction.

One easy trick is to stretch your meat dishes by mixing in budget-friendly ingredients. Try adding refried beans, black beans or lentils to taco meat for extra texture and protein. Or, mix cooked quinoa, rice or oats into ground beef when making meatloaf, burgers or casseroles. These additions can nearly double your portions at a fraction of the cost.

Another great way to make ingredients last longer is to get creative with dairy products. Add a little milk to sour cream or plain yogurt to make it thinner—perfect for drizzling on tacos, chili or baked potatoes.

When it comes to soups, stews and sauces, add extra vegetables, beans or pasta to increase the volume. Frozen or canned vegetables work just as well as fresh and can easily extend a small batch to feed a crowd.

And don’t forget about leftovers! That leftover roast chicken can become chicken salad, soup or a topping for nachos. A little creativity can turn yesterday’s dinner into today’s new meal.

Meal stretching is all about getting creative and reducing waste. A few small changes can help your ingredients work double-duty—and your grocery money last longer.

Do you have something in your pantry that you’re not sure how to use? I’d love to help! Contact me for recipe ideas and meal tips using what you already have at home.

For more information or recipe ideas, contact Abigail Thomas, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the UT Extension – Union County Office, at 865-992-8038 or by email at athom237@utk.edu.