Skip to main content. Recipes. Tax Day comes with paperwork, number-crunching, and a mild existential crisis, but dinner doesn’t have to suffer for it. These comforting, budget-friendly dishes are here to rescue your day (and your mood) after hours of wrestling with receipts. Whether you’re celebrating a refund or bracing for a bill, you deserve something that tastes great without costing a fortune. Here are 17 rewarding meals (like sesame-glazed tofu with broccoli) and just-the-spot-hitting desserts (including a few-minute mug cake) that don’t require a calculator or second mortgage. And if that refund lands, who’s to say you can’t splurge on something special? Lobster or caviar, anyone?. Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks1/17. Adobo Mushroom Tacos. Spiced, roasted mushrooms make for a satisfying taco filling that’s easy on your wallet. Big flavor without a big grocery bill—exactly the kind of Tax Day recipe you need in your back pocket.. Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones2/17. Sesame Tofu With Broccoli. In this easy weeknight recipe, tofu cubes and broccoli florets get coated in a sticky sesame sauce you’ll want to put on everything.. Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Anyka Brown3/17. Lemony Tortellini Soup With Spinach and Dill. Store-bought tortellini and bouillon paste are weeknight heroes in this recipe, brightened with fresh spinach, dill, and lemon juice. It’s quick-yet-elevated comfort food to close out a long day of taxes.. Photograph by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio4/17. Chana Masala. This hearty, aromatic curry leans on canned chickpeas for a reliably delicious (and budget-friendly) recipe. Serve with rice or flatbread for a filling, low-cost meal.. Alex Lau6/17. Stir-Fried Udon Noodles With Pork and Scallions. Inspired by yaki udon, these stir-fried noodles are rich, savory, and ready in minutes. An ideal Tax Day recipe, when time and patience are both in short supply.. Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie7/17. Kimchi Quesadillas. A budget-friendly dinner idea we can get behind. As deputy food editor Hana Asbrink writes, “As far as the kimchi goes, the older the better—it’s the perfect time to use up that jar that’s been hanging out in the fridge.”. Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kendra Vaculin, prop styling by Emma Ringness8/17. Egg Drop Dumpling Soup. Need something restorative after a stressful day of taxes? This is just the thing. Break out your favorite frozen dumplings for this cozy bowl, with golden egg ribbons and warming broth.. Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams9/17. Spanakopita Baked Eggs. The creamy, herby filling of spanakopita meets baked eggs in this comforting one-pan situation that tastes just fancy enough to make Tax Day less bleak.. Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling
