Specifically looking for recipes that are relatively cheap, filling, and aren’t too time-consuming so I can keep up a routine without getting burned out. I have a 10 cup rice cooker so rice combined with other things would be pretty easy. I have a Costco membership and there’s a restaurant supply store near me, as well.
Spaghetti. Noodles are cheap, canned tomato sauce is cheap, but then season up your sauce to actually have flavor.
Alternately, Here’s my ratio for perfect Mexican style refried beans:
1 lb pinto beans (2 cups), well rinsed
1 tbs salt
1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, seeds removed
1 half white onion
2 smashed garlic cloves
2 pinches (1 tsp?) oregano or one-each oregano and epazote
2 tbs oil (I just gloop it in unmeasured)
After your beans are well rinsed, bring just plain beans to a boil for 5 mins, remove from heat, and let sit for 30 mins. Then dump the water, add fresh cold water to 1-2" above the beans, add all the other ingredients, bring to boil, simmer for at least 1 hour but closer to 2 is better. Once beans have the right texture, blend them into a puree. You now have perfect beans for any Mexican recipe. Can be scaled up, just use the proportions listed above