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Meet Mandy

A woman with long brown hair stands smiling with her arms crossed, wearing a sleeveless, black and white patterned dress.

Practical recipes for real-life budgets

I’m Mandy Applegate, the recipe publisher and editor behind Pocket Friendly Recipes. I create affordable, practical meals for real life, shaped by years of cooking and extensive food travel, and designed to help families eat well without overspending.

My work has been syndicated through the Associated Press Wire and featured by major media outlets, including Reader’s Digest, Parade, and NBC affiliates. Here, I share pocket-friendly recipes and clear, dependable tips to make everyday cooking easier and more practical.

About Mandy Applegate

Featured On

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Budget Comfort Casserole Recipes – See More

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Easy Cowboy Casserole Recipe

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe

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Creamy Skillet Chicken Thighs

Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Swedish Turkey Meatballs

Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Copycat Recipes That Cost Less at Home – See More

Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara Recipe

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Budget-Friendly Soups Worth Repeating

Cheeseburger Soup

Corn Chowder

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Potato Soup Recipe

A plate of pasta with grilled chicken strips and vegetables on the cover of "The Everyday Dinner Book" by Mandy Applegate.

Take a look in my eBook store!

A hand dips a tortilla chip into a skillet of cowboy queso dip, bursting with cheesy, meaty goodness, herbs, and tomato pieces.

Appetizers

A stack of Air Fryer Banana Pancakes layered with banana slices is topped with more bananas as syrup is drizzled from a spoon above. A fresh banana and cutlery are placed nearby.

breakfast

Close-up of a casserole dish with a cheesy pasta bake, topped with crispy bacon bits and green onions. A serving spoon is lifting a portion, showing melted cheese strands.

casseroles

Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies with swirled chocolate frosting rest on parchment paper alongside stacked ceramic bowls and scattered chocolate chips, all conveniently prepared in the air fryer.

cookies

A slice of chocolate cream pie is being lifted from the whole pie, which sits on a wooden cake stand lined with parchment paper—perfect for chocolate cheesecake lovers seeking a rich and creamy dessert.

desserts

Sliced roasted chicken breast on a blue plate, with visible seasoning and juices pooling at the bottom.

mains

A bowl of honey hot chicken salad contains fried chicken pieces, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, blue cheese crumbles, and dressing.

salad

A bowl of creamy Air Fryer mashed potatoes topped with melted butter, black pepper, and fresh thyme.

sides

A close-up of a stir-fry dish with chicken, sugar snap peas, red bell peppers, and green onions, garnished with black sesame seeds.

Asian

Close-up of a mouthwatering slice of lasagna on a gray plate, showcasing its layers of tender pasta, savory meat, creamy cheese, and rich sauce, all garnished with fresh chopped herbs.

italian

A plate of beef tacos filled with ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, red onion slices, and greens.

mexican

Sliced Marry Me Steak in a creamy sauce with herbs and spinach, served in a black skillet.

beef

A close-up of a spoon lifting a serving of creamy chicken and rice casserole garnished with chopped herbs.

chicken

Spaghetti Bolognese on a plate with a fork on the side.

pasta

Oven-baked glazed barbecue ribs garnished with chopped herbs on parchment paper.

pork

Shrimp scampi cooked in garlic butter sauce, garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges in a skillet.

seafood

Gravy is being poured over a plate of turkey meatballs and mashed potatoes, garnished with chopped parsley.

turkey

A close-up of a spoon lifting a portion of creamy mac and cheese with a golden breadcrumb crust from a white baking dish.

vegetarian

A hand dips a piece of crispy chicken fritter into a small bowl of red sauce on a black plate.

high protein

A bowl of corn chowder with a spoon.

air fryer

Sliced grilled tri tip with green herb sauce on a wooden board, knife visible in the foreground.

grill

Hands holding a bowl of creamy Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken garnished with herbs. Basil leaves and a wooden board with more leaves are nearby. A small dish of black pepper and olive oil are also visible, enhancing the inviting aroma.

slow cooker

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