I read your post and I have used this meal which can be inexpensive if you have ground beef or ground turkey around
1 lb ground beef/turkey
1 1/2 cup long grain rice
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp comino
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 cups water
Brown ground beef/turkey drain off fat
pour rice into frying pan and cook until it is white
Add rest of ingredients. I usually put the tomato sauce in first followed by the water then the spiceYou can add mixed Vegetables to the pan right after all the spices. Cover and simmer until the rice is fully cooked. You can stir it several times.
Gail N.E. PA