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 Hicks
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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 Jones
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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.
