See my prior thread for some easy ideas:
But one hack that’s always worked (and I mentioned in said thread) is to have several cans of Rotel ready as a multipurpose additive for food.
Second, in terms of easy to cook in large quantities at low prices, I will always mentioned slow cooked pork dishes. Even with meat prices being what they are, I can get pork roast or loin for $2.99 or less (often far less) on sale at least biweekly.
Pork roast in slow cooker in the morning, with beer, Rotel and chilis? Hell yes. Get a 5 lb bag of potatoes and you’re done for a week, or a couple of pounds of rice or dry pasta at a good price point.
Pork is cheap (frequently cheaper than chicken) and versatile. And on to chicken. Drumsticks, and thigh/drumstick quarters (bone in) are very cheap, and easy to prepare with homemade or purchased seasonings. Pick a starchy side as above, and boom. Cheap eats.
Lastly, add some greens for better nutrition. Frozen broccoli isn’t peak, but roasted in a hot oven it’s still darn tasty! Frozen spinach can be sauteed in a pan as an easy and cheap side, or you can do as I do and make a slow cooker saag in quart sizes, freeze a bunch in store gladware, and have as needed.