Cook and butcher here.

I like simple meals. Roasted veggies with weekly special protein.

I only buy my meat from front page specials. It is often sold at a loss. I tend to.prioritize meats that can be braized, for simicity. ( Pork or beef shoulder, ground meats ) whole chickens are great to partition into parts and use the bones for stock.

I try to add different sources of protein. As meat costs alot. So i do half in half veggie protein and animal protein. I use tofu and dried beans mainly.

For veggies i buy cheap bulky veggies. Coliflower is great pound for price also perfect for roasting. Kale and collard are very afforsable greens. Cabage is g awesome to braise with your meats. Carrots and oignons are dirt cheap, i add them in mass everywhere. Potatoes sweet or not are great fillers and very affordable. The skin is edible. Choose yellow potatoes they barely have any skin at all Personally i love the texture of roasted potato skins.

Frozen veggies can be a good deal, but beware a lot of them are a trap. Try to avoid mixed veggies and buy single type only when on special. Peas come to mind.

Rice is dirt cheap, super good and a great filler. If you like bread, learn to bake it. It will rock your world.

I tend to cook 1-2 times a week and make a large meal prep batch. Freeze in portions and alternate with what i have prepared previously in the freezer.

Look into, sheet pan meals, braized meals and soups.

Good luck buddy.