Cooking on the cheap shouldn't mean minute rice and buttered pasta every night. With a little creativity and a little planning, Gabriella Paiella shows us how to make the most of a tight budget -- without sacrificing flavor or variety.
Today: Invite your friends over -- weekend brunch is better (and cheaper) at home.
![](https://images.food52.com/3GiFci58kZtZR-qUTVWaYiPDJK0=/138a7928-9aa8-4909-9ed0-765be9d02959--Vegan_Pumpkin_Pancakes.jpg)
Brunch has emerged as the ultimate divisive meal, which is some laughable first-world-problem bullshit when you really think about it. In early October, David Shaftel published a piece in the New York Times called "Brunch Is for Jerks." People reacted by calling him a jerk, amongst other things. After a GQ profile allegedly misrepresented his stance, Julian Casablancas took to Twitter clarifying that he is in fact, pro-brunch.
Brunch will tear us apart.
Here's where I stand on the meal: I love to eat eggy things and get drunk at noon, I don't like leaving my house hungover and paying $25 or upwards for the privilege.
It's fairly easy to make brunch at home -- and invite friends over to supply the mimosas and Bloody Marys. Here are a few sample menus:
1. The Classic Brunch
Spinach and Tomato Frittata
How to Cook Flat Bacon
Cheese Biscuits
![](https://images.food52.com/rZCDiMFROHCikoEfmCFf0nTDEq0=/ac842cba-1d80-47de-9e15-472daaf8a428--spinach-and-tomato-fittata_food52_mark_weinberg_14-09-02_0480.jpg)
2. The Heart Brunch
Strata with Sausage and Greens
+ Fruit Salad
![](https://images.food52.com/amgtlcJJ3_uOX0YqfG9U37Z9-OE=/0cd75c9d-f104-4933-b75b-9e35828d6881--2013-1203_clara_strata-015.jpg)
3. The Vegan-Friendly Brunch
Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
Tofu Breakfast Scramble
![](https://images.food52.com/KTSfKiT1SLo-JkxHHchxwm1isnA=/f4c11411-6f1f-4b8b-af82-f1666d101df9--2014-0311_gena_tofu-scramble-006.jpg)
4. The Brunch That's Just an Excuse to Eat Really Good Sandwiches
The Scuttlebutt
Triple Pomegranate Smoothie
![](https://images.food52.com/8xhizLAI7-PSA9mMEuW_QJXXzHs=/f7441dd5-9c35-4436-bed9-9f420e51d720--untitled_196_of_292-.jpg)
5. The Sweet Brunch
How to Make French Toast Without a Recipe
Daniel Patterson's Poached Scrambled Eggs
![](https://images.food52.com/aL_NRtcVI9kIrl2leVTixK-VOPA=/8e37152c-6874-4614-bd0f-9446266e3c92--9689821940_c657cc5d5f_z.jpg)
What do you like to serve friends for brunch? Tell us in the comments!
See what other Food52 readers are saying.