What pairing forms the foundation of the cheapest meal base according to frugal eating communities?

Dried beans or lentils paired with rice

The foundation for sustenance built on the lowest cost-per-serving blocks consistently revolves around specific dry goods. The text highlights that if a single ingredient pairing must claim the title of the cheapest base, it is almost universally the combination of dried beans or lentils cooked alongside rice. This pairing leverages dry goods purchased in bulk, maximizing nutritional density, especially regarding protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, while drastically minimizing the monetary outlay compared to pre-cooked or canned alternatives. Rice serves as the calorie-dense base, often estimated at the lowest cost per serving (0.5x), perfectly complemented by the protein and fiber provided by legumes.