UNITED STATES – “Respect the rotisserie chicken.” A reader wrote to me recently with that gem of a sentence.

I had asked for cost-saving strategies in these dizzyingly expensive times. Readers replied en masse, with fascinating e-mails that detailed their grocery-shopping and cooking habits and shared a glimpse into their lives, whether they are in Alaska, Australia or somewhere in between.

Some are buying in bulk and going to the store less often. But others are doing the exact opposite, shopping more often and buying less in each go. That way, they buy only what they need at that moment and avoid food waste from ignored groceries – the most expensive choice of all.

Among the readers are those who are committing to cleaning out whatever is in the fridge at least one night a week; choosing ground meat over larger cuts or eating less meat altogether; and eating beans and freezing ingredients and leftovers. And, of course, some are respecting the rotisserie chicken, one of the best dinner shortcuts out there.

The best cost-saving advice of all: Eat out less and cook more. The three recipes below are meant to give you budget-friendly options that are interesting and delicious.

Gochujang Buttered Noodles by Eric Kim

These garlicky, buttery noodles are perfect for a quick yet stellar pantry meal. A packet of fresh or even instant ramen speeds up the meal preparation. Honey and sherry vinegar round out gochujang’s deep heat into a mellowness that is at once sweet, savoury and tangy. The brick-red butter sauce, emulsified with a splash of the pasta cooking water, coats spaghetti here, but you can use whatever noodles you like.

Ingredients

• 450g spaghetti or other long pasta
• 6 Tbs unsalted butter
• 12 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• ¼ cup gochujang paste (not sauce; see tip below)
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar or rice vinegar
• Finely chopped cilantro or thinly sliced scallions (optional)

Method

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the coo...