Cheap Dinner Recipes (2024)

Getting dinner on the table when you’re on a budget can be hard. I am always on the hunt for cheap dinner recipes.

As a busy mom easy recipes are something that I need.

I do not like to spend a lot of time preparing meals, heating up the kitchen, or fixing anything that requires a ton of ingredients. Plus, I like to prep on a budget. Can you relate?

Cheap Dinner Recipes (1)

Shopping and preparing meals on a budget can be a daunting task. But seriously with a little thought and preparation it is a battle we can all overcome!

We have put together a list of recipes that are perfect to make when you’re broke.

Large Family Costco Grocery Haul and Weekly Meal Plan

Here is what a large family grocery haul looks like for our family of seven. Also get a quick look at out meal plan for the week.

Cheap Dinner Recipes (2)

Baked Puerto Rican Chicken and Authentic Puerto Rican Rice

This is so easy to make and very inexpensive. Your family will love it.

50 Cheap Dinner Ideas

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50 Easy Recipes When You're on a Budget

When you're broke you need access to recipes that will meet your budget needs. All of these recipes are cheap to make and use common ingredients you likely already have on hand.

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Indiana Chowder (Ground Beef and Noodles Recipe)

Egg noodles, beef, some spices and a few veggies and dinner is done!

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Sweet Brown Sugar BBQ Meatballs

Meatballs are cheap to make and do not have to be boring!

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Easy Freezer Meal: How to Make Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells are delicious. Omit the meat if your budget is super tight.

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Cheesy Burrito Casserole

Casseroles are a great way to make a filling meal when you have very little meat.

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Photo Credit:www.simplisticallyliving.com

Simple Oven Tacos

Use any leftover ground meat to make these yummy tacos.

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Photo Credit:www.freebiefindingmom.com

Chicken Marsala Crockpot Recipe

Chicken does not have to be boring or flavorless. This masala recipe sounds so good!

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Chicken, Mushroom and Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Green beans and chicken collide in the best casserole recipe

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Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Aldi Meal)

Aldi has some of the best chicken prices... make dinner on a budget with this flavorful recipe!

Soup is another great way to spread out meat when you're short on cash.

Stir fry is a great option when the grocery budget is tight.

Got refrigerator crescent rolls? Buy the store brand, they are cheaper! Stretch out our ground meat with this recipe.

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Photo Credit:www.freebiefindingmom.com

Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Beef stew is always budget friendly. Add more veggies to stretch out the recipe even more!

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Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls

Rice really helps to stretch a meal out. Make a bowl with your rice, veggies and protein to really stretch your dollar out.

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Photo Credit:www.craftymorning.com

Quick & Easy Texas Toast Pizza Recipe

Pizza on toast? Yes! Use up that bread. Think outside of the box.

Lettuce wraps are another great way to stretch out your dollar.

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Photo Credit:www.simplyrecipes.com

Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

Pasta is an excellent and filling dinner option when you're on a budget.

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Broccoli and Cheese Mini Quiches

Are eggs on sale? Grab them and make breakfast for dinner.

One pot meals are great when money is tight. Elbow noodles, some ground meat and cheese for the win!

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Slow Cooker Green Chicken - for the family

Flavorful chicken served over rice is always great when you're pinching pennies.

Use leftovers to make fried rice and save money.

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Butternut Squash Soup

Use delicious vegetables like butternut squash to make soup. Meatless meals are usually cheaper.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup

Another meatless soup that is easy on your pocketbook.

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Baked Ziti Recipe

Omit the meat in the pasta casserole recipe if your budget won't allow it. Removing the meat will not compromise the flavor at all.

Meat and potato casseroles are always filling and stretch. Save leftovers for lunch.

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CrockPot Lasagna Soup {Cheesy & Delicious}

Lasagna soup takes less meat to make than a full pan of lasagna. This is a great way to have lasagna on a budget.

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Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole Recipe

Chicken, noodles, pasta and a few vegetables in a casserole dish and dinner is done.

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Beef Stroganoff Casserole

Use leftover ground protein and make a casserole like this one.

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Easy Man-Pleasing Meatloaf

Meatloaf is always a filling dinner idea. Serve it with potatoes or rice to stretch the meal out even more.

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Sour Cream Rice Bake

This is a super cheap dinner idea for when you're broke and have little money to spend on groceries.

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Hamburger Potato Casserole

Potatoes are another starch that are filling and help stretch out a meal. You can't go wrong with this recipe.

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Photo Credit:www.gimmesomeoven.com

5-Ingredient Chili

Chili is a great way to stretch your dollar and it usually makes a lot of food. Freeze your leftovers for another meal or eat them for lunch all week. I love recipes that allow me to cook once and serve multiple times.

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Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Grab tater tots when they are on sale and use them in casseroles instead of potatoes.

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Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings are filling and cheap to make.

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Cilantro Lime Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Tacos are always budget friendly and are very versatile.

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Easy Meals To Make: Recipe for Taco Cups

Tacos do not have to always be served in a shell or tortilla.... make them into cups!

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Loaded Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup is a very budget friendly dinner idea.

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How To Make Sloppy Joes Sliders

Sloppy Joes are another great way to make ground hamburger meat less boring!

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Crunchy Ramen Chicken Salad Recipe

Got Ramen? Use it to make a salad that is more filling than traditional Ramen.

Meatless soup for the win... and this is super filling and budget friendly.

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Photo Credit:www.thecountrycook.net

Easy Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Enchiladas are another great way to stretch out meat for dinner.

Chicken, rice and cheese make the best casserole!

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Easy Crockpot Ravioli

Take frozen ravioli and turn it into a lasagna type slow cooker meal.

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Photo Credit:crystalandcomp.com

Easy Recipes: Chicken Artichoke Tomato Pizza

No more boring pizza and save on take out!

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Easy Taco Salad (30 Minute Meal)

Taco salad is filling and delicious when you're on a budget.

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Photo Credit:picky-palate.com

Homemade Hawaiian Haystacks

Omit any of the items on this ingredient list that are out of your budget and it will still taste delicious.

Never order takeout when you're on a budget. This is a great at home stir-fry recipe.

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Photo Credit:crystalandcomp.com

Light Chicken and Pasta Dinner (Super Easy)

Chicken stretches far in this recipe.

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Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Spaghetti is something that will feed a crowd on a budget. Make it for your family and eat it for days.

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Photo Credit:www.pink-parsley.com

Bean and Cheese Burritos

Basic burritos are always a win at my house when it comes to dinner.

What easy meals are you preparing for dinner? Share your thrifty ideas!

Crystal VanTassel-Lopez

Blended family. Wife to Lenny. Homeschool mom. Large family- eight boys and one girl... ONLY five still at home. Texas born and raised.

Cheap Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to feed 4 people with $10? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  1. Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  2. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  3. Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  4. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  5. Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  6. Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  7. White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  8. Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Apr 2, 2023

What to make for dinner when you don't have much food? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  1. 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  2. 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  3. 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  4. 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  5. 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  6. 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

How to feed 30 people cheaply? ›

Cheap tricks for the best outdoor cookouts.
  1. 1 / 7. Hot Dog Snack Board. ...
  2. 2 / 7. No-Cook Dip and Veggie Summer Board. ...
  3. 3 / 7. Instant Pot Pulled Porchetta Sandwiches. ...
  4. 4 / 7. Chicken Caesar Salad Skewers. ...
  5. 5 / 7. Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad. ...
  6. 6 / 7. Fish Tacos. ...
  7. 7 / 7. Ice Cream Sandwiches for a Crowd.
Apr 19, 2023

How do you feed a family of 5 for $10? ›

Family Dinners Under $10
  1. 1 / 10. Quick and Easy Sloppy Joes. ...
  2. 2 / 10. Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet. ...
  3. 3 / 10. 5-Ingredient Baked Potato Soup. ...
  4. 4 / 10. French Onion Frittata. ...
  5. 5 / 10. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala. ...
  6. 6 / 10. Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatballs. ...
  7. 7 / 10. One-Pot BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls. ...
  8. 8 / 10. Tomato Tortellini Soup.

What is the cheapest meal you can live by? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

What is the cheapest food that can feed a lot of people? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  • Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  • Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  • The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  • Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  • Sausage Casserole. ...
  • Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  • Quiche Lorraine. ...
  • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

What are some cheap meals to make? ›

65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Burritos. tasty.co. ...
  • Chili Lime Baked Tilapia With Avocado Crema. ...
  • Barbecue Beer Can Chicken. ...
  • Energy-Boosting Buddha Bowl. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles with Kale Pesto. ...
  • Chicken & Biscuit Bake. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Pesto Chicken Bake.
Dec 21, 2023

How do you feed a family of 4 on a tight budget? ›

My tips are:
  1. Never use ready meals because they are very expensive. ...
  2. Buy cheap cuts of meat and cheaper meats, such as pork and chicken.
  3. Buy fresh vegetables.
  4. Cook all your meals from scratch and cook in bulk, portion and freeze whatever you won't eat now.
  5. Don't fall for special offers that are of no use.
Oct 9, 2021

What to eat instead of dinner? ›

Healthy dinner options include:
  • Grilled Chicken: Lean protein source with minimal fat.
  • Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart health.
  • Quinoa: Protein-packed and fiber-rich grain.
  • Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, or Swiss chard for vitamins and minerals.
  • Sweet Potatoes: High in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Apr 20, 2023

How can I eat large amounts of food without feeling full? ›

Nutrition Tips for Managing Feeling Full Quickly
  1. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
  2. Avoid foods and actions that may cause gas or bloating.
  3. Drink liquids between meals rather than during meals.
  4. Keep your head up after meals.

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

So we rounded up our favorite easy weeknight dinner recipes you can make in just 15 minutes — from comforting pastas to hearty rice bowls.
  1. Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles. ...
  2. Bacon Avocado Caesar Salad. ...
  3. Cacio e Pepe. ...
  4. 5-Ingredient Zucchini Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce. ...
  5. Italian Chopped Salad. ...
  6. Easiest Garlic Bread Pizza.
Nov 8, 2023

How to feed 100 people cheap? ›

Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

How can I eat less than 50 dollars a week? ›

My Seven-Day Dinner Meal Plan With $50 Groceries
  1. Sunday: Roast Chicken, Potatoes, and Green Beans.
  2. Monday: Chicken and Broccoli Cheesy Spaghetti.
  3. Tuesday: Chicken Fried Rice.
  4. Wednesday: Chili.
  5. Thursday: Chili Dogs.
  6. Friday: Bacon and Potato Soup.
  7. Saturday: Homemade Mac and Cheese.
Jan 25, 2024

What is the cheapest way to cook a meal? ›

Use a slow cooker for some meals instead of the oven as slow cookers are more energy efficient despite being used for longer periods of time. Batch cook meals and freeze or chill the leftovers so that they can later be reheated in the microwave.

How do you make a low budget meal? ›

Enjoy grains more often. Grains such as rice, pasta, barley and couscous are inexpensive and can be used in many different recipes. Try them in soups, stews and salads such as Lentil Bolognese and Curry Chickpea Pasta Salad.

How to cook really cheap? ›

31 Insanely Smart Ways To Save Money When You Cook
  1. Respect the whole roasted chicken. ...
  2. Cook less meat, in general. ...
  3. Cook dried beans instead of buying canned. ...
  4. Learn to love eggs. ...
  5. Use your slow cooker. ...
  6. Buy big cuts or packages of meat and stretch it out over multiple meals.
Apr 5, 2015

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