Planning a budget dinner that’s easy on your wallet and still hits the spot? You’ve landed in the right place. These 21 budget-friendly recipes are not only light on the wallet but are also simple to make. Forget about hours in the kitchen or breaking the bank at the grocery store. Whether you’re looking to stretch your dollars or just want a great meal without the stress, these dishes are here to save your evening.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This casserole is simple, hearty and fits right into a strict budget. It mixes frozen broccoli and cauliflower, steamed until tender, and then smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. You’ll top it with crispy bacon bits and bake until bubbling and golden. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and a lifesaver on hectic evenings.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you have canned tuna and egg noodles, you already have this recipe’s main ingredients. Ready in less than an hour, you’ll cook the noodles, mix them with tuna, peas, cheddar and cream sauce, top them with cheddar and panko, and bake until the top is golden brown. It’s the perfect example of easy and budget cooking. This dish is also freezer-friendly, so you can make it in advance or store your leftovers in the fridge for ready-meal later.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This is easy on the wallet and even easier to make. Toss sausage and veggies on a pan, bake for 30 minutes, and you’ve got a fast, budget-friendly meal. It’s also customizable, as you can substitute the veggies with what you have on hand. Perfect for when you’re in a hurry but still watching your spending.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Here’s a hearty and filling dinner that your wallet will absolutely thank you for. This casserole combines ground beef, rice, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and cheese in one pot and is broiled until golden brown. It’s ready in 45 minutes and made with simple ingredients you may already have on hand. Great for filling up without spending hours in the kitchen or dipping too deep into your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned chicken patties are always a smart pick for budget-friendly dinners. Mix together canned chicken with the rest of the ingredients, form them into patties, and pan fry until crispy and golden. Ready in 20 minutes, they’re versatile and straightforward, making dinner time stress-free and cost-effective. Perfect for nights when you want to save time and money without compromising on a good meal.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Slow-cooker meals are the champ when you want to make your budget work harder for you. This recipe only needs 20 minutes of prep time. You’ll brown the ground beef, toss it with the rest of the ingredients in the Crock Pot, and set the timer — that’s it! It’s made with relatively inexpensive ingredients (that you probably already have on hand), making this one an easy dinner you’ll want to make over and over again.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Make this in 20 minutes and have a filling and delicious dinner that won’t strain your budget. Start by cooking the chicken chunks and toss them in the garlic butter sauce until coated evenly. Garnish the chicken bites with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and parsley, and you’re done. It’s an unbeatable option for those evenings when time is tight, but you’re still craving something special.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Cabbage and Sausage
Simple ingredients can still create hearty and flavorful meals without emptying your wallet. Combining the humble yet nutritious cabbage with sausage, it delivers a one-pan meal that’s both economical and flavorful. It’s ready in 25 minutes and can be served as a main meal or as a side to your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This recipe turns the beloved chicken pot pie into a flavorful and budget-friendly soup. It’s made with the same flavorful and simple ingredients of the classic pot pie, like chicken chunks, potatoes, carrots, peas, onions, and corn. You’ll simmer all the ingredients until done and then serve. It’s ready in just an hour and a great way to gather everyone around the table for a meal that’s comforting but still mindful of your budget.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
For a budget-friendly meal, try this chicken in creamy mushroom sauce. It’s a flavorful one-pan meal you can make in just 30 minutes. Featuring chicken thighs in a creamy mushroom sauce, this dish is a great option for a weeknight dinner or an impressive date night meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
These cucumber boats are a fun and budget-friendly way to enjoy dinner or a hearty snack. Filled with a mix of simple ingredients like canned chicken, crispy bacon, and cheese stuffed into crunchy cucumber boats, these are super quick to assemble and even quicker to disappear from your plate. This recipe is a great go-to for anyone looking for a meal that’s both affordable and still easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This hearty skillet dinner is a joy to make and an affordable one at that. It’s made with simple ingredients you may already have on hand and is a perfect option for beginner cooks or for those who don’t enjoy cooking. You’ll start by cooking the ground beef and the cauliflower rice, combining all the ingredients in a single skillet, and topping it off with shredded cheddar once done. It’s ready in about 30 minutes and a great go-to on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Broccoli Casserole
If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly dish that doesn’t skimp on taste, this Broccoli Casserole is your answer. Ready in less than an hour, it uses affordable pantry staples like broccoli, canned mushroom soup, and crackers. Start by steaming the broccoli, mixing it with the creamy sauce, topping it with cheese and crushed crackers, and baking until golden — that’s it. It’s super easy to make and won’t keep you in the kitchen for hours.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Green Chile Chicken
If you have leftover chicken, you can make it into a new dish like this Green Chile Chicken. Ready in just 20 minutes using a single skillet, it’s a speedy solution to dinner that uses cost-effective ingredients like leftover or rotisserie chicken and canned green chiles. It’s the perfect choice for a flavorful, affordable meal that comes together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Here’s another affordable dinner that’s both easy to make and delicious. This Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken with Cream Cheese features chicken breasts seasoned with spices and topped with cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Everything is baked in just one pan and can be served in 30 minutes. Serve with a simple side salad or steamed broccoli for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
If you love jalapeño poppers, you’ll love this chicken salad version. It’s made with the same ingredients, like chicken, bacon, jalapeno, and mayonnaise (or sour cream), and is pretty straightforward to make. It’s great for meal prep and a smart choice for anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful meal without going over budget.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This meal brings together bacon with cabbage for a dish that’s easy on the budget. It’s super easy to make as you’ll saute everything together and just season it to your liking. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a simple yet delicious way to enjoy dinner without spending a lot.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup is a great go-to option for a quick, flavorful meal that won’t break the bank. You’ll simmer chicken, carrots, corn, potatoes and onions in a creamy broth and have it ready for everyone in less than an hour. It’s a budget-friendly way to serve up a hearty meal, especially for those who don’t want to spend all night cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
These canned salmon patties are a budget-friendly seafood option that’s ready in 30 minutes. You’ll start by mixing the ingredients, forming the patties, pan-frying everything until golden brown, and topping it off with a drizzle of Lemon Dill Aioli before serving. These patties are perfect for anyone looking for an affordable meal that’s easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
This dish is all about saving money without skimping on taste. Chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella are all baked together in a single dish until bubbling and golden. It’s an easy, budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for beginner cooks who are newer to family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Make dinner easy and affordable with this easy and hearty casserole. It’s ready in 30 minutes and mixes ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and spices in one dish. It’s a great choice for a cheap, easy dinner on busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
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