Cheap and easy recipes don’t have to feel like a stretch. These meals are here to make dinnertime simpler without putting any pressure on your budget. No need for fancy ingredients or complex steps — just recipes that are quick to pull together and easy on your wallet.
Tuna Melt Quesadillas
Make Tuna Melt Quesadillas when you need something quick that doesn’t stretch your budget. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have crispy quesadillas stuffed with melted cheddar and tuna. It’s a practical way to use up pantry staples; if you have any leftovers, they reheat like a charm. This recipe works when you need dinner fast but still want something that hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Melt Quesadillas
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken gives you a special dinner feel without the special dinner price tag. You can whip this up in about 40 minutes using basic ingredients you already have. The chicken gets grilled to perfection and coated in a sweet and spicy honey glaze. Prep it ahead or throw it together at the last minute. Either way, you’re saving time and keeping things affordable.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is your answer to a filling, budget-friendly meal that’s super easy to throw together. Mix elbow macaroni with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, mustard, and sweet relish, and you’re done in about 40 minutes. Great for dinner, lunch, or a side dish, this one’s all about feeding everyone without overspending. A practical, affordable option for keeping meals simple and your wallet happy.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli makes weeknight dinners cheap and easy, with no fancy ingredients needed. Just layer frozen ravioli, marinara, and cheese, then bake. Ready in an hour, it’s perfect for when you’re low on time but want something cozy without a big cost or require a ton of work. Plus, using up any extra cheese you have around makes it even more budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Shake and Bake Pork Chops are the answer when you want dinner to be affordable and quick. Coat the pork chops in mayo, roll in breadcrumbs and herbs, then bake. In 30 minutes, you get a hearty meal without much hassle or cost. Pork chops are usually budget-friendly, especially if you buy in bulk, and they turn out great with this simple baking method. A practical way to enjoy a nice meal without going over budget.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is about simple cooking that won’t drain your budget. Toss sliced sausage with zucchini, peppers, and broccoli, then let the oven handle the rest. Enjoy a healthy meal in about 30 minutes. Plus, it’s a practical way to use up veggies before they go bad, cutting down on waste and cost.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole lets you enjoy the classic flavors of stuffed peppers without breaking the bank. With ground beef, rice, and bell peppers, it comes together in about 45 minutes. It’s perfect for meal prep, and you’re not wasting ingredients or cash. This dish is a solid choice for a budget-friendly dinner that keeps everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are an easy way to enjoy all the classic flavors without the extra work. It takes all the comfort of classic cabbage rolls and simplifies it into a simple weeknight meal ready in just an hour. Brown some ground beef with onions, add cabbage, rice, and spices, and let it simmer. It’s a budget-friendly and straightforward meal for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole hits the spot when you’re looking for comfort food that won’t hurt your wallet. It combines shredded chicken, frozen corn, and creamy mushroom soup, which is then topped with tater tots and shredded cheddar cheese. Enjoy a delicious dish in just 55 minutes. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a budget-friendly favorite for any weeknight. It features egg noodles, canned tuna, and a creamy sauce topped with breadcrumbs for that crunchy finish. Ready in about an hour, this meal uses ingredients you likely already have, allowing you to stretch your grocery budget while still filling up the family.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Reuben Bowls
Reuben Bowls pack all the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich into a quick meal minus the bread. You’ll get corned beef, coleslaw or shredded cabbage, sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese, all drizzled with Thousand Island dressing. It blends the saltiness of the corned beef, the tanginess of the sauerkraut, and the creaminess of the dressing. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a hearty, affordable meal without skimping on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole is a smart pick when you’re looking for a meal that’s both affordable and filling. Made with broccoli, mushroom soup, eggs, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and topped with cracker crumbs, it’s easy to whip up and perfect for using leftover veggies. This dish keeps your budget in check while serving your family a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is quick, affordable, and full of flavor. It features sliced sausage cooked with cabbage, onions, and spices, resulting in a flavorful and filling meal in just 20 minutes. This recipe is all about the cabbage, a veggie known for its versatility, soaking up flavors from the sausage to create a hearty taste. You get to save while keeping things delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Tuna Egg Salad
Tuna Egg Salad is the perfect go-to for a cheap and easy meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. This salad is creamy and filling with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, celery, onions, and pickles. It’s ready in 25 minutes, and you can make enough to last a few days, saving you time and energy. This one’s all about getting great flavor on a budget, with leftovers that keep you going.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Egg Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is your answer to a quick meal that’s easy on your wallet. In just 25 minutes, toss together pasta, leftover chicken, lettuce, and Caesar dressing for a filling meal. Add the croutons just before serving to keep their crunch. Great for casual dinners or meal prepping, this salad helps you skip takeout and stay on track without sacrificing taste.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is for those times you want a hands-off, hearty, budget-friendly meal. It combines dried split peas with ham, carrots, celery, and onions, all simmered in chicken broth for hours, developing a rich, comforting flavor. The soup can be made on low for over 8 to 10 hours or on high for about 4 to 6 hours. After a few hours, you’ll have a filling soup that’s big on flavor without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is a great way to get a budget-friendly meal on the table in no time. This 30-minute dish combines the convenience of frozen broccoli and cauliflower with a creamy cheese sauce and crispy bacon, all baked until bubbly and golden. It works well as a main for weeknight dinners and a delicious side for holiday gatherings. This dish is all about keeping costs low without losing out on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup is perfect for a cheap, no-stress meal that cooks itself. It combines ground beef, cream cheese, tomatoes with green chilies, and bold spices like chili powder and cumin, creating a smooth, slightly creamy texture with a gentle heat. Garnish with sour cream, cheddar cheese, or fresh cilantro for extra flavor. It’s easy to make in bulk, so you get more meals for less money.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
When you need something simple that keeps your budget in check, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a perfect choice. In just 20 minutes, this dish comes together easily. The chicken is seasoned with Italian herbs and paprika, giving each bite a bold flavor with a slight kick. Coated in a buttery garlic sauce and finished with fresh lemon juice and parsley, these bites are versatile — serve them over rice or salad or with veggies and potatoes for a heartier meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Canned Chicken Patties
For a fast, budget-friendly option, Canned Chicken Patties get the job done. Using canned chicken, eggs, Parmesan, and almond flour (or sunflower seed meal), these patties come together in about 20 minutes. Cooked up on the stovetop, serve it alone, with veggies, or as a sandwich on low-carb bread. Meal prep these patties and you have a reliable dinner without spending extra.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
White Bean Soup
White Bean Soup makes a hearty and budget-friendly meal with basic ingredients. Canned beans, spinach, and simple veggies come together to create a filling dish ready in about 40 minutes. With a mix of blended and whole cannellini beans, it’s naturally thick and creamy without needing flour or cream. It’s a great choice for cooler nights when you want something wholesome without splurging on ingredients.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a go-to for quick, affordable meals. It combines seasoned ground beef with cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and shredded cheddar cheese. The creamy texture comes from cream cheese and heavy whipping cream, while garlic powder and a dash of red pepper flakes add a gentle kick. This one-pan dinner pulls together in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a great pick when you need something hearty that won’t strain your budget. This 30-minute casserole combines ground beef, tender cauliflower rice, fresh spinach, and a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese. It’s easy to freeze and meal prep, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Leave a Reply