25 budget-friendly recipes that taste like restaurant dishes

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Explore the flavors of a restaurant meal without breaking the bank with our collection of 25 budget-friendly recipes that bring the excitement of your favorite restaurants to your home kitchen. You don’t need a culinary degree or a lengthy list of expensive ingredients; these recipes are designed to be accessible, simple, and wallet-friendly. From comforting slow-cooked classics to quick and savory sheet pan wonders, each dish promises to deliver a dining experience that rivals your go-to restaurant, all while keeping your budget intact.

Say goodbye to expensive takeout and hello to delicious homemade dishes that won’t strain your wallet. With a focus on simplicity and cost-effectiveness, our collection brings you a variety of flavors and cuisines that capture the essence of dining out. Get ready to savor the satisfaction of restaurant-quality meals without the hefty price tag, all within the comfort of your own home.

Closeup overhead shot of 3 crispy chicken thighs in a black cast iron skillet.
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

A crock pot full of sausage, peppers, and marinara sauce.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Embrace a wallet-friendly dinner with slow cooker sausage and peppers, a comforting dish that combines savory sausages with vibrant bell peppers. This economical recipe delivers a hearty meal that satisfies both your appetite and your budget.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner

Roasted chicken apple sausage, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and shallots on a sheet tray.
Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Enjoy a harvest sheet pan dinner that not only warms the heart but is also wallet-friendly. With a medley of seasonal vegetables and flavorful chicken sausage, this inexpensive meal is a delightful way to bring a taste of autumn to your table without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner

Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup

Warm up with instant pot navy bean soup, a wallet-friendly and hearty option that’s perfect for chilly days. Packed with nutritious navy beans and savory flavors, this economical soup is a wholesome choice that won’t break the bank.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and a green linen.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Dive into the deliciousness of slow cooker chicken enchiladas, a budget-friendly option that rivals any restaurant dish. With tender chicken and zesty enchilada sauce, this economical dish brings the warmth of Mexican cuisine to your dinner without straining your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner

Simplify dinner without sacrificing taste with the sheet pan chicken sausage dinner, an economical choice that ensures a fuss-free meal. With a medley of seasoned sausage and roasted vegetables, this budget-friendly dish lets you enjoy a flavorful dinner with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner

Sausage Spinach Quiche

A closeup of a sausage spinach quiche is shown with a red linen.
Sausage Spinach Quiche. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Delight in a budget-friendly meal with sausage spinach quiche, a comforting and economical choice for any time of day. The combination of savory sausage and wholesome spinach creates a flavorful filling encased in a golden crust, offering a wallet-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Spinach Quiche

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Enjoy a budget-friendly dinner with cast iron chicken thighs, a simple and economical choice that guarantees juicy and flavorful results. Cooked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet, these thighs offer a delicious meal without putting a dent in your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Caprese Stuffed Chicken

Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback on a baking tray.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Indulge in a budget-friendly gourmet experience with caprese stuffed chicken. This economical recipe combines the freshness of tomatoes, the richness of mozzarella, and the tenderness of chicken for a delightful meal that feels indulgent without straining your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Stuffed Chicken

Tuna Pesto Pasta

Elevate your dinner without breaking the bank with tuna pesto pasta, a cheap and cheerful option that delivers on flavor. The simplicity of tuna combined with the richness of pesto creates a satisfying and wallet-friendly pasta dish that’s perfect for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pesto Pasta

Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Spice up your dinner routine with easy slow cooker salsa chicken, a budget-friendly dish that’s big on flavor. The combination of tender chicken and zesty salsa creates a delicious and economical meal that’s sure to be a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

25 Minute Black Bean Burger

A black bean burger in a burger bap with relish oozing out over it.
25 Minute Black Bean Burger. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Embrace a wallet-friendly veggie option with the 25-minute black bean burger, a quick and economical recipe that doesn’t skimp on taste. Packed with black beans and flavorful spices, this budget-friendly burger is a delightful alternative for a meatless dinner.
Get the Recipe: 25 Minute Black Bean Burger

Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Experience a comforting and wallet-friendly dinner with instant pot tortellini soup. This economical soup combines the convenience of the Instant Pot with the richness of tortellini for a satisfying meal that’s both quick and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

Hot honey lemon pepper wings on a dark blue plate surrounded by lemon pepper, lemons, a white linen, and lemonade.
Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Elevate your wings game with hot honey lemon pepper wings, a budget-friendly and flavorful option for a satisfying snack or dinner. The combination of heat, sweetness, and citrusy zing creates an economical yet indulgent treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

Blackened Chicken Thighs

Blackened chicmen thighs in a white dish.
Blackened Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Enjoy the bold flavors of blackened chicken thighs, a budget-friendly option that brings a touch of Cajun spice to your dinner. With a crispy exterior and juicy interior, these economical thighs are a delightful and satisfying choice that’ll blow your favorite chicken restaurant out of the water.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Thighs

Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

Cheddar stuffed turkey meatballs served with zoodles.
Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dive into a budget-friendly dinner with cheddar-stuffed turkey meatballs, a flavorful and economical option that satisfies both kids and adults. The melted cheddar center adds a delightful surprise to these wallet-friendly meatballs, making them a hit at any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

Sweet and savory come together in slow cooker honey mustard chicken, a budget-friendly and delicious option for an easy dinner. The combination of honey and mustard creates a flavorful glaze that transforms economical chicken into a mouthwatering meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

Hearty Marinara Sauce

A closeup of hearty marinara sauce in a wooden spoon over a pot of finished marinara sauce.
Hearty Marinara Sauce. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Elevate your pasta night with a hearty marinara sauce, a budget-friendly option that bursts with the flavors of ripe tomatoes and aromatic herbs. This economical sauce brings a taste of Italy to your dinner without stretching your wallet. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a restaurant-quality meal.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Marinara Sauce

Soy Garlic Wings

Soy garlic wings on a blue plate surrounded by a white linen, a glass of bear, soy ginger sauce, and cloves of garlic.
Soy Garlic Wings. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Enjoy a wallet-friendly take on classic wings with soy garlic wings, a flavorful and economical choice for a tasty snack or meal. The sticky glaze of soy and garlic creates an irresistible coating, making these wings a budget-friendly treat that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Get the Recipe: Soy Garlic Wings

Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

Warm up with chicken and cabbage soup with ginger, an economical and comforting option for a nourishing dinner. The aromatic ginger adds a delightful zing to the broth, creating an economical soup that soothes and satisfies.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

Turkey Smash Burgers

A turkey smash burger on a wooden cutting board in front of subway tile.
Turkey Smash Burgers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Upgrade your burger night with turkey smash burgers, a budget-friendly and lean alternative that doesn’t sacrifice taste. The flattened, juicy patties offer a mouthful of savory goodness, making each bite a delightful and economical treat that’s just as delicious as any restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Smash Burgers

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

pasta aglio olio e peperoncino is mixed with a black pasta fork.
Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This Aglio Olio e Peperoncino pairs pasta with garlic cooked until just golden, rich olive oil, fresh basil and spicy Calabrian chili peppers for a delicious and elegant meal that won’t break the bank. Enjoy a simply but upscale dinner that’s just like a restaurant meal.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Dive into the tenderness of slow cooker pulled chicken, a budget-friendly option that transforms simple ingredients into a flavorful and economical meal. Perfectly seasoned and effortlessly shredded, this pulled chicken is versatile and sure to please everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Roasted Herbes de Provence Chicken

Transport your taste buds to the French countryside with roasted herbes de Provence chicken, a budget-friendly dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean flavors with the elegance of fine dining. The aromatic blend of herbs infuses the chicken with savory goodness, making it an economical yet sophisticated choice for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Herbes de Provence Chicken

Blackened Chicken Sandwich

Blackened chicken sandwich on a plate.
Blackened Chicken Sandwich. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Treat yourself to a flavorful blackened chicken sandwich, a budget-friendly option that brings a Cajun kick to your lunch or dinner. With perfectly seasoned chicken and your favorite toppings, this economical sandwich is a tasty choice that won’t break the bank.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Sandwich

Pan-Seared Salmon

Two salmon fillets in a white skillet.
Pan-Seared Salmon. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Elevate your dinner with pan-seared salmon, a budget-friendly and healthy option that’s both quick and delicious. The crispy exterior and tender interior of the salmon make this economical dish a delightful choice for those looking for a flavorful and wholesome meal that rivals your favorite restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Seared Salmon

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