23 easy and budget-friendly bites we’d make every night

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Dinner getting boring? This recipe list has 23 cheap and easy meals that are so good, you won’t believe how affordable they are. Ditch the takeout menus and get ready to cook up some delicious and affordable meals.

Image shows an overhead shot of an open face Pesto and Sundried Tomato Tuna Salad sandwich.
Pesto and Sundried Tomato Tuna Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Image shows baked cheesy chicken enchiladas in a blue Pyrex casserole.
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Short on time but craving Mexican food? These enchiladas use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut, making them a delicious and budget-friendly meal you can whip up in no time.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Fried Rice

Images shows a white Bowl of chicken fried rice.
Chicken Fried Rice. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Don’t throw away leftover chicken! Turn it into a delicious and easy meal with this chicken fried rice recipe. You can add your favorite veggies, making it a great way to clean out the fridge and have a fun dinner together.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Lemon Roasted Chicken

Lime marinated grilled chicken sliced on a red plate over rice.
Lemon Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Brighten up your dinner with this lemon-roasted chicken. The lemon adds a refreshing twist to the classic roasted chicken, making it a simple yet delicious and affordable meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken

Pizza Rolls

Image shows a Pizza roll on a white plate in front of a pyrex with the rest of the batch in it.
Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Take a fun twist on classic pizza with these pizza rolls. Made with rotisserie chicken, spinach, cheese, and sauce, they’re perfect for a game night or a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Image shows a closeup view of tuna and tomato pasta in a white patterned bowl.
Tuna and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This simple pasta dish is so easy to make that even kids can help! It’s a great option for a quick and affordable weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Image shows a lasagna roll up on a white plaet.
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tired of spending hours making lasagna? These lasagna roll-ups come together in minutes and offer all the cheesy goodness of lasagna without the long baking time. They’re perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

Image shows an overhead shot of an open face Pesto and Sundried Tomato Tuna Salad sandwich.
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This is a grown-up twist on classic tuna salad. It’s still an easy recipe, but with the addition of pesto and sundried tomatoes, it offers a more complex and flavorful option for lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

Creamy Pea Pasta

Image shows Creamy Pea Pasta in an enameled cast iron pot.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Craving creamy comfort food? This vegetarian pasta with peas is budget-friendly, easy to make, and full of flavor. It’s a great option for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta

Pizza Pot Pies

Image shows a fork with a great cheese pull taking a bite from a blue ramekin containing a chicken pizza pot pie.
Pizza Pot Pies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

These individual pot pies are filled with chicken, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings, all wrapped in a flaky crust. They’re a fun twist on pizza night and perfect for using leftover chicken.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies

Bacon Egg Salad

Image shows a bacon egg salad sandwich on a white plate sitting on a wooden table.
Bacon Egg Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Give your egg salad a salty and delicious upgrade with this recipe that adds leftover bacon. It’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients and perfect for a sandwich or lettuce wrap.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad

Tomato Basil Bisque

Image shows a close up of a bowl of Tomato Basil Bisque with grated parmesan on top of it.
Tomato Basil Bisque. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip the expensive canned soup and make this fresh tomato basil bisque instead. Packed with flavor and made with simple ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly way to warm up on a chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

Chicken and Dumplings

Image shows Chicken and dumplings on a spoon with more in the backgroumd.
Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip the takeout and make comforting chicken and dumplings at home instead! This recipe uses leftover chicken to create fluffy dumplings and a flavorful broth, all for a budget-friendly price.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Image shows A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli around it.
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This creamy and cheesy broccoli cheddar soup is quick to make in an Instant Pot. It’s a comforting and flavorful meal that’s filling and flavorful while being easy on your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Image shows a closeup of chicken egg roll in a bowl in a blue enameled cast iron pot.
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Craving takeout but want to save money? This chicken egg roll in a bowl recipe is the perfect solution. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor, making it a delicious and affordable meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Overhead shot of chicken tortilla soup in a red bowl on wooden table with tortilla strips on the soup.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This chicken tortilla soup is quick, easy, and hearty. Made with chicken, beans, and corn, it’s a flavorful and budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Grown up mac and cheese in a casserole dish.
Grown Up Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Take your mac and cheese to the next level with this recipe that adds in tomatoes and bacon. It’s a flavorful and budget-friendly twist on a classic comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Image shows a wooden spoon holding a scoop of Mexican skillet quinoa with the full pot behind it.
Mexican Skillet Quinoa. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This protein-packed quinoa dish is full of flavor and budget-friendly. Black beans, corn, and salsa add bursts of flavor and essential nutrients, making it a healthy and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Image shows an overhead shot of Easy Cheesy Stuffed Shells with a small plate holding one and the rest of the pan next to it.
Cheesy Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

These gooey stuffed shells are perfect for a vegetarian meal that won’t break the bank. They’re full of flavor and comfort, making them a great option for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Image shows Chicken tortellini soup in a ceramic enameled pot with a wooden spoon stirring it.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This comforting soup is made with leftover rotisserie chicken and cheese tortellini, making it a delicious and cheap way to use up leftovers. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Cacio e Pepe

Image shows a plate with cacio e pepe in a neat pile topped with shaved parmesan cheese.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This cheesy pasta dish is surprisingly cheap and quick to make, taking only 15 minutes. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something comforting and delicious without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

Potato Gnocchi

Image shows a bowl of Potato Gnocchi with grated cheese atop it.
Potato Gnocchi. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Homemade gnocchi might sound fancy, but it’s actually quite easy and cheap to make. These pillowy dumplings are delicious and can be served with your favorite sauce for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi

Shortcut Chicken Salad

Image shows a Canned Chicken Salad sandwich on a wooden table.
Shortcut Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This no-cook chicken salad is a lifesaver on hot days. Made with canned chicken and simple ingredients, it’s perfect for a quick and refreshing lunch without spending a lot.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad

Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Image shows a closeup of a spoon holding some Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole with the full skillet behind it.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This hearty casserole is full of flavor and perfect for feeding a crowd. Made with ground beef, rice, and cheese, it’s a cheap and easy way to get a satisfying meal on the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

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