Easy budget meals are more than just a relief for your wallet; they’re a chance to make something simple and good without any fuss. You don’t need to be a kitchen whiz to nail these recipes on the first try. Just a little bit of planning and some smart ingredient choices can get you far.
With these 17 recipes, we’re ticking the boxes for affordability, ease, and practicality. Think quick cooking times, one-pot wonders, and ingredients you may already have on hand. Whether you’re new to cooking or just want to keep things simple, these recipes are all about getting a filling meal on the table without breaking a sweat or the bank.
Cabbage and Sausage
This dish takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook, making it a time-saver for busy days. The ingredients are budget-friendly and easy to locate in any grocery store. Fully cooked chicken sausage reduces both the cooking time and the overall cost. A majority of the seasonings are pantry staples, eliminating the need for a separate shopping trip. Since everything is cooked in one pan, the cleanup is as straightforward as the cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole is a 30-minute meal designed with busy weeknights in mind. Ground beef and frozen spinach keep the ingredient list simple and affordable. The best part? It’s a one-dish affair, so you’re not stuck with a sink full of dishes after dinner. Combining affordability with convenience, this casserole has got your back for a no-fuss, budget-friendly meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Crock Pot Taco Soup
The Crock Pot does the heavy lifting in this recipe, turning out a hearty soup by dinner time. Ground beef serves as an economical protein source, while cream cheese and canned tomatoes enhance texture and flavor. Common pantry spices like chili powder and cumin mean you likely won’t need extra shopping. The cooking time is relatively short for a Crock Pot dish, and you only need one pot, easing the cleanup. This recipe offers a blend of convenience and budget-friendliness.
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Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
With just 30 minutes of cooking time, this dish is a boon for those juggling a busy schedule. Flexible in its choice of vegetables, it allows you to use whatever is most economical at the time. The use of a single sheet pan simplifies both cooking and cleaning. The straightforward process eliminates the need for complicated steps or multiple kitchen gadgets. The end result is a budget-friendly, easy-to-clean meal that doesn’t skimp on heartiness.
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Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
The oven does most of the work in this 30-minute meal, combining chicken breasts, spices, and peppers. Layering the ingredients is a quick prep step that takes just a few minutes. The use of a single baking dish aids in a quick cleanup. The recipe also focuses on cost-effective ingredients like chicken breasts and sweet mini peppers. This dish strikes a balance between affordability and ease of execution, making it a solid meal option.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Canned Chicken Patties
This 20-minute recipe uses canned chicken for both affordability and convenience. The patties are versatile enough to pair with vegetables or slide into sandwiches. It’s a simple and fast option, suitable for busy households. Additionally, it’s kid-friendly, ensuring a meal that’s agreeable to the whole family. It’s a reliable choice that requires minimal cooking time and is budget-conscious.
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Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Incorporating jalapeños and chicken, this salad is easy to make and great for a quick weekday meal. The ingredients are readily available and budget-friendly. Preparing it in advance offers the convenience of ready-to-go meal prep. The bulk of the ingredients may already be in your pantry or fridge. This salad is a cost-effective and convenient lunch or dinner option.
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Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This dish utilizes frozen vegetables, making it an economical choice that can be ready in 30 minutes. It needs just one baking dish, streamlining both preparation and cleanup. The creamy cheese sauce and bacon add flavor without complicating the recipe. It’s a versatile option, suitable for weeknights or even special occasions. This casserole proves that budget-friendly meals can still be versatile and simple to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This one-pan meal is ready in 30 minutes, ideal for those looking to save time on both cooking and cleaning. The recipe hinges on budget-friendly ingredients such as ground beef, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. The cooking process is straightforward, requiring no specialized techniques or equipment. This skillet meal is a practical choice focusing on budget-friendly ingredients and simplicity. All in all, it’s a dish that respects both your time and budget.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This quick, 25-minute dish focuses on affordable staples: cabbage, bacon, and onion. A single pan is all you need for cooking; the fewer dishes, the easier the cleanup. The simplicity of the ingredient list makes it accessible and easy to shop for. Because it comes together quickly, it’s a handy option for hectic evenings. The dish shows uncomplicated and budget-conscious cooking can still yield a filling meal.
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Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
With a 30-minute cooking time, this dish is optimal for weeknight dinners. The simple preparation involves baking chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella in one dish. Cleanup is straightforward, thanks to the one-dish design. Budget-friendly ingredients make this an economical choice. This casserole offers a time-saving, cost-effective, and simple-to-clean meal solution.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This recipe takes just 30 minutes and uses a single pan, making it a practical choice for quick dinners. Chicken and a creamy mushroom sauce provide a simple yet flavorful pairing. This dish is easy to execute with budget-friendly ingredients resulting in an impressive and memorable dish. The limited kitchenware needed ensures an effortless cleanup. It’s a straightforward yet flavorful option for those on a tight schedule and budget.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Ready in 20 minutes, this one-skillet recipe gives new life to leftover chicken thighs. Green chile adds a flavor boost without adding complexity or cost. This dish is easy to assemble and light on the wallet. With a single skillet needed, cleanup is as easy as it gets. The recipe is a practical way to repurpose leftovers while staying budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Using hollowed-out cucumbers as vessels adds a creative twist to this quick dish. It utilizes canned chicken, bacon, and cheese for a recipe that’s both budget-friendly and easy to make. The total prep and cooking time is under an hour, making it a great quick lunch or snack option. The straightforward ingredients list means no special shopping trips are necessary.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili
This one-pot turkey chili balances sweet and spicy flavors and is ready in just over an hour. Ground turkey is an affordable protein source that pairs well with the seasoning. Its one-pot nature facilitates both cooking and cleaning, adding to its practicality. The recipe is simple to follow, ensuring a foolproof cooking experience. Given its modest time and cost requirements, it’s a reliable option for budget-conscious meals.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili
Chicken Corn Soup
This soup is a quick meal, ready in less than an hour and cooked in a single pot. Tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a flavorful broth make up the core ingredients. Since it’s a one-pot dish, cleanup is minimal, making it even more convenient. The recipe focuses on readily available and affordable ingredients. This soup is a time-saver and a budget-friendly choice for a filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
In 30 minutes, these salmon patties are ready, using cost-effective canned salmon. Pan-frying is the main cooking method, keeping preparation simple. Jalapeño and cayenne add a flavor boost without inflating the cost. This recipe is both time-efficient and budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties