Feeding your family doesn’t have to mean spending a lot. With grocery prices rising, it helps to have a few go-to dinners that are both easy and affordable. These 15 dinner recipes are simple to make, full of flavor, and won’t drain your budget. You don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make a meal everyone will enjoy. If you’re looking for smart ways to save money while still putting good food on the table, this list has you covered.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
This cheesy beef and rice casserole brings together simple ingredients in a way that’s filling, tasty, and easy on the wallet. It uses ground beef, rice, and melty cheese to make a meal that feels like comfort food without costing a lot. When you need a dinner that feeds everyone and still sticks to your budget, this one gets the job done.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
This creamy soup uses chickpeas and tomatoes to create a thick, hearty meal that doesn’t cost much at all. It’s one of those budget meals that feels rich without using anything fancy or expensive. If you’re looking to stretch your grocery budget without giving up on flavor, this is a smart recipe to try.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is packed with flavor from ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The mix of chicken, beans, and corn makes it hearty enough to keep everyone full while still being light on your budget. When time and money are short, this soup is a solid go-to.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Lemon Butter Pasta
Lemon butter pasta proves you can get a great dinner on the table fast without spending much at all. The bright lemon flavor and creamy butter sauce come together with just a few cheap ingredients. It’s one of the easiest ways to stretch your grocery budget while still making something that tastes fresh and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Tomato Soup
Tomato soup is smooth, rich, and easy to make using low-cost pantry staples. You don’t need anything fancy to get a bowl full of flavor that feels filling and warm. For a simple and affordable dinner that still tastes good, this recipe works every time.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
This pasta dish brings together juicy tomatoes and creamy ricotta for a meal that’s both filling and budget-friendly. It takes just a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes to make something that feels fresh without being expensive. When you want a dinner that saves money and still feels like a win, this is the one to try.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Tomato Basil Bisque
Tomato basil bisque is smooth and creamy, and it only takes a few simple ingredients to make. It’s one of those rich, comforting meals that tastes expensive but keeps your grocery bill low. If you’re looking for a way to stretch your food budget without sacrificing flavor, this soup delivers.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe is made with just pasta, cheese, and pepper, but it still manages to feel like something special. This dish proves that great dinners don’t need a long list of ingredients or a big budget. When you want something tasty, quick, and cheap, this is the recipe to make.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
These lasagna roll-ups take all the best parts of classic lasagna and make them faster, cheaper, and easier. You still get layers of cheese, sauce, and noodles, but without all the extra steps or cost. It’s a smart way to stretch your grocery budget and still enjoy a hearty, filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Air fryer tortilla pizza uses crispy tortillas instead of dough to keep things simple and cheap. You can top them with whatever you have on hand, which makes them perfect for a fun, budget-friendly meal. When you want something quick and satisfying without spending much, this recipe hits the mark.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This broccoli cheddar soup is creamy, cheesy, and ready in no time thanks to the Instant Pot. With just a few low-cost ingredients, you can make a dinner that tastes rich but is easy on your wallet. It’s a great pick for busy nights when you want to stretch your grocery budget with something warm and filling.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese adds bacon and tomatoes for extra flavor while keeping things affordable and easy to make. It’s creamy, cheesy, and hearty enough to feed a crowd without costing a lot. When you want a budget-friendly dinner that still feels like a treat, this one delivers.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Tuna and tomato pasta uses canned tuna and simple ingredients to make a filling meal that’s packed with flavor. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a budget dinner that still feels like real food. If you’re trying to keep grocery costs down without sacrificing taste, this recipe helps make that possible.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Spicy Tuna Rolls
These spicy tuna rolls let you enjoy sushi-style flavors at home using canned tuna and a few basic ingredients. They come together fast and don’t cost much, making them perfect for a fun dinner that won’t mess up your budget. If you’re craving something different but still need a low-cost meal, this recipe works great.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
This dish turns everything you like about egg rolls into a quick and easy one-pan dinner. It uses ground chicken and veggies to make a meal that’s full of flavor but low in cost. When you need something fast, filling, and budget-friendly, this one checks all the boxes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl