Cheap dinners are the heroes of a tight budget, keeping both you and your wallet full without compromising on flavor. This post is packed with 21 great recipes that prove you don’t need to spend a lot to eat well. Whether you’re looking to stretch your dollars further or just want to save some cash for other expenses, these meals are perfect for anyone who loves good food and smart spending.
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is a one-pan meal that’s easy on your wallet. Sliced cabbage and pre-cooked chicken sausage cook together until the cabbage is tender. It’s great on its own or served with rice or noodles. Mix things up by using a different protein or adding apples for a hint of sweetness. This budget-friendly dish stretches your food dollar and tastes awesome. Leftovers reheat well, making lunch or dinner the next day a breeze. Cabbage is an inexpensive vegetable that goes a long way, and paired with affordable chicken sausage, this meal is a cost-effective way to feed your family.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is perfect when you want to save cash without giving up flavor. Made with cheap ingredients like bell peppers, rice, ground meat, and canned tomatoes, this one-pot meal is ready in just 45 minutes. It’s a filling dish that shows you don’t need to spend a fortune for a flavorful meal. Plus, it can help you cut back on eating out. Pair it with a simple green salad for a well-rounded dinner, and enjoy the leftovers that reheat easily. Using budget-friendly ingredients and cooking everything in one pot saves both money and time on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a budget-friendly choice that’s big on taste. With just chicken, garlic, butter, and a few pantry basics, you can whip up a delicious meal in 20 minutes. It’s great for busy weeknights and using up what you already have on hand. This means you can create delectable dishes without spending a ton. Serve these bites over rice or mixed veggies, and save any leftovers for a cold salad topping or reheated meal later on. Chicken is an affordable protein option, and this recipe helps stretch it further by cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Shake and Bake Pork Chops
This budget-friendly Shake and Bake Pork Chops recipe is always a great option for a quick meal, requiring just a handful of pantry staples like mayonnaise, panko breadcrumbs, and a mix of common spices. In about 25 minutes, you can have pork chops on the table that are coated in a flavorful crust without the need for expensive ingredients or complicated cooking techniques. Using affordable cuts of pork and ingredients you likely already have on hand, this recipe is a cost-effective way to feed your family a delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are an easy and cheap meal option. With just a handful of ingredients like canned chicken, bacon, homemade ranch seasoning (made with pantry staples), and cucumbers, this dish is both fresh and budget-friendly. Keep things interesting by swapping chicken for tuna or adding extra veggies. These boats are perfect for a light lunch or snack any time of day, and making extra filling means quick and easy meal prep all week long. Using canned chicken and making your own ranch seasoning helps keep costs low, while cucumbers are an inexpensive vegetable that adds a refreshing crunch.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is a budget-friendly dish that’ll make your savings happy. Frozen broccoli and cauliflower are mixed with a cheesy sauce (made with milk, cheese, and pantry seasonings), topped with bacon, and baked to perfection in about 30 minutes. You can even stir in diced chicken before baking. This casserole shows how frozen veggies can be both cheap and delicious. Double the recipe and freeze one for later, so you always have a cozy meal ready to go. Using frozen vegetables is often cheaper than buying fresh, and they last longer in your freezer, reducing food waste and saving you money.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup is a great choice for anyone looking to save time and money. Just toss ground beef, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, canned beans, and taco seasoning in your crock pot for a filling meal that’s delicious solo or with crusty bread. Customize the heat by adjusting the chili powder or throwing in some jalapeños. This soup is all about easy, wallet-friendly cooking. Top it with a spoonful of sour cream to boost the flavors, and freeze leftovers for quick, delicious meals down the road. Using canned ingredients and cooking everything in the crock pot makes this meal budget-friendly and hands-off, perfect for busy days when you don’t have time to spend in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
This Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is a great pick when you’re on a budget. It’s super easy to make, even if you’re new to cooking. Just toss the split peas, carrots, celery, onion, and ham or bacon in your slow cooker and let it do the work. Cook it on low all day or high if you’re short on time. The best part? Leftovers taste just as good the next day, so you get more bang for your buck. Serve it with some crusty bread for dipping, and you’ve got a comforting meal that’s also freezer-friendly. Using cheap ingredients like split peas and vegetables, this soup is a budget-friendly way to feed a crowd or meal prep for the week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is a win for your budget. Mix any sausage with cheap veggies like potatoes, carrots, onions, and bell peppers, and roast them for about 30 minutes until everything’s nicely cooked through. A splash of balsamic vinegar adds a nice touch. Swap sausage for chicken or tofu if you like. It’s a fast (just 30 minutes from start to finish), nutritious, cheap meal for busy nights. Serve it with a quick salad for a complete dinner. This meal is also perfect for leftovers, so you’ll have a great meal ready for tomorrow, too. Using a sheet pan for cooking means less cleanup, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
The Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a go-to on tight-budget, busy days. Mix canned tuna, egg noodles, frozen peas, and cream of mushroom soup, then top it with breadcrumbs and bake. It’s awesome by itself or with a simple salad. Swap the tuna for canned chicken or canned salmon. It’s a comforting meal that doesn’t cost much. If you want something extra crunchy on top, sprinkle some fried onions on top before serving. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days, and they freeze really well if you want to save some for later.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Broccoli Casserole
For an affordable, easy dish, try this Broccoli Casserole. Blend chopped broccoli with cream of mushroom soup, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until golden. Mix in different cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan, or add cooked rice for more bulk. It’s a cheap way to get greens into your meals, showing you can eat healthily without spending a lot. Great with a side of garlic bread for dipping into the casserole. This casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and is freezer-friendly for longer storage. Using frozen broccoli and cream of mushroom soup keeps this recipe affordable and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Enjoy having breakfast foods for dinner? Whip up Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins for a fun twist on dinner that’s light on your wallet. These protein-packed muffins transform simple ingredients like cottage cheese, eggs, and leftover veggies into a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Not only do they help stretch your grocery dollars, but they also reduce food waste. Serve them up with a side of fresh fruit or yogurt for a complete meal that’s nutritious and economical. Plus, you can freeze any extras for mornings or nights when cooking just isn’t on the agenda.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Fajita Baked Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken is wallet-friendly and easy to make. In about 30 minutes, you have a great dinner ready. It’s good over rice or in tortillas. This dish is about enjoying flavorful meals without hassle or high costs. Squeeze some lime over it before serving for an extra zing. It stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days, and you can even freeze it to have a quick meal ready anytime. Using chicken breasts and pantry staples like fajita seasoning makes this dish budget-friendly and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Canned Chicken Patties
Canned Chicken Patties are quick, budget-friendly, and super delicious! They’re great with veggies on the side or in a sandwich. Try adding diced onions or bell peppers, or swap canned salmon for a different flavor. These patties are a smart way to use pantry staples, saving cash and reducing waste. Serve them with a side of sweet potato fries for a complete meal. Using canned chicken is an affordable protein option that helps keep this recipe budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Spinach Chicken Bake
The Spinach Chicken Bake yields a great meal without draining your wallet. Combine chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese, and bake until melty. It’s delicious alone or alongside pasta or rice. Swap spinach for kale or add sliced mushrooms for variety.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
The Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a dream for anyone on a budget! With ground beef, cauliflower rice, heavy cream, and spices, you can make a meal that’s easy on your wallet. It’s good as is or with shredded cheese on top for more flavor. Using ground turkey instead of beef works great, too. This dish is all about enjoying a hearty dinner without spending a lot. Adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top before serving can really brighten up the dish. Using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice helps keep this meal low-carb and budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup is budget-friendly and perfect for a comfy meal. With shredded chicken, canned corn, diced carrots, diced celery, and chicken broth, it’s ready in less than an hour. Best served hot, maybe with some crusty bread for dipping. Add egg noodles or cooked rice for a fuller meal. This soup is great for warming up without spending too much. A sprinkle of chopped parsley on top adds a fresh touch. Plus, it stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days or can be frozen for longer storage, making it a great option for meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a great way to save money without giving up on taste. You only need a few things: cabbage, bacon, onion, garlic, and some spices. It’s quick to make and packed with flavor, perfect on its own or as a side dish. Throw in some sliced apple for a touch of sweetness, or swap the bacon for sausage to change things up. This simple, budget-friendly meal is sure to be a hit. Add a splash of vinegar for an extra kick. Leftovers reheat well, so nothing goes to waste. Cabbage is an inexpensive vegetable that goes a long way, making this dish a smart choice for cheap dinners that treat your wallet right.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Green Chile Chicken
Green Chile Chicken is a perfect pick for cheap dinners that treat your wallet right. Use leftover chicken, toss in some green chiles, onion, garlic, and spices, and you’ve got a flavorful dish ready in just 20 minutes. It’s versatile, too — serve it over rice or stuff it in tacos for a fun meal. This dish is quick, easy, and loaded with flavor without breaking the bank. Top it with a spoonful of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. It’s great for meal prep, too, since it keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days or can be frozen for later. Using leftover chicken is a smart way to save money and reduce food waste.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Dive into this Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach without emptying your wallet. Mix ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, cheese, and some seasonings, then bake for a filling meal in just 30 minutes. It’s great on its own or with a side salad for extra veggies. Swapping beef for turkey or chicken works well, too. This casserole is a hearty, budget-friendly way to feed the whole family. Add some crushed red pepper flakes on top for those who like a bit of heat. Using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice is a great way to sneak in extra vegetables and make the meal more filling without adding to the cost.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a winner for both your taste buds and your budget. Mix shredded chicken, diced jalapeños, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and some seasonings for a salad that’s far from boring. It’s great on its own or wrapped up for a quick meal. Want more heat? Add extra jalapeños or hot sauce. This cheap dinner keeps things interesting without spending a lot. Serve it over crisp lettuce for a fresh, crunchy contrast. Using canned chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken is an easy way to save time and money when making this delicious salad.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad