Dinner doesn’t have to be expensive to taste good. These 23 recipes are proof that you can eat well and still stick to your budget. Each one is easy to make, filling, and made with simple ingredients you might already have. If you’re trying to spend less at the store but still want meals that hit the spot, these recipes are worth a try.
Potato Corn Chowder
Cozy up with a bowl of this thick, creamy chowder that tastes like something way more expensive. Made with simple ingredients like potatoes, corn, and bacon, this one fills you up without emptying your wallet. It’s an easy-to-make budget-friendly recipe that turns a few cheap basics into a comfort meal that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Crack open a can of tuna and turn it into a dinner that’s fast, tasty, and way more exciting than it sounds. This dish comes together with pantry staples and gives you big flavor on a tiny budget. It’s a smart, budget-friendly dinner idea that keeps your grocery bill in check.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Blend up a few cans from the pantry and end up with a soup that’s smooth, rich, and packed with protein. This one feels hearty enough for dinner, even without meat, and still costs less than takeout. It’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget without skimping on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Mix up something bold, fresh, and easy that doesn’t cost much or take long. This salad uses jarred pesto and sundried tomatoes to give canned tuna a serious flavor boost. It’s an easy-to-make budget-friendly recipe that proves lunch or dinner can still feel fancy on a dime.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Creamy Pea Pasta
Give your pasta night a twist with this creamy, cheesy dish that stars frozen peas and a short ingredient list. It’s a low-cost way to make something warm and satisfying without a lot of work. This is one of those budget-friendly meals that’s simple, quick, and always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Let the Instant Pot turn a few budget basics into a full pot of steaming comfort. This chicken noodle soup is cozy, filling, and fast enough for a busy night. For a budget-friendly dinner that saves time and money, this one’s tough to beat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Turn a can of beans into something rich, creamy, and full of herby flavor. This one-pot soup is hearty enough to stand alone and won’t leave your wallet hurting. It’s a go-to budget-friendly recipe that feels like comfort food in every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Bake up a one-pan meal that’s cheesy, filling, and made for feeding the whole crew. Ground beef and rice come together with just a few extras for a dish that feels like more than the sum of its parts. It’s a delicious dinner recipe that keeps your wallet and belly full without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Tomato Soup
Pour a few cans into a pot and stir your way to something that tastes homemade and hearty. This tomato soup is creamy, comforting, and costs almost nothing to make. It’s a simple, budget-friendly dinner that goes great with grilled cheese and an easy night in.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Make mac and cheese feel brand-new with a little bacon, a few tomatoes, and a whole lot of flavor. This version keeps the comfort but adds a twist, all without costing more than a few bucks. It’s an easy-to-make recipe that’s fun, filling, and friendly to your food budget.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Skip the pricey takeout and make your own sushi-style rolls at home using canned tuna and basic pantry items. These little bites are spicy, satisfying, and way cheaper than anything from a restaurant. It’s a clever budget-friendly recipe that turns simple stuff into something special.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Take your dinner in a fresh direction with this light and zesty mix of chicken, orzo, and herbs. It looks and tastes like a restaurant meal but costs just a few dollars to make. When you need something quick, easy, and cheap, this budget-friendly recipe gets the job done.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Ditch the deep fryer and throw everything you love about egg rolls into one fast, flavorful skillet. Ground chicken, cabbage, and sauce make it taste like takeout, but it costs a whole lot less. This is a delicious dinner idea that keeps your wallet and belly full without extra mess.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken and Rice Soup
Use a few kitchen staples to build a pot of soup that’s warm, filling, and doesn’t break the bank. Chicken, rice, and broth simmer together into something that’s comforting without being complicated. It’s a great pick for anyone looking for a budget-friendly dinner that feels like home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Cream of Celery Soup
Make a silky, savory soup out of a veggie that’s often forgotten in the fridge. This recipe uses basic ingredients and a little butter to create something rich without being pricey. When your grocery list is short, this soup is a clever and cheap solution.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Celery Soup
Lemon Butter Pasta
Brighten up your pasta night with a little lemon, some butter, and a lot of flavor. This dish feels light and fresh but costs less than a coffee to make. It’s a fast, budget-friendly dinner idea that works when time and money are both tight.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Add some spice to your weeknight with this crisp, creamy salad that’s fast and full of flavor. It turns leftover chicken into a bold, budget-friendly meal that keeps you full. For a cheap dinner that doesn’t feel boring, this salad brings the heat.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Carrot Ginger Soup
Turn a few humble carrots into a bright and flavorful soup that’s smooth, warm, and surprisingly filling. With just a few ingredients, this dish costs very little but tastes like you spent more. It’s a smart budget dinner for nights when you want something easy and different.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Toss chicken, beans, and corn into a pot and simmer up a soup that’s bold, warm, and easy on the wallet. This one packs a punch without needing anything fancy or expensive. It’s a budget-friendly dinner recipe that keeps your grocery bill low and your bowl full.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Skip the layers and roll up all the best parts of lasagna into neat, cheesy bundles. These roll-ups bake fast and cost way less than a full pan of the classic. It’s an easy-to-make dinner that’s fun, filling, and budget-friendly for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Whip up a pasta dish that’s creamy, tangy, and only takes a few basic ingredients. Fresh tomatoes and ricotta do the heavy lifting here, turning pantry staples into a meal that feels a little fancy. This is a great example of a budget-friendly dinner that delivers big taste with less effort.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Throw together leftover chicken and a pack of store-bought tortellini for a soup that’s rich, hearty, and fast. It’s the kind of recipe that stretches what you’ve got into something that feels like more. When you want comfort food without the cost, this one works every time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Let your Instant Pot do the work on a cheesy, veggie-packed soup that’s perfect for cold nights or quick lunches. It’s warm, filling, and doesn’t need a long list of pricey ingredients. This is one of those delicious dinner recipes that keeps your wallet and belly full.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup