Dinner on a budget doesn't have to mean skimping on flavor or satisfaction. Whether you're saving up for something big or just trying to cut back on spending, you can still whip up delicious meals without breaking the bank. This article is packed with cheap dinner recipes that are both easy to make and kind to your wallet. We've got you covered with a variety of dishes that use affordable ingredients-think beans, pasta, and seasonal veggies-to create meals that feel indulgent without the hefty price tag. So, let's get cooking and show you how to serve up tasty dinners that save pennies without scrimping on taste!
American Goulash Recipe (One-Pot)
American Goulash is an easy, one-pot, classic comfort food made with ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles. Enjoy year-round, and delicious leftover, this irresistible Goulash Recipe is guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters!
Get the Recipe: American Goulash Recipe (One-Pot)
Olive Oil Garlic Pasta
Olive Oil Garlic Pasta is a classic Italian recipe that's ready in 15 minutes. It's simple yet flavorful and easy to make with pantry ingredients. Add a little chili pepper for a spicy kick, if you like.
Get the Recipe: Olive Oil Garlic Pasta
Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner
Sheet pan chicken sausage and veggies is a perfect weeknight dinner. With roasted potatoes, sausage & bell peppers, it's easy and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner
Easy Tuna Pesto Pasta
This easy tuna pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes, spinach, and garlic is a weeknight meal you'll love that's ready in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Pesto Pasta
Meatball Marinara Subs
Savor the juicy homemade meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and fluffy brioche buns in Italian meatball marinara subs - a satisfying comfort food that's perfect for lunch or busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marinara Subs
Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs
A good Swedish meatball recipe with a creamy gravy means you can avoid the Ikea crowds and make them yourself at home. And you can put these together without a complicated diagram or having two screws left over at the end!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs
American Chop Suey (American Goulash)
American chop suey is a delicious dish that's popular in the New England region. Also known as American goulash, this dish is meaty and tasty.
Get the Recipe: American Chop Suey (American Goulash)
Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl - 15 Minute Meal
Pork egg roll in a bowl is a low-carb alternative to traditional egg rolls. This is an easy recipe with ground pork, veggies, and other flavours which is sure to satisfy a craving for Asian food. I love this easy one-pan meal.
Get the Recipe: Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl - 15 Minute Meal
Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Taco stuffed zucchini boats offer a little of everything - nutrition, meat, veggies, a pop of Mexican seasoning, and of course a tasty meal!
Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Ground Beef And Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage makes an easy skillet dinner loosely inspired by an Asian stir fry. With tons of texture, aromatic spices, and a light savory sauce, this 30-minute meal is a weeknight winner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef And Cabbage Skillet
Italian Frittata Recipe
Straightforward to make and a treat to eat, this Italian vegetable frittata recipe is definitely a winning recipe. It's simple to prepare, and you can mix and match the fillings depending on what you have in the refrigerator. It's the perfect way to use up any vegetables or cooked meats you need to use up.
Get the Recipe: Italian Frittata Recipe
General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry
General Tso shrimp is an easy Chinese shrimp dish that you can rustle up in less than 30 minutes. It offers sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, along with a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: Easy General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry
Crunchy Beef Tortilla Folded Wrap
It's one of the most delicious recipes you can make with ground beef and a tortilla wrap. Use a large flour tortilla if you're ravenously hungry or smaller tortillas if you prefer.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Beef Tortilla Folded Wrap
One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
This easy taco pasta is wonderful for dinner and it's one of the best skill pasta dinner ideas I've found. Beef, onion, and garlic are the dominating flavors in this creamy taco pasta with macaroni noodles.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
Ground Beef Stir Fry
Quick, easy and healthy ground beef stir fry recipe featuring fresh vegetables and a homemade garlic ginger stir fry sauce.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Spicy Tomato Soup
This simple and flavorful Spicy Tomato Soup is perfect for the cool winter months. A little smokey spice makes a big difference in this bowl of goodness.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tomato Soup
Easy Shepherd's Pie
Make dinner a breeze with this Easy Shepherd's Pie recipe! Hearty beef, mixed veggies, and creamy potatoes. Perfect for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shepherd's Pie
Creamy Taco Soup
This Creamy Taco Soup is budget friendly and can be made with ground beef, pork, or turkey. It's gluten free with dairy free options.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Taco Soup
Thai Peanut Noodles
These quick and easy peanut noodles are incredibly creamy and flavorful yet so simple to make! And you can easily add your favorite veggies and herbs to it!
Get the Recipe: Thai Peanut Noodles
Gnocchi With Sauce
Check out this gnocchi with sauce recipe for a crave-worthy meal you won't want to miss. It's creamy, delicious, and ready in 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi With Sauce
Chicken And Dumplings With Tortillas
This rich and creamy chicken and dumplings with tortillas recipe delivers all the delicious and heart-warming flavors and aroma of country home-style cooking but is easier and quicker to make. It is the perfect comfort food to serve your family on a cold winter day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Dumplings With Tortillas
No Boil Lasagna
This no boil lasagna recipe is easy and delicious! It's a no muss, no fuss dish you can prepare and serve faster than traditional lasagna.
Get the Recipe: No Boil Lasagna
Comforting Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings
Shredded chicken, gnocchi, and a mirepoix of vegetables in a creamy sauce are the heart and soul of this simple, cozy, 25-minute dinner recipe.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
This Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is the perfect weeknight meal and great for meal prepping. Cook once, and freeze the leftovers!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
Easy Fresh Corn Salsa Recipe
Get the party started this summer with Corn Salsa! With fresh corn and vibrant ingredients, this hearty dip is perfect with BBQ meat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Fresh Corn Salsa Recipe
Grilled Hot Dogs
Deliciously grilled hot dogs that sizzle with every bite. Perfectly charred, juicy, and packed with flavor. A great grilling basic recipe!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Dogs
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas are easily one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. They're so flavorful and easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Carbonara With Leek And Mushrooms
Make your Chicken Carbonara healthier by adding vegetables and making it from scratch. Click here for this easy, family-friendly pasta recipe!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Carbonara With Leek And Mushrooms
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Cheesy, creamy, and packed with broccoli, this Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a recipe loaded with onion, garlic, and 3 cheeses, then topped with buttery crackers!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Ground Beef Fried Rice
This Ground Beef Fried Rice takes less than 30 minutes to make! It's a quick and easy meal that uses simple ingredients with lots of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Fried Rice
The Best Chicken Soup Recipe
This is the best Chicken Soup Recipe to make when you're craving simple comfort food or feeling under the weather. Made with bone-in chicken thighs simmered into a flavorful broth and filled with tender onions, carrots, celery, and juicy shredded chicken.
Get the Recipe: The Best Chicken Soup Recipe
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