The dilly sour cream provides a garlicky counterpart. When you need a weeknight-friendly recipe that doubles as a cheap dinner idea, stir-fry is the answer. Is there ever a bad time for a quesadilla? This one is easy, cheesy, and a smart way to finish up that jar of kimchi hanging out in the fridge.

Although we and most of our readers love the mixture of nutritional yeast , garlic powder, and onion powder on these vegan nuggets, one commenter was less impressed.

If you too crave something bolder, try the method with taco seasoning instead. The humble onion is given center stage in this cheap meal.

Seared, then gently roasted with paprika and tomato paste, these onions prove they have star quality. Transform a can of pumpkin purée into a near-instant pasta sauce—no slow cookers here— that delivers major fall feels.

Bonus: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days. With a generous layer of caramelized onions and plenty of sharp Gruyère cheese, this tart packs the depth of French onion soup into every bite.

The tofu in this cheap recipe absorbs all of the flavors in the sauce—and there are a lot of them: shallots, ginger, garlic, cumin, red chile, turmeric, coconut cream , and peanut butter.

It all becomes a sauce you have to make and see to believe. Crunchy fried onions transform a simple cabbage salad into a sensorial delight: hot and cold, crisp and soft, sweet and spicy.

Make sure to assemble it just before eating in order to capture those different textures. When the coffers are dry and so is the bread on the counter, this is the one.

This cheap meal requires just a few other ingredients, most of which are already in your kitchen. A garlicky mixture of ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, and maple syrup cooks down until almost sticky in this riff on a Chinese-American classic sesame chicken.

An untraditional but logical addition to the sauce: tahini. You might be surprised by just how flavorful a combination of chicken stock, celery, and chickpeas can be.

Garlic, red chiles, lemon, and fresh cilantro contribute to making it so—while still keeping it feeling clean. If you can swing it, add a big pinch of asafetida for an extra savory note.

Quick-cooking, budget-friendly, and pretty hard to screw up that dark meat is automatically juicier , chicken thighs are our default weeknight dinner—and this is our simplest way to prepare them. These battered, oven-baked florets come out crackly before getting bathed in a sticky-sweet gochujang glaze.

It means you have croutons. Ground turkey is a lean protein that, when simmered with white beans, seasonings, and chipotle chiles in adobo and topped with Greek yogurt, delivers major body and richness. The key to stress-free stir-frying is in the prep work.

Be sure to chop, slice, and grate everything before even thinking about turning on the stove. Once you do, it comes together in 15 minutes. A little bit of flour and butter, garlic, lemon juice, and capers , and you've got a super savory supper.

Say that three times fast. This cheap recipe leaves out the smoked pork or turkey, which is typical in the American South, and goes heavy on garlic for flavor. This all-star easy dinner recipe will work long after corn has gone out of season.

In the winter, just sub in shaved cauliflower or torn kale. This soup packs in all the ingredients that would make your doctor happy—lentils, sweet potatoes, leafy greens—but the fiery Thai green curry paste keeps things interesting. This Haitian meal consists of sos pwa nwa, black bean sauce enriched with coconut milk, served alongside mayi moulen, a creamy cornmeal porridge flavored with garlic and herbs.

Nothing is cozier. This family-friendly weeknight dinner takes a cue from Japanese grilled chicken meatballs called tsukune as well as the glossy, sweet-and-sour sauce that comes with them. A classic Italian pesto , this is not.

Spinach, cilantro, and miso come together for this uber-green sauce, which dresses, of course, springy ramen noodles.

In this brothy beans recipe, caramelizing fennel, shallots, and lemon builds a base layer that is sweet, tangy, and bright. Tinned sardines add protein and a briny flavor. A beloved Hong Kong dish with approximately one billion variations, this soup—which relies heavily on fridge and pantry staples—is meant to be a little sweet and a touch sharp.

Its silky texture comes from blended potatoes and broccoli stalks rather than heavy cream. Well, this is the salad version, with noodles in addition to pink radishes , orange carrots, purple cabbage, and green cucumbers.

One head of cabbage goes a long way. This recipe, where wedges are bathed in turmeric-accented coconut milk until meltingly tender and sweet, uses just half of one to feed four.

The soul of this recipe comes from the ginger and tamari marinade that gives crispy tofu a sweet and savory glaze. We like to turn leftover tofu into tacos, for some Japanese-Mexican fusion. Toss roasted sweet potato wedges in a sweet and nutty tahini dressing for this quick vegetarian weeknight dinner.

And no, it will not break the bank. This budget meal is about turning leftover side dishes into something totally new. Nearly any roasted vegetable or cooked grain could be worked into a frittata using this method. This looks like something that took hours in a crockpot to make, but in reality, the black-eyed peas soak up the flavors of an onion- and tomato-based gravy in under 30 minutes.

Tuna salad deserves to be considered a dinner dish, not just a sandwich filling. Let the pan-fried chickpeas and red endive in this recipe convince you. Pan-crisped and glazed sweet potatoes.

With hearty, almost meaty lentils. And pistachios. Purchase lasagna noodles, mushrooms, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The rest of the ingredients for this cheap dinner recipe are already in your fridge or pantry.

One style of cheap meals: recipes chosen with their leftovers in mind , making two meals out of one. For example, these ground beef meatballs and their tomato sauce make for a great hoagie filling the next day. If you've already got miso in your fridge and don't want to spend on something new, you could use that in this stew recipe instead of gochujang.

It will be a whole different vibe, but a vibe nonetheless. Serve it with a poached egg and a slice of bread for a good cheap meal.

Easy homemade tomato soup is an upgrade to the canned stuff, but we don't judge. Warm up a can of your favorite beans on the stove or in the microwave drain first if they are store-bought, we use Home Canned Pinto Beans.

Place them in a bowl and top with cheese let it melt! and a little sour cream. Find more super cheap Recipes with Home Canned Beans here. Cost includes canned beans, cheese, and sour cream. Cost would be less if you use dried or home canned beans. Sandwiches are a great old standby for a super simple and very cheap recipe.

With the cost of meat going up, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are currently the cheapest kind of sandwich that you can make.

You might even be able to make them cheaper with homemade bread and homemade jelly. You could also use ground turkey or even ground pork if one of those is cheaper.

This is a tasty, easy-to-make meal that the whole family can love, and we almost always have leftovers because we make such a big batch. Cost based on store-bought canned tomatoes and plain pasta. Could be cheaper with home-canned tomatoes and home-raised beef. Nothing beats a cold winter day like a warm soup.

This is a great cheap recipe that could be super, super cheap if you happen to raise your own chickens. This can also be a good side dish. To make egg drop soup, all you need to do is heat up chicken broth, add in some garlic and salt for flavor. Then beat a few eggs in a bowl and slowly add them into the hot liquid, stirring constantly.

You can top your soup with some green onions if you have them. If you raise chickens and have a garden, this soup could almost be free except for the cost of chicken feed!

It could also be cheaper to make your own homemade chicken broth from leftover chicken carcasses. Oatmeal is the great frugal breakfast! The best part about it is that the add-in ideas to flavor it can be endless!

If you want more of a grab-and-go type of oatmeal breakfast that the kids can make themselves, you can make Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets.

Another money saving tip for making oatmeal is that you can just make it with water instead of milk. We do this all the time because most of us are dairy-free. Cost based on plain oatmeal with nothing added in, add-ins will add a little to the cost but not much unless you are getting fancy.

We love a good stir fry in our home and we never go off of a recipe. It always has a base of rice or noodles and then we stir fry any veggies we have on hand and whatever meat I pull out of the freezer.

For a seasoning, you can simply use soy sauce or coconut aminos or you can make something homemade like my Teriyaki Sauce. Cost based on a broccoli and chicken with rice stir fry. Would be less expensive without the meat. You can make plain scrambled eggs for any meal of the day. You can also add in things like chopped veggies, salsa , or herbs to make them feel a little more special.

Omelets are a go-to breakfast in our home. We use 2 eggs per person and toss in any chopped veggies or leftover meat we have in the fridge or from the garden. Cost will go up slightly for add-ins but can still be very cheap if you use leftover scraps from other meals.

A basic spaghetti pasta meal would be similar to the Goulash recipe posted above but with a slightly different flavor and faster to make. You can use my Quick Spaghetti Sauce recipe without the meat for a homemade pasta sauce. Works especially good if you have some tomatoes in your garden!

Otherwise, you can make a very fast recipe by cooking up your pasta and adding a store-bought spaghetti sauce. The cheapest way to make pancakes is with a homemade pancake mix. We make pancakes at least once a week at home and usually top them with some kind of home-canned fruit.

Pancakes can also make a great snack. Just make extras and freeze them to pull out when you need them. Cost with homemade pancake mix. The cost may vary based on your mix price and if you add any toppings. For a little fuller meal, we like to serve this with Homemade Canned Tomato Soup.

You can also make homemade bread. I asked the Little House Living readers what their go-to quick and super cheap meals in their homes were. I wanted to share these with you as well so you can have a larger variety to choose from! Sloppy Joes! Easy white chicken lasagna soup with bow tie pasta.

Boil several chicken breasts in broth. Add 2 large carrots sliced 1 med. Stovetop Cassoulet with Italian sausage, white kidney beans, onion, celery, carrots, and tomatoes.

Hamburger and gravy over toast, egg sammies, hamburger patties browned then cooked more in stewed tomatoes served with plain rice and spinach. Mix it up. Form mini meatloaves. They actually make a decent microwaved meatloaf.

We eat a lot of tacos made from whatever leftovers we have. Chef salad with bread. Hash with eggs. Grilled cheese, BLTs. Cook ground beef and drain! Once the gravy has thickened, pour the gravy over the cooked ground chuck and simmer for 10 minutes!

Finally, make your instant mash potatoes and pour the ground chuck over the potatoes! Baked chicken and roasted veggies, just pop a pan in the oven for 30 minutes after seasoning and drizzling in olive oil.

Homemade hamburger helper is quick and easy. This sounds so simple and crazy but my husband loves loves loves it: cut up a green cabbage into bite-sized pieces or a little larger and a large onion and add a tablespoon full or to desired taste of minced garlic from a jar.

Boil to desired tenderness. Add in the meat and some V-8 juice then whatever other veggies you like if you want carrots are good Season with Himalayan salt or regular salt, pepper, whatever you like. Mix bread crumbs, shredded parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Dip chicken in preferred liquid milk, water or egg. Coat with flour mixture. Place in foil-lined the baking dish. Pour half a cube of melted butter a whole cube is the best over the chicken.

Sprinkle any leftover flour mix on chicken. Bake at for about 20min or until the thickest part reaches degrees. Cheese fondue. I got this from a Cookbook for Two from when I got married 48 years ago.

It starts with cheddar cheese soup and cheddar or Swiss cheese. You can add wine, beer, or apple juice. If I have onions or scallions, I add a little of that.

You might want to add a very little hot sauce to give a subtle kick. If you are looking for a few cookbooks to add to your collection that features cheap and frugal meals, here are some that I would recommend:.

Serve with a caesar salad for the ultimate meal! My crockpot is my favorite kitchen appliance because it makes dinner time a breeze! Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. This is seriously the laziest meal you will ever make.

Simply layer frozen ravioli in a baking dish with pasta sauce and lots of cheese, bake, and voila! You can also add ground beef or sausage to the layers, as well as a few veggies like spinach, zucchini, or onion.

Potatoes are really cheap and very filling, making them one of the best budget meals. Simply bake them or even microwave them , and then top with butter, seasoning, chicken, sour cream, bacon bits, onion, or anything else you have on hand.

Kids love them, and each one can be customized to their liking. How can you go wrong with cheesy shredded chicken? You can take it up a notch by adding diced onions, chopped garlic, herbs, cheese, etc. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes and veggies for the ultimate comfort food.

All the flavors of a cheeseburger but in the form of a pasta casserole! I recommend using your favorite frozen chicken nugget brand. Chicken tenders or strips work great, too.

The first time I made this dish, I was completely shocked at how flavorful and delicious it was. The ingredients sound simple, but the combination is heavenly. Are you looking for last minute dinner ideas? These mini pizzas are super fun and easy to make with just 3 ingredients plus the toppings of your choice.

How can you go wrong with a crispy garlic toast crust topped with sauce and melted cheese? Frozen chicken comes to the rescue again! I love the idea of using crunchy chicken strips to make tortilla wraps. Whatever you have on hand! For some reason, baking pasta is a total game changer.

The cheese gets that irresistible toasty flavor, and the pasta seems to absorb all of the amazing sauce. This meat sauce casserole includes cream cheese, making it extra rich and scrumptious. Simply place your roast in your slow cooker with a few seasoning packets before you head out the door, and your house will smell like heaven when you get back.

Such a cheap and easy dinner idea that takes very little effort. Bake the meatballs according to the package instructions, toss with sauce, and then load them up onto hoagie rolls with shredded cheese.

My mouth is watering just talking about it! This crockpot soup has amazing reviews! The great thing about these tacos is that you can use any shredded chicken including rotisserie, canned, leftovers, etc. My family likes to serve them with guacamole for dipping!

You can also try these with taco seasoned ground beef. I did some experimenting with fewer and cheaper ingredients, and it actually turned out better with less hassle!

You can even buy prepared mashed potatoes at most grocery stores, making it extra lazy. Classic quesadillas with a fun twist! Load them up with pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, and jalapeños, and then dip them in pizza sauce.

Fun, easy, and delicious! For some reason I only think of hot dogs for backyard BBQs, but boy do kids love eating them as a special treat on a regular day inside! With only 5 ingredients you can make this fun and easy weeknight meal that your kids will absolutely love! Skip to main content Skip to secondary menu Skip to primary sidebar Home Recipes About Contact.

If you're a busy parent with a family to feed, you've come to the right place. These quick and easy budget meals are simple to make with just a few basic ingredients. In a large pan or pot, cook and drain the pasta according the package directions.

Place the drained pasta back into the pot and mix with the pasta sauce, pulled chicken, HALF of the shredded mozzarella, HALF of the grated parmesan, and tsp of Italian seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes over medium-low heat and then spread it evenly onto the bottom of your baking dish; sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over top.

In a small bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, melted butter and garlic powder; sprinkle it evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered on the center rack for about 15 minutes or until the panko crust turns golden brown.

Minced red onions, pickles, and Dijon lend a vibrance to the tuna mixture; while, sharp Irish cheddar brings it all together. When Chef John proclaims a dish is a hit, you'd better believe it.

Who doesn't love juicy, fall-off-the bone chicken in flavorful Greek spices? This four-ingredient red curry chicken is hassle-free and inexpensive to make, especially when compared to takeout prices.

If desired, substitute white rice for the rice vermicelli noodles, or garnish with cilantro, green onions, or red chile peppers.

Simmered tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, and spices are topped with eggs that cook sunny-side-up in this traditional Tunisian and Israeli dish. Serve with warm, crusty bread or pita for dipping into this mouthwatering mixture.

This family-friendly casserole is guaranteed to please. Kids love it! This one is a keeper! The salt from the pork rinds is more than enough to season the dish. Will make it over and over again!!

Serve up seriously savory chili without breaking the bank. This award-worthy recipe combines kidney beans, salsa, ground beef, and a slew of seasonings for a bowlful you'll want on repeat. Use limited data to select advertising.

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Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Not only does this well-balanced pasta recipe clock in at under calories per serving, but it also takes only 20 minutes to prepare. Comforting chili flavors, pasta, and cheese make this meal a family favorite.

Oh yes, and it all comes together in one pan. Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness; in this recipe, they're spiced and seasoned to give the fajitas extra flavor.

Bonus: If you grill no matter the season , this dish belongs in your regular rotation of budget-friendly healthy dinner recipes because you can find these veggies any time of year. Burger night just earned itself a healthy vegetarian upgrade.

Here we blend fiber- and protein-rich chickpeas with warm spices, sear them to crisp perfection, then serve with crunchy, good-for-you veggies. Whole wheat noodles, no-salt-added canned tomatoes, and shrimp make this delicious meal surprisingly low-cal and nutritious.

Use frozen shrimp instead of fresh to cut the cost of the seafood. Just don't skip the pinch of crushed red pepper flakes—they give this healthy meal on a budget just enough kick.

How many cheap, healthy meals can you make without chopping anything? This is one of the rare few. It's a no-knife-needed, "dump and done" slow cooker recipe for when you have no more than 10 minutes of hands-on prep time to spare. This slow cooker dump dinner might be the easiest of all: It requires no chopping or measuring.

How easy is that? Six ingredients, 10 minutes of prep time, and great flavor combine to make this a cheap, healthy dinner idea for any night of the week.

Since they're often loaded with affordable rice, canned veggies, and ground meat, stuffed peppers are one of the best dinner ideas to keep your wallet stuffed too. Thanks to Cuban elements like briny olives, earthy almonds, and sweet raisins, this recipe is wildly flavorful.

We know that combo might sound different from what you'd usually pair with beef and brown rice, but we bet you and your dinner companions will be blown away. Easy, cheap, healthy meals don't get fresher or more flavorful than this.

The minute recipe features favorites from the Mediterranean diet, including chicken , feta cheese, olives , and tomatoes, for a meal bursting with flavor that still feels light. We'll never say no to pasta dinners , but sometimes, we're more in the mood for potatoes.

On those nights, we turn to gnocchi, a traditional potato-based Italian dumpling. This healthy dinner brings together sweet corn , arugula, and a plethora of seasonings to make one delicious dinner that you'd never guess is budget-friendly.

The veggies amp up the nutrients, too. It's a great choice when you're looking for low-sodium recipes too. Turn a classic pork chop into a tangy, tropical meal. Orange marmalade creates a simple yet mouthwatering glaze and becomes a refreshing topping when mixed with yogurt.

Grilled pineapple slices on the side lend their bold sweetness to this new grill-season favorite. When you need a cheap, easy, healthy meal, it's time for a stir-fry. The pre-chopped packaged frozen vegetables save time in the kitchen and keep you below your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition.

Lighten the meal more by opting for low-cal bottled plum sauce and low-sodium soy sauce. No matter how wiped out you are at the end of a busy day, you can still cook an egg. Here we scramble only the whites for a cheap, healthy breakfast-for-dinner option that's salad-y but packed with protein to help you feel satisfied.

Mac and cheese probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of nutritious dinner ideas. You probably associate it more with an indulgent childhood lunch. But when you use whole-grain pasta, broccoli, carrots , and reduced-fat cheese, it transforms into a healthy dinner recipe on a budget.

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