Looking for some cheap dinner ideas? Sure, we all are—and we wholeheartedly believe that you can cook well while spending less. It just takes some clever techniques and inexpensive ingredients such as rice, pasta, beans, frozen produce, and chicken thighs.

Turn your stash into spicy one-pot kimchi and squash mac and cheese , the ultimate comfort food; pantry-staple pasta; or turmeric-infused red lentils and spinach. The cheap and delicious meal to begin our collection of cheap dinner ideas is comprised of mainly pasta and garlic.

Toasted nutritional yeast, full of umami, also pushes this easy recipe into a deeply savory, deeply tasty zone. The relatively long ingredient list—kidney beans, bell peppers, celery , parsley, rice—might not read as a budget meal, but the most expensive item is the andouille sausage.

Plus, you can feed six people with this one dish. These veggie enchiladas feature a charred tomatillo salsa verde, Cotija cheese, and, yes, creamy pinto beans. That same filling would work well in burritos, too.

If there happen to be leftovers, that meat and mozzarella and marinara make for a great sandwich the next day. Store-bought puff pastry and a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken are two very helpful shortcuts when it comes to this one-pot meal.

We also developed a soup version of chicken pot pie , just for fun. Giving chunky zucchini pieces a hard sear develops lots of texture and color while minimizing sogginess. 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.

Wait, you can eat pizza on the paleo diet?! Sure can! You just have to make a almond flour crust and use dairy-free cheese.

We went supreme-style with mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, and red onion, but you do you! Get the Paleo Pizza recipe. Craving cashew chicken , but not the rice? This recipe ups the veggies and swaps in cauliflower rice for a lighter take on the takeout classic.

Get the Cashew Chicken With Cauliflower Rice recipe. Typically deep- or pan-fried in oil, the option to air fry orange chicken instead saves a ton of calories and fat. Looking for a low-carb side? Serve this over simple air fried vegetables , letting them soak up the extra sauce in place of grains.

Get the Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe. Butternut squash is toothsome and savory, kale is earthy and green, and coconut milk wraps everything here in a delicious, creamy sauce. The curry spice adds a little warm punch to each spoonful, while a squeeze of lime juice and fresh parsley brighten each bite, cutting out some of the richness.

Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe. Get the Baked Salmon recipe. Use your favorite jarred salsa verde to make this extremely easy and flavorful shrimp dish that's sure to impress. Want to take it over the top? Use homemade salsa verde instead! The fact that crispy golden chicken can be achieved without the use of any oil whatsoever is amazing not to mention how quickly the air fryer can do it!

This chicken Parm tastes every bit as good as the traditional version with much less effort to get there. Get the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe.

We love lentil soup for its versatility. For this rendition, we add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic as a base, plus canned tomatoes and fresh thyme. Simply add ingredients, set your Instant Pot to high, and press go!

Get the Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe. Here, sweetness from the diced mango and creaminess from cool avocado blends perfectly with the drizzle of a spicy crema, making this summer-y salad an instant staple.

Use it to make this fun pasta salad inspired by tuna noodle casserole. Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe. Ree says that you can call this a "clean out the fridge soup" because it's so versatile. Swap out your choice of veggies depending on what you have on hand.

Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe. SHOP STOCK POTS. Eating on a budget doesn't need to be boring and this casserole recipe proves it! The packet of ranch seasoning mix gives it a punch of flavor, plus you can't go wrong with anything topped with bacon!

Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe. Stew meat or even chuck roast is a great inexpensive option for making this hearty twist on chicken and noodles. It has that stick-to-your-ribs kind of goodness. Get the Beef and Noodles recipe. If you've invested in an Instant Pot, then not only will this chili be budget-friendly, but it'll be easy to make, too!

No more standing over a pot on the stove! Get the Instant Pot Chili recipe. Satisfy your pizza craving and your pasta craving at the same time. You'll get a two-for-one deal with this fun Italian mash-up.

Get the Pizza Casserole recipe. The humble potato is the star ingredient in this comforting soup recipe. You can dress it up with fun loaded potato toppings like cheddar cheese, chopped chives, sour cream, or bacon. Get the Slow Cooker Potato Soup recipe. BBQ Meatball Subs Are the Ultimate Picnic Main.

Chicken and Dressing Sheet Pan Supper. Homemade Pasta. How to Make Perfect Beef Wellington. Sour Cream and Onion Tuna Noodle Casserole. Pressure Cooker Shredded Chicken and 3 Easy Meals!

Seasoned Buttery Crackers Are the Easiest Snack. Crispy Pork Schnitzel is the Perfect Cozy Dinner. This Pierogi and Meatball Skillet Is So Comforting. It's Not St.

It makes six to eight servings too, so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch all week. Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup. Dal is a timeless classic — and this version is an ideal starter if you've never made it before.

You only need a handful of ingredients, and the whole thing only takes 20 minutes. The original recipe calls for red split lentils, but if you want to get more creative, add some French lentils, too. Recipe: Dal. Black bean patties are one of the most popular alternatives to meat.

They're also pretty easy to make. Recipe: Black Bean Burgers. Recipe: Tuna Melt. Pair it with any greens you have handy! Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken.

Tangy, spicy kimchi or Korean-style fermented vegetables is another way to add a ton of flavor to a dish for not a lot of money.

Keep a jar stocked in the fridge, then work it into fried rice, noodle bowls, or burgers. Recipe: Minute Kimchi Fried Rice.

Recipe: Rice Bowl With Fried Egg And Avocado. Recipe: Southwest Turkey, Vegetable, and Rice Skillet. This recipe calls for only three ingredients, and you can always add a protein to the mix if you want.

Recipe: Creamy Tomato Shells. Recipe: Chicken Pesto Bowls. Recipe: Zucchini Corn Quesadillas. Recipe: One-Pan Pizza Chicken. Recipe: Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad. Recipe: One-Pot Caprese Chicken Pasta. Recipe: Vegan Creamy Kale Pasta. Recipe: Greek Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Recipe: One-Pot Bacon Broccoli Mac 'n' Cheese.

Recipe: Spicy Chipotle Buddha Bowl With Cauliflower Rice. Recipe: Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing. Recipe: 5-Ingredient Coconut Curry. Recipe: Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp. Recipe: Vegetarian Sheet Pan Zucchini Parmesan. Recipe: Vegetable Enchilada Casserole.

The recipe calls for both whole wheat spaghetti and zucchini noodles, but you can skip the spaghetti if you want to go fully low-carb. Recipe: Burst Tomato and Zucchini Spaghetti With Avocado Sauce. Recipe: Amazing Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos. Recipe: P. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps. A super-straightforward weeknight dinner that you can serve with grilled chicken if you want some added protein.

Recipe: Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers. Introducing your new favorite pasta sauce, made with nothing more than egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon. Recipe: Pappardelle Al Limone.

This recipe calls for tofu, broccoli, and sweet potato, but you can always swap in whatever protein and veggies you like best. Recipe: 5-Ingredient Thai Green Curry. Orzo, sliced sausage, bell pepper, heavy cream, and a handful of spices are all there is to this Cajun-inspired skillet.

Recipe: Sausage and Creamy Cajun Orzo Skillet. Grab some chicken broth, rotisserie chicken, canned diced tomatoes, ranch dressing, and canned fiesta corn mix to make this heartwarming chicken soup with a Mexican flair.

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup. Have toast for dinner, but make it fancy with this mixture of artichoke hearts, spinach white beans, and basil mashed into a creamy and savory spread. Recipe: White Bean and Artichoke Basil Toasts. Don't let the ingredient list overwhelm you.

All you really need to make these fajitas are portobello mushrooms, peppers, onion, and tortillas. Swap the avocado sauce for store-bought guacamole or diced avocado and you've got a delicious meal. Recipe: Portobello and Poblano Fajitas. Recipe: Spicy Lentil Nachos With 3-Cheese Sauce.

Black beans in chocolate muffins might sound odd, but they get super creamy and batterlike — and it absolutely works. Recipe: Flourless Black Bean Brownie Muffins. You can also use coconut curry as a marinade for your meats.

Here, the chicken marinates for two hours in a mixture of coconut milk, soy sauce, curry powder, turmeric, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and fish sauce.

Recipe: Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce. Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Bean Skillet. Otherwise, try chicken teriyaki with a side of rice. You can also skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian chili that's still packed with beans and comforting sweet potatoes.

Either way, try one of these cheap dinner ideas for the busiest nights of the week. Skip the meat without sacrificing flavor in this homemade chili made with beans, warm spices, veggies, and sweet potatoes.

You can let your family build their own bowl by setting out an array of chili toppings. Get the Sweet Potato Chili recipe. SHOP BOWLS. Stuffed bell peppers are the perfect dinner for families looking to eat something both comforting and healthy.

You get your ground beef, rice, and veggies all in one dish. Get Ree's Stuffed Peppers recipe. Canned tuna and egg noodles are the stars of this casserole dish, but you'll also find plenty of creamy sauce and frozen sweet peas.

Don't forget to sprinkle crunchy potato chips on top! Get the Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe. Canned artichoke hearts, breadcrumbs, chicken broth, and pasta are all items that might already be in your pantry.

That means your just a few steps away from making this creamy pasta inspired by the popular dip. Get Ree's Spinach-Artichoke Pasta recipe. Make a big batch of tender pulled pork on Sunday and you'll have multiple meals throughout the week.

Serve it on buns for sandwiches or over a big pile of nachos. Get the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe. SHOP SLOW COOKERS. Just like your favorite takeout, this dish is swimming in a sweet and sticky sauce. You can serve it up with inexpensive white rice and your favorite veggies on the side.

Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe. Make this nostalgic meal from scratch and it'll bring back a ton of happy childhood memories. If you want to make it your own, you can always swap the ground beef for ground turkey as a substitute.

Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe. Ree loves a supermarket swap—like using store-bought French bread on pizza night! It's quick, easy, and perfect for any topping that your family members prefer. Get Ree's French Bread Pizzas recipe.

These beef enchiladas keep things simple with canned enchilada sauce, but don't worry, there's still plenty of spice and melty cheese! Get the Beef Enchiladas recipe. 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. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.

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Fact checked by Marcus Reeves. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process. Trending Videos. for Speedy Meals. View Recipe. The 7 Best Small Slow Cookers for Entertaining, Meal Prep, and More, According to Testing. Tip Look for the dough in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or ask your local pizza shop if you can purchase an extra pound of their secret recipe!

Orzo, sliced sausage, bell pepper, heavy cream, and a handful of spices are all there is to this Cajun-inspired skillet. Recipe: Sausage and Creamy Cajun Orzo Skillet.

Grab some chicken broth, rotisserie chicken, canned diced tomatoes, ranch dressing, and canned fiesta corn mix to make this heartwarming chicken soup with a Mexican flair. Recipe: 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Have toast for dinner, but make it fancy with this mixture of artichoke hearts, spinach white beans, and basil mashed into a creamy and savory spread. Recipe: White Bean and Artichoke Basil Toasts. Don't let the ingredient list overwhelm you. All you really need to make these fajitas are portobello mushrooms, peppers, onion, and tortillas.

Swap the avocado sauce for store-bought guacamole or diced avocado and you've got a delicious meal. Recipe: Portobello and Poblano Fajitas. Recipe: Spicy Lentil Nachos With 3-Cheese Sauce. Black beans in chocolate muffins might sound odd, but they get super creamy and batterlike — and it absolutely works.

Recipe: Flourless Black Bean Brownie Muffins. You can also use coconut curry as a marinade for your meats. Here, the chicken marinates for two hours in a mixture of coconut milk, soy sauce, curry powder, turmeric, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and fish sauce.

Recipe: Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce. Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Bean Skillet. Recipe: Grilled Cheese and Cream of Tomato Soup.

Recipe: Baked Eggs in Marinara Sauce. And fair warning that you'll want to put the latter on just about everything. Recipe: Mujadarra. Recipe: Simple Black Bean Soup. Recipe: Big-Batch Minestrone. This article contains content previously curated by Hannah Loewentheil, Jesse Szewczyk, Marie Telling, Melissa Jameson, and Ailbhe Malone.

It was compiled by Lavanya Narayanan. Easy recipes and cooking hacks right to your inbox. Opens in a new window Opens an external site in a new window Opens an external site. Share via facebook Share via pinterest Share via email Share via sms.

Vegan 3-Bean Chili. Feel free to use store-bought pizza dough to make this recipe a cinch to throw together. Taco Pizza. White Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese With Chicken and Broccoli. Grilled cheese meets tuna salad. Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken. Top it off with your favorite hot sauce and you're good to go.

Southwest Turkey, Vegetable, and Rice Skillet. One-pan creamy goodness. Healthy, tasty, and cheap! Ready in 25 minutes, these quesadillas are a perfect spring dinner.

You had me at pizza. Guaranteed to be just as good as your local salad bar, for half the price. Ready in 35 minutes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

Deliciously creamy, and without any meat or dairy. Greek Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. A protein-packed vegetarian dinner. Pretend your mac 'n' cheese is actually healthy by adding some broccoli to the mix. Spicy Chipotle Buddha Bowl With Cauliflower Rice. Fast, budget-friendly, and healthy: What more do you need?

A super-fast summertime salad for your weeknight dinners. The perfect option for your meatless Monday. A healthy-ish, delicious, and vegetarian take on the classic chicken Parmesan.

If you want to add some meat, you can always brown some chicken and add it to the mix. Burst Tomato and Zucchini Spaghetti With Avocado Sauce.

If you're looking for inspiration for your next Taco Tuesday, search no more. A great copycat recipe for the perfect night in. White Bean and Artichoke Basil Toasts.

Lentils are often used as a healthy staple — but they can also be gloriously indulgent. Cozy comfort in a bowl. Using store-bought marinara sauce means prep is a breeze. Prep takes all of 10 minutes, and you'll have plenty of leftovers.

Share via facebook Share via pinterest Share via email Share via twitter. 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. Full Printable Recipe.

In your crockpot, whisk together the water, cream of chicken soup, and both packets of chicken gravy mix. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and use a spoon to cover them well with the gravy mixture.

Cover and cook on LOW for hours or until the chicken shreds easily. Once cooked, use a couple of forks to shred the chicken into small pieces.

Stir in the sour cream and allow it to warm for an additional 15 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta. Lazy Lasagna This is seriously the laziest meal you will ever make. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.

Top with half of the remaining sauce and half of the mozzarella. Finish by topping with the remaining sauce and mozzarella. Sprinkle the top with parmesan. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese starts to brown.

Loaded Chicken Baked Potatoes Potatoes are really cheap and very filling, making them one of the best budget meals. Microwave for about 5 minutes on a paper towel or bake in a degree oven for about 45 minutes or until soft. Smash the insides with a fork and mix in a few tablespoons of butter, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to taste.

Crockpot Creamy Chicken Tacos How can you go wrong with cheesy shredded chicken? Place the chicken, salsa, cubed cream cheese, and tbsp of taco seasoning in and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for hours. Shred with a fork and let the chicken absorb the salsa mixture for at least 15 more minutes.

Serve in soft tortillas, taco shells, or over a bed of lettuce. In a large bowl, mix together the dry stuffing mix, ground beef, eggs, water and HALF of the ketchup.

Fill the prepared pan with your mixture and use your hands to evenly squish it down into the pan. Top it with the remaining ketchup and spread it evenly over the top. You can also use BBQ sauce, chili sauce, or a combination of sauces. Turn your stash into spicy one-pot kimchi and squash mac and cheese , the ultimate comfort food; pantry-staple pasta; or turmeric-infused red lentils and spinach.

The cheap and delicious meal to begin our collection of cheap dinner ideas is comprised of mainly pasta and garlic. Toasted nutritional yeast, full of umami, also pushes this easy recipe into a deeply savory, deeply tasty zone. The relatively long ingredient list—kidney beans, bell peppers, celery , parsley, rice—might not read as a budget meal, but the most expensive item is the andouille sausage.

Plus, you can feed six people with this one dish. These veggie enchiladas feature a charred tomatillo salsa verde, Cotija cheese, and, yes, creamy pinto beans. That same filling would work well in burritos, too. If there happen to be leftovers, that meat and mozzarella and marinara make for a great sandwich the next day.

Store-bought puff pastry and a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken are two very helpful shortcuts when it comes to this one-pot meal. We also developed a soup version of chicken pot pie , just for fun.

Giving chunky zucchini pieces a hard sear develops lots of texture and color while minimizing sogginess. 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.