68 Easiest Cheap Dinner Ideas to Feed the Family
These tasty, budget-friendly recipes will help stretch dollars a little further.
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Let's face it, no one's paycheck is going as far as it once was. But that doesn't mean you have to eat the same old tasteless meal over and over again. Whether you're feeding a family of four or just yourself, these fun, easy, budget-friendly recipes will help you eat well without breaking the bank.
They lean on low-cost ingredients, such as canned fish and ground beef, as well as pantry staples that are typically easy to find lower cost. But most importantly, we've made sure they're all delicious; just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself!
Tuna Melt
The underrated tuna melt, that staple of diners and lunch plates everywhere, deserves to be making a big time comeback.
You probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge right now. What are you waiting for?
Tamale Pie
If you're looking for a way to use ground beef in a spicy, simple dinner that'll make the whole family happy, then you've just found your recipe for tonight!
Beef Enchiladas
This ground beef enchilada dinner is especially a winner. A little taco seasoning, some corn tortillas, a can of enchilada sauce, cover it with cheese and boom! You've got a powerhouse meal for four (or for two, with leftovers) ready to go.
Classic Stuffed Shells
Want to make your whole family feel taken care of? Treat them to a baked pasta dish. It's easy, it's cheap, and it's super filling.
Gnocchi with Creamed Spinach
Who's in the mood for a 10-minute dinner? Besides gnocchi and frozen spinach, all you need for this meal is some cream, some cheese, and a few pantry spices.
Tuna Salad
Tuna salad has been the centerpiece of a number of cheap and easy snack dinners in our household. Add some crackers, some cheese, a little fresh fruit, and you've got a meal!
Lasagna Soup
How do you make lasagna in 25 minutes? Like this.
Broken noodles simmer in a tomato broth with sausage and spinach, capped off with a big dollop of blended cheese. NOM.
Migas with Chorizo
An easy way to save on dinner costs? Have breakfast for dinner. This simple but delicious mix of eggs, tortillas, and sausage is a fun way to go all out while still saving some cash.
Salmon and Creamed Spinach Fettuccini
If you're craving a tasty pasta dish that's a little more grown-up than jarred red sauce, give this dish a whirl. We're pretty sure it'll become a regular part of your dinner plans.
Classic Tuna Macaroni Salad
We always seem to have the makings for tuna salad around, and elbow macaroni is not expensive. So when we're on a budget, this tuna mac makes a dinner that's fun, filling, and fast.
Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy
Is there a more classic cheap dinner than mac 'n cheese? While this recipe costs a smidge more than the boxed stuff, it's better by so many leagues that we think you'll agree it's worth the extra [does math] $1. Especially because this recipe shows you how to cook the pasta and make the sauce all in the same pot, no draining required!
Tater Tot Casserole
Known around the Upper Midwest as "hot dish," this pure comfort-food classic is easy, inexpensive, and plate-lickingly good.
Bagel Pizzas
Bagel pizzas are fast and fun whether you're a kid, or just a kid at heart. This recipe has a neat little trick for getting extra sauce, and reducing mess.
Tex-Mex Chicken Meatballs
Ground chicken can be as much as half the price of ground beef. These flavorful little meatballs bake fast and get plenty of flavor from a can of mild hatch chiles.
Ground Chicken Tacos
Another classic frugal-night food is tacos, of course! We make 'em even more frugal with chicken, and then add plenty of flavor and toppings so they're yummy as can be.
Swedish Meatballs with Chicken
This comfort food classic is not only less expensive, but it's even a little healthier: The ground chicken cuts some sat fat from the meal.
Sesame Chicken Meatballs
If you like the classic stir-fry, you'll love this meatball version!
Loaded Potato Bar
This hearty as-you-like-it recipe turns a pile of potatoes and some toppings (or as we say, "whatever's still in the fridge") into a fun family dinner.
Fried Rice
Leftover rice + whatever-else-is-in-the-fridge = comfort food heaven. Think of this less as a recipe and more as a technique.
White Turkey and Poblano Chili
A hearty chili hits the spot, but if you don't want to splurge on beef, try making it white-chili style. Pro tip: you can save even more money, plus a little time, by using an already-cooked rotisserie chicken instead.
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