Looking for dinner ideas that won’t break the bank? You’ve come to the right place. In today’s fast-paced world, finding budget-friendly meals that are both delicious and easy to make is crucial for busy families.
We’ve compiled a list of affordable dinner recipes that are sure to please your taste buds while keeping your wallet happy. From low-carb options to hearty casseroles, these dinner ideas cater to various dietary preferences and cooking skill levels. So let’s dive in and explore some scrumptious, wallet-friendly meals!
Hard Tacos or Tostadas
Looking for a budget-friendly dinner? Try hard tacos or tostadas. For both, you’ll need:
- Ground meat (turkey/beef)
- Taco seasoning
- Refried beans
- Toppings (e.g., lettuce, tomato, cheese)
Tostadas involve spreading refried beans on a crispy shell, adding meat, and toppings. Hard tacos include meat and toppings in a hard shell. Both are customizable and delicious!
Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros is an affordable, delicious dinner option. Prepare by heating oil in a pan, sautéing onions, and adding spices, tomatoes, and green chilies. Here’s a brief recipe:
- Fry tortillas in oil, drain on paper towels, and place on plates.
- Cook eggs to preference with butter or olive oil.
- Assemble with beans, lettuce, cheese, and cilantro.
Enjoy your budget-friendly, tasty meal!
Stir Fry
Quick and flavorful, stir fry dishes make an ideal budget-friendly dinner option. Customize your meal by using affordable vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, onion, and carrots. Choose protein sources like chicken, tofu, or beef for variety. Use sauces such as soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil to elevate the taste.
Burritos
Burritos are a budget-friendly dinner option that packs flavor and versatility. Use simple ingredients like rice, beans, and cheese for a satisfying meal. Enhance with affordable add-ons like salsa, sour cream, and avocado. Get creative with fillings such as shredded beef or sausage for variety. Enjoy these customizable, cheap, and delicious wraps during your next dinner!
Fajitas
Fajitas are a tasty and budget-friendly option for dinner. Choose between chicken, tofu, or other proteins depending on your preference. Start by preheating your oven and preparing a fajita seasoning mix. Slice protein, onion, and bell peppers into thin strips.
Place your protein and veggies onto a baking sheet, coat with oil and seasoning, then bake until cooked. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings, like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream. Enjoy a delicious, affordable, and customizable fajita meal tonight.
Burgers or Hotdogs
Burgers: Choose inexpensive cuts like ground chuck or try blending with lentils. Opt for whole wheat buns, bulk-buy frozen patties, or make your own. Add creativity with toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, and sauces.
Hotdogs: Buy in bulk or select store brands. Consider chicken or turkey varieties. Select low-cost hotdog buns, and enhance flavor with condiments, onions, coleslaw, or chili. Both burgers and hotdogs can be prepared on a grill, stovetop, or oven.
Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a perfect choice for budget-friendly dinners. They’re versatile, quick, and only require a few ingredients. Use flour tortillas, cheese, and any other affordable fillings of your choice.
- Cheesy and Easy: Cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack work great.
- Protein: Beans, chicken, or chorizo for a filling option.
- Veggies: Frozen mixed vegetables, bell peppers, or onions.
Jazz it up with some budget-friendly dips like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Make your meal extra pocket-friendly by using ingredients from dollar stores. Enjoy your tasty and affordable quesadillas!
Meatballs and Rice
Meatballs and rice is a delicious, budget-friendly meal option. Preparing it only requires a few simple ingredients such as ground meat, rice, vegetables, and seasonings. Here’s a brief recipe:
- Combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, and seasoning; shape into balls.
- Brown meatballs in a pan; set aside.
- Sauté onion, chopped vegetables; add rice to “toast” it.
- Add broth, tomatoes; bring to a simmer.
- Add meatballs back to pan; cook until done.
Enjoy this tasty, affordable dinner!
Tuna Mac
Tuna Mac is a tasty and budget-friendly dinner idea that combines canned tuna with pasta and a creamy sauce. To prepare this dish, simply cook pasta (usually macaroni or shells), and in a separate skillet, sauté garlic and onion with a bit of olive oil. Add frozen peas, milk, and Dijon mustard to create a hearty, nutritious, and inexpensive meal. Enhance flavors with seasoning and lemon juice. Enjoy your creation!
Chicken and Vegetable Soup
A Chicken and Vegetable Soup is a budget-friendly, nutritious meal. To make it, sauté onions, carrots, and celery. Add garlic, potatoes, and seasonings. Pour in chicken broth, tomatoes, and chicken. Simmer until tender. Finally, add frozen peas, corn, and adjust the seasoning. Enjoy your hearty, healthy soup!
Chicken and Dumplings
Quick, delicious, and affordable, chicken and dumplings is the perfect budget dinner choice. Start by simmering chicken with vegetables in broth. While the chicken cooks, prepare dumplings by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and other seasonings (garlic powder, parsley, etc.). Add the dumplings to the pot and cook until they’re tender. Your comforting, filling, and tasty meal is ready in no time!
Chicken Thighs in Wine Sauce
Dinner on a budget? Try Chicken Thighs in Wine Sauce. Grab the following ingredients:
- Chicken thighs
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- White wine
- Tomato paste
- Broth
- Bay leaves
- Rosemary
- Mushrooms
- Shallots
First, season and brown your chicken thighs. Mix in tomato paste, wine, and broth, adding herbs and mushrooms. Nestle chicken into the pot, ensuring it’s partially submerged. Simmer until done – a delicious, budget-friendly meal.
Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie
Looking for a tasty, budget-friendly dinner? Try a Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie. Follow these simple steps:
- Make a filling: mix onion, garlic, butter, flour, and cooked chicken
- Add vegetables: frozen peas, carrots, and mushrooms
- Pour into a skillet, top with puff pastry
- Brush with egg wash, bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes
Delicious comfort food that won’t break the bank!
Pesto Chicken and Vegetables
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Bell pepper
- Yellow squash
- Zucchini
- Red onion
- Pesto
- Cooking oil
- Salt and pepper
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Chop bell pepper, squash, zucchini, and red onion. Cube chicken.
- Combine ingredients and coat with pesto.
- Place mixture on a sheet pan and bake 15-20 minutes.
- Optional: Top with mozzarella cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking. Enjoy your simple, budget-friendly meal.
Black Bean Chili
Ingredients:
- Black beans
- Ground beef (optional for vegetarians)
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Water
- Onions
- Garlic
- Sauté onions and garlic until softened. Add ground beef (if using) and cook through.
- Mix in black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, and water. Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy your budget-friendly black bean chili!
One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
Looking for a budget-friendly dinner idea? Try this One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta. Start by browning ground beef with diced onions and seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder). Add pasta, beef broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, then simmer for 20 minutes. Finally, mix in cheese and serve. Enjoy this comforting, tasty dish!
Slow-Cooker Bolognese
This budget-friendly recipe won’t disappoint. Just follow these simple steps:
- Brown beef with garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Add to slow cooker: tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, fresh basil, and cooked beef.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours.
- Serve over pasta with parmesan and enjoy!
Honey Mustard Chicken
Searching for a budget-friendly and delicious dinner idea? Look no further! Try this Honey Mustard Chicken recipe.
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Whole-grain mustard
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Mix honey, both mustards, oil, garlic, cayenne pepper and seasonings in a bowl.
- Coat the chicken in the marinade and refrigerate (30 min – 1 hour).
- Bake or grill the chicken as desired, adjust cooking time as necessary.
Enjoy a quick, flavorful, and affordable meal!
Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi
Ingredients:
- 1 lb sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 16 oz gnocchi
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup mozzarella, grated
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Sauté sausage and onion for 7-10 minutes.
- Add garlic, then wine after 30 seconds, and cook for a minute.
- Combine tomatoes, cream, gnocchi, and cook until gnocchi is done.
- Stir in spinach and mozzarella to finish.
Enjoy your quick, budget-friendly Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Garlic
- Beef broth
- Milk
- Tomato sauce
- Pasta
- Spices (onion powder, chili powder, salt)
Directions:
- Brown ground beef in a large pan.
- Remove beef, reserving 2 tbsp of grease.
- Cook softened onion in grease; add garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add beef back, along with broth, milk, tomato sauce, spices, and pasta.
- Bring to a boil, cover and cook until pasta is tender.
Tip: Customize with Rotel tomatoes or diced onion for added flavor.
Coconut Chicken Curry
Coconut Chicken Curry is perfect for a budget-friendly dinner. You’ll need chicken, coconut milk, curry powder, onion, garlic, oil, and some seasonings. Simply cook chicken, onion, and garlic in oil with curry powder. Add coconut milk, seasonings, and let it simmer. Serve over rice for a satisfying meal!
Pasta Alla Vodka
Pasta alla vodka is a delicious and budget-friendly meal option. To prepare, simply cook pasta according to package directions. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, add vodka, and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes and seasoning. Once combined, pour the sauce over your cooked pasta. Enjoy your affordable, flavorful dish!
Sheet Pan Pizza
Looking for a budget-friendly dinner idea? Try sheet pan pizza! Start by preheating your oven and lightly greasing a sheet pan. Stretch out pizza dough to cover the pan, and then add your favorite toppings, such as:
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded cheese
- Pepperoni, vegetables, etc.
Bake on the bottom rack until golden and enjoy your delicious, affordable meal!
Baked Salmon
Budget-friendly and nutritious, baked salmon is a perfect dinner option. Season your salmon fillet with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. For extra flavor, consider a panko-dill crust. Bake at 450°F for 10-12 minutes. Serve with affordable sides like rice, asparagus, or roasted veggies. Enjoy a delicious, well-rounded meal without breaking the bank.
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.