20 Budget Friendly Dinners
20 Budget Friendly Dinners that make your grocery budget go farther: Looking for budget-friendly dinners that are easy, filling, and family-friendly? This collection of 20 inexpensive dinner ideas includes simple pastas, breakfast for dinner, $5 rotisserie chicken meals, hearty soups, stuffed potatoes, and clever ways to stretch a pound of ground beef into a meal that feeds the whole family. These cheap family meals are designed to help you make the most of the groceries you already buy without sacrificing flavor or variety. Whether you’re meal planning for a busy week or trying to lower your grocery bill, these easy dinner ideas make eating well on a budget a whole lot easier.
20 Budget Friendly Dinners
1
Chicken Pot Pie
Using store bought rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables will cut down prep and cook time but not sacrifice flavor. This one is quick comfort.
Check out this recipe
2
Tamale Pie
This Tamale Pie recipe is an easy weeknight dinner that layers fluffy cornbread, seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, and plenty of melted cheese into one comforting skillet meal. Made with simple pantry staples like Jiffy corn muffin mix and canned cream corn, it's quick to prepare and perfect for busy family nights.
Check out this recipe
3
Neapolitan Pasta
Easy to make, feeds a crowd, budget friendly, and kid approved means this pasta is reliable but never boring!
Check out this recipe
4
Red Beans and Rice
This recipe is filling and flavorful! It's a workhorse, delivering a dinner that is budget friendly and hands off.
Check out this recipe
5
Pulled Pork with Cole Slaw
This recipe is a base for several different dinner options. Make it a sandwich, a platter, or a bowl- it's yummy any of the ways you do it. The beauty of a pork roast is that it can be cooked in advance and used for a quick weeknight win!
Check out this recipe
6
Chicken Noodle Soup
This easy Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is the ultimate weeknight comfort meal, made with rotisserie chicken, tender vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a flavorful broth. Perfect for busy families, this classic chicken noodle soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or crackers for a simple, wholesome dinner everyone will love.
Check out this recipe
7
Cheesy Sausage and Potato Soup
This Cheesy Sausage and Potato Soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food, combining smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and a rich, creamy cheddar cheese broth into one hearty meal. This easy homemade potato soup recipe comes together with simple pantry staples, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Check out this recipe
8
Bacon Potato Hash with Eggs
This bacon potato hash is a weeknight lifesaver because it uses just a handful of ingredients and cooks quickly. And if you use one big griddle for the hash and the eggs, clean up is a breeze!
Check out this recipe
9
Breakfast Burritos
This Breakfast Burritos recipe is a hearty, satisfying meal that's just as perfect for busy weeknights as they are for weekend breakfasts. They also freeze beautifully, so you can make a batch ahead of time for fast dinners or grab-and-go meals on your busiest days.
Check out this recipe
10
Easy Migas
This Easy Migas recipe works beautifully for a busy weeknight because it uses simple, inexpensive ingredients and comes together in just one pan.
Check out this recipe
11
Classic Chicken Salad
This Classic Chicken Salad recipe is a quick, budget-friendly weeknight meal that's perfect for busy families. Made with rotisserie chicken and a handful of simple ingredients, it comes together in minutes and can be served as sandwiches, on croissants, or with crackers for an easy dinner.
Check out this recipe
12
Spaghetti and Meatballs:
This easy spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a comforting classic made with tender, flavorful meatballs and simple pantry ingredients. Baked in the oven for a convenient weeknight dinner, these juicy Italian-style meatballs are packed with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and herbs for delicious flavor in every bite. Serve them over your favorite pasta with marinara sauce for a family-friendly meal
Check out this recipe
13
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Turn breakfast into an easy, comforting dinner with this classic Biscuits and Sausage Gravy recipe. Pickier eaters who aren't gravy fans can build an egg and cheese biscuit instead, so everyone enjoys the same meal without extra cooking.
Check out this recipe
14
Fancy Sloppy Joes
This comes together really fast but feels special because it isn’t just your average jarred “Joe” sauce. Bonus – it really stretches a pound of ground beef!
Check out this recipe
15
Pizza Stuffed Potatoes
This Pizza Stuffed Potatoes recipe is an easy, budget-friendly dinner that combines fluffy baked potatoes with pizza sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and your favorite pizza toppings. They’re a fun twist on traditional pizza and can be customized with Italian sausage, mushrooms, olives, bacon, or whatever you have on hand.
Check out this recipe
16
Taco Stuffed Potatoes
This Taco Stuffed Potatoes recipe makes a fantastic weeknight dinner because they’re hearty, customizable, and come together quickly thanks to microwave‑baked potatoes and a simple stovetop filling. You can use russet or sweet potatoes and whatever toppings you love!
Check out this recipe
17
Fancy Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes
These Fancy Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes put a delicious twist on classic sloppy joes by pairing sweet and tangy seasoned ground beef with tender baked potatoes and melty cheese. The flavorful beef mixture comes together quickly with brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and beef broth for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Check out this recipe
18
Cheeseburger Pizza
This easy Cheeseburger Pizza recipe combines all the classic flavors of a juicy cheeseburger with a soft pizza crust topped with melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, pizza night, or whenever you’re craving a classic cheeseburger in pizza form!
Check out this recipe
19
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Pizza night gets a glow up! Everyone can help make this one, and everyone will love it. Pick your favorite sauce, favorite cheeses, and favorite people to enjoy pizza night at home!
Check out this recipe
20
Taco Soup
This easy Taco Soup recipe is a hearty, flavor-packed dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights. Made with ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and ranch seasoning, it comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal prep, and in one pot for easy cleanup!
Check out this recipe