Budget dinners are important for managing expenses while enjoying good food. These dishes use simple and easy-to-find ingredients you may already have on hand, so you can start cooking without a special trip to the store. These recipes are designed to be straightforward but still full of flavor, meaning less time cooking and more time enjoying your creations. With these 17 recipes, you're all set to make some magic happen in the kitchen without spending a ton.
Prep everything in just 20 minutes, and let your Crock Pot do the rest! This soup combines affordable ground beef with cream cheese and canned tomatoes with common spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. You can also add toppings like sour cream, cilantro, or cheddar cheese based on what's available in your fridge.
Sheet pan dinners are simply the best. This recipe is a simple mix of sausage and your choice of vegetables, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup and ready in 30 minutes.
These crispy and juicy patties are ready in just 20 minutes and are perfect for a budget meal. Made with affordable canned chicken, they're simple to prepare and can be paired with vegetables or used in sandwiches.
Here's a cheesy, veggie-packed casserole perfect for a budget-friendly meal. You'll combine frozen vegetables, creamy cheese sauce, and bacon in a single baking dish. Easy to make and even easier on the wallet!
This simple and quick stovetop recipe combines affordable ingredients like cabbage and sausage in one pan. Using fully cooked chicken sausage cuts down cooking time, while the cabbage adds bulk and nutrients. It's ready in just 25 minutes and is a practical choice for a low-cost meal.
This easy and hearty soup is packed with simple and affordable ingredients like chicken, corn and veggies, all simmered in a creamy and savory broth, all in one hour!
Think ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and cheese cooked together in one skillet and ready in 30 minutes. The entire meal is cooked in one pan, making it a great option for a simple, wallet-friendly meal.
This easy one-skillet dish cooks bite-sized chicken pieces in savory garlic butter sauce — all in just 20 minutes! This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques, perfect for a quick, budget-friendly dinner.
The recipe uses cost-effective ingredients, making it a great choice for a flavorful, budget-friendly dinner. You'll bake seasoned chicken breasts, spices, cream cheese, and peppers in a single baking dish and have it ready in 30 minutes.
These bite-sized patties are made from canned salmon and seasoned with jalapeño and cayenne. This recipe is a practical, economical choice for a quick seafood dinner.
This chicken bake is an affordable, easy-to-make dinner that combines chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella all in one dish. It's a simple but impressive recipe that doesn't require special cooking techniques and can be ready in just 30 minutes.
This one-pan dish, which takes just 30 minutes to prepare, features juicy chicken thighs smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce with sun-dried tomatoes. It's a great option for anyone looking for an impressive, budget-friendly dinner.
Turn your leftover chicken into a savory, creamy dish in just 20 minutes. This one-skillet recipe uses simple green chile, which adds extra flavor without extra cost. It's also a smart choice for repurposing leftovers into an economical meal.
Here's a quick and easy snack featuring cucumber boats filled with chicken, bacon, sour cream, and cheese. This recipe uses canned chicken, making it an accessible and affordable lunch or snack.
Ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar are all baked together in this savory casserole that's ready in 30 minutes. The recipe is affordable and a great choice for a budget-friendly weeknight dinner.
This salad uses common ingredients like chicken, bacon, and jalapeños, tossed in a creamy homemade dressing. It's great for meal prep, so you can make a big batch that can last you several meals.
This recipe uses simple ingredients like cabbage, bacon, onion, and a few spices cooked together in just one pan for convenience. It's ready in just 25 minutes, perfect for a cost-effective and easy-to-prepare dinner.
