100 Easy, Cheap, And Tasty Dinner Ideas You’ll Love To Eat
When you need cheap, simple meals, these 100 dinner ideas are perfect for saving money and keeping everyone’s taste buds happy.
From pantry staples to quick-prep meals, there’s something for everyone!
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Cheap Classic American Dinner Ideas
2. Meatloaf
3. Pork chops
4. Sloppy Joes
5. Sausage, bell pepper, onions, and potato
6. Burgers (try on lettuce wraps to make it healthier)
7. Grilled chicken breasts
8. Chicken pot pie
10. Tuna noodle casserole
11. Shepherd’s pie
12. Baked chicken thighs
13. Homemade mac and cheese
Frugal Mexican-Inspired Meals
14. Nachos
15. Enchiladas
16. Burritos
17. Black bean & beef tostadas
18. Black bean and rice bowls
19. Huevos rancheros
20. Stuffed peppers
21. Taco salad
Related:
Hearty Budget-Friendly Soups And Stews
See budget-friendly and delicious soup recipes to find these soup recipes.
23. Lentil soup
24. Vegetable soup
25. Tomato soup (serve with grilled cheese)
26. Chicken noodle soup
27. Potato and leek soup
28. Spiced chickpea stew
29. Bean soup
30. Minestrone soup
31. Pumpkin soup
32. Carrot soup
33. Chili with beans
34. Taco soup
Cheap & Easy Italian Dinner Ideas
36. Spaghetti and meatballs
37. Baked ravioli
38. Eggplant parmesan
39. Tortellini
40. Ratatouille with crusty bread
41. Homemade pizza
42. Baked ziti
43. Pesto pasta with chicken
44. Caprese salad
45. Pasta primavera
Affordable Crockpot And One-Pot Meals
46. Slow cooker barbecue chicken
47. Salsa chicken (chicken breast with broth, salsa, & taco seasoning)
48. Goulash (ground beef, pasta, and sauce)
49. Slow cooker fajitas
50. Pulled pork (use a sale cut like a pork shoulder)
51. Chicken and dumplings
52. Parmesan chicken and potatoes
53. Teriyaki chicken
54. Buffalo chicken
55. Chicken and stuffing casserole
58. Slow cooker beef stroganoff
59. Ham and bean soup
60. Cabbage and sausage skillet
61. Slower cooker beef and vegetable stew
Related:
Sandwiches And Wraps
62. BLTs
63. Grilled cheese (add leftover lunch meat or bacon)
64. Chicken salad sandwiches
65. Egg salad sandwiches
67. Reuben sandwiches
68. Southwest chicken wraps
69. Asian lettuce wraps
70. Meatball subs
71. Tuna melt
72. Grilled veggie panini
Fun Kid-Friendly Cheap Dinner Meals
Pair these budget-friendly mains with seasonal fruits and veggies for fresher flavors and bigger savings.
73. Homemade chicken tenders (Our favorite!)
74. Hot dogs and fries
75. Cheese and cracker snack dinner
76. Chicken or cheese quesadillas
77. DIY taco night
78. Nachos with cheese and beans
79. Breakfast for dinner (pancakes and eggs)
80. Homemade or store-bought chicken nuggets
81. DIY mini pizzas (use English muffins or bagels)
82. Crescent roll pigs-in-a-blanket
83. Chicken fried rice (use a frozen bag of fried rice and add chicken)
Vegetarian And Plant-Based Cheap Dinner Meals
85. Black bean tacos
86. Falafel pitas
87. Spaghetti squash with marinara
88. Omelets
89. Black bean burgers
90. Bean and veggie burritos
91. Rice and beans
Cheap Family Dinner Ideas To Use Up Food
These cheap dinner ideas are marvelous for cleaning out the freezer, fridge, or pantry. Mix and match using what you have!
93. Loaded baked potatoes
94. Skillet stir-fry (add sauce or pesto to spice it up!)
95. Skillet hash (use potatoes or sweet potatoes)
96. Oven bake with veggies and protein
97. DIY snack dinner: crackers, cheese, veggies, fruit, nuts, popcorn
98. Scambled eggs and toast
99. Breakfast burritos
100. Ramen noodle stir-fry with eggs and frozen veggies
Related:
5 Simple Tips For Budget-Friendly Dinners
1. Stock Budget Staples: Keep affordable basics like rice, pasta, canned beans, and frozen veggies on hand for versatile meals.
2. Buy In-Season Produce: Seasonal fruits and veggies are cheaper and tastier.
3. Opt for One-Pot or Sheet Pan Meals: Save time and clean-up with easy one-pot or sheet pan dishes.
4. Repurpose Leftovers: Get creative with leftovers to reduce waste and stretch your meals.
5. Go Meatless or Use Less: Try plant-based meals or use smaller amounts of meat to cut costs.
What’s Next?
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