Craving tasty meals without breaking the bank? These recipes are delicious, filling and easy on your wallet.
We focused on dishes that use everyday ingredients and budget-friendly staples so you can make more food for less costs.
Now you can skip the expensive ingredients or quit relying on high-cost take out food with these budget-friendly recipes to make at home.
Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken
Photo Credit: Trop Rockin
If you need a quick and easy main dish, BBQ shredded chicken is the perfect recipe. It’s easy to make, budget friendly and super quick in a pressure cooker.
Make sandwiches, wraps or add it on top of a baked potato for filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken
Pizza Pasta Bake
Photo Credit: Trop Rockin
A ground beef casserole that feeds a crowd with a combination of ground beef, pepperoni, veggies and plenty of cheese. The added pasta is what makes it a hearty meal for the whole family.
You can’t go wrong with this dish. So much flavor and casseroles are always great for budget dinners. They go a long way and leftovers are fantastic for tomorrow’s lunch, stretching those dollars even further.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Bake
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta
Photo Credit: Trop Rockin
Tender chicken breasts are flavored with Cajun spices and cooked in a creamy sauce with vegetables.
It’s similar to an Alfredo sauce but lighter and with a kick. Simply prep the veggies, sear the chicken, and throw everything in the slow cooker.
If you want to make it even more budget friendly, use chicken thigh meat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta
Air Fryer Pork Loin
Photo Credit: Trop Rockin
Pork loin roast is one of the more budget friendly cuts of pork. This recipe calls for a 2 pound cut of meat (which is much cheaper than pork chops), feeds a crowd and has the flavor you know and love.
Marinade overnight with a Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and garlic mixture for the best flavor.
Get the Recipes: Air Fryer Pork Loin
Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti
Photo Credit: Trop Rockin
This recipe combines ground beef, taco seasoning, and Ro-Tel tomatoes with spaghetti for a one-pot meal filled with amazing taco flavors.
It only uses 6 ingredients and cooks in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
This is an extra budget friendly dish for Taco Tuesday.
Get the Recipe: Taco Spaghetti
Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen
Don’t feel like cooking but want a filling meal? These pinwheels are the answer. Stuffed with sliced deli ham, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and more and spread over a tortilla.
Feel free to add lettuce, relish or any of your favorite ingredients to compliment the ham and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Cheeseburger Casserole
Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester
Turn a classic taste of cheeseburger and fries into a fun casserole. First, cook ground beef and spices, then add the mixture to your baking dish. Top with cheese, frozen tater tots and more cheese.
Bake until the cheese is perfectly melty. Garnish with burger fixings and top with this delicious special sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole
French Onion Pasta
Photo Credit: Bless This Meal
If you love French onion soup, then this hearty pasta dish is for perfect you. This recipe includes all the great flavors from caramelized onions, beef broth, mushrooms and gooey melted cheese.
Start with cooking the ground beef, then the onions and mushrooms along with the spices. Cook the pasta in the same pot so it can absorb all the French onion flavors.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Pasta
Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday
Chicken thighs are cheaper, juicy and have more flavor than chicken breasts. All you need are 6 ingredients to make this recipe with potatoes and green beans. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
A very customizable dish where you can add extra herbs or spices, sprinkle on Parmesan cheese or include different veggies.
Also, a great meal prep dish for making easy lunches or dinners for the upcoming week.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Photo Credit: The Recipe Rebel
This homemade Hamburger Helper recipe uses mostly pantry staples and it’s great for weeknights when you need something quick and simple.
Ground beef, a handful of seasonings, frozen spinach and tender pasta are all smothered in a tomato and cheesy base.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper
Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
Photo Credit: Masala Herb
Create a sizzling skillet dinner that is loaded with tender cabbage, diced chicken, ginger, garlic, and more.
Get the stir-fried flavors in a fun dinner that is takeout-worthy, but all made in the comfort of your own home. Plus, it’s low-carb and nutrient rich.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks
Photo Credit: Beeyond Cereal
Grab a low-cost package of chicken legs, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts and whip up this one-pan chicken dinner. It’s all seasoned perfectly with a blend of spices and baked on a single sheet pan.
Enjoy a dinner that is hearty and wholesome with savory flavors.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks
Taco-Stuffed Bread
Photo Credit: Yellow Bliss Road
An inexpensive loaf of French bread is hollowed out and filled with a seasoned ground beef mixture and melty cheese.
Baked until golden brown and bubbly. Then top it with your favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa for a filling dinner that won’t break the bank.
Get the Recipe: Taco-Stuffed Bread
Cheesy Meatball Sliders
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits
Hidden inside each meatball is a piece of cheese, so when you sink your teeth into these BBQ meatball sliders, you get the best of both worlds.
A no-fuss dinner that’s affordable and feeds a crowd. That’s a win-win!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Meatball Sliders
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken
Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook
Diced chicken covered in a tangy buffalo sauce along with tender roasted broccoli in a simple sheet pan recipe. A great dish to serve with a bed of rice so the buffalo sauce gets soaked into the rice.
You get heat, crunch, and savory flavors all in one weeknight dinner. Plus, cleanup and prep work is easy.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken
Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole
Photo Credit: Simply Five Ingredients
Ground beef and cream of mushroom soup are the perfect medley of flavors. Combine with frozen veggies, cheese and top with tater tots, this casserole is quick and easy.
Ready in just 3o minutes.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Photo Credit: She’s Not Cookin’
Sloppy Joe’s in a casserole? Yes. please! Ground beef is smothered in a homemade sauce made with brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and more. Then create layers of pasta and cheese, so you get gooey cheese throughout the entire dish.
Dinner on the table in just 40 minutes from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole
Next Up: 23 Quick & Easy Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
Photo Credit: Wholesome Made Easy
The recipe options are practically endless, but I’ve put together a variety of recipe ideas for all kinds of occasions.
Quick appetizers, healthy dinners. potluck dishes, hearty casseroles for a family — there’s a recipe in here you can keep in your back pocket for days when you need a leg up on the cooking.
Get the Recipes: 23 Quick & Easy Rotisserie Chicken Recipes