10+ Cheap Dinner Recipes for Budget-Friendly Meals

Finding affordable meals can be a challenge, especially when cooking for a family. Cheap dinner recipes offer delicious and budget-friendly options that can help you save money while still enjoying home-cooked meals.

Whether you’re feeding a large group or just looking to cut back on your grocery bills, there are plenty of tasty recipes to explore.

You don’t have to sacrifice flavor for savings. By using simple, affordable ingredients, you can create satisfying dinners that everyone will love.

With a little creativity and planning, you can make the most of your food budget and still enjoy a variety of meals throughout the week.

1) Chicken Drumstick Curry

Chicken drumstick curry is a tasty and budget-friendly meal. This dish uses chicken drumsticks, which are affordable and full of flavor.

The curry sauce enhances the taste, making it a family favorite. To make this dish, you will need a few basic ingredients.

The recipe is simple enough for anyone to follow. The cooking process allows the chicken to become tender and juicy.

Ingredients

• 1.2 kg chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup cooking oil
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 4 green cardamom pods
• 2 small bay leaves
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 onion
• Spices like turmeric and curry powder
• Tomatoes, coconut milk, and brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaves.
3. Sauté the onions until soft.
4. Stir in spices and cook for a minute.
5. Add tomatoes and coconut milk, then mix.
6. Add chicken drumsticks and simmer until cooked through (about 30 minutes at 350°F or 175°C).

2) One-pot chili con carne

One-pot chili con carne is a tasty and affordable meal. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without much fuss.

This dish is packed with flavor and can feed a crowd. You will need lean ground beef, beans, and spices to create a rich chili taste.

With just one pot, clean-up is easy too. Serve it with rice or bread for a filling dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz/410 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) kidney beans, drained
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 cup (240 ml) beef stock

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
3. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook until soft.
4. Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, and beef stock.
5. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

3) Vegetable Fried Rice

Vegetable fried rice is an easy and tasty dinner option. It uses simple ingredients and can be ready in about 20 minutes.

You can customize it with whatever vegetables you have at home. Start by cooking some garlic, carrots, and peas in a large pan.

Stir-frying brings out their flavors. Then, add cooked rice to the pan.

Mix everything well. It’s perfect for using up leftover rice and veggies.

Plus, it’s a budget-friendly meal you’ll want to make again.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, bell peppers)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for about 3 minutes.
4. Add the cooked rice and soy sauce.
5. Stir until heated through and season with salt and pepper.

4) Spaghetti aglio e olio

Spaghetti aglio e olio is a simple, budget-friendly dish. It uses just a few ingredients, making it perfect for a quick dinner.

You can prepare it in about 30 minutes. You’ll need spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and parsley.

It’s filling and satisfying, with great flavor from the garlic and spice. To make this dish, cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water.

Heat olive oil in a pan, then sauté minced garlic until golden. Add red pepper flakes for a kick.

Toss the spaghetti with the oil and garlic, then add chopped parsley before serving.

Ingredients

• 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden.
4. Stir in red pepper flakes.
5. Toss in the cooked spaghetti.
6. Add chopped parsley and mix well.
7. Serve hot and enjoy your meal!

5) Bean and cheese quesadillas

Bean and cheese quesadillas are a tasty and budget-friendly option for dinner. They are easy to make and can be ready in just a few minutes.

You can use simple ingredients you might already have at home. To start, gather your tortillas, canned beans, and cheese.

You can use flour or corn tortillas based on your preference. Black beans or pinto beans work well.

Heat a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C). Spread beans on one tortilla and sprinkle cheese on top.

Place another tortilla on top to make a sandwich. Cook until the tortillas are golden and the cheese is melted.

Flip it carefully and cook the other side. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream if you like.

Ingredients

• Tortillas
• 1 can of beans (black or pinto)
• Shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet on medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Spread beans on one tortilla.
3. Add cheese on top of the beans.
4. Place another tortilla on top.
5. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until golden.
6. Flip and cook the other side.
7. Cut into wedges and serve.

6) Lentil Soup with Carrots

Lentil soup with carrots is a tasty and affordable meal. It is easy to make and packed with nutrients.

You can enjoy it for lunch or dinner. To prepare, start by cooking lentils until they’re tender.

Add chopped carrots, onions, and garlic for flavor. You can also include spices like cumin and paprika to enhance the taste.

This soup is great because it uses simple ingredients you might already have at home. It’s filling and can be served with bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the lentils under cold water.
2. In a pot, sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add the carrots and cook for a few minutes.
4. Stir in the lentils, broth, and spices.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
6. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are soft.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

7) Baked Potato with Tuna Salad

A baked potato with tuna salad is a simple and filling meal. This dish combines the creamy texture of tuna with the soft, warm potato.

You can make it in no time for a budget-friendly dinner. To start, bake your potatoes until they’re tender.

This usually takes about 45 minutes at 400°F (200°C). While they bake, mix canned tuna with your favorite mayo, some diced celery, and a bit of lemon juice for flavor.

Once the potatoes are ready, cut them open and fluff the insides with a fork. Then, generously pile on the tuna salad.

Feel free to add toppings like shredded cheese or fresh herbs to enhance the flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes
• 1 can of tuna
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and poke holes in the potatoes.
3. Bake the potatoes for about 45 minutes.
4. In a bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, celery, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
5. Cut open the baked potatoes and fluff the insides.
6. Top with the tuna salad. Enjoy!

8) Homemade Sloppy Joes

Homemade sloppy joes are a quick and tasty dinner option. They are simple to make and perfect for busy weeknights.

With just a few ingredients, you can have a meal that your family will love. For this recipe, you will need ground beef, onion, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and hamburger buns.

These ingredients are budget-friendly and can help you create a satisfying dish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup (240 ml) ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 4 hamburger buns

Cooking Instructions

1. In a skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is browned.
2. Drain the fat and return the skillet to the heat.
3. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar.
4. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes.
5. Serve the mixture on hamburger buns. Enjoy your meal!

9) Pasta primavera

Pasta primavera is a simple and delicious dish that’s perfect for a quick dinner. It features fresh seasonal vegetables tossed with pasta, usually in a light lemon and butter sauce.

This recipe is great for using up whatever veggies you have on hand. You can find zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots in a typical primavera.

The colorful mix makes the dish not just tasty but also visually appealing. Prepare your ingredients, cook your pasta, and sauté the veggies until they’re slightly tender.

Toss everything together with your sauce for a delightful meal.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225 grams) of pasta
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add zucchini, bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
5. Toss in the cooked pasta. Serve warm.

10) Stir-fried tofu with veggies

Stir-fried tofu with veggies makes a quick and budget-friendly dinner. You can use any vegetables you like.

Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes.

Cook the tofu in a hot pan until it turns golden and crispy. Add your favorite veggies, such as broccoli and bell peppers.

Season with soy sauce and garlic. Serve over rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Press the tofu to remove excess water.

2. Cut the tofu into cubes.

3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Set the temperature to 350°F or 180°C.

4. Cook the tofu until it turns golden. This takes about 5-7 minutes.

5. Add vegetables and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.

6. Stir in soy sauce. Cook for another minute.

7. Serve over rice or noodles.