Getting dinner on the table can feel impossible when everyone is busy and the grocery bill keeps climbing. These 25 budget-friendly recipes are simple to make, filling, and easy on your wallet. Each dish is designed to please the whole family and keep everyone asking for seconds while keeping costs low. You can cook fast, spend less, and still put a hearty meal in front of your family every night.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Whip up a quick, filling meal with this creamy chickpea tomato soup that combines simple pantry ingredients into a hearty dish. It packs protein, flavor, and warmth without needing meat or expensive extras. Serve it tonight for a fast, budget-friendly dinner your whole family will ask for again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Shake up leftover chicken into a bold, crunchy salad that delivers flavor without a big grocery bill. This budget-friendly dinner fills plates and keeps costs low while still tasting fresh. Toss it together tonight for a quick meal that makes dinner feel special.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Turn leftover chicken and store-bought tortellini into a warm, satisfying soup that is easy on the wallet. This budget-friendly recipe stretches small amounts of food into a meal everyone will enjoy. Put it on the table tonight for a quick, filling dinner that saves money.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Potato Corn Chowder
Mix simple ingredients like potatoes, corn, and a little bacon into a thick, creamy chowder that tastes like more than it costs. This budget-friendly dinner fills the table without stretching your grocery budget. Make it tonight for a comforting and affordable meal the family will love.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Chicken and Rice Soup
Stir chicken, rice, and broth into a simple soup that feels hearty without a high price tag. This budget-friendly recipe turns a few ingredients into a full, satisfying dinner. Serve it tonight for a warm meal that keeps your grocery costs under control.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Roll canned tuna with pantry staples into fun, sushi-style bites that are cheaper than ordering out. This budget-friendly dinner is quick to make and satisfying to eat. Try them tonight for a simple meal that feels special without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Roll up lasagna with less meat and cheese to make a hearty dish that fills the table and saves money. This budget-friendly dinner comes together fast without losing the flavors everyone loves. Bake it tonight for a simple, affordable meal that satisfies the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Blend canned beans and herbs into a rich, creamy soup that is filling and inexpensive to make. This budget-friendly dinner comes together in one pot and keeps costs low. Serve it tonight for a hearty, satisfying meal that stretches your ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Combine ground beef, rice, and melted cheese for a one-pan meal that fills everyone without overspending. This budget-friendly recipe is simple to make and keeps grocery costs in check. Make it tonight for a dinner that feels hearty and satisfying for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Let chicken, noodles, and a few ingredients become a comforting soup in the Instant Pot without a long prep time. This budget-friendly dinner is fast, filling, and full of flavor without breaking the bank. Put it on the table tonight for a homey meal everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Cacio e Pepe
Toss simple pasta with cheese and pepper to make a dinner that tastes like it cost more than it did. This budget-friendly recipe comes together quickly with just a few ingredients. Make it tonight for a fast, affordable meal that satisfies everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Creamy Pea Pasta
Mix frozen peas with a few pantry staples to create a creamy, comforting pasta that fills plates and keeps costs low. This budget-friendly dinner is easy to make and comes together in minutes. Serve it tonight for a simple pasta night that keeps both the family and the wallet happy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Combine fresh tomatoes and ricotta with basic pasta for a flavorful, inexpensive dinner that feels special. This budget-friendly recipe uses very few ingredients but delivers a filling meal. Try it tonight for a quick, affordable meal that works for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Crisp up a quick pizza using tortillas as the base and whatever toppings you have on hand. This budget-friendly dinner saves time and money while still feeling fun and fresh. Make it tonight for a simple, affordable meal the whole family can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Mix tender chicken with soft orzo pasta and a few herbs to create a flavorful meal without a big grocery bill. This budget-friendly dinner comes together quickly and keeps costs low. Put it on the table tonight for an easy, filling dish that everyone will request again.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Cook ground chicken, cabbage, and a bold sauce in one skillet for a fast, satisfying dinner that doesn’t cost much. This budget-friendly recipe tastes like takeout but keeps grocery costs low. Serve it tonight for a simple, affordable meal that fills everyone up.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Cream of Celery Soup
Transform leftover celery into a creamy soup that is rich, filling, and easy on the budget. This budget-friendly dinner uses simple ingredients to create a comforting meal. Put it on the table tonight for a smart, low-cost dinner that stretches what you have.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Celery Soup
Lemon Butter Pasta
Toss pasta with butter and lemon to make a light, fresh dinner that doesn’t require expensive ingredients. This budget-friendly recipe is simple to prepare but tastes satisfying. Make it tonight for a quick, affordable meal that keeps dinner easy and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Mix canned tuna with pesto and sundried tomatoes to make a bright, flavorful salad without spending a lot. This budget-friendly dinner comes together fast and tastes like more than it costs. Serve it tonight for a quick, low-cost meal that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Combine canned tuna, pasta, and tomatoes to make a filling, inexpensive dinner that comes together quickly. This budget-friendly recipe is simple, fast, and satisfying for busy nights. Make it tonight for a meal that keeps both the family and the grocery bill happy.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Add bacon and tomatoes to classic mac and cheese to make a comforting dinner that feels new without costing much. This budget-friendly recipe uses simple ingredients but delivers rich flavor and a filling meal. Make it tonight for a quick, affordable dinner that satisfies the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Carrot Ginger Soup
Blend carrots and a touch of ginger into a smooth, flavorful soup that is inexpensive to make and filling. This budget-friendly dinner uses simple ingredients to create a rich, satisfying meal. Serve it tonight for a quick, low-cost dinner that works for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Combine broccoli, cheese, and a few basic ingredients in the Instant Pot for a creamy, hearty soup that costs very little. This budget-friendly recipe is fast, filling, and full of flavor. Put it on the table tonight for a simple, affordable meal that the family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mix canned chicken with a few fresh ingredients for a light, easy salad that works for lunch or dinner. This budget-friendly recipe is quick to prepare and doesn’t require expensive ingredients. Serve it tonight in sandwiches, wraps, or bowls for a fast, low-cost meal.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Tomato Soup
Stir together a few cans of tomato to create a smooth, warm soup that is both filling and affordable. This budget-friendly recipe comes together quickly and pairs well with bread or sandwiches for a complete dinner. Keep it on hand tonight for a simple meal that stretches your ingredients and your budget.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup