You don’t need a big grocery bill to make dinner taste great. These 25 budget-friendly meals use simple ingredients that turn into full, flavorful dishes. They are easy to make, filling, and perfect for nights when you want something good without spending much. With these recipes, even a small pantry can make dinners feel complete and enjoyable.
Calzones. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Turn canned tuna into a quick, flavorful dinner with pesto and sundried tomatoes that requires no cooking at all. It comes together in minutes and works for busy nights, light dinners, or even a simple lunch. A few inexpensive ingredients can combine to make a meal that feels satisfying and complete.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Cacio e Pepe
Mix pasta, cheese, and pepper to make a fast, cheap dinner that tastes rich and filling without much effort. It cooks quickly, uses very few ingredients, and is ready for the whole family in no time. Simple pantry staples can create a dish that feels like it took more time and money than it really did.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Pizza Rolls
Transform leftover ingredients into golden, cheesy pizza rolls that bake quickly and please everyone at the table. They are fun to make, easy to eat, and packed with flavor from what’s already on hand. Even ordinary leftovers can be turned into a meal that feels exciting, filling, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Make thick and creamy broccoli cheddar soup quickly in the Instant Pot using simple, low-cost ingredients. It cooks fast, warms the kitchen, and fills everyone up without extra effort. Affordable staples can create a soup that tastes rich, comforting, and complete.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Make lunch or dinner exciting with buffalo chicken tossed in a simple spicy dressing for big flavor. It works on greens, in sandwiches, or wraps, and comes together in minutes. Leftover chicken can be transformed into a dish that feels bold, satisfying, and special without costing much.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chicken and Dumplings
Turn leftover chicken into a hearty, one-pot meal with soft dumplings and savory broth that fills the kitchen with aroma. The dish is easy to make, satisfying, and keeps everyone at the table happy. A few basic ingredients can come together to create a dinner that feels cozy and complete.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Fried Rice
Use leftovers and frozen veggies to make fast, flavorful chicken fried rice that fills the table quickly. It is flexible, easy to prepare, and far cheaper than ordering takeout. Ordinary ingredients can combine to make a dish that tastes fresh, satisfying, and substantial.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Calzones
Wrap leftover ingredients in dough to create golden, bubbly calzones that bake into a fun, filling meal. They are easy to prepare, satisfying to eat, and make dinner feel like a treat. Even simple pantry staples can be turned into a handheld dinner that feels complete and special.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Turn pantry staples into a quick and tasty pasta with tuna and tomato that is ready in minutes. It is hearty, filling, and makes enough for leftovers that stay satisfying. A few simple ingredients can create a dinner that tastes like a restaurant meal without the cost.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Make a hearty chicken tortellini soup in one pot using leftover chicken and frozen pasta. It cooks quickly, stays comforting, and works for both dinner and lunch the next day. Basic ingredients can be transformed into a rich and filling meal without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Toss together a quick chicken salad using canned or leftover chicken and whatever is in the fridge. It works in sandwiches, wraps, or eaten straight from the bowl for an easy dinner or lunch. Simple, low-cost ingredients can come together to make a filling and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Make a flavorful Mexican skillet quinoa with beans, corn, and spices that cooks in one pan. It is packed with protein, easy to adjust based on what’s on hand, and stays budget-friendly. Few ingredients can create a meal that is healthy, satisfying, and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Creamy Pea Pasta
Use frozen peas and a simple sauce to make creamy pasta that is warm, filling, and satisfying. It comes together quickly, uses inexpensive ingredients, and is ready in minutes. Basic pantry staples can create a meal that tastes comforting, complete, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Lemon Roasted Chicken
Roast chicken with lemon and simple seasonings to make a juicy, golden dinner without spending much. It takes minimal effort and uses ingredients you likely already have at home. Affordable staples can be transformed into a meal that feels classic, satisfying, and complete.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken
Pizza Pot Pies
Turn leftovers into bubbling pizza pot pies with dough and cheese for a fun and filling dinner. They bake golden and hot, making the meal exciting without adding extra cost. Even odds and ends can come together to create a dish that tastes indulgent and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Skip the wrapper and make a fast egg roll in a bowl with leftover chicken and vegetables in one pan. It comes together quickly, is packed with flavor, and keeps costs low. Simple, inexpensive ingredients can make a dinner that feels like a restaurant meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Tomato Basil Bisque
Make rich tomato basil bisque at home using pantry staples for a warm, comforting meal. It cooks quickly in one pot and is full of flavor without extra cost. Few ingredients can combine to create a soup that feels satisfying, cozy, and complete.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Upgrade boxed mac and cheese with bacon and tomatoes for a quick, filling dinner that tastes richer than its cost. It is fast, inexpensive, and perfect for busy nights when time is tight. Even a few additions can turn a simple meal into something satisfying and special.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Make a hearty chicken tortilla soup with beans, tomatoes, and broth in one pot that is ready in no time. It cooks quickly, fills the table, and is easy to prepare. Simple pantry ingredients can be transformed into a meal that tastes full, flavorful, and complete.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Make lasagna roll-ups faster than traditional lasagna with all the cheesy, saucy goodness. They’re filling, simple to prep, and taste great as leftovers. Even budget-friendly ingredients can come together to make a meal that feels comforting and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Potato Gnocchi
Make soft potato gnocchi that tastes like a restaurant dish using just a few basic ingredients. Pair it with any sauce on hand for a filling, homemade dinner. Simple, inexpensive ingredients can create a meal that feels special, hearty, and complete.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Bacon Egg Salad
Turn leftover hard-boiled eggs into a filling bacon egg salad that works on toast, in wraps, or eaten straight from the bowl. The dish is fast, easy, and satisfying for dinner or lunch. Everyday ingredients can come together to make a meal that feels hearty, complete, and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Turn a single pound of ground beef into a cheesy, filling casserole that makes enough for the whole table. It mixes simple ingredients like rice, cheese, and seasonings into a warm, satisfying dinner that is easy to prepare. Even with basic pantry staples, it creates a hearty meal that tastes like it took more effort and money than it really did.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Make cheesy chicken enchiladas quickly with cooked chicken and store-bought sauce that keeps costs low. They bake into a gooey, warm dish that is ready in minutes. Few ingredients can come together to create a meal that tastes comforting, filling, and complete.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Fill pasta shells with cheese and bake them in sauce to make a warm, satisfying dinner that feeds the whole family. It comes together easily with simple ingredients and creates a meal that feels hearty and complete. Even without meat, this dish turns basic pantry staples into something that tastes special and filling.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells