Cooking at home does not have to drain your wallet or feel like extra work at the end of the day. With a handful of smart recipes, you can make meals that are filling, tasty, and simple to prepare without spending much. These ideas stretch ingredients, cut down on waste, and still bring flavor to the table. Cook more, spend less with these 31 easy and budget-friendly recipes that prove saving money can still mean eating well.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
A one-pan egg roll in a bowl makes dinner fast, filling, and affordable without the need for wrappers. It’s packed with flavor and comes together quickly using ingredients that do not cost much. Cook more and spend less with this easy budget-friendly recipe that turns simple items into something that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Bacon Egg Salad
Leftover eggs can be turned into a creamy and filling salad with crispy bacon that works on toast, in wraps, or straight from a bowl. It’s easy to prepare, uses inexpensive ingredients, and makes a meal that feels hearty and complete. Save money and eat well by turning basics into a dish worth making again and again.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Tomato Basil Bisque
A pot of tomato basil bisque made from pantry staples feels rich and satisfying without being expensive. It cooks quickly, fills the table, and proves that budget meals do not need to be boring. Warm up your week with this simple budget-friendly recipe that makes dinner feel special.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Tossing leftover chicken with a spicy dressing makes a salad that is bold, exciting, and low-cost. It works well on greens, in a wrap, or even as a sandwich for a quick and filling meal. Spend less and still enjoy big flavor by making this easy, budget-friendly recipe tonight.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
A pound of ground beef stretches into a cheesy rice casserole that feeds a full table without spending much. It’s hearty, filling, and makes enough for leftovers that stay just as tasty the next day. Cook more and spend less with this budget-friendly recipe that makes comfort food easy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Pasta shells filled with cheese and baked in sauce create a dinner that feels cozy, hearty, and complete without using meat. The recipe is simple, satisfying, and proves that you do not need many ingredients for a filling meal. Make this budget-friendly recipe when you want a dinner that tastes rich but costs very little.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Potato Gnocchi
Soft potato gnocchi made at home brings a dish that feels special but only uses a few simple ingredients. It’s filling, easy to pair with any sauce, and much cheaper than ordering out. Cook more, spend less, and let this budget-friendly recipe bring comfort to your table.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
A skillet of quinoa mixed with beans, corn, and spices makes a protein-packed dinner that is both simple and low-cost. It cooks in one pan, is easy to adjust to what you have, and leaves you with a meal that feels complete. Save money and eat well with this budget-friendly recipe that brings big flavor without the price.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Canned tuna mixed with pesto and sundried tomatoes creates a quick dinner that requires no cooking and costs very little. It comes together in minutes and works well for lunch, light dinners, or busy nights. Keep it simple and budget-friendly by making this fresh and flavorful recipe.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Adding bacon and tomatoes to a box of mac and cheese creates a dinner that feels richer than its price. It’s fast to prepare, inexpensive to make, and filling enough for busy nights. Cook more, spend less, and let this budget-friendly recipe turn a classic into something new.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Cacio e Pepe
Pasta, cheese, and black pepper come together to make a dinner that feels rich without costing much. It uses very few ingredients, cooks quickly, and fills the table with comfort in no time. Try this simple budget-friendly recipe when you want something tasty that doesn’t stretch your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Pizza Pot Pies
Leftover odds and ends can turn into bubbling pizza pot pies that bake golden and full of flavor. They’re fun to make, filling to eat, and cost far less than ordering pizza. Save money and still enjoy comfort food by making these easy and budget-friendly pies tonight.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies
Creamy Pea Pasta
Frozen peas and a simple sauce transform pasta into a creamy dinner that tastes cozy and filling. It’s quick to prepare, affordable to make, and works for busy nights when time is short. Stretch your budget and keep dinner satisfying with this easy and flavorful recipe.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
A thick, creamy broccoli cheddar soup comes together fast in the Instant Pot with affordable staples. It’s rich, hearty, and makes enough to keep everyone full without spending much. Make this simple budget-friendly recipe when you want soup that feels like comfort in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Leftover chicken and frozen pasta turn into a hearty one-pot soup that feels warm and filling. It’s quick to make, easy on the wallet, and rich enough to serve for dinner or lunch the next day. Keep your meals budget-friendly and satisfying with this classic comfort dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Lemon Roasted Chicken
Roasting chicken with lemon and simple spices makes a meal that is juicy, golden, and affordable. It takes little effort, uses ingredients you probably already have, and tastes like a classic dinner. Stretch your grocery dollars by making this easy and budget-friendly recipe at home.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Using cooked chicken and store-bought sauce, you can make cheesy enchiladas that bake into a gooey and filling dish. They’re quick to prepare, inexpensive, and still taste like comfort food. Bring bold flavor to the table with this easy, budget-friendly recipe that saves both time and money.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken and Dumplings
A pot of chicken and dumplings makes a dinner that is hearty, cozy, and surprisingly low-cost. It uses leftover chicken, simple broth, and soft dumplings to create a meal that feels complete. Keep your weeknights easy with this budget-friendly recipe that makes comfort food without the high price.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Fried Rice
Leftover chicken and frozen vegetables make fried rice that is quick, flavorful, and filling. It’s far cheaper than takeout and just as satisfying when you want something fast. Try this budget-friendly recipe for a simple dinner that turns basics into something special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Canned or leftover chicken tossed with a few fridge staples makes a meal that works in sandwiches, wraps, or on its own. It’s easy to prepare, filling enough for dinner or lunch, and it doesn’t cost much at all. Save money and keep things simple with this quick and budget-friendly recipe.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Pizza Rolls
Turn simple leftovers into cheesy pizza rolls that bake up golden and delicious. They’re quick to put together, easy to share, and packed with flavor using what you already have in the fridge. This is a budget-friendly dinner that feels exciting, filling, and fun to eat.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Make a warm pot of chicken tortilla soup with beans, tomatoes, and broth for a dinner that feels hearty and complete. It comes together quickly, feeds the table without effort, and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. This recipe keeps costs low while still giving you a flavorful and filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Calzones
Wrap your favorite leftovers inside dough and bake until golden for calzones that feel like a treat. They’re simple to prepare, filling, and bring a fun twist to a weeknight dinner. Use pantry staples to create handheld meals that taste special without costing much.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Toss pasta with tuna and tomato for a quick dinner that feels hearty and satisfying. It uses pantry staples, cooks in minutes, and leaves you with leftovers that taste just as good the next day. This recipe proves you can make a meal that feels restaurant-worthy without spending a lot.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Roll pasta with cheese and sauce to make lasagna roll-ups that are faster than the classic version but just as tasty. They’re hearty, simple to prepare, and perfect for leftovers that reheat well. This recipe takes budget-friendly ingredients and turns them into a comforting and complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Skip the pricey meal out and make this copycat Il Fornaio rigatoni alla vodka at home. It tastes like the restaurant version but costs a fraction of the price and makes enough to serve the whole family. This recipe shows that you can enjoy a rich Italian favorite without spending extra.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough
Forget delivery and use this bacon fathead dough for a pizza night that is fast and low-cost. It’s made without cream cheese, keeping things simple and cheap while still giving you a tasty crust. This recipe is a smart way to beat takeout when you want pizza on a budget.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough
Venison Stew
Make a hearty venison stew that cooks slowly until tender and full of rich flavor. It blends meat with vegetables and herbs for a filling dish that feels special on a Sunday night. Serve it with bread for a budget-friendly meal that is comforting and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Venison Stew
Breaded Panko Pork Chops
Coat pork chops with panko breadcrumbs for a crispy dinner that looks and tastes like a treat. They cook quickly, use inexpensive ingredients, and still feel like a special meal. This recipe proves you can keep dinner affordable and still serve something impressive.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Panko Pork Chops
French Onion Salisbury Steak
Make Salisbury steak with a French onion twist for a rich dinner that doesn’t cost much. It uses ground beef, pantry staples, and a simple gravy for flavor that feels like a classic comfort meal. Serve it with potatoes or bread for a budget-friendly dish that tastes like more than the sum of its parts.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Salisbury Steak
Chicken Egg Foo Young
Fry eggs with chicken and vegetables to make patties that are filling and quick to cook in one pan. A simple sauce adds flavor without driving up the cost or effort. This easy recipe turns inexpensive ingredients into a meal that feels fun and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Foo Young