Cooking dinner doesn’t have to drain your wallet. These 27 budget-friendly meals make every penny count while still tasting satisfying and full of flavor. They use simple ingredients that are easy to find and turn them into filling dinners the whole family will enjoy. With these recipes, it’s possible to keep grocery costs low without cutting corners on taste.
Spicy Tuna Rolls. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Combine canned chicken with fresh veggies and simple seasonings for a light, easy meal that keeps grocery costs low. This low-cost dinner comes together fast and uses pantry staples efficiently. It’s filling, satisfying, and tastes fresh, vibrant, and like a salad worth paying more for at a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Use leftover chicken and store-bought tortellini to make a warm, hearty soup without spending much. This budget-friendly dinner stretches a few ingredients into a satisfying meal for the whole family. It tastes comforting, full of flavor, and like a homemade dish from a classic Italian kitchen without the price tag.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Cook ground chicken, cabbage, and sauce in a single skillet for a dinner that feels like takeout without the cost. This simple, low-budget meal comes together quickly and fills plates with flavor. The dish tastes rich, savory, and like it could come from a favorite restaurant while keeping grocery bills in check.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken and Rice Soup
Stir chicken, rice, and broth into a filling soup that keeps costs low. This budget-conscious dinner turns a few pantry staples into a hearty meal the whole family enjoys. It tastes rich, comforting, and like a cozy bistro dish without stretching the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Combine broccoli, cheese, and a few pantry staples in the Instant Pot for a creamy, quick dinner that costs very little. This easy, low-budget meal fills the table with minimal effort. It tastes cheesy and satisfying, and as if it belongs on a restaurant menu without the extra cost.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Cream of Celery Soup
Transform leftover celery into a creamy soup that stretches ingredients without raising grocery bills. This affordable, simple meal is filling and smooth for the whole family. It tastes silky, rich, and like a café-quality dish without spending extra money.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Celery Soup
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Toss fresh tomatoes and ricotta with pasta for a quick, satisfying dinner that keeps costs low. This low-budget meal uses just a few ingredients but still fills plates for the family. It tastes creamy, fresh, and like a restaurant-style pasta without the price.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Roll canned tuna with simple pantry items into sushi-style bites that cost far less than takeout. This quick, affordable meal comes together in minutes and is fun to prepare while keeping grocery costs low. It’s satisfying to eat and stretches basic ingredients into something special. The rolls taste fresh, flavorful, and show that a simple, low-cost dinner can feel thoughtful and satisfying for everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Rolls
Creamy Pea Pasta
Mix frozen peas with a few pantry staples to make a creamy, comforting pasta that doesn’t cost much. This easy, low-budget dinner comes together fast and fills everyone at the table. It tastes rich, creamy, and like a pasta you’d happily order at a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Blend canned beans and herbs into a rich soup that stretches pantry staples and keeps costs low. This budget-friendly dinner fills plates and comes together in one pot. It tastes hearty, full of flavor, and like a restaurant-quality soup without the extra cost.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Simmer chicken, beans, and corn into a hearty soup that makes every penny count. This low-cost meal stretches simple pantry staples into a filling dinner for the whole family. It tastes rich, comforting, and like a homemade meal you’d happily pay more for at a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Simple Salmon Patties
Mix canned salmon with a few pantry ingredients to make crispy, golden patties that turn one can into a full meal. This budget-friendly dinner fills plates without overspending. The patties taste tender, flavorful, and like a restaurant dish while keeping grocery costs low.
Get the Recipe: Simple Salmon Patties
Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Combine tender chicken with soft orzo and a few simple herbs for a flavorful dinner that maximizes every dollar. This low-cost meal comes together quickly and fills the table. The dish tastes fresh, zesty, and like a restaurant-worthy plate without spending extra.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo
Potato Corn Chowder
Mix potatoes, corn, and a touch of bacon into a thick, creamy chowder that stretches simple ingredients far. This budget-conscious meal fills the family without breaking the bank. The chowder tastes rich, comforting, and as if it belongs at a dinner that costs more than it does.
Get the Recipe: Potato Corn Chowder
Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Blend chickpeas and tomatoes into a protein-packed, creamy soup that keeps grocery bills low. This affordable meal turns basic pantry items into a full, satisfying dinner. It tastes rich, hearty, and like a café-style soup without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Tomato Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Let chicken, noodles, and a few simple ingredients cook in the Instant Pot for a warm, filling meal that makes every penny count. This budget-friendly dinner is fast, hearty, and satisfying for the whole family. The soup tastes rich, homey, and like a dish from a classic restaurant without the price.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Tomato Basil Bisque
Blend tomatoes and basil into a smooth, creamy bisque that fills plates while keeping costs low. This budget-friendly dinner turns a few pantry staples into a rich, satisfying meal. It tastes indulgent, café-quality, and like a fancy dish without the cost.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss leftover chicken with fresh greens and bold flavors for a salad that stretches ingredients and grocery dollars. This low-cost dinner is quick to prepare and satisfying for the family. The salad tastes crisp, flavorful, and like a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Roll up lasagna with less meat and cheese for a dinner that makes every ingredient count. This budget-friendly meal is simple to assemble and still fills the table with flavor. The roll-ups taste rich, comforting, and like a restaurant-style dish while keeping costs low.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll-Ups
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Crisp tortillas and top them with simple ingredients for a pizza that turns pantry staples into a fun, budget-friendly dinner. This low-cost meal comes together fast and fills the family. The pizza tastes cheesy, crisp, and like a restaurant-style treat without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Mix canned tuna, pasta, and tomatoes into a filling dinner that keeps grocery costs low. This budget-friendly meal turns simple ingredients into a hearty dish the whole family will enjoy. The pasta tastes rich, satisfying, and proves that a little goes a long way in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Add bacon and tomatoes to classic mac and cheese for a comforting meal that stretches every dollar. This low-cost dinner uses basic ingredients and comes together quickly. The mac and cheese tastes creamy, hearty, and makes every bite feel worth it.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Combine canned tuna with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a bright, flavorful meal that makes every penny count. This budget-conscious dish comes together fast using simple pantry staples. The salad tastes fresh, satisfying, and proves that low-cost ingredients can shine.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Carrot Ginger Soup
Blend carrots and a touch of ginger into a smooth soup that keeps grocery bills low. This affordable meal turns basic ingredients into a rich, filling dinner. The soup tastes creamy and flavorful, and it shows that simple pantry items can make a memorable dish.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup
Cacio e Pepe
Toss pasta with cheese and black pepper for a simple dinner that doesn’t cost much but delivers bold flavor. This low-cost recipe comes together quickly and stretches pantry staples. The pasta tastes rich and satisfying, and proves that even a few ingredients can make a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Mix ground beef, rice, and cheese into a hearty casserole that fills the table without overspending. This budget-friendly dinner is easy to make with everyday ingredients. The casserole tastes rich, comforting, and shows that simple meals can be full of flavor and value.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Tomato Soup
Stir canned tomatoes with a few pantry staples for a smooth, filling dinner that keeps costs low. This budget-conscious recipe comes together quickly and stretches ingredients far. The soup tastes rich, comforting, and proves that small ingredients can make a big impact.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup