Ordering takeout might feel easier, but it adds up fast. These 27 easy and cheap meals prove that cooking at home can be quicker, cheaper, and just as tasty. You don’t need a bunch of fancy stuff or hours in the kitchen to make dinner work. With simple steps and budget-friendly ingredients, these meals get the job done without draining your wallet.
Shortcut Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Creamy Pea Pasta
Make dinner simple with this creamy pasta that mixes frozen peas with a quick, homemade sauce. It’s a cheap meal that’s warm, filling, and doesn’t ask for much time or money. This is one of those easy budget-friendly dinners that works great when you’re too tired to cook something complicated.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Let leftover chicken stretch a little further with this easy tortellini soup that tastes like more than it costs. It’s the kind of cheap, comforting dinner that makes you feel like you got takeout without the bill. Everything cooks in one pot, which makes cleanup fast and dinner even faster.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Skip the deep fryer and try this egg roll in a bowl that still gives you all the flavor but for way less money. It’s fast, filling, and made with just a few simple ingredients, which makes it perfect for busy nights. This one’s a smart choice for anyone trying to cook cheap meals that still taste great.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Add some heat to your week with this bold buffalo chicken salad that doesn’t take much time or cash. It’s one of those budget-friendly dinners that hits the spot without leaving you feeling like you missed out. Big flavor and low effort make this one easy to keep on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Mix ground beef, rice, and cheese into a hearty casserole that stretches your dollars and fills you up. It’s a smart way to feed a group or get some leftovers without spending a ton. This is one of those cheap and easy meals that works well on any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Lemon Roasted Chicken
Brighten up dinner with this lemon roasted chicken that uses just a few low-cost ingredients. It’s simple to make and works great when you want something that feels like more than it costs. This budget-friendly dinner doesn’t need much to taste really good.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Grab some canned chicken and mix up this fast salad when you’re low on time and need something that won’t break the bank. It works in sandwiches, wraps, or even on its own when cooking isn’t an option. This is one of those easy and cheap meals that gets the job done without a fuss.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Calzones
Make pizza night cheaper by folding it into a homemade calzone that uses whatever ingredients you already have. They bake fast and save money compared to takeout, which makes them great for busy people. This recipe proves budget-friendly meals can still be fun and filling.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Pizza Pot Pies
These mini pot pies pack all the flavor of pizza into a twist that’s fast, easy, and great for using leftovers. You don’t need fancy ingredients or extra time to get this one on the table. It’s the kind of cheap dinner that feels special without costing much.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies
Pizza Rolls
Turn random leftovers into something tasty with these simple pizza rolls that bake up in no time. They’re great when you’re tired and want a cheap, warm dinner that still feels fun. This one’s easy to keep in rotation when the fridge is looking empty.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Use rotisserie chicken and a few pantry staples to make these enchiladas that feel like takeout but cost a lot less. They come together fast and taste rich and cheesy without much work. This is a solid cheap dinner recipe that works for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Bacon Egg Salad
Use leftover hard-boiled eggs and some bacon to whip up this filling egg salad that doesn’t need much else. It works in a sandwich or on crackers and still counts as a full dinner. This is one of those budget-friendly meals that helps stretch your ingredients without feeling boring.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Toss quinoa, beans, and corn into one skillet for a meal that’s fast, easy, and doesn’t cost much to make. It’s full of flavor and protein without using expensive ingredients. This is the kind of cheap meal that helps keep things simple and filling.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Make the most of what’s in your pantry with this soup that uses basic items and leftover chicken to make something warm and cheap. Everything goes in one pot, which saves time and dishes. It’s a perfect go-to when you need a budget-friendly dinner in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Add some bacon and tomatoes to boxed mac and cheese to make it feel like a grown-up meal that still keeps costs down. It’s warm, fast, and easy to pull together on a weeknight. This is one of those cheap dinners that feels a little extra without being extra.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Tomato Basil Bisque
Skip the store and make this tomato basil soup at home with ingredients you probably already have. It’s warm, simple, and way cheaper than the fancy canned stuff. This is one of those easy and cheap meals that makes soup night something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Potato Gnocchi
These soft dumplings use basic ingredients and turn into something that tastes like a restaurant meal but costs a lot less. Pair them with whatever sauce is around and still end up with something satisfying. It’s a smart and cheap dinner idea for when you want something homemade.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Let the Instant Pot do the work with this creamy broccoli cheddar soup that comes together fast and fills you up. It’s cheap to make and perfect for busy people who still want something warm. This is a great budget-friendly meal that saves time and money.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Cacio e Pepe
Mix pasta, cheese, and pepper for a dish that’s fast, cheap, and surprisingly rich for how few ingredients it uses. It’s perfect when you want a warm dinner but don’t want to spend or do much. This is one of those go-to cheap meals that feels like comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
These shells are full of cheese and baked until bubbly, which makes them feel fancy without the fancy price. It’s a meat-free option that’s still super filling and easy to make. This is one of those simple, cheap dinners that always work when money and time are tight.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Just mix canned tuna, pasta, and some tomatoes for a quick and cheap meal that still fills you up. It’s easy to make and works well for nights when you want something good without spending much. This is a budget-friendly dinner that’s hard to mess up.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Chicken Fried Rice
Use leftover rice and chicken to make a meal that’s fast, cheap, and full of flavor. Toss in some frozen veggies or whatever’s left in the fridge and still get a full plate. This is one of those cheap meals that’s great for saving time and using what you have.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Canned tuna gets a quick upgrade with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a fast dinner that feels like more than it is. No cooking needed, which makes this great for busy nights or hot days. It’s one of those budget-friendly recipes that tastes like it took way more effort.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
These roll-ups give you the flavor of lasagna without all the layers and long cooking time. They’re simple, filling, and easy to make with just a few budget-friendly ingredients. This is a solid weeknight meal that saves money and still feels comforting.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Chicken and Dumplings
Stretch leftover chicken into something rich and warm with this simple one-pot dinner. The dumplings make it filling without needing anything fancy or expensive. It’s the kind of cheap meal that tastes like home without costing much at all.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough
Skip the delivery and use this low-cost bacon fathead dough to make your own quick and easy pizza. It’s low-carb and made without cream cheese, which keeps things simple and cheap. This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants a budget-friendly way to beat takeout.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Fathead Pizza Dough
Breaded Panko Pork Chops
Make dinner feel special without the price by using panko breadcrumbs to get that crispy crunch on pork chops. They’re simple to prepare and cook fast, which makes them perfect for any weeknight. This is one of those budget-friendly meals that doesn’t feel like a budget meal.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Panko Pork Chops