Tired of spending too much on dinner every night? These 27 low-cost recipes make it easy to put a tasty meal on the table without breaking the budget. The recipes use simple ingredients and take little time to prepare, so cooking doesn’t feel like a chore. You’ll find meals that are filling, flavorful, and easy enough to make any night of the week.
Lemon Butter Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Bacon Egg Salad
Try this bacon egg salad for a quick and satisfying meal. The eggs are creamy, and the bacon adds a salty crunch that makes every bite better. It comes together fast and uses simple, affordable ingredients. This is an easy-to-make, cheap recipe that tastes more expensive than it is.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Make a fast tortilla pizza in the air fryer for lunch, dinner, or a snack. Crisp tortillas replace traditional dough, saving time and money while still giving a crunchy base. Top with your favorite cheese and veggies for a quick, tasty meal. This is a delicious, cheap recipe that anyone can whip up in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Let the slow cooker do the work for tender tomato lime chicken. Juicy chicken gets bright flavors from tomato and lime without needing expensive ingredients. It’s a hands-off recipe that fills the table with a satisfying meal. This slow cooker dinner is a perfect low-cost recipe you’ll actually enjoy making.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Enjoy a one-pot cheesy beef and rice casserole that feeds the whole family. Ground beef and rice mix with melted cheese for a hearty and filling dish. It’s simple to make and uses ingredients that won’t hurt your budget. This is a tasty, easy-to-make, cheap recipe that leaves everyone full.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Make creamy sun-dried tomato salmon in less than 30 minutes for a fast, rich dinner. The salmon is tender and coated in a garlic and Parmesan sauce that tastes luxurious without costing much. It’s simple to prepare and comes together quickly. This is an easy, low-cost recipe that feels special without spending a lot.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Cook up pasta with tomatoes and creamy ricotta for a fresh and filling meal. It’s ready in about 30 minutes using just a few everyday ingredients. The flavors are simple but satisfying for a dinner that won’t take much from the budget. This is a delicious, cheap recipe that makes weeknight meals easy.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Take canned tuna to the next level with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a flavorful lunch or dinner. It’s quick, easy, and uses affordable pantry ingredients. The flavors are bold, making a simple salad taste like a treat. This is an easy-to-make, cheap recipe that you’ll want to make often.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Caprese Panini
Make a caprese panini with melty cheese, tomatoes, and basil for a fast, filling sandwich. It comes together in minutes and uses simple ingredients that cost very little. The flavors are fresh and satisfying without much effort. This is a tasty, cheap recipe that works for lunch or a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Lemon Butter Pasta
Whip up lemon butter pasta for a simple and comforting meal with a tangy touch. Butter and lemon create a creamy sauce without needing fancy ingredients. It’s easy to cook and ready in minutes for a filling dinner. This is a low-cost recipe that feels fresh and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Nicoise Omelet
Make a Nicoise omelet for a quick breakfast-for-dinner option that’s packed with flavor. Eggs, veggies, and a few simple ingredients come together in one skillet. It’s easy to prepare and won’t break the budget. This is an affordable and tasty recipe that anyone can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Nicoise Omelet
Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Try Asian-inspired turkey burgers for a fast, flavorful meal at home. Simple seasonings add crunch and taste without needing expensive ingredients. These burgers cook quickly and are filling enough for a full dinner. This is a delicious, cheap recipe that gives your usual burger a twist.
Get the Recipe: Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Chicken and Dumplings
Make classic chicken and dumplings with tender chicken and soft dumplings for a filling meal. It uses leftover rotisserie chicken to save time and money. The savory broth makes it comforting without being complicated. This is an easy-to-make, cheap recipe that feels like a treat on any night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Tenders
Cook crispy chicken tenders coated in cornflakes for a quick, satisfying dinner. The chicken stays juicy while the coating adds crunch without using expensive ingredients. It’s easy to make and loved by kids and adults alike. This is a tasty, cheap recipe that makes a simple meal feel special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Cream Of Celery Soup
Make creamy celery soup for a smooth, comforting bowl of dinner. Simple ingredients create rich flavor without spending much. It’s fast and easy to cook, perfect for a budget-friendly meal. This is an easy, low-cost recipe that tastes comforting and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cream Of Celery Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Prepare chicken tortellini soup with tender chicken and cheesy tortellini for a fast, filling dinner. The recipe uses rotisserie chicken and pantry staples to save time and money. The broth is flavorful and warming without extra effort. This is a delicious, cheap recipe that works for lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Cook hearty lentil soup in the Instant Pot for a healthy and filling meal. Lentils and simple vegetables create a dish that’s full of protein and flavor without high cost. It’s fast, easy, and perfect for busy days. This is an affordable, low-cost recipe that makes weeknight dinners simple.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Southwest Tortilla Pie
Make a Southwest tortilla pie with chicken, beans, corn, and cheese layered between crisp tortillas. The recipe uses inexpensive ingredients for a big, filling dish. It’s simple to prepare and full of bold flavor. This is an easy-to-make, cheap recipe that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Tortilla Pie
Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Bake mac and cheese with tomato and bacon for a richer, tastier version of a classic. Simple pantry ingredients make a creamy, cheesy dish without spending a lot. It’s hearty and filling, perfect for weeknight dinners. This is a delicious, cheap recipe that takes a favorite to the next level.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Make shortcut chicken salad with canned chicken for a fast and simple meal. Mix with everyday ingredients for a filling and affordable lunch or dinner. It takes no cooking and comes together in minutes. This is an easy, low-cost recipe that saves time and money.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cook Mexican skillet quinoa for a one-pot meal with protein and flavor. Quinoa, beans, corn, and salsa create a filling dinner without needing expensive ingredients. It’s easy to make and comes together in one pan. This is a cheap recipe that tastes hearty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Make buffalo chicken salad with spicy chicken, fresh greens, and creamy dressing for a bold meal. It’s simple to cook and uses affordable ingredients. The flavors are satisfying without extra effort. This is an easy-to-make, cheap recipe that works for lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Try chicken egg roll in a bowl for a quick, tasty meal with crisp veggies and tender chicken. It’s a single-pan recipe that saves time and money. The flavors are savory and satisfying without being complicated. This is a low-cost recipe that’s fast and filling.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Make cheesy chicken enchiladas using rotisserie chicken for a fast and filling dinner. The recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly for a hearty meal. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner that won’t cost much. This is a delicious, cheap recipe the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Honey Habanero Tacos
Try honey habanero tacos for a quick, spicy twist on ground beef tacos. Simple ingredients make a flavorful meal without spending much. It’s fast to cook and satisfying for taco night. This is an easy, low-cost recipe that tastes better than usual tacos.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Creamy Pea Pasta
Make creamy pea pasta for a fast and filling meatless dinner. The peas and sauce create a flavorful dish using simple pantry ingredients. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal. This is a tasty, cheap recipe that anyone can make.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Cook chicken stew with biscuits for a hearty and filling dinner. Rotisserie chicken and vegetables create a comforting meal that uses affordable ingredients. The biscuits add a soft, tasty touch without extra cost. This is an easy, low-cost recipe that fills the table with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Carrot Ginger Soup
Make carrot ginger soup with sweet carrots and a touch of ginger for a smooth, tasty meal. Simple ingredients come together quickly for a satisfying soup. It’s healthy, affordable, and easy to prepare. This is a cheap recipe that works as a starter or a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup