Save money without giving up flavor with these 21 simple and tasty budget-friendly recipes. These meals use ingredients that are easy to find and don’t cost much to make. You can cook quickly, feed your family, and still enjoy dinners that feel satisfying and complete. They’re proof that eating well doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.
Bacon Egg Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Pizza Rolls
Turn leftover ingredients into golden, cheesy pizza rolls that bake quickly and please everyone at the table. They’re fun to make, easy to eat, and packed with flavor from what’s on hand. Grab your leftovers and make a dinner that feels exciting, filling, and ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Make a quick pasta using tuna and tomato that comes together in minutes with pantry staples. The dish is hearty, filling, and leaves plenty for leftovers that stay satisfying. Use simple ingredients to create a dinner that tastes like it came from a restaurant without the cost.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss leftover chicken in a simple spicy dressing for a bold, flavorful salad that works on greens, in sandwiches, or wraps. It comes together fast and keeps costs low while still feeling special. Take a few basic ingredients and turn them into a dish that tastes exciting and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Skip the wrapper and cook a one-pan chicken egg roll with vegetables for a fast, flavorful dinner. It comes together quickly and keeps costs low without losing taste. Use inexpensive ingredients to make a meal that feels complete and like it came from a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Bacon Egg Salad
Transform leftover hard-boiled eggs into a filling bacon egg salad that works on toast, in wraps, or eaten straight from the bowl. It’s fast, easy, and satisfying for dinner or lunch. Combine everyday ingredients to create a meal that tastes hearty, complete, and ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Make a one-pot chicken tortellini soup with leftover chicken and frozen pasta that cooks fast. It stays comforting and fills the table without a lot of cost or effort. Take a few simple ingredients and turn them into a rich, filling, and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Tomato Basil Bisque
Use pantry staples to make a rich tomato basil bisque that is warm, flavorful, and simple to prepare. It cooks in one pot quickly and keeps costs low while tasting special. Turn a few basic ingredients into a comforting soup that feels complete and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Make thick, creamy broccoli cheddar soup quickly in the Instant Pot using affordable ingredients. It warms the kitchen and fills everyone up without extra effort. Use low-cost staples to create a soup that tastes rich, cozy, and ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Combine canned tuna with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a fast, flavorful meal that requires no cooking. It works for busy nights, light dinners, or a quick lunch. Use a few inexpensive ingredients to make a dinner that feels satisfying and complete.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Make lasagna roll ups faster than traditional lasagna while keeping all the cheesy, saucy goodness. They’re filling, simple to prep, and taste great as leftovers. Turn budget-friendly ingredients into a comforting meal that feels satisfying and complete.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Stretch a pound of ground beef into a full meal with cheesy rice that feeds the whole family. It’s easy to make, filling, and keeps well for leftovers. Combine affordable ingredients to create a dish that tastes hearty, satisfying, and ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
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. Turn simple, low-cost ingredients into a meal that is filling, flavorful, and ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Fill pasta shells with cheese and bake in sauce for a warm, hearty dinner that doesn’t use meat. The dish is simple to make, filling, and satisfying for everyone at the table. Take everyday ingredients and create a cozy dinner that feels complete and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Chicken Fried Rice
Use leftover chicken and frozen veggies to make fast, flavorful fried rice that feeds everyone quickly. It’s flexible, easy to prepare, and much cheaper than takeout. Transform ordinary ingredients into a meal that tastes fresh, satisfying, and substantial.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Make a one-pan Mexican skillet with quinoa, beans, corn, and spices for a filling dinner. It’s packed with protein, easy to adjust to what’s on hand, and keeps costs low. Use a few simple ingredients to create a healthy, satisfying, and complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cacio e Pepe
Cook pasta with cheese and pepper for a fast, cheap dinner that tastes rich and filling. It uses very few ingredients and is ready for the whole family in no time. Simple pantry staples can turn an ordinary meal into something that feels special and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Creamy Pea Pasta
Make creamy pasta using frozen peas and a simple sauce for a warm, filling meal that comes together quickly. It’s affordable, easy, and ready in minutes. Use a few basic ingredients to create a comforting, complete, and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Pizza Pot Pies
Turn leftover ingredients into bubbling pizza pot pies with dough and cheese for a fun, filling dinner. They bake golden and hot, making the meal exciting without extra cost. Transform odds and ends into a dish that tastes indulgent and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies
Calzones
Wrap leftover ingredients in dough to make golden, bubbly calzones that bake into a fun, filling meal. They’re easy to prepare, satisfying, and make dinner feel like a treat. Turn simple pantry staples into handheld dinners that feel complete and special.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Upgrade boxed mac and cheese with bacon and tomatoes for a fast, filling dinner that tastes richer than its cost. It’s easy, inexpensive, and perfect for busy nights when time is tight. Add a few simple extras to make a classic meal feel satisfying and new.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Make chicken tortilla soup in one pot using beans, tomatoes, and broth for a filling, flavorful dinner. It cooks quickly, feeds the table, and keeps costs low. Use simple pantry ingredients to create a meal that tastes full, hearty, and ready to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup