20 Low-Budget Recipes You Won't Mess Up

These 20 low-budget recipes are extra easy to make, so you can’t and won’t mess them up. We chose meals that are good for saving money but still taste great. These recipes use simple ingredients and easy steps so anyone can make them. Whether you’re new to cooking or just want easy meals, these recipes are great for filling you up without spending a lot. You’ll find quick dinners and satisfying meals that are simple to cook at home.

Two pictures of a casserole with sausage and vegetables in it. — Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage

This recipe is a great choice for those on a tight budget looking for something straightforward and hard to mess up. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes and uses affordable ingredients like cabbage, sausage, and onion. Simple to cook with just oil and a bit of butter, plus basic seasonings from your pantry, it’s both practical and cost-effective.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Three muffins on a white plate with green onions. — Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins are perfect for a quick, inexpensive start to your day. They can be prepared in 30 minutes, are high in protein, and let you use what you’ve already got in your kitchen. This makes them not only easy to prepare but also kind to your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken bites with garlic butter sauce and herbs on a plate. — Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are ideal for a fast, budget-friendly meal. They take only 20 minutes to make and consist of juicy chicken in a simple garlic butter sauce. With such a quick and easy process, this recipe is nearly impossible to mess up, making it a great option for any cook.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a great pick for a weeknight dinner, easy enough for beginner cooks. It requires no vegetable stuffing, is ready in 45 minutes, and creates a flavorful family meal. This recipe simplifies dinner time without compromising on taste or your budget.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A crock pot full of taco soup. — Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Crock Pot Taco Soup makes preparing a delicious meal effortless and affordable. With ingredients like ground beef and cream cheese that don’t break the bank, it cooks in one pot for added convenience. You can personalize it with toppings like sour cream, making this soup a perfect choice for those seeking simplicity and cost savings.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages. — Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is perfect for anyone needing a quick meal without spending a lot. Ready in 30 minutes and flexible with the vegetables you use, it’s a straightforward way to feed your family. The simplicity of cooking everything on one pan keeps dinner hassle-free and affordable.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese. — Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is quick to make, ready in 30 minutes, and uses budget-friendly frozen vegetables. With a creamy cheese sauce and bacon, it brings plenty of flavors. This dish is a great way to enjoy a hearty meal on a budget, perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Canned Chicken Patties

A white plate with broccoli and chicken patties. — Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Canned Chicken Patties are a great solution for a fast, economical meal. They take just 20 minutes to prepare, using affordable canned chicken. Whether you’re pairing them with vegetables or making sandwiches, these patties are versatile and keep meal costs low.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

This Twice Baked Potato Casserole is a straightforward dish that brings comfort to your table using simple ingredients like potatoes, bacon, sour cream, and cheese. It’s also make-ahead friendly. This casserole is a great way to enjoy a stress-free dinner that’s also easy on your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is quick to prepare and kind to your budget. Using simple ingredients like chicken and jalapeños, it’s a great option for a cost-effective lunch or dinner. Preparing it in advance saves time, making your meal planning both simple and economical.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

Fajita baked chicken in a baking dish with salsa and sour cream. — Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken combines chicken breasts, spices, cream cheese, and peppers in a simple, 30-minute meal. This dish is an affordable way to enjoy a flavorful dinner, perfect for those looking to eat well without spending a lot.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

A pan full of chicken in a sauce with a wooden spoon. — Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Green Chile Chicken uses leftover chicken thighs to create a budget-friendly meal in just 20 minutes. Cooked in one skillet and flavored with green chile, it’s an easy and economical way to turn leftovers into a new, exciting dish.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties make a quick, budget-conscious meal, ready in 30 minutes using affordable canned salmon. You can even sub in canned tuna if that is a better choice for your budget. Flavored with jalapeño and cayenne pepper, they’re a great choice for anyone looking for a cost-effective meal without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup is perfect for family dinners, requiring just one pot and ready in an hour. Its simple ingredients make it a great choice for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend meal, offering warmth and comfort without a high price tag.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

A skillet full of meat and rice with a spoon. — Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a one-pan, 30-minute meal. Using affordable ground beef and cauliflower rice, it’s an easy, budget-friendly dinner option that doesn’t skimp on flavor or convenience.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Cheesy spinach and chicken casserole. — Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake is a 30-minute meal that’s easy on the budget. Combining chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, it offers a simple solution for weeknight dinners, making it easy to feed your family well without stress or high costs.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Stuffed cucumber boats with chicken and bacon on a white plate. — Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are a unique, quick meal. Using cucumbers as the base for a flavorful chicken salad with canned chicken, bacon, and cheese, they’re ready in under an hour. This recipe is affordable and straightforward, offering a fresh take on budget-friendly dining.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy spinach and sausage casserole with a wooden spoon. — Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a simple 30-minute meal. As a one-dish wonder combining ground beef with frozen vegetables, it’s perfect for any night, blending convenience with cost-efficiency for a meal that’s as easy to make as it is on your budget.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan with bacon and cabbage in it. — Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a flavorful meal ready in 25 minutes, using simple, affordable ingredients like cabbage, bacon, and onion. This recipe provides a practical option for a delicious meal that’s also easy on the wallet, perfect for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

This Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup offers a comforting, creamy meal in just one hour. It’s ideal for a cozy night in, easy to prepare, and is a delicious meal that doesn’t cost too much or require complicated ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

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20 Low-Budget Recipes You Won’t Mess Up