Looking for recipe ideas on a tight budget? You’re in the right spot. These 21 great recipes are easy on your wallet and simple to make. It’s all about proving you don’t have to spend big to enjoy good food. Whether saving up or cutting back on expenses, these recipes are perfect for making your money go further.
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is our solution for a budget-friendly meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes. You only need cabbage, sausage, some oil, and butter, plus a sprinkle of your favorite seasonings. It’s simple, yet it delivers on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Crock Pot Taco Soup is all about making your life easier without breaking the bank. With ingredients like ground beef, cream cheese, and a mix of spices, you set it in the crock pot and let it cook. It’s perfect for those days when you’re looking for something different.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ready in under an hour, this casserole uses pantry staples. It combines canned tuna, wide egg noodles, whole milk, peas, and cheese for a comforting meal. This recipe is perfect for those evenings when you want something hearty without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole is a champion for budget-conscious cooks, ready in under an hour with ingredients like broccoli, cheese, and crushed butter crackers. It’s designed for ease, requiring minimal kitchen skills and brings to the table a hearty meal without a big price tag.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This dinner is a real time-saver, ready in just 30 minutes. Just spread your favorite vegetables and sausage slices on a pan, drizzle with olive oil, season to taste, and bake. It’s a great way to enjoy a good meal without spending a lot.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Get a flavor-packed dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with chicken breasts, cream cheese, fajita seasoning, bell peppers, and onions. Simply spread the seasoned cream cheese over the chicken, top with veggies, and bake.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
In about 45 minutes, you can have a Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole ready, combining the heartiness of bell peppers, ground meat, rice, tomatoes, and cheese. This one-dish wonder blends classic flavors with the convenience of a casserole.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Start your day off right with these protein-packed muffins, ready in 30 minutes. Using cottage cheese, eggs, flour, and your choice of add-ins, these muffins are a smart, economical choice for busy mornings.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This quick, 30-minute casserole brings together frozen broccoli or cauliflower in a cheese sauce, topped with bacon bits and breadcrumbs. It’s a delicious, easy, and wallet-friendly way to serve up a veggie-rich dinner.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Canned Chicken Patties
In just 20 minutes, you can transform canned chicken, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings into delicious patties. Pan-fried until golden, these patties are a testament to the fact that budget-friendly meals can still be hearty and filling.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This salad features cooked chicken, jalapeños, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and spices. It’s a budget-friendly way to spice up your meal routine. It’s easy to whip up and perfect for making ahead. It’s a quick way to add a kick to your lunches or dinners.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
With an hour of cooking time, this casserole combines potatoes, bacon, sour cream, and cheese for a cozy dinner. It’s a straightforward, comforting meal that’s easy on both your budget and time. This dish is perfect for a relaxing evening.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
In half an hour, you can enjoy these cucumber boats filled with a mix of chicken salad, bacon, and ranch. Hollow out cucumbers, mix cooked chicken with bacon, ranch dressing, and fill. It’s a fun, low-cost meal that’s both refreshing and filling.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Turn your leftover chicken thighs into a delicious Green Chile Chicken in just 20 minutes. This one-skillet meal is a quick, wallet-friendly dinner option, adding a perfect amount of spice to your weeknight meals. Leftover rotisserie chicken will work just as well.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Transform the classic comfort food into an easy one-pot meal with this Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Use simple ingredients like cooked chicken, mixed vegetables, chicken broth, and cream. Ready in an hour, it’s a top choice for a hassle-free family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This 25-minute dish features cabbage and bacon fried together for a simple yet flavorful meal. Just chop, fry the bacon, add the cabbage, and cook until tender. It’s an affordable, hearty option for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This dish is all about getting a flavorful dinner on the table in 30 minutes using ground beef, cauliflower rice, and a creamy sauce. Just brown the beef, stir in the cauliflower rice, add your sauce ingredients, and let it all simmer together.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Spinach Chicken Bake
Ready in just 30 minutes, this bake mixes chicken breasts, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. Lay the chicken in a baking dish, top with spinach and cheese, and bake until bubbly. It’s an easy, affordable way to bring a filling meal to your table.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
These spicy patties, ready in 30 minutes, use canned salmon, jalapeño, and cayenne for a kick. Mix ingredients, form into patties, and pan-fry until crispy. It’s a quick, spicy meal that proves budget-friendly meals can also be delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Get this casserole ready in 30 minutes with ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheese. Mix the beef with veggies, top with cheese, and bake. It’s an effortless, budget-friendly meal perfect for a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This creamy soup takes 1 hour and blends sweet potatoes, red peppers, broth, and cream. Simmer all ingredients until soft, then blend until smooth. It’s a comforting, budget-friendly meal great for warming up your evening.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup