Summer break is here – hooray! But between all the fun, feeding hungry kids all day can drain your grocery budget faster than a slip-and-slide. This list offers 19 quick and easy meals that are kind to your wallet and guaranteed to be a hit with your little chefs. No fancy ingredients, no long cooking times – just delicious, budget-friendly meals in minutes.

Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

This tuna salad adds a surprising twist to the classic. Pesto and sun-dried tomatoes pack a flavorful punch, perfect for a quick and budget-friendly lunch or light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

Pizza Roll-Ups

Take pizza night to a new level with these kid-approved roll-ups. Made with rotisserie chicken, spinach, cheese, and sauce, they’re ideal for a quick weeknight meal or a fun game night treat.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Roll-Ups

Pizza Pot Pies

Ditch the delivery for a handheld pizza adventure! Packed with melty cheese, leftover chicken, and your favorite toppings, these pot pies are a fun way to use leftovers and avoid the mess, perfect for busy summer nights.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pot Pies

Kefta Kebabs

Break free from the dinner routine with these flavorful kebabs. Marinated in delicious spices, they’re easy to make and sure to be a hit at the table. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs

Creamy Pea Pasta

This veggie pasta is a wallet-winner packed with protein and healthy peas. It’s quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta

Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Skip the takeout menu and transform leftover chicken into a cheesy fiesta! These enchiladas are your new weeknight hero, sure to be a hit with kids thanks to the melty goodness. Plus, they’re easy on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Cacio e Pepe

This pasta dish is a simple yet incredibly satisfying meal, made with just a handful of ingredients. Creamy pecorino cheese and black pepper coat perfectly cooked pasta, creating a warm and comforting dish perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

Calzones

Skip the delivery guy and make your own calzones! They’re like portable pizzas packed with all your favorite flavors. Choose your own fillings for a fun and customizable weeknight dinner that’s easy on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Calzones

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Ditch the takeout menu and stir-fry your way to deliciousness! This recipe packs all the flavor you love from an egg roll into a bowl, minus the greasy wrapper. It’s a quick, easy, and budget-friendly option for busy weeknights when you crave Asian-inspired comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Tuna Tomato Pasta

This restaurant-style pasta dish is surprisingly cheap! Packed with flavor and coming together quickly, it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Kids will enjoy the taste, and you’ll love how easy it is on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Tomato Pasta

Chicken Tenders

Skip the overpriced drive-thru and ditch the greasy frozen box! Make these homemade tenders with your kids this summer. They’ll love mixing up the crispy coating, and you’ll love the juicy chicken underneath. It’s a fun and frugal way to create a delicious meal together, perfect for a summer staycation dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders

Bacon Egg Salad

This recipe transforms leftover ingredients into a delicious and power-packed lunch or sandwich filling. The crumbled bacon adds a surprising crunch for a fun twist on a classic.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad

Chicken and Dumplings

Simmer up a pot of pure comfort food with this chicken and dumplings recipe. Tender leftover chicken bobs in a fragrant broth alongside fluffy dumplings, creating a soul-warming meal perfect for chilly nights or a cozy dinner in.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken Fried Rice

Don’t toss leftover chicken! This recipe transforms it into a flavorful and fun fried rice dish. Add your favorite chopped veggies for a colorful and healthy twist. It’s a great way to clean out the fridge and create a delicious meal the whole family can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Ditch the layers and grab a fork! These lasagna roll-ups are like little flavor explosions wrapped in tender pasta. Packed with cheesy goodness and your favorite sauce, they’re a fun and easy way to enjoy lasagna on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Shredded BBQ Chicken

This recipe turns chicken into smoky, tender goodness perfect for sandwiches, salads, or even creative summer tacos. It’s a flavor bomb waiting to happen, all starting with a simple recipe.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken

Shortcut Chicken Salad

Made with canned chicken, chopped veggies, and a light vinaigrette, this chicken salad is a refreshing and healthy lunch option perfect for packing in school lunches or grabbing on-the-go during busy summer days. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet, leaving room for those fun summer treats!
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Forget takeout! These giant, cheesy shells are overflowing with a creamy ricotta mixture and can be customized with your favorite vegetables. They’re a fun and delicious way to sneak in some extra veggies, perfect for a satisfying vegetarian weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Grown Up Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese isn’t your cafeteria fare. Rich, creamy cheese sauce is studded with smoky bacon and pops of juicy tomato, creating a sophisticated and satisfying twist on a classic that will please everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese