You CAN Afford to Feed Your Kids This Summer With These 17 Easy Breezy Dinners

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You CAN Afford to Feed Your Kids This Summer With These 17 Easy Breezy Dinners

School’s out, the sun is shining, and the fridge seems to magically empty faster than ever. Sound familiar? This summer, ditch the dinnertime stress with 17 easy and affordable meals your kids will love. These recipes are quick to make, kind to your wallet, and sure to keep everyone happy from pool time to bedtime.

Image shows a wooden spoon holding a scoop of Mexican skillet quinoa with the full pot behind it.
Mexican Skillet Quinoa. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Shredded BBQ Chicken

Image shows a BBQ shredded chicken sandwich on a wooden board.
Shredded BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Pizza Roll-Ups

Image shows a Pizza roll on a white plate in front of a pyrex with the rest of the batch in it.
Pizza Roll-Ups. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip the delivery guy and make your own calzones! These portable pizzas are 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: Pizza Roll-Ups

Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Image shows a lasagna roll up on a white plaet.
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Forget the messy layers, lasagna roll-ups are flavor explosions wrapped in tender pasta. Packed with melty cheese and your favorite sauce, they’re a fun and fuss-free weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups

Chicken and Dumplings

Image shows Chicken and dumplings on a spoon with more in the backgroumd.
Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Image shows a wooden spoon holding a scoop of Mexican skillet quinoa with the full pot behind it.
Mexican Skillet Quinoa. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This one-pan wonder is your weeknight fiesta in a flash! Fluffy quinoa is the base for a party of black beans, sweet corn, and a salsa fiesta. It’s a protein-packed fiesta in a bowl, perfect for busy nights and happy tummies.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Image shows baked cheesy chicken enchiladas in a blue Pyrex casserole.
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Chicken Tenders

Image shows Hand dipping a corn flake crusted chicken tender into a bowl of sauce on a wooden table.
Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

Image shows an overhead shot of an open face Pesto and Sundried Tomato Tuna Salad sandwich.
Pesto Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This tuna salad is a surprising twist on a 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

Kefta Kebabs

Image shows kefta kebabs stacked on a white tray.
Kefta Kebabs. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Bacon Egg Salad

Image shows a bacon egg salad sandwich on a white plate sitting on a wooden table.
Bacon Egg Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Lemon Roasted Chicken

Lime marinated grilled chicken sliced on a red plate over rice.
Lemon Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Tired of the same old chicken? This lemon-roasted bird is a bright and flavorful twist. Easy on the wallet and the cook, it’s perfect for summer with its juicy chicken and refreshing tang. Kids will devour it.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken

Calzones

Image shows an overhead shot of a Calzone cut in half on a wooden board with a small bowl of marinara above it.
Calzones. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Skip delivery and make your own portable pizzas! Calzones are fun to customize with all your favorite fillings, making them a perfect weeknight dinner that’s easy on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Calzones

Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Grown up mac and cheese in a casserole dish.
Grown Up Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Shortcut Chicken Salad

Image shows a Canned Chicken Salad sandwich on a wooden table.
Shortcut Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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, it’s easy on the wallet too, leaving room for those fun summer treats!
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad

Tuna Tomato Pasta

Image shows a closeup view of tuna and tomato pasta in a white patterned bowl.
Tuna Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This restaurant-style pasta dish won’t break the bank! Packed with flavor and ready in a flash, it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Kids will love the taste, and you’ll love how easy it is on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Tomato Pasta

Creamy Pea Pasta

Image shows Creamy Pea Pasta in an enameled cast iron pot.
Creamy Pea Pasta. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Image shows a closeup of chicken egg roll in a bowl in a blue enameled cast iron pot.
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

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

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