Budget family dinners are the secret heroes we all lean on, especially those tried-and-true recipes we always have bookmarked. They’re the perfect mix of affordable and delicious and are ready to save the day any night of the week. Whether it’s whipping up something quick after a hectic day or gathering everyone around the table for a comforting feast, these 21 favorites have got your back. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and you’re set.
Cabbage and Sausage
This dish is straightforward and packed with flavor, using basics like cabbage, sausage, and onions. It’s all done in under 30 minutes and in just one pan, so you can relax more and wash less. If you’re after something delicious, cheap, and super easy to make on a tight schedule, you’ve found it. Great for getting your greens in without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Crock Pot Taco Soup
For a meal that’s easy on your wallet, this taco soup is a winner. Spend 20 minutes in the morning prepping, then let your Crock Pot do its magic. It turns simple, cheap ingredients into a rich soup that’s ready by dinner. It’s a perfect way to come home to a great meal without spending a lot of money or time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Canned Chicken Patties
Turn canned chicken into something special with this recipe, making it a favorite for saving money. In 20 minutes, you can have these patties ready to go. They’re versatile–eat them with veggies, in a salad, or as a sandwich. It’s a fast, affordable way to make dinner, which is exactly why we love keeping this recipe around.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This dinner is a top pick for budget-friendly meals that we always keep handy. Just spread sausages and veggies on a pan, bake, and you’ve got a great meal with minimal cleanup. It’s quick, ready in 30 minutes, and doesn’t cost much. This is why it’s a go-to for a busy night when you want something good to eat without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Broccoli Casserole
This Broccoli Casserole recipe is perfect for a family dinner and won’t break the bank. It’s ready in just 50 minutes, easy to whip up, and perfect for new cooks or anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Jump on this casserole when you want a good meal without the hassle. It takes 45 minutes from start to finish and cuts out the tricky steps of traditional stuffed peppers. Cheap and cheerful, it’s loaded with flavor and perfect for anyone looking to keep dinner easy and affordable. It’s a no-brainer for your budget-friendly recipe stash.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Whip up this tuna noodle casserole and it’s ready in an hour. It’s as easy as it gets and kind on your wallet. Great for a quick dinner that’s still delicious the day after. This dish shows you don’t need to spend a lot or stress out to eat well. Just throw it together, chill, and dig into a meal that’s easy all around.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Fajita Baked Chicken
This dish brings the flavor of fajitas in a simple, 30-minute meal. Seasoned chicken gets topped with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella and baked until golden. It’s perfect for those nights when you need something delicious but don’t have time to spare. Pair it with veggies or a salad for a complete meal that won’t stretch your budget or your time.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Turn chicken pot pie into a soup that’s ready in an hour. It’s simple: chicken, veggies, and a creamy base come together for a hearty meal that doesn’t ask much from you. Perfect for when you want something filling without hassle or a big cost. This one’s a keeper for easy, budget-friendly dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Enjoy twice-baked potatoes all in a casserole form. It’s got all the essentials–potatoes, bacon, cheese–and comes together without much work. Perfect for feeding a crowd or just making sure you’ve got something comforting on the table. It’s a simple, wallet-friendly dish that’s all about good food with minimal work.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This is your go-to when you’re craving jalapeño poppers but want something lighter. Mix chicken, bacon, mayonnaise, and jalapeños, and you’ve got a salad that’s as budget-friendly as it is easy to make. It’s also perfect for meal prep, so whip this up on your busy days for a meal that’s ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
In 30 minutes, you can have these spicy salmon patties ready to go. They’re flexible with what canned protein you use and how hot you make them. Serve with your favorite dip for a no-stress meal that’s easy on your wallet too. Perfect for those hectic evenings when you need something quick and filling.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Dive into this casserole filled with broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, all ready in 30 minutes. It’s a smart pick for anyone looking to eat more veggies without spending a lot, thanks to using frozen produce. Easy to make and clean up after, this dish is a delicious way to fill your plate with good stuff, flavored up with cheese and bacon.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This one-pan wonder mixes ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and cheese for a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. It’s a great choice for a quick, hearty dinner that keeps your budget in check. Perfect for those days when you’re short on time but still want something delicious and filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Green Chile Chicken
Take leftover or rotisserie chicken, add some green chilies, and you’ve got a brand-new meal in 20 minutes. Chicken thighs work great here, but really, any chicken will do. It’s a versatile, quick, and affordable dish that shows you don’t need a ton of ingredients to whip up something really good for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Spinach Chicken Bake
This dish is all about keeping it simple and filling. Mix chicken, cheese, and spinach, bake it, and in 30 minutes, you’re eating a meal that’s good for you and your budget. It’s all done in one pan, making your evening smoother and keeping cleanup light.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Get ready for chicken thighs covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, all in just 30 minutes. It’s a cheap, easy meal that only needs one pan from start to finish. Serve it with something on the side, like grains or salad, for a complete meal that’s easy on your schedule and your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Whip up these cucumber boats filled with bacon ranch chicken salad in no time. It’s a fresh, fast meal that’s perfect for when you’re short on time. Using chicken that’s already cooked makes it even quicker. You can also make these ahead of time, making this dish a win for anyone needing something simple and cheap.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Mix ground beef and cauliflower rice, add cheese on top, and you’ve got yourself a creamy, comforting meal in 30 minutes. This one-skillet dish is your friend on busy nights, easy to make and gentle on your budget. Plus, it’s great for meal prep or enjoying leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This dish makes for a delicious dinner that’s kind on both your wallet and your time. Start with bacon, then cook some cabbage in the same pan to pick up all the good flavors. It’s ready in 25 minutes and is a straightforward way to get both protein and veggies on your plate quickly.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Combine sweet potatoes and red peppers to make this flavorful soup. It’s a breeze to cook on the stovetop and ready in about an hour. When you’re in need of something hearty without a lot of work, this soup is a great choice that’s easy to love and easy to afford.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup