45 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas to Help You Save Money
Feed your family on a budget.
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Feeding a family (no matter big or small it might be) is never easy. And we’re not just talking about coming up with creative new dishes, either! It can be a strain on your wallet to shop for all the ingredients needed to make your favorite family meals. But with a little know-how—and these cheap dinner ideas—you’ll be able to cut down on costs, save money on groceries, and get dinner on the table in no time!
Here, you'll find some of the best dinner recipes that are both budget-friendly and tasty. They rely on less expensive ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and items you might already have stocked in your pantry. The Pioneer Woman credits her mother-in-law in teaching her how to buy in bulk. "About once a year, I go to a warehouse club and buy things in bulk like flour, rice, beans, and canned whole tomatoes," Ree Drummond explains. "Then, once a month, I go to our nearest big supermarket, an hour away, for staples. I buy 10 to 15 pounds of butter at a time!"
That kind of meal prep mentality can be applied to all manner of cooking: chicken thigh recipes, pasta recipes, and recipes made with canned tuna. You can even opt for homemade versions of your favorite restaurant meals, like Ree's quick and easy shortcut pizza. Yes, there are affordable Crock-Pot recipes, too! Some of the ideas on this list even count as five-ingredient recipes, so you don't have to buy many items at all. No matter what you choose to make, you'll be happy you tried one of these cheap dinner ideas for the busiest nights of the week.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Not only are baked potatoes a budget-friendly dinner option, but with this air fryer version, they'll cook quicker (and crispier) than they would in the oven. When they're done, top them with butter and chives.
Get the Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe.
Lemon Pasta
The best part of this bright and fresh pasta? It's made up of mostly pantry staples! The noodles are coated in butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parmesan, then topped with a dose of basil and black pepper.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Chicken Nachos
For this crowd pleasing dish, just pile on saucy, spiced chicken and melty cheese atop plenty of tortilla chips. You can also choose to add a variety of toppings like pico de gallo, sour cream, jalepeños or guacamole.
Get Ree's Chicken Nachos recipe.
Buffalo Mac and Cheese
Take old-fashioned mac and cheese and give it a big boost (while remaining under budget) by adding buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and shredded rotisserie chicken.
Get Ree's Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe.
Taco Soup
A comfort meal that's satisfying, simple, and will help you save? Count us in! Along with ground beef, you'll use other hearty ingredients like beans, corn, and tomatoes.
Get the Taco Soup recipe.
Dill Pickle Pizza
Here's a pizza that's both a great deal and filled with great dill! Seriously, it's got dill pickle chips baked in cheese and ranch dip with fresh dill sprinkled on top.
Get Ree's Dill Pickle Pizza recipe.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Everyone loves a crispy, melt-in-your-mouth grilled cheese! For this recipe, you'll enhance the sandwich by using both smoked gouda and sharp cheddar cheeses. And instead of cooking it on the stove, you'll plop it in your air fryer!
Get the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese recipe.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos
Taco night doesn't have to be pricey! Make a batch of pulled pork for these tacos (topped with sweet pineapple, pickled onions, cilantro, and lime), then keep using it through the week for other meals like nachos or sandwiches.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos recipe.
Pasta alla Vodka
With a beloved tomato-based cream sauce, vodka pasta is one of the best around—and so easy to make. When you're finished, sprinkle on some parmesan, then serve it with bread or a salad.
Get Ree's Pasta alla Vodka recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
It hardly gets more classic than a scrumptious sandwich! But this one takes up the flavor a notch with white sandwich bread, juicy heirloom tomatoes, and a tasty garlic aioli.
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are a go-to for inexpensive dinners. And with this method for air frying them, they're even easier to make! You'll have dinner on the table in 20 minutes or less.
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dogs recipe.
Eggplant Rollatini
You'll feel like your in an elegant Italian restaurant with this cheesy, saucy eggplant dish. But since there's no meat involved, it's actually relatively inexpensive!
Get the Eggplant Rollatini recipe.
Cheeseburger Pie
Ground beef, onions, and a cheesy crust make this dish an all-time family favorite. Serve it up with ketchup, some pickles, or even burger sauce on the side.
Get the Cheeseburger Pie recipe.
Salisbury Steak
It might look like a fancy steak, but this dish is actually made with affordable ground beef! The creamy mushroom sauce makes it feel even more elegant.
Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.
Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This casserole is one of those one-dish wonders that truly has it all: chicken, rice, veggies, and lots of cheese! There's even a buttery cracker topping for an added bonus.
Get the Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe.
Taco Salad
You can feel good about eating this hearty salad in more ways than one. Not only is is healthy, but it's also easy on the wallet and so delicious.
Get the Taco Salad recipe.
Curried Chickpea Loaded Potatoes
A stuffed baked potato is always a good idea when you're trying to save money. And this one filled with comforting curried chickpeas is sure to put a smile on your face.
Get Ree's Curried Chickpea Loaded Potatoes recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
This dish is a vibrant display of colorful veggies paired with fluffy gnocchi and plenty of cheese. The best part? It's all made on one sheet pan so clean up is easy!
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi recipe.
Sweet Potato Chili
Skip the meat without sacrificing flavor in this homemade chili made with beans, warm spices, veggies, and sweet potatoes. You can let your family build their own bowl by setting out an array of chili toppings.
Get the Sweet Potato Chili recipe.
Peanut Noodles
This ever-popular takeout dish is so easy to make at home. You can even customize to your liking by adding shredded rotisserie chicken for a heartier meal.
Get the Peanut Noodles recipe.
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