Families are busier than ever, and everyone would like to save money on their food budget. When you have a good rotation of affordable dinners, it means that you can occasionally splurge and have that luxurious steak or lobster dinner. Timeless recipes such as casseroles and soups are ideal.
Getting the best value for your dollar means finding cheap ingredients that still taste just as good as a five-star restaurant.
We all crave delicious dinners after a long day, but sometimes our wallets aren’t as accommodating to our culinary desires. Fear not, for there are plenty of cheap dinner ideas that can still satisfy the taste buds and leave you feeling full without breaking the bank. Exploring these budget-friendly options can also help expand your recipe repertoire, introducing you to new ingredients and flavors while saving money in the process.
The art of preparing inexpensive meals lies in utilizing common and versatile ingredients that can easily be transformed into a variety of dishes. By stocking the pantry with staples like pasta, rice, and legumes, it becomes effortless to create hearty and filling dinners that won’t leave a dent in your finances.
You also want your cheap meals not to take up a ton of time either. These easy, cheap dinner ideas will have a full course on the dinner table in no time.
You’ll even find some cheap healthy meals on this list, so you don’t have to ruin your diet by eating on a budget.
The best easy, cheap dinner ideas are going to use low-cost ingredients like chicken or pasta. Stuff that is filling while also being very versatile.
Seasonings will also be your best friend when it comes to making cheap easy meals in your home.
Can You Cook Anything for Under $10?
You don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to make these cheap dinners because most of them will cost you below $10.
Most of the ingredients are probably things you’ve had lying around the pantry for months anyway.
Instead of needing to head to the grocery store every time you want to make a great meal, these recipes will make easy cheap dinner ideas without needing to leave home.
So sit back and take some notes on the best cheap dinner meals for you and your family.
There aren’t many dishes you can make as cheap as a grilled cheese sandwich.
You can make the easiest lunch you’ve ever had for around two bucks.
You can make this dish with literally any kind of cheese or bread you have on hand.
Grilled cheeses were practically meant for tomato soup, so if you want a full meal you can prep some soup on the side and dip your sandwich for even more flavor.
Kids and adults will love it so it’s a nice meal you can make for cheap. You can also throw in some bacon or roasted tomatoes to take it over the top.
Sliders are perfect for making dinner on a budget because they’re cheap to make and easy to prepare.
This is a great dish that can be filled with a variety of ingredients to suit everyone’s tastes.
Sliders are perfect for kids since they’re bite-sized, but adults will appreciate them too, because you can add bacon, pork, or brisket for extra flavor.
If you want something simple, you can just fill it with cheese and vegetables.
Sliders are always a crowd-pleaser because everyone loves to eat mini versions of their favorite dishes.
This classic is exactly what you’re looking for. Inexpensive to make and packed full of flavor.
Kids love a sloppy joe because it tastes like hamburgers, but you can really jazz up the sauce with some tomato paste to make it an adult dish.
Sloppy joes are also super easy to prepare by just cooking down the onion and meat, then mixing in the other ingredients. You can spoon this into hoagie rolls for even more flavor.
This cheap recipe has all the ingredients people love mashed together in one delicious dish.
The ham and potato casserole is a great way to use leftovers, so you can’t go wrong with this one.
It’s a delicious dinner recipe that won’t cost a lot of money and your family will be able to enjoy it all week long, since it also makes an excellent lunch dish.
Get creative and experiment with the ingredients, because everyone loves a good casserole.
Our 30+ BEST Easy Cheap Dinner Ideas (+Grilled Cheese Sandwich)
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
