25 Budget-Friendly Meals For Dinner

I have 25 budget-friendly meals for dinner today. We will need every inexpensive meal we can make in the coming months. You’ve seen the news, you know the weather has been horrific and we will all be paying a whole lot more money for groceries in the coming months.

I grew up on creamed chipped beef with peas. My family loves to make this vintage recipe. It’s a good thing because we will be preparing even more meals just like that one. Please drag out your cookbooks and find those recipes you can cook from scratch now.

I’ve decided to up my game once again by buying #10 cans of those items I use all the time. My fear is the cost of meat, vegetables, dairy products, cereal, oatmeal, beans, rice, and pasta will double if not triple in price. I really hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it. Please stock your pantry, today I am begging you to be prepared. Mark and I have a lot of food storage, but we need more. Everyone needs more food and water stocked.

You may be worried you can’t stock enough food, or you can’t afford it. Here’s the deal, if people want to go on a vacation, sometimes they find the money whereas they could not afford the money for food storage. That’s fine, you will have to live with your decision. My gut is telling me to fill your pantry, two cans, or three cans extra a week. They don’t have to be #10 cans. Just do it, you’ll be glad you did, I promise.

Budget-Friendly Meals

1. Poor Man’s Stew – LoveFoodies – You probably have everything you need for this super easy dinner in your pantry or freezer already!
2. Pepperoni & Tomato Macaroni Dinner – The Shirley Journey – Everyone loves a pasta dish. With a little help from canned tomatoes and some pepperoni, it’s a whole meal with leftovers for lunch the next day!
3. Crispy Chicken Thighs One-Pan Meal – Mama Knows Gluten Free – In just a few minutes, you can have this dinner popped in the oven. You’ll wind up with moist, juicy thighs with a crispy skin.
4. Kidney Bean Curry – Little Sunny Kitchen – This frugal dinner is packed with plant protein! A creamy, tangy, and spicy red kidney bean curry is served over rice for a complete meal that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
5. Easy 5 Ingredient Baked Rotini – A Mind “Full” Mom – You only need 5 ingredients for this easy recipe that the whole family will love. This is the perfect dish to feed a large crowd on a budget.
6. Meatless Sloppy Joes – Home Cooking Memories – Removing the meat from a meal is a quick way to cut the costs. This tasty dinner fed a family of four for less than $6.
7. Crockpot Layered Bean Burritos – Thrifty Jinxy – This is another filling recipe that uses beans instead of meat. You won’t miss the meat in these burritos! Best part? It’s a slow cooker dinner!
8. Tater-Tot Casserole – Budget101 – You can use ground beef or turkey for this filling casserole, just grab whichever is cheaper at the time.
9. Sausage and Sweet Potato Dinner – LoveFoodies – Stop at the farmers’ market and get a deal on fresh vegetables for this easy dinner that’s packed with flavor.
10. Weeknight Tuna Noodle Casserole – Kylee Cooks – We all love an easy classic casserole on a busy night. This one will bring back some childhood memories!
11. Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches – Home Cooking Memories – Make your own meatballs for this family-friendly dinner, or you can pick up your favorite frozen ones from the store.
12. Simple Pasta with Peas -Veggie Desserts – This is one of those quick and easy meals that will definitely make it into your regular dinner rotation. It’s ready in about 10 minutes, and only requires a few simple ingredients.
13. Crockpot Chili Mac – Eating on a Dime – Comfort food is always a safe bet for the family! Get the slow cooker ready for a meal packed with hearty beef, beans, macaroni, and more!
14. Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl – Oh So Foodie – Picking up take-out can get pricey real quick. In just about 20 minutes, you can have all the flavors of an egg roll in a bowl at home!
15. Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole – Crayons and Cravings – If you have leftover cooked chicken, this is the perfect dish to use it. You’ll just need some frozen veggies, rice, and a few other ingredients (which you likely already have).
16. Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Tilapia – Wholesome Yum – Sheet pan meals are so easy! With just 4 ingredients, you’ll have this easy dinner in the oven.
17. Air Fryer Whole Chicken – Recipes From a Pantry – I love making a whole chicken early in the week. Serve it for dinner as-is the first night and then use the leftovers for other meals later in the week.
18. Low-Fat Stuffed Peppers – Staying Close to Home – These do take a while to bake, but they’re super easy to put together, and so filling!
19. 30 Minute Stovetop Chicken Enchiladas – Nibble and Dine – You can feel a little fancy with these chicken and black bean enchiladas. They’re made with simple ingredients on the stovetop and are ready in 30 minutes!
20. Easy Vegetarian Lasagna – The Curious Frugal – The kids will definitely approve of this cheesy dinner! They’ll be begging to eat the leftovers!
21. Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies – Low Carb Yum – Drumsticks are one of the cheapest cuts of meat at the grocery store. This sheet pan dinner definitely doesn’t feel like a cheap dish though. It’s packed with fresh flavor!
22. Crock Pot Potato Soup – Bunny’s Warm Oven – Potato soup is a delicious soup that is hearty enough to count as a meal. It’s made in the slow cooker, and we love easy dinners like this one.
23. BBQ Shepard’s Pie – Forgetful Mama – With just 5 ingredients, you’ll have a hearty dish the whole family will enjoy. What’s not to love about beef and potatoes?
24. Spaghetti Aglio Olio – Bacon is Magic – The family calls this dish Poor Man’s Pasta because it’s so simple and quick. This is a winner for eating well on a budget.
25. Best Salisbury Steak – A Gouda Life – This is not like the TV dinners you may have had! This easy dinner is made with a few simple ingredients. It’s crazy good and budget friendly!

Final Word

There is something so nice when I know I’m not breaking the bank when I make dinner. I hope you enjoy these budget-friendly meals when you make a few meals for your family. The nice thing is that most of these can be frozen for later if the recipe is too large for your family. I love making one meal that really gives me two or three meals next week, or the week after that. Grab some containers or bags and freeze the excess. Thanks for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world, Linda

Budget Meals by Linda

Cooking From Scratch by Linda