When you need to save money, these 17 budget meals are what you want on hand. They’re easy to make, use cheap ingredients, and still taste great. Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself, these recipes will help you keep your spending down. They’re straightforward, practical, and perfect for tight budgets.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Looking for a great meal that won’t break the bank? Try this simple mix of sausage and your choice of veggies, all cooked together on one pan. The flexibility of choosing affordable vegetables makes this a smart choice. Plus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes, saving you time and money.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Canned Chicken Patties
These patties are perfect for a tight budget, ready in 20 minutes using canned chicken. They’re easy to make and versatile – great with veggies or in sandwiches. Perfect for a quick, cost-saving meal without much fuss.
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Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This casserole is a great choice for saving money. Using budget-friendly frozen vegetables, it’s prepared in a single dish and combines a creamy cheese sauce with bacon for added flavor. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights and is an easy and affordable meal option.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Crock Pot Taco Soup
This recipe is a great option when you’re looking to save money. It uses economical ingredients like ground beef, cream cheese, and canned tomatoes. With common spices such as chili powder and cumin, it’s likely you already have everything you need. Add any toppings you have on hand, like sour cream or cheddar cheese. Its quick cooking time and one-pot method make it a perfect pick for an easy, affordable meal.
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Cabbage and Sausage
This quick and budget-friendly meal is ready in less than 30 minutes. It features affordable ingredients like cabbage and sausage in one pan. Using fully-cooked chicken sausage saves both money and cooking time. Cabbage adds bulk and nutrients at a low cost, and the dish uses common pantry spices. A practical choice for a hearty, low-cost meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This dish is a smart choice for those on a tight budget. In just 30 minutes, you can prepare a satisfying meal with economical ingredients like ground beef, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. Everything cooks in one pan, making this a great option for a quick, budget-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
These Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are a great option for a budget-friendly lunch or snack. Prepared in under an hour with ingredients like canned chicken, bacon, and cheese, they’re both economical and easy to make. Great for a quick and budget-conscious meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are both affordable and quick to prepare. In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy juicy chicken in a simple garlic butter sauce. This recipe is straightforward and cost-effective, making it a perfect choice for a fast, budget-conscious dinner.
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Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
This 30-minute meal is a great budget-friendly option. It combines chicken breasts with spices, cream cheese, and peppers in a single baking dish. Using cost-effective ingredients, this recipe creates a flavorful and affordable dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken Corn Soup is a great pick when you’re watching your budget. It combines chicken and vegetables in a flavorful broth and is ready in under an hour. This one-pot soup is straightforward and economical, making it a perfect choice for a quick, nourishing, and cost-effective dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
These patties are a great choice for an affordable seafood meal. Ready in 30 minutes, they use canned salmon, a budget-friendly option, and are seasoned with jalapeño and cayenne for flavor. Simple and economical, this recipe is perfect for a quick and cost-effective meal.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
In just 30 minutes, this Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake makes a great budget meal. It combines chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, all of which are affordable. The one-dish recipe simplifies preparation, making it a great option for an easy, wallet-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Ready in 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for those on a budget. It’s cooked in one pan and features chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce. Simple, cost-effective, and quick, it’s a great choice for a budget-friendly dinner that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Green Chile Chicken
Green Chile Chicken is a great way to stretch your budget. Quick to make in just 20 minutes, it’s a one-skillet recipe that’s easy on the wallet. Using leftover chicken thighs and affordable green chiles, this dish transforms simple ingredients into a flavorful and economical meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This Cheesy Beef Casserole is quick to prepare and kind to your budget. Taking just 30 minutes, it features ingredients like ground beef, cauliflower rice, and spinach. Cooked in one dish, it’s a convenient and affordable option for a budget-friendly weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a simple and budget-friendly meal. Easy to prepare with ingredients like chicken and jalapeños, it’s perfect for meal prep. This salad is a cost-effective choice for a hearty lunch, combining flavor and affordability.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a great choice for an economical dinner. Ready in just 25 minutes, it uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients like cabbage, bacon, and onion. It’s a great way to enjoy a flavorful and easy-to-prepare meal without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon