Family meals on a shoestring: 23 recipes

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No more agonizing over sky-high grocery bills; this comprehensive collection of 23 recipes is your solution for budget-friendly, tasty meals that will keep your family both satisfied and well-fed, without compromising quality.

Egg Bites on a board with a little parsley on top.
Egg Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Vegetable Fritters

Vegetable fritters in a stack.
Vegetable Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A great way to use up those extra veggies and feed the family on a budget. Even picky eaters will be coming back for seconds. Nutritious and budget-friendly, it’s a win-win.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Fritters

Pizza Rolls

Freshly made pizza rolls stacked on each other.
Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who needs store-bought when homemade pizza rolls keep both your wallet and your kids happy? They’re a quick and fun family favorite that won’t break the bank.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

Some picking up a slice of cheese quesadilla.
Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Air fryers aren’t just a trend; they’re a budget-friendly hack. Cheese quesadillas come out crispy and delicious, ready to please a hungry family.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown casserole being served.
Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Breakfast or dinner, this hashbrown casserole stretches your dollar and fills up the family. It’s a comforting dish that’s easy on your pocket.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole

A white dish with green bean casserole in it.
Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Green beans get the royal treatment but at pauper prices. This air fryer version brings crispiness without the cost. Family satisfaction guaranteed.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole

25 Minute Black Bean Burger

A black bean burger in a burger bap with relish oozing out over it.
25 Minute Black Bean Burger. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

No meat? No problem. Black bean burgers are a quick, cost-effective way to get protein on the table. Done in 25 minutes, they’re a busy parent’s lifesaver.
Get the Recipe: 25 Minute Black Bean Burger

Egg Bites

Egg Bites on a board with a little parsley on top.
Egg Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Breakfast just got more affordable. Egg bites are the economical answer to feeding your family a protein-packed meal to start the day.
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites

Baked Potato

Baked potatoes on a serving dish with sour cream and fresh parsley.
Baked Potato. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Don’t underestimate the power of a good baked potato. Filling and versatile, they can be a meal in themselves and are as budget-friendly as it gets.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Burrito Seasoning

Homemade burrito seasoning on a teaspoon.
Burrito Seasoning. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Store-bought packets are out; homemade burrito seasoning is in. Elevate your meals with this frugal spice mix that’s big on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Burrito Seasoning

Tortilla Pizza

Four tortilla pizzas on a wooden cutting board.
Tortilla Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

It’s like a pizza but easier on your wallet. Using tortillas as the base, this dish is a quick-fix for busy weeknights. Kids love it, and so does your budget.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Pizza

Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce spread over a pizza crust.
Pizza Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Why buy when you can make it cheaper and better? This pizza sauce recipe will be a hit, turning budget ingredients into something special.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sauce

Easy Caprese Salad

Caprese salad in a serving bowl, with tomatoes, oil and balsamic glaze nearby.
Easy Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fresh, simple, and economical. This Caprese Salad doesn’t skimp on taste while still being budget-friendly, a perfect family side dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad

Flour Tortilla

Someone placing a tortilla on a stack of tortillas.
Flour Tortilla. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Forget the store. Homemade flour tortillas are easy and will have your family asking for them by name. Plus, they’re seriously budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Flour Tortilla

Corn Fritters

Sweetcorn fritters in a stack.
Corn Fritters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A side dish that feels like a treat. Corn fritters are a creative way to stretch your food budget and still satisfy the family.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters

Cilantro Lime Rice

Chipotle rice in a bowl with sliced lime and spoons.
Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Add a splash of flavor to plain rice without splurging. Cilantro lime rice brings life to any meal, pleasing both your family and your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Cacio e Pepe

A plate of spaghetti with parmesan cheese on a green cloth.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sometimes less is more. Cacio e Pepe delivers comfort and satisfaction, turning simple ingredients into a budget-friendly family meal.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning in a glass bowl with a teaspoon in it.
Taco Seasoning. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Skip the packet and go homemade. This taco seasoning is a small investment for a big return in flavor, without straining your budget.
Get the Recipe: Taco Seasoning

Easy Flatbread

Three freshly cooked flatbreads on a plate.
Easy Flatbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Forget about pricey artisan breads. This easy flatbread recipe is the budget-smart way to get fresh bread on the table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Flatbread

Neapolitan Pizza

A quick and easy pizza recipe on a white plate.
Neapolitan Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who says you can’t have gourmet on a budget? Neapolitan pizza delivers restaurant quality without the restaurant price.
Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Pizza

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Air fried tortilla chips stacked on a plate around a bowl of dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ditch the bagged chips. Air fryer tortilla chips are a cost-effective and healthier alternative that the whole family can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Caprese Bites

Image shows an overhead shot of Caprese Bites on a wooden board.
Caprese Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Small bites, big flavor, tiny budget. Caprese bites are the affordable appetizer your family meal has been missing.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Bites

Penne Arrabiata

A plate of pasta with tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
Penne Arrabiata. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Spice up dinner without spicy prices. Penne Arrabiata is a robust yet budget-friendly dish your family will devour.
Get the Recipe: Penne Arrabiata

Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Chipotle black beans cooked and in a serving bowl.
Copycat Chipotle Black Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Love Chipotle but not the price? These copycat black beans bring the flavor home, making it easy to feed the family for less.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

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