Budget meals don’t have to taste like they belong in a college dorm. These recipes let you stretch your dollar while still delivering on flavor. Whether it’s a quick stir-fry or a hearty casserole, you’ll find plenty of options that won’t leave you feeling shortchanged. Cheap doesn’t have to mean boring, and these dishes prove it.
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
This simple chicken and sweet potato dinner is made on one sheet pan. It’s quick, easy, budget-friendly, and keeps cleanup to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
This udon noodle stir fry is ready in under 30 minutes and loaded with flavor from the ginger-garlic sriracha sauce. It’s a great budget-friendly dish that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Cream Cheese Chicken
Cream cheese chicken turns a basic weeknight meal into something rich and flavorful. With just a few spices, you’ll have a dinner that tastes way more expensive than it is.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan ground beef and sweet potato skillet is a southwestern-inspired dish perfect for meal-prepping. It’s easy on the wallet but doesn’t taste cheap.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Kung Pao Chickpeas
This Kung Pao chickpea dish is a vegan spin on a takeout favorite. It’s packed with bold flavors, making it an affordable meal that feels like a splurge.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas
Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
Thinly sliced beef and broccoli come together quickly in this stir fry. With a crave-worthy sauce, it’s a budget-friendly dinner that feels like takeout.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
Bomb Meatloaf
This meatloaf recipe is easy to put together, tender, juicy, and topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. It’s a budget-friendly classic that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf
Healthier Sloppy Joes
These Sloppy Joes are made with lean ground beef, low-sugar ketchup, and BBQ sauce. They’re a healthier, budget-friendly version of a classic favorite.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes
Turkey Chili Pie
This chili pie combines lean turkey chili with a cornbread topping, all baked together in one skillet. It’s a hearty meal that’s easy on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Bucatini cacio e pepe is a classic Italian dish made with just five ingredients. It’s creamy, indulgent, and a great way to make an economical meal feel special.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Sausage Mac and Cheese
This sausage mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and always a hit. It’s a budget-friendly meal that’s sure to please both kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese
Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken is an easy weeknight meal made with chicken breasts, salsa, sweet corn, and cheddar cheese. Ready in less than 30 minutes, it’s budget-friendly and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage come together in this quick skillet dinner. With tons of texture and flavor, it’s a budget-friendly option that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
