17 Cheap Dinners If The IRS Wrecked Your Week This Tax Season

Tax season showed up, emptied your wallet, and left without even saying thanks. Now you’re staring at your bank account wondering how you’re supposed to make dinner happen without resorting to cereal for the fifth night in a row. These dinners don’t cost much, don’t require fancy ingredients, and definitely don’t expect you to spend all night in the kitchen. Most of them use what you probably already have, and they actually taste like someone thought them through. They’re fast, low-effort, and solid enough to make you feel like you’ve still got it together. If you’re broke, tired, and hungry, this is your list.

Bomb Meatloaf

This meatloaf is cheap, filling, and doesn’t require a long grocery list. The glaze makes it feel a little extra, even though it’s all simple stuff you probably already have. It’s a great choice when your bank account’s looking bleak but you still want a proper dinner that doesn’t taste like a sacrifice.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Chicken, sweet potatoes, and pecans all roast on one pan and somehow make it look like you tried. This is the kind of meal that feels like a win when you’ve just paid your taxes and still have bills staring at you. No cleanup stress, no fancy ingredients, just real food that works.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Udon noodles tossed with ground beef and a bold sauce bring that takeout vibe without the delivery fee. Everything cooks fast in one pan, and it’s got enough kick to make you forget you’re eating budget food. This one is perfect when you’re craving something with flavor but can’t justify spending more.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Cream Cheese Chicken

Creamy, rich, and loaded with flavor from a handful of spices, this is comfort food done cheap. You can throw it together without a ton of effort, and it doesn’t need fancy ingredients to hit the spot. It’s a great dinner for nights when you’re annoyed, broke, and hungry all at once.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

This one-pan pasta meal is fast, cheap, and doesn’t skimp on flavor. It tastes like you put in serious time, even though it comes together in under 30 minutes with whatever pasta you’ve got lying around. It’s a perfect go-to when the IRS took more than you expected and dinner needs to come through.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Kung Pao Chickpeas

These chickpeas punch above their weight in the flavor department without punching your wallet. The sauce is bold and hits all the right notes, making this a smart move when meat’s too expensive this week. You’ll feel like you scored takeout without spending the last of your gas money.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas

Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops

These pork chops use crushed pretzels for the crust, which is smart and cheap. The maple mustard sauce is easy to make and pulls it all together. It’s a solid weeknight dinner that feels a little clever and doesn’t cost much more than a frozen pizza.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops

Sweet & Sour Tofu

Crispy tofu tossed in a sticky sauce that nails the sweet and tangy balance makes this a strong dinner move. It cooks fast and doesn’t need anything fancy to taste like something you paid for. When meat’s not in the budget, this one still delivers without making it feel like a compromise.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Sour Tofu

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Pasta, cheese, and pepper. That’s it. Cacio e pepe is an old-school move that’s still around because it works. It’s rich, simple, and exactly what you make when the fridge is empty and payday feels far away.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Sloppy Joe Quesadillas

Sloppy Joe Quesadillas are hearty, meaty, cheesy, and a family favorite meal. This recipe turns your favorite childhood sandwich into a quick and easy Tex-Mex treat!
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Quesadillas

Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

Pasta gets tossed with garlic, butter, and a squeeze of lemon, then topped with Parmesan. It’s cheap, fast, and works great with leftover ham or whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

This is the easiest meal you’ll make all week. Throw a tortilla and some cheese in the air fryer and call it dinner. It’s hot, melty, and cheaper than anything on the dollar menu.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

Sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings you’ve got go onto a tortilla and into the air fryer. It’s crispy, fast, and perfect when delivery isn’t in the budget.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

White Bean Soup

One pot, a few pantry staples, and 40 minutes gets you a hearty soup that actually feels like food. It’s great when you need something real but cheap that doesn’t leave you with a mess.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

This is one of those budget meals that stretches across dinner and tomorrow’s lunch. Canned tuna, noodles, and a quick mix of staples make a solid casserole that reheats better than it should.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Slice some sausage, throw on whatever veggies you’ve got, and roast it all together. It’s fast, filling, and doesn’t trash the kitchen. One pan, no stress, and plenty of leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Canned Chicken Patties

These chicken patties come together in about 20 minutes and can be eaten straight up, on bread, or next to whatever frozen veggie bag you’ve got in the back of the freezer. Cheap, easy, and no thinking required.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties