If your takeout bill is nearing astronomical heights and the drive-thru isn't the healthy non-salads you want to be eating, cheap dinner ideas that you can eat at home are the way to go. There are plenty of ideas that will leave you feeling good but still incorporate delicious ingredients.
Even if you're not the biggest fan of cooking, making a tasty dinner doesn't have to be a chore. There are so many fantastic easy-on-the-wallet and 30-minute dinners out there that make for the perfect weeknight meal. Keep scrolling for the best cheap (and tastiest) recipes to make, whether you're getting ready for back to school season or you just want a tasty dinner-for-one.
What is the cheapest thing to make for dinner?
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Items like pasta and rice can become a cheap dinner. If you're looking for healthy dinner options, look for seasonal produce — it's usually cheaper than some of the other produce!
What can I cook for under $10?
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Aside from pasta and rice, look for canned foods like beans or corn. The price will also change depending on how many meals you get out of your meal prep. A $50 grocery bill means you can have five $10 meals.
What can feed a lot of people for cheap?
Our favorite meals for a lot of people are soups, casseroles, and large pasta dishes. They're filling, delicious, and there's a good chance you'll have leftovers.
Our Favorite Healthy And Cheap Dinner Ideas For 2023
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April Fools' Meatloaf Recipe
This savory cake is a funny and new take on a classic dinner dish. Don't worry, it still tastes just as good as your regular meatloaf recipe! (via Brit + Co)
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS
The Perfect Al Dente Pasta
We love when we get the opportunity to make a simple dinner fancier, and pasta is always an affordable choice. Grab some veggies (in-season picks should be cheaper!) to add an extra healthy element. (via Brit + Co)
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Shrimp Fajitas Sheet Pan Recipe
Spice up your weeknight with a delicious and colorful recipe. Punchy peppers and spiced shrimp taste amazing together, especially when there's a squeeze of lime juice. (via Brit + Co)
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Basil and Brussel Sprout Mac and Cheese
We've shown you how to make smoked gouda mac in your microwave, adorably miniature mac and cheese muffins, and now it's time to make a more green take on this comfort food classic. After all, when is it not time for a return of the mac… and cheese? (via Brit + Co)
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Lemony Greens Soup
Veggielicious and full of flavor, this nutritious recipe is both delicious and budget-friendly for the win! It makes for a great soup when the weather gets cold, but the peas and the asparagus also make is perfect for summer. (via Brit + Co)
Image via Isabella Martinez-Funcke
Mini Slow-Cooker Lamb Tacos
This dinner may look like a million dollars, but really, this dish is very budget-friendly. Not only does it go easy on your wallet, but it also goes easy on your calendar; just throw it in the slow cooker while you finish work or chores. (via Fiestas: Tidbits, Margaritas & More/Brit + Co)
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Oven-Roasted Fries
Simple, delicious, and very affordable — potatoes get us every time, especially when they're crispy and served with a creamy dipping sauce! The best part might just be that the oven roasting cuts down on your oil consumption. (via Brit + Co)
Image via Feel Good Foodie
Colorful Greek Salad Recipe
When it's hot outside, you really can't beat a summer salad. And when that summer salad is giving off major Mamma Mia vibes? That's just another green flag. (The onions + olives + peppers + cheese are also pretty great). (via Feel Good Foodie/Brit + Co)
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Simple Walnut-Crusted Salmon
We love this tender, pink fish more than most because it’s tasty and SO easy to make. This nutty recipe is sure to become a weeknight staple that pleases everyone, without breaking the bank. (via Brit + Co)
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Keto-Friendly Zucchini Lasagna
If you’re a zoodle lover than this recipe is for you. Swap in some mean green for the heavier pasta counterpart and you’ll be feeling leaner while your wallet gets fatter. BOOM. (via Brit + Co)
Image via Blue Apron
Chrissy Teigen’s Pork Bánh Mì
As if we needed another reason to love this woman! Learn how to make this quick and authentic Vietnamese sando and save some serious dough (while eating plenty of it, too!). (via Blue Apron/Brit + Co)
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Perfect Fried Rice
No more mushy rice and veggies, just straight fresh, delicious, cost-effective goodness. Bonus: This recipe makes great leftovers, too. Once you nail this recipe, switch up your veggies and meat for a new flavor every time you make it. (via Brit + Co)
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Garlicky Cheese Bread
Who says you shouldn’t eat bread for dinner? Um, nobody! Have a simple meal of deliciousness when you combo this recipe with your favorite Riesling. Truly, a match made in culinary heaven. (via Brit + Co)
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Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
This one-pot wonder pressure-cooks the pasta in a combo of milk and chicken stock. The result is a creamy and flavorful dish that you won't be able to stop talking about. (via Brit + Co)
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Vegan Cashew Cream Pasta
Ditch the dairy and try a silky, nut-based sauce instead! Cashew is oh-so-creamy and the perfect stand-in for cheese (and we LOVE cheese). Your skin and your stomach will thank you. (via Brit + Co)
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Beef Bulgogi Meatballs
This classic Korean recipe works perfectly as shish kebabs, sliders, or playful finger food. Choose your favorite, or make a buffet of options for the whole family. (via Brit + Co)
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Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowl
Who says healthy can’t mean a little bit of indulgence? Just prep your fave toppings, roast spaghetti squash, and you’ve got a fancy (and cheap) date night ahead of you.. (via Brit + Co)
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Green Shakshuka
This one-pan wonder takes the most basic ingredients — eggs, tomatillos, and onions — and transforms them into a hearty meal you’ll crave all day. Top with delicious crusty bread and dill. (via Brit + Co)
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Shepherd’s Pie
The crispy, golden mashed potato crust is the star of this dish. The recipe calls for ground lamb, but can just as easily be replaced with beef or turkey depending on your preference and what’s on sale. No matter what you make it with, you’ll enjoy every second of dinner tonight. (via Brit + Co)
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Holiday Leftover Breakfast Hash
Turn your leftovers into something incredible, like a breakfast-style hash with eggs, cherry tomatoes and yesterday’s ham and potatoes. Since the ham and potatoes are already cooked, half the work is done for you. Enjoy with a ton of cracked black pepper and strips of parsley. (via Brit + Co)
These Inexpensive Dinner Ideas Will Change Your Meal Plan
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Butternut Squash and Bacon Pizza
A warm slice of pizza is the ultimate in comfort food. And when you top the pizza with caramelized onions, thin slices of apple, roasted butternut squash, bacon and blue cheese, it’s hard to beat. Perfect for using up the extra produce hanging out in your fridge, this pizza can easily be customized to your liking. Skip the bacon and add crispy roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian twist. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Image via Culinary Hill
Easy Goulash Recipe
With pasta, ground beef, cheese, garlic, and tomatoes (just to name a few), this is one cheap dinner idea that everyone is sure to love. (via Culinary Hill)
Image via Diethood
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice
Stick with this recipe and you’ll be chowing down on tender garlic shrimp and wild rice in just 20 minutes, using just a few simple ingredients. Besides the pot you used to boil water for the rice, the rest of the dish comes together in a single skillet, so you don’t have to worry about doing a ton of dishes after dinner. (via Diethood)
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Biscuits and Gravy
It may be cold outside, but inside you’re bundled up and getting cozy with this classic breakfast-for-dinner meal. The thick fool-proof sausage gravy acts like a warm blanket on the flaky buttermilk biscuits. You’ll already have most of the ingredients in your pantry, but you can save yourself some time and grab a can of store-bought biscuits to make this a quick and easy weeknight staple. (via Love Grows Wild)
Image via The Endless Meal
Chicken Carnitas With Jalapeño Pineapple Salsa
A rotisserie chicken is an economical shortcut in this recipe. Shred the chicken (skin and all) and broil it for a quick 10 minutes, then pile it in a warm tortilla. Add in your favorite toppings like guacamole, a hint of lemon juice and the unforgettable sweet + spicy pineapple pomegranate salsa. Taco Tuesday will never be the same. (via The Endless Meal)
Image via The Whimsical Wife
Whole Roast Chicken
Roasting a whole chicken is not as scary as it seems. Designate a few hours every Sunday afternoon to watching the bird brown in your oven and you’ll never cook chicken another way again. Make sure to let the chicken rest on your counter after baking to give it time to reabsorb all the juices. Use the meat in your salads, quesadillas, and sandwiches for the next week. (via The Whimsical Wife)
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One Pot Mexican Skillet
Another one-pot meal that’s going to change the way you think about weeknight cooking, this recipe is the ideal combination of spicy and savory, and gets most of its flavor from inexpensive spices. Every element of this dish, from the chicken to the whole wheat pasta, is perfectly seasoned since it all cooks together in the same pan. This is one meal that’ll warm you up on the coldest winter nights. (via The Garlic Diaries)
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Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Seasonal without tasting like a pumpkin spice candle, this twist on traditional stuffed shells will have you hoarding cans of pumpkin puree. Enjoy with a small chopped salad and a good glass of wine and you’ll feel like you’re eating at a five-star restaurant instead of your kitchen table. (via Love and Olive Oil)
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Kale Pasta With Walnuts and Parmesan
If you’re craving a big bowl of carbs, throw in some kale to balance it out and make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs to power you through the first few days of 2016. The crunchy walnuts and olive oil dressing take this spaghetti to the next level. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese is the bow that ties it all together. (via Well Plated)
Image via Something New for Dinner
Black Bean Soup
Sometimes you just don’t feel like fussing with an intricate recipe and would rather have a simple, straight-forward meal to fill your hungry tummy. A food processor makes this soup come together in no time, but it can also be done with an immersion blender. Top the soup the same way you would a taco, with guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro. Crush a few tortillas chips and sprinkle over your soup for a crunchy alternative to crackers. (via Something New for Dinner)
Image via Spicy Southern Kitchen
Chicken Pot Pie
This recipe makes enough to feed a group of your hungriest friends, or you can make it for yourself and have enough left to last you the rest of the week. Using leftover rotisserie chicken and a bag of frozen veggies means you can have a meal that tastes like it took all day to make when really you were done in under 45 minutes. Your secret’s safe with us. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)
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Baked Ranch Chicken Tenders and Veggies
This kid-friendly recipe will please the pickiest eaters (and skinniest of wallets!). Coat the chicken in corn flakes to get a super crispy crust without frying. Serve alongside your favorite dipping sauces — honey mustard and peppercorn ranch would be delish! (via Damn Delicious)
Image via Love Grows Wild
Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta
This savory pumpkin pasta is just the kind of comforting meal you need after a long day. The creamy sauce completely engulfs whichever type of pasta you use (basically whatever is hanging out in your pantry). Just make sure you use canned pumpkin puree and not spiced pumpkin pie filling. (via Love Grows Wild)
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Lentil Chili
Hearty, chunky and good ’til the last bite, this lentil chili will have even the biggest carnivores coming back for a second helping. Transfer three cups of chili to your food processor and blend until smooth, then pour the pureed chili back into the original pot. This helps thicken up your chili without having to add cornstarch or flour, which can sometimes affect the taste. (via Little Broken)
Image via The Clever Carrot
Mediterranean Chicken + Pasta Bake
Go with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, as opposed to the breast, for this recipe. Not only is it a cheaper cut of meat, but it also won’t dry out in the oven. Adding a jar of artichoke hearts and chopped kalamata olives to the pasta will make you think you’re dining off the coast of Greece. (via The Clever Carrot)
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Turkey Noodle Soup
Take leftover turkey and turn it to a steaming pot of comfort food at its finest. This basic recipe is like a magic cure-all elixir and will be one of your go-tos for years to come. There’s nothing a big bowl of turkey noodle soup can’t fix. (via I Heart Naptime)
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Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
This lentil and chickpea sloppy joes are packed with protein and are a great meatless Monday recipe. Make your own barbecue sauce or grab a bottle of your favorite one from the store. Either way, this is one meal the whole family will go crazy for but won’t break the bank. (via She Likes Food)
Image via Munching With Mariyah
Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup
This hearty Tuscan white bean soup is one comfort food recipe you'll want to make every week. The shallots and fresh garlic add to the warm base of this dish, creating an unforgettable flavor profile. (via Munching With Mariyah)
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Easy 15 Minute Yaki Udon (Stir Fried Udon Noodles)
Here's another one-pot recipe you can whip up in 15 minutes or less! (via Takes Two Eggs)
Image via Pink Owl Kitchen
Creamy Cajun Mushroom Pasta
A creamy mushroom pasta with cajun flavor? Consider this dish worth adding to our pasta recipes list. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Image via Two Peas & Their Pod
Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This budget-friendly recipe takes the classic loaded baked potato recipe and flips it on its head. Using sweet potatoes instead of the russet version, you can easily create a sweet and savory meal that wins the hearts of all who are lucky enough to get a bite. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)
Image via The First Mess
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Smoky Almond Bits
This cheap dinner idea is so simple you'll wonder why you haven't thought about making it before. And get this - the smoky almond bits are vegan and topped with maple! (via The First Mess)
Image via Kathryn's Kitchen Blog
Pizza Stuffed Bell Peppers
We know pizzais a simple dish to indulge in but did you know you could make pizza stuffed bell peppers? Try making this cheap dinner recipe tonight! (via Kathryn's Kitchen Blog)
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Puff Pastry Breakfast Egg Tarts
Breakfast for dinner is always a great idea! (via Cozy Cravings)
Image via Salt & Lavender
Crockpot Ranch Chicken Tacos
This is yet another cheap dinner idea you can cook using your crockpot! (via Salt & Lavender)
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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Jasmine Williams.
