These delicious and affordable recipes prove that saving money on meals doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste.
Say goodbye to bland food.
Say goodbye to instant noodles.
These dishes are here to make your taste buds happy.
These dishes are here to make your bank account happy!
25. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
These tacos are filling, flavorful, and ready in just 25 minutes.
Opting for meatless meals like this can save you money over time.
24. Spam Fried Rice
Spam is an economical ingredient that can taste amazing when prepared well.
This fried rice recipe uses leftover rice and is a family favorite.
23. Bacon and Mushroom Carbonara
Instead of dining at an expensive Italian restaurant, make this bacon and mushroom carbonara at home.
It’s just as delicious and much cheaper.
22. Lemon Lentil Soup
Lentils are a star ingredient in this lemony soup.
A bag of lentils costs under $2, making this dish incredibly affordable.
Make a big batch and freeze the extras for future meals.
21. Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
This casserole is a hit with both kids and adults.
It’s cheaper than fast food and tastes just like a Big Mac in casserole form.
Most of the ingredients are likely already in your pantry.
20. Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken
Eating on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor.
This jerk chicken is made with pineapple and spices, and it’s incredibly versatile.
Serve it in tacos or with inexpensive sides like rice and potatoes.
19. Grilled Garlic Parmesan Wings
Skip the overpriced restaurant wings and make these at home instead.
These wings are grilled to perfection and coated in a rich, buttery garlic parmesan sauce.
A sprinkle of cilantro on top adds the perfect finishing touch.
18. Sweet Potato Curry
This sweet potato curry is both frugal and flavorful.
It’s made with wholesome ingredients and is perfect for busy weeknights.
17. Potato Soup
Made with just four inexpensive ingredients, this soup is a lifesaver when you’re on a tight budget.
16. Beef and Noodles with Mushrooms
This slow cooker recipe is a lifesaver.
It’s made with cream of mushroom soup, beef, egg noodles, and simple seasonings.
Stew beef is a budget-friendly cut, making this dish easy on the wallet.
15. Chorizo Tacos
Mexican chorizo is one of the cheapest meats you can buy, often costing $3 or less.
These tacos feature chorizo and homemade salsa verde for a delicious and budget-friendly meal.
14. Million Dollar Spaghetti
Pasta is always budget-friendly, but this spaghetti casserole takes it to the next level.
It’s loaded with cheese and other delicious ingredients, making it a million-dollar meal on a budget.
13. Sausage and Peppers Foil Packs
This meal is as easy as it gets.
Just throw smoked bratwurst and buttery peppers into a foil pack and grill.
Bratwurst is a cheap and tasty protein option.
12. Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
This recipe uses just five ingredients and is perfect for busy weeknights.
It’s a great way to save money and avoid takeout.
Both kids and adults will love this meal.
11. Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
With just five ingredients, this soup is a breeze to make and clean up.
It takes only five minutes to prep and is ready in under an hour.
Italian sausage and potatoes are affordable, making this dish a wallet-friendly choice.
10. Butter Beans
These butter beans are cooked in a flavorful broth with fresh herbs.
Serve them with warm bread for a comforting meal.
You can also add leftover veggies to reduce food waste.
9. One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
This simple one-pan meal is packed with wholesome ingredients.
You’ll love the zesty lemon drumsticks and perfectly seasoned roasted potatoes.
Drumsticks are a budget-friendly option, especially if you buy them in bulk or catch them on sale.
8. Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Pork Chops
This recipe uses basic ingredients and pantry staples.
Frozen vegetables save prep time, making this dish perfect for hectic weeknights.
7. Honey Soy Chicken
This recipe uses just four simple ingredients (not including salt and pepper).
Drumsticks are a cheaper cut of chicken, making this dish budget-friendly.
6. Pizza Casserole
This casserole is made with premade biscuits and takes just 10 minutes to prep.
It’s a cheap and easy dinner that your family will love.
You can customize the toppings to suit everyone’s tastes.
5. Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
Next time you’re craving Taco Bell, skip the drive-thru and make this homemade crunchwrap supreme instead.
4. Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
This soup delivers all the flavors of lasagna without the hassle of layering.
It uses pantry staples and Italian sausage, which is an affordable protein option.
3. Chinese Pasta
Skip the expensive takeout and try this easy ground beef and bell pepper pasta instead.
It’s filled with Chinese-inspired flavors and costs a fraction of the price.
2. Chili Recipe
Many chili recipes call for 10 to 15 ingredients, which can get expensive.
This version uses just five ingredients (not counting salt) and is ready in 15 minutes.
It’s the cheapest and quickest chili recipe you’ll find.
1. Cheesecake Factory Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta
This dish is a favorite at the Cheesecake Factory, but it’s pricey—around $26 where I live!
Why spend so much on one meal when you can make this copycat version at home? It’s cheaper and can feed up to four people, with leftovers to spare.
