Are you looking for new dishes to make that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? If so, you’re in the right place! From chicken quesadillas to tuna salad sandwiches, we’re here to share a few much-loved cheap meals—each dish not only cost-effective but also delicious and sure to suit a variety of taste buds. Let’s dig in!
Mexican Rice and Beans
This budget-friendly dish uses affordable ingredients like, as you may have guessed, rice and beans. You can spice these up with common pantry seasonings and dig in for a delicious and easy meal. It’s a great meatless dish that’s filling and nutritious!
Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
The classic spaghetti and meat sauce is a staple that’s both filling and affordable, loved by people of all ages. You can adjust the meat and sauce to your preference, or keep it simple with some inexpensive ground meat and tomato sauce.
Butter Noodles
Butter noodles are a comfort meal for many people. The dish is cheap, easy to make, and delicious, requiring primarily noodles and butter. Of course, you can use any seasonings you have at home and mix in some parmesan if it’s within your budget, but the combination of butter and pasta is still a hit alone!
Chicken Fried Rice
A homemade version of the popular takeout dish, chicken fried rice is very economical as it can be cooked using inexpensive ingredients like frozen vegetables. It’s also a good protein choice and can even be made with leftover chicken. You can add eggs to make the meal spread further and for extra protein!
Crôque Madame
The name may sound fancy, but this French classic is essentially a luxurious version of a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich—all cheap ingredients! You simply make up the sandwich, toast it to perfection, and serve it for either lunch or dinner. It’s definitely an easy meal to make and is sure to please!
Chicken Quesadillas
Quesadillas are known crowd-pleasers for both children and adults and thankfully only require a few inexpensive ingredients: tortillas, chicken, cheese, and optional vegetables. They can, however, be customized with different fillings and even made healthier by using low-fat cheese and skipping butter or oil for frying, as shared by Everyday Health.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
According to Healthline, “Bell peppers are rich in many vitamins and antioxidants, especially vitamin C and various carotenoids.” So, why not make them a staple in your diet with this delicious dish? Stuffed peppers include vegetables, protein, and grains and can be customized with different fillings.
Spicy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
Have you got some leftover sausage in your fridge? Combine it with chicken broth, instant rice, and cajun seasoning for a cheap, hearty meal that the whole family will love! This dish is super convenient, as it’s mainly made with pantry staples. You can also use ground turkey to make it healthier.
Hamburgers (or Black Bean Burgers)
Who doesn’t love burgers? Both ground beef and black bean patties, if you’re serving vegetarians, are very affordable and can be combined with buns or even just regular sliced bread. They can be customized with cheese, sauces, and other toppings, depending on what you have on hand.
Sloppy Joes
Another simple and budget-friendly meal that’s universally loved is sloppy Joes. You can use either a ready-made sauce or whip one up yourself to mix with your ground meat, serving it in a bun or another type of bread. It’s a classic favorite for families!
Ravioli
You can use cheap, frozen ravioli as a base for many dishes. Whether you simply boil it and eat it plain, coat it in a store-bought sauce, make your own sauce, or add it to a soup, it’s a simple yet satisfying meal that doesn’t cost a lot to make and is loved by people of all ages.
Chili con Carne
Recognized as “the dish that gave rise to Tex-Mex cuisine,” according to Texas Monthly, chili con carne is a classic and hearty meal. You make it with ground beef, peppers, onions, and beans. Typically served with rice, it’s ideal for any night of the week and can be left in a slow cooker while you get on with your day.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Let’s be real: we all dig into grilled cheese from time to time. It’s a classic dish that’s easy to make, loved by almost everyone, and barely costs a thing! It requires just bread, cheese, and butter. However, you can, of course, switch it up with different types of cheese and maybe even serve it alongside homemade tomato soup!
Bean and Cheese Burritos
Refried beans and cheese wrapped in a tortilla—what’s not to love? This meal can be made in the microwave or heated on a skillet. The required ingredients might already be in your refrigerator or pantry, too! These delicious burritos are very filling and can be customized with additional toppings.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is timeless, simple, and requires no cooking. It’s also very affordable to make, as all you need is bread, peanut butter, and jelly. This dish is great for a quick lunch or snack and is sure to be a hit with kids, too.
Frozen Veggie Stir Fry
Some people worry that frozen vegetables aren’t as nutritious as fresh, but according to EatingWell, “A 2017 study found that there were no significant differences in vitamin content between frozen and fresh.” So, if you’ve got any frozen veggies lying around in the freezer, stir-fry them in a sauce and serve over rice or noodles. Quick, healthy, cheap, and customizable!
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Another quick, nutritious, and cheap meal that is loved by many is the tuna salad sandwich. Just mix canned tuna with mayo and spread it on your choice of bread. You can also add lettuce, cucumber, celery, tomato, or any other salad if desired.