Feeding a family doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Delicious meals can come from affordable ingredients you’ll find at any local supermarket. So I’ve compiled my best ideas for cheap meals for families.
Skip the expensive cuts of meat and fancy ingredients. Our budget-friendly recipes focus on simple meals that stretch your grocery dollars without sacrificing flavor.
We’ve gathered favorite recipes from home cooks who know how to make the most of every ingredient. From hearty casseroles to creative pasta dishes, these affordable recipes will keep your family satisfied and your budget intact.
Many of these easy weeknight meals use less meat or replace it entirely with cheaper proteins. Smart substitutions and seasonal ingredients help you create filling dinners without breaking the bank.
Get ready to discover new family favorites that save money and time. These cheap meal ideas prove that dinner time can be both delicious and budget-conscious, even when feeding a crowd.
79 Cheap Meals for Families
1. Simple Chicken Noodle Soup
This dish uses pantry staples like chicken broth and egg noodles. It’s an easy way to make a filling meal without spending a lot of money.
2. Slow Cooker Taco Soup
With ground beef, tomato sauce, and black beans, this hearty soup is a great way to feed a large family on a tight budget.
3. Easy Tamale Pie
This cheap recipe combines pre-made tamales, cheese, and enchilada sauce in a simple casserole. The whole family will love it.
4. Quick and Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe
A pound of ground beef, tomato sauce, and brown sugar come together to make this budget-friendly classic. Serve on buns or over rice.
5. Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Cheaper cuts of meat like chicken thighs are perfect for budget meals. Bake them with garlic powder and brown sugar for a delicious meal.
6. Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole
Ham, cheddar cheese, and potatoes make this an affordable comfort meal. It’s a great way to use up leftover veggies.
7. Black Beans and Rice
Cheap, filling, and packed with flavor, this dish uses simple ingredients like garlic powder and canned black beans.
8. Chicken Burrito Skillet
A one-pan dish made with ground chicken, refried beans, and tortilla chips. It’s one of the best cheap dinner ideas for busy nights.
9. Million Dollar Spaghetti
This easy dinner recipe layers pasta sauce, parmesan cheese, sour cream, and spaghetti for a budget-friendly meal that feels indulgent.
10. Ground Beef and Cabbage
Budget-friendly ingredients like cabbage and a pound of ground beef make this an easy dinner for large families.
11. Hamburger Potato Casserole
This dish stretches a pound of ground beef with sliced potatoes and mozzarella cheese for a satisfying family meal.
12. Tuna Noodle Casserole
A classic budget-friendly recipe that combines canned tuna, cream of chicken soup, and egg noodles for an easy weeknight meal.
13. Salisbury Steak
Pound of ground beef, brown gravy, and pantry staples come together in this delicious budget meal served over mashed potatoes.
14. Winter Lentil Vegetable Soup
Simple ingredients like red beans, fresh herbs, and tomato sauce make this soup a budget-friendly meal that feeds a large family.
15. Italian Wedding Soup
A hearty soup made with small meatballs (using ground pork and beef mix), spinach, and tiny pasta like orzo or acini de pepa. While it sounds fancy, it’s actually very budget-friendly since it uses minimal meat and lots of broth and vegetables.
16. White Bean and Sausage Soup
Slow cooker meals like this one make cheap family meals easy. White beans, sausage, and fresh food combine for a hearty dish.
17. Gnocchi Alfredo
Cheaper than takeout, this simple meal combines store-bought gnocchi with parmesan cheese and a creamy white sauce.
18. Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans
Roasted sweet potatoes topped with seasoned black beans make a great vegetarian meal plan option that fits any grocery budget.
19. Easy Taco Casserole
Pinto beans, ground beef, and cheddar cheese come together in this cheap recipe that the entire family will love.
20. Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Using cheaper cuts of meat like pork chops is a great way to save on grocery prices. Cook them with brown sugar and garlic powder for extra flavor.
21. Kentucky Hot Brown
This southern meal is made with turkey, bacon bits, and parmesan cheese served on garlic bread with tomato soup.
22. Quick Tortellini Soup
Tomato sauce, frozen tortellini, and mozzarella cheese make this one of the easiest budget-friendly meals for a cold night.
23. Peanut Butter Chicken Stir Fry
This cheap meal uses simple ingredients like peanut butter, soy sauce, and chicken breasts for a fast, protein-packed dish.
24. Cheeseburger Cups
Ground beef, crescent rolls, and cheddar cheese make these bite-sized budget meals that little kids will love.
25. Corn Quesadillas
Melted mozzarella cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas come together for a cheap recipe that makes a great easy lunch.
26. Meat and Potato Patties
Stretch your grocery list by mixing hamburger meat with mashed potatoes. Fry them up and serve with your own sauce.
27. Chicken and Spanish Rice
This easy recipe uses chicken tenders, canned tomato sauce, and a bit of garlic powder for a flavorful meal plan option.
28. One-Pot Enchilada Pasta
A mix of pasta sauce, enchilada sauce, ground beef, and cheese makes this one of the best cheap easy meals.
29. Crescent Roll Pigs in a Blanket
Hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls make a great way to serve a cheap dinner when grocery prices are high.
30. Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Fresh herbs, chicken breasts, and parmesan cheese make this an affordable meal that’s full of flavor.
31. Easy Chicken Fried Rice
Leftover noodles, chicken, and soy sauce make this one of the easiest budget meals for a busy weeknight.
32. Simple Hamburger Stroganoff
Ground beef, cream of chicken soup, and egg noodles make this a comforting and affordable meal.
33. Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan
Chicken breasts baked with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese make this an easy dinner for large families.
34. Mostaccioli Pasta Bake
Tomato sauce, pasta, and ground beef make this a classic budget-friendly recipe for the whole family.
35. Jalapeno Popper Quesadillas
Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and a little spice make these easy dinners a hit.
36. Homemade Fish Sticks
White fish coated in breadcrumbs makes a cheap dinner idea that’s kid-friendly.
37. Pasta Pizza Bake
Spaghetti sauce, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese turn pasta into a fun pizza-inspired dish.
38. Orange-Spiced Chicken
Chicken breasts, soy sauce, and orange juice make a flavorful budget-friendly recipe.
39. Spicy Cajun Sausage and Rice
Budget-friendly ingredients like sausage and rice come together in this quick meal.
40. Enchilada Casser-Ole!
Ground beef, enchilada sauce, and corn tortillas make this a great way to serve a big family on a budget.
41. Homemade Mac and Cheese
Cheddar cheese, pasta, and a simple sauce make this an easy way to serve a classic comfort food that the whole family will love.
42. Crispy Buffalo Chicken Roll-Ups
Chicken tenders, cream cheese, and hot sauce rolled in crescent rolls make a spicy, budget-friendly meal perfect for a busy weeknight.
43. Hearty Skillet Supper
Ground beef, potatoes, and leftover veggies create an affordable one-pan meal that’s perfect for stretching your grocery budget.
44. Corn Dog Casserole
Hot dogs, cornbread mix, and cheddar cheese combine to make this kid-friendly, budget meal that’s quick to prepare.
45. Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and fresh herbs make a delicious recipe that’s great for an easy lunch or light dinner.
46. Roasted Garlic Butter Pork Chops
Pork chops seasoned with garlic powder and brown sugar are baked in a simple butter sauce for a cheap meal that feels fancy.
47. Vegetable Stir Fry
Use leftover veggies, soy sauce, and a bit of garlic powder to create a quick and affordable stir fry served over rice.
48. Crescent Roll Taco Pockets
Ground beef, taco seasoning, and cheddar cheese wrapped in crescent rolls make a fun twist on tacos.
49. Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Chicken breasts cooked with balsamic vinegar and brown sugar make a simple, flavorful budget meal that’s great with garlic bread.
50. Peanut Butter Ramen Noodles
Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, and ramen noodles for a budget-friendly recipe that’s quick, filling, and delicious.
51. Loaded Baked Potatoes
Top baked potatoes with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and leftover veggies for an easy dinner idea that’s filling and affordable.
52. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Coated in parmesan cheese and panko, these crispy chicken tenders are an easy dinner recipe that saves a lot of money over takeout.
53. Penne with Bacon and Parmesan
Pasta tossed with crispy bacon, garlic, olive oil (or butter), and parmesan cheese makes this a cheap easy meal packed with flavor.
54. Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos
Scrambled eggs, refried beans, and cheddar cheese in warm corn tortillas make a great meal for any time of day.
55. Slow Cooker Chili
Made with a pound of ground beef, canned tomatoes, and pinto beans, this is a classic budget-friendly recipe that feeds a crowd.
56. Chicken and Green Bean Casserole
Using cream of chicken soup, chicken breasts, and green beans, this cheap recipe is a perfect meal plan option.
57. Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Slow-cooked meatballs in a sauce made with brown sugar and tomato sauce make a delicious meal served over rice.
58. Hamburger Meatloaf
A pound of ground beef mixed with pantry staples like breadcrumbs and eggs creates a budget-friendly version of a classic meal.
59. Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Classic and comforting, this easy dinner pairs rich tomato soup with crispy grilled cheese sandwiches made with store brands to save money.
60. Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan
Roasted spaghetti squash topped with garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese makes a healthy and cheap family meal.
61. Stuffed Peppers
Ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce stuffed into bell peppers make a complete meal that’s both affordable and filling.
62. Creamy Chicken Casserole
Chicken, cream of chicken soup, and mozzarella cheese are baked together for a classic comfort dish.
63. Bacon and Egg Fried Rice
Using leftover rice, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon bits, this dish makes a great budget-friendly dinner.
64. BBQ Ranch Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken thighs, ranch seasoning, and BBQ sauce baked with potatoes and carrots on one pan. This uses affordable cuts of meat and simple vegetables for an easy weeknight meal.
65. Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ground beef, pasta, and a cheesy sauce create an easy way to make a homemade version of the store-bought favorite.
66. Ramen Stir Fry
Ramen noodles, soy sauce, and fresh veggies make this quick and cheap recipe a great way to use up leftovers.
67. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Pork sausage, bell peppers, and potatoes roasted on a single sheet pan make an easy weeknight meal.
68. Panda Express-Style Orange Chicken
Chicken tenders coated in a sweet and tangy sauce made with soy sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar make this an easy way to enjoy takeout flavors at home.
69. Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Ground chicken, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella cheese baked together make this a budget-friendly alternative to traditional chicken parm.
70. Leftover Noodle Frittata
Leftover noodles mixed with eggs and parmesan cheese make an easy meal that helps reduce food waste.
71. Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Chicken breasts coated in crushed tortilla chips and parmesan cheese make these a great alternative to store-bought nuggets.
72. Red Beans and Rice
Slow-cooked red beans with sausage and spices make a southern meal that’s cheap, filling, and packed with flavor.
73. Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs
Ground beef meatballs filled with gooey mozzarella cheese and simmered in spaghetti sauce make this a great meal for large families.
74. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken, cream of chicken soup, and crescent rolls make this comforting slow cooker meal easy and affordable.
75. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Tilapia fillets coated in parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs make a cheap, easy dinner recipe that’s ready in minutes.
76. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Using cheaper cuts of meat and frozen broccoli, this stir fry is a budget-friendly way to recreate a takeout favorite.
77. Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash
Leftover chicken and sweet potatoes sautéed together make a quick and healthy meal with simple ingredients.
78. Homemade Enchiladas
Shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and corn tortillas make this a classic budget meal for the whole family.
79. Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls
Store brands of crescent rolls filled with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and spaghetti sauce make this a fun and cheap recipe.
Final Thoughts
These simple meals show that eating well doesn’t require fancy ingredients or complicated recipes. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can cook delicious meals your whole family will enjoy.
Stock your pantry with affordable ingredients from your local supermarket. Then mix and match these easy dinner recipes to create a week of dinners that won’t strain your budget.
Remember that the cheapest food options can still taste amazing. Sometimes southern meals made with basic ingredients become new favorite recipes that your family requests again and again.
Keep this collection handy when you need easy weeknight meals that stretch your grocery budget. Try one new recipe each week to expand your menu without expanding your spending.
The best part? These budget-friendly recipes prove that good food doesn’t have to be expensive. With these ideas, you can feed your family well while keeping more money in your wallet.
- Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe - February 4, 2025
- Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe - February 4, 2025
- Quick and Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe - February 4, 2025