With the correct recipes, quick and simple dinners can be made on a budget. A simple & inexpensive dish that only needs pasta, canned tomatoes, olive oil, & garlic is spaghetti with marinara sauce. You can easily alter this dish by adding extra protein or veggies. Another easy and affordable meal that works well with a variety of veggies and proteins is stir-frying, which is usually served over rice.
Key Takeaways
- Quick and easy budget-friendly dinner ideas can help save time and money
- One-pot meals are a convenient and affordable option for dinner
- Meatless Monday offers vegetarian dinner recipes that are budget-friendly
- Budget-friendly protein options like beans and eggs can be used for dinner
- Creative ways to use leftovers can help create cheap and delicious dinners
- 5-ingredient dinner recipes are perfect for those on a tight budget
- Families on a budget can benefit from budget-friendly dinner ideas that are both affordable and delicious
A quick salad made with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers is a healthier alternative. To add more substance, you can add protein, such as grilled chicken or chickpeas. Another quick and inexpensive dinner option are quesadillas, which only need tortillas, cheese, and optional fillings like leftover veggies, beans, or corn. These dinner suggestions are ideal for hectic weeknights when time and money are of the essence. They’re practical options for many households because they provide a good balance between affordability, convenience, and nutrition.
Simple One-Pot Dinners. Ground beef or turkey, canned beans, tomatoes, & spices are the main ingredients of chili, a traditional one-pot meal. This is a tasty and inexpensive supper that just requires browning the meat, adding the remaining ingredients, and simmering. Rice dishes with pasta.
An additional option for a one-pot meal is a straightforward pasta dish, in which the pasta can be cooked in the sauce along with additional vegetables and protein to make a full meal. Similarly, rice meals like paella or jambalaya, which usually consist of rice, vegetables, and a protein (such as sausage or seafood) cooked all in one pot, are excellent choices. cosy stews and soups. Consider preparing a pot of soup or stew for a cozy and inexpensive supper.
| Recipe Name | Main Ingredients | Cost per Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti Aglio e Olio | Spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes | 1.50 |
| Vegetable Stir-Fry | Mixed vegetables, soy sauce, rice | 2.00 |
| Black Bean Quesadillas | Black beans, tortillas, cheese, salsa | 1.75 |
| Chickpea Curry | Chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, curry powder | 2.50 |
Anything you have on hand will work, including any veggies and protein like potatoes, carrots, onions, and chicken or sausage. For an easy & reasonably priced dinner, just put everything into a pot and simmer with some broth and seasonings. One-pot meals are ideal for anyone trying to cut costs on dinner without sacrificing flavor because they are not only economical but also highly convenient. It’s common practice to go vegetarian for one day a week on Meatless Monday, which promotes this lifestyle choice for both environmental & health health benefits. You can also reduce the cost of groceries by including more reasonably priced plant-based meals in your weekly menu.
A quick vegetable stir-fry is one inexpensive vegetarian supper option. For a tasty & inexpensive supper, you can sauté any veggies you have on hand, such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, & snap peas, with some soy sauce & garlic. A substantial bean chili is an additional meatless Monday supper option.
A satisfying and inexpensive supper can be made by using canned beans, such as black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas, as the foundation for the chili and adding tomatoes, onions, and spices. Make a quinoa salad with mixed vegetables & a homemade vinaigrette for a lighter option. With veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, quinoa makes for a tasty and reasonably priced meal. Quinoa is also a cheap source of protein. Simple pasta with marinara sauce and roasted vegetables is another idea for a meatless Monday supper. For a quick and inexpensive supper option, roast any veggies you have on hand, like zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms, in the oven before tossing them with cooked pasta and marinara sauce.
Meatless Monday is advantageous for the environment, your health, & your pocketbook—it’s a win-win situation all around. Though it can be one of the most expensive ingredients, protein is a necessary component of any well-balanced meal. But there are lots of inexpensive protein options you can use in your dinners without going over budget.
Eggs are a cheap source of protein. Nutritious & adaptable, they can be used in omelets, frittatas, and egg fried rice, among other dinnertime recipes. You can also get affordable protein by using canned salmon or tuna.
These affordable sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids can be used in salads, sandwiches, or pasta dishes made with these shelf-stable proteins. If your preference is for plant-based protein sources, you might want to try including lentils and beans in your dinners. They’re packed with fiber and protein, and they’re also reasonably priced.
They make a healthy and affordable supper choice when added to recipes like black bean burgers, lentil soup, or bean chili. Tofu is another inexpensive protein choice. It is a reasonably priced plant-based protein source that can be used to grill, stir-fry, or curries for a filling and economical supper. You can cut costs on groceries without compromising flavor or nutrition by using these inexpensive protein options for your dinners. Though they are frequently disregarded, leftovers can be a fantastic tool for quickly and cheaply preparing meals.
Frittatas and quiches are two inventive ways to use leftovers. A tasty & inexpensive egg dish that goes well with a side salad or some crusty bread for dinner can be made with any leftover cooked meats, veggies, or cheeses. Making fried rice is another inventive way to repurpose leftovers. Remaining cooked rice, veggies, proteins (like chicken or shrimp), and scrambled eggs can be combined to make a tasty & inexpensive dinner option that is ready in a matter of minutes.
Make tacos or burritos with any leftover cooked meats, such as chicken or beef. An easy and inexpensive supper option is to simply reheat the meat with some spices and serve it in tortillas with toppings like cheese, salsa, & lettuce. A filling soup or stew is an additional inventive way to repurpose leftovers. Remaining cooked meats, veggies, or grains (like rice or quinoa) can be used to make a tasty and inexpensive supper that goes well with crackers or crusty bread. You can reduce food waste, save money on groceries, and have delicious dinners all at once by being creative with your leftovers. Simple Pasta with Lots of Flavor.
It’s important to find dinner recipes that are flavorful and require few ingredients when you’re on a tight budget. Made with just five ingredients (pasta, canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil), this recipe is a straightforward tomato basil pasta dish. This is a very easy & inexpensive dinner to prepare.
Tender Traditional Recipes and Plant-Based Alternatives. A traditional grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup is another 5-ingredient supper recipe. Bread, cheese, butter, canned tomatoes, and a few basic seasonings are the only five ingredients needed for this filling and inexpensive supper option. If you’d rather not eat meat, you can make a black bean quesadilla with just five ingredients: avocado, cheese, salsa, canned black beans, and tortillas. This filling and inexpensive supper option comes together quickly. All Around Tastes at a Low Cost.
A basic curry made with five ingredients is another dinner recipe. All you need to make this tasty and inexpensive meal are five ingredients: coconut milk, curry paste or powder, onion, garlic, and canned chickpeas. This dish goes well with rice or naan bread, which makes it a budget-friendly and expedient dinner choice.
Without compromising on taste or variety, you can cut costs on groceries by creating dinner recipes that call for just five ingredients. While providing a family with a healthy and satisfying dinner can be difficult on a tight budget, there are many inexpensive dinner ideas available. A large pot of spaghetti and marinara sauce is an inexpensive supper suggestion for large groups of people.
This traditional dish can easily feed a large family without going over budget because it only needs a few staple ingredients, like pasta, canned tomatoes, garlic, & olive oil. Homemade pizza is another inexpensive dinner option for large groups of people. Making your own dough with flour, yeast, water, salt, & olive oil will result in a tasty & inexpensive family supper option. You can then top it with cheese, tomato sauce, and any other toppings you happen to have on hand.
Consider preparing a large pot of vegetable soup or stew with whatever veggies you have on hand and some beans or lentils for extra protein if you’re searching for meatless options that are still filling for the whole family. Another inexpensive and fun family dinner option is to have a taco night where everyone makes their own tacos with toppings like ground beef or turkey, shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, and sour cream. This makes for a lively & cost-effective family meal. You can cut costs on groceries and still have great family dinners by adding these inexpensive dinner ideas to your meal plan.
If you’re looking for cheap dinner ideas, you might want to check out this article on dinnerideas.blog. They have a variety of budget-friendly recipes that are perfect for anyone trying to save money on meals. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, you’re sure to find something delicious and affordable on their site.
FAQs
What are some cheap dinner ideas?
Some cheap dinner ideas include pasta dishes, rice and beans, stir-fries, soups, and casseroles. These meals can be made with inexpensive ingredients and are often quick and easy to prepare.
How can I save money on dinner?
To save money on dinner, consider planning your meals in advance, buying in bulk, using leftovers, and opting for cheaper cuts of meat or plant-based proteins. Additionally, shopping at discount stores and using coupons can help reduce costs.
What are some budget-friendly ingredients for dinner?
Budget-friendly ingredients for dinner include rice, pasta, beans, lentils, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, eggs, and affordable cuts of meat such as chicken thighs or pork shoulder. These ingredients can be used to create a variety of inexpensive and satisfying meals.
How can I make dinner for a family on a budget?
To make dinner for a family on a budget, consider cooking in large batches, using affordable ingredients, and incorporating meatless meals into your menu. Planning meals in advance and utilizing leftovers can also help stretch your food budget further.
