Cooking dinner doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. There are many recipes that are both cheap and easy to make. This article will cover several budget-friendly dinner ideas that require minimal ingredients and time to prepare. Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student, or someone just looking to save some money, these recipes are perfect for you.
Why Choose Cheap and Easy Meals?
Cost-Effective: Eating out can be expensive. Preparing meals at home helps you save money.
Time-Saving: Quick recipes allow you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family or on other activities.
Healthier Choices: Home-cooked meals can be healthier than fast food. You control what goes into your dishes.
Less Waste: Making simple recipes can help you use up ingredients you already have, reducing food waste.
Shopping Tips for Cheap Meals
Before diving into recipes, here are some shopping tips to help you save money:
Plan Your Meals: Make a weekly menu and stick to it. Planning helps you avoid impulse buys.
Buy in Bulk: Purchase staples like rice, pasta, and beans in bulk. They often cost less per unit.
Seasonal Produce: Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season. They are usually cheaper and taste better.
Store Brands: Look for store brands instead of name brands. They are often cheaper and of similar quality.
Coupons and Sales: Keep an eye out for sales and use coupons to save more money.
Now, let’s explore some cheap and easy dinner recipes!
SEE ALSO: What is the Most Popular Holiday Dish?
1. One-Pot Pasta
Ingredients:
- 12 oz pasta (any type)
- 4 cups water or broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the pasta, water or broth, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Check Pasta: Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from heat. Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Why It’s Great:
This recipe is quick, requires minimal cleanup, and is full of flavor. You can also customize it by adding vegetables or protein like chicken or sausage.
2. Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- Cooked rice or noodles
Instructions:
- Heat Oil: In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Add the mixed vegetables to the pan. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Add Soy Sauce: Pour the soy sauce over the vegetables and mix well. Cook for an additional minute.
- Serve: Serve the stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles.
Why It’s Great:
This dish is incredibly versatile. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it a perfect way to use up leftovers.
3. Taco Night
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- Taco shells or tortillas
- Toppings: lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, salsa
Instructions:
- Cook Meat: In a skillet, brown the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until fully cooked.
- Add Seasoning: Drain any excess fat. Add the taco seasoning and water to the meat. Stir and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare Tacos: Fill taco shells or tortillas with the seasoned meat.
- Add Toppings: Top with your choice of lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
Why It’s Great:
Tacos are fun to make and allow for customization. You can set up a taco bar and let everyone build their own.
4. Egg Fried Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (day-old rice works best)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen works well)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Green onions (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Scramble Eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Beat the eggs and pour them into the skillet. Scramble until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining oil and mixed vegetables. Cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- Add Rice: Add the cooked rice and soy sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through.
- Combine: Add the scrambled eggs back into the skillet. Stir to mix everything well.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Why It’s Great:
This recipe is a great way to use leftover rice and is ready in under 20 minutes. It’s filling and can be a meal on its own.
5. Bean Chili
Ingredients:
- 2 cans beans (kidney, black, or pinto), drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic over medium heat until soft.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in the beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally with bread or rice.
Why It’s Great:
Chili is a hearty dish that’s easy to make in large quantities. It’s perfect for leftovers and can be frozen for future meals.
6. Simple Quesadillas
Ingredients:
- 4 tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Optional fillings: cooked chicken, beans, peppers, onions
Instructions:
- Heat Pan: Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Place one tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle cheese on one half and add any additional fillings. Fold the tortilla over.
- Cook: Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden brown.
- Slice and Serve: Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream.
Why It’s Great:
Quesadillas are quick to prepare and can be filled with whatever you have on hand. They are great for lunch or dinner.
7. Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes
- Toppings: butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, bacon bits
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash the potatoes and poke holes in them with a fork. Rub with a little oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake: Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45 minutes, or until tender.
- Add Toppings: Once baked, cut open the potatoes and add your favorite toppings.
Why It’s Great:
Baked potatoes are filling, inexpensive, and can be customized in many ways. They are also a great way to use up leftover toppings.
8. Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the rice, chicken broth, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, mixed vegetables, salt, and pepper.
- Bake: Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and Finish: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the rice is tender and the top is golden.
Why It’s Great:
Casseroles are perfect for meal prep. They are easy to make and can feed a family with leftovers for lunch.
9. Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hamburger buns
Instructions:
- Cook Meat: In a skillet, brown the ground beef or turkey with the chopped onion over medium heat.
- Mix Sauce: Add the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to the meat. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Serve: Spoon the mixture onto hamburger buns and serve.
Why It’s Great:
Sloppy Joes are messy but delicious. They are fun for family dinners and can be made quickly.
10. Simple Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 can of broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup cooked pasta or rice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: herbs or spices for flavor
Instructions:
- Heat Broth: In a large pot, heat the broth over medium heat.
- Add Vegetables: Once simmering, add the mixed vegetables and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add Pasta/Rice: Stir in the cooked pasta or rice. Add salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices.
- Serve: Let it simmer for a few minutes, then serve hot.
Why It’s Great:
Soup is comforting, nutritious, and can be made with whatever you have on hand. It’s perfect for using up leftovers.
Conclusion
Cooking cheap and easy meals for dinner can save you time and money while still providing delicious options. From one-pot pasta to simple soups, these recipes are not only easy to make but also flexible, allowing you to adapt them based on what you have on hand.
By following these recipes and tips, you can create satisfying meals without breaking the bank. Happy cooking!
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