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19 Budget-Friendly Dinners That Keep Costs in Check

19 Budget-Friendly Dinners That Keep Costs in Check

Tight grocery weeks call for meals that don’t feel like sacrifices. These 19 budget-friendly dinners lean on pantry staples, affordable vegetables, and small portions of protein that still feel filling. From bean-based stews to baked casseroles and quick skillet meals, every recipe keeps costs in check. It’s proof that steady dinners don’t have to be expensive.

19 Budget-Friendly Dinners That Keep Costs in Check
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup). Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Borlotti Beans In Tomato Sauce With Eggs

White beans and tomatoes, two essential ingredients for veggie mains, simmer together beautifully in a pan. Stirring it all with a trusty wooden spoon adds the finishing touch to this delicious dish.
Borlotti Beans In Tomato Sauce With Eggs. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Borlotti Beans In Tomato Sauce With Eggs cooks in about 35 minutes using dried or canned beans, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and eggs. The flavor is savory with gentle acidity. Beans carry the dish while eggs add protein. It stretches simple ingredients into a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Borlotti Beans In Tomato Sauce With Eggs

Roasted Delicata Squash Salad

Roasted squash with scallions on a brown plate.
Roasted Delicata Squash Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Roasted Delicata Squash Salad bakes in about 30 minutes with delicata squash, greens, seeds, and simple dressing. The taste is lightly sweet with earthy notes. Squash roasts quickly without peeling. It fills plates without expensive extras.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Delicata Squash Salad

Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights

A plate of fried rice with tofu, peas, corn, carrots, and egg.
Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights cooks in about 25 minutes using tofu, cooked rice, frozen vegetables, soy sauce, and eggs. The flavor is savory and familiar. Day-old rice makes it filling. It clears leftovers while saving money.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights

Chicken Sancocho

A bowl of soup containing corn on the cob, cilantro, and various vegetables is placed on a woven mat. A spoon lies to the left, and an amber-colored glass with a beverage is to the right on a light-colored surface. An orange cloth napkin is underneath—this isn't just any soup; it's inspired by Grandma's Chicken Recipes.
Chicken Sancocho. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Sancocho simmers in about 60 minutes with bone-in chicken, potatoes, corn, cilantro, and broth. The soup tastes clean and savory. Root vegetables bulk it up cheaply. Bowls feel hearty without a high grocery bill.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sancocho

Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Stack of chicken quesadilla wedges with cilantro garnish.
Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas bake in about 30 minutes using tortillas, cooked chicken, cheese, and peppers. The flavor is mild and filling. Everything cooks on one tray. It feeds more people with less meat.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Crustless Zucchini Quiche

A slice of vegetable frittata topped with grated cheese and parsley sits on a floral plate. A fork is positioned beside the frittata, and another piece of parsley lies on the plate.
Crustless Zucchini Quiche. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crustless Zucchini Quiche bakes in about 40 minutes with zucchini, eggs, cheese, and milk. The texture is soft with gentle savory flavor. Skipping the crust saves time and money. Slices work for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Crustless Zucchini Quiche

Mujadara

White casserole dish with middle eastern mujadara.
Mujadara. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mujadara cooks in about 45 minutes using lentils, rice, onions, and spices. The taste is earthy with mild sweetness from caramelized onions. Lentils replace meat easily. It feeds a crowd on pantry basics.
Get the Recipe: Mujadara

Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Fish Soup From the Heart

A blue bowl contains a soup with chunks of fish, carrots, and potatoes, garnished with fresh dill. The soup appears to have a clear broth base.
Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Fish Soup From the Heart. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Fish Soup From the Heart finishes in about 30 minutes using white fish, potatoes, tomatoes, and broth. The flavor is light and savory. Pressure cooking keeps fish tender. It turns a small amount of seafood into dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Fish Soup From the Heart

Classic Jewish Chopped Chicken Liver

A bowl filled with a brown, chunky spread garnished with a sprig of parsley. A knife lies beside the bowl and slices of cucumber and crackers are in the background on a light-colored surface.
Classic Jewish Chopped Chicken Liver. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Classic Jewish Chopped Chicken Liver comes together in about 30 minutes using chicken livers, onions, eggs, and oil. The spread tastes rich and savory. It uses inexpensive cuts most people overlook. Bread turns it into a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Classic Jewish Chopped Chicken Liver

Marinated Tofu Spring Rolls

A wooden platter displays five vegetable spring rolls alongside a small bowl of brown dipping sauce. Perfect for those seeking frugal recipes, sliced limes and fresh cilantro are arranged around the platter, offering an affordable yet flavorful addition to your weekly meals.
Marinated Tofu Spring Rolls. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Marinated Tofu Spring Rolls assemble in about 35 minutes with tofu, rice paper, vegetables, and dipping sauce. The flavor is fresh with gentle savory notes. They rely on low-cost produce. Plates feel full without cooking much.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tofu Spring Rolls

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

A plate of pasta with mushrooms and sprigs of dill.
Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel bakes in about 60 minutes with pasta, mushrooms, leeks, eggs, and milk. The taste is savory and steady. Mushrooms replace pricier proteins. It stretches leftovers across nights.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Spaghetti With Mushroom Marinara Sauce

A close up of spaghetti with meat and basil.
Spaghetti With Mushroom Marinara Sauce. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Spaghetti With Mushroom Marinara Sauce cooks in about 30 minutes using pasta, canned tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs. The sauce tastes rich without meat. Mushrooms add bulk at low cost. It feeds a family on pantry staples.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti With Mushroom Marinara Sauce

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma

Two grilled wraps are cut in half, showing fillings of grilled chicken, lettuce, cucumber, and other vegetables. The wraps have visible grill marks and are stacked on a plate with a blurred background.
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma cooks in about 25 minutes with chicken thighs, spices, garlic, and oil. The flavor is savory with light spice. Thighs cost less than breasts. Wraps stretch the protein further.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage cooks in about 35 minutes using sliced cabbage, chicken sausage, onion, and seasoning. The taste is smoky and filling. Cabbage adds volume cheaply. One skillet covers dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Eggplant Shakshuka

Eggplant shakshuka in pan.
Eggplant Shakshuka. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Eggplant Shakshuka simmers in about 45 minutes with eggplant, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and eggs. The flavor is savory with gentle warmth. Vegetables carry most of the dish. Eggs keep it affordable and filling.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Shakshuka

Barley, Kale And Romano Beans Soup

A bowl of barley soup with lemon wedges on a wooden table.
Barley, Kale And Romano Beans Soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Barley, Kale And Romano Beans Soup cooks in about 50 minutes with barley, beans, kale, onion, and broth. The soup tastes mild and hearty. Grains and beans stretch every bowl. It holds lunches all week.
Get the Recipe: Barley, Kale And Romano Beans Soup

Stuffed Potato Patties With A Mushroom Filling

Three patties on a plate with rice.
Stuffed Potato Patties With A Mushroom Filling. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Stuffed Potato Patties With A Mushroom Filling cook in about 45 minutes using mashed potatoes, mushrooms, onion, and flour. The flavor is savory and mild. Potatoes keep costs low. They stay filling long after serving.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Potato Patties With A Mushroom Filling

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup)

19 Budget-Friendly Dinners That Keep Costs in Check
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup). Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup) bakes in about 50 minutes with cabbage, cheese, milk, and crushed crackers. The taste is creamy with light crunch. Cabbage is one of the cheapest vegetables. It turns scraps into dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup)

Ajiaco Colombiano

A bowl of ajiaco colombiano soup with chicken, corn on the cob, and avocado.
Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ajiaco Colombiano simmers in about 75 minutes with chicken, potatoes, corn, and herbs. The broth tastes savory and clean. Potatoes bulk up every bowl. It feeds a group on simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano

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