23 Cheap Dinner Recipes for Families on a Budget
There’s something really comforting about sitting down to a cheap homemade dinner after a long day, especially when everyone actually enjoys it. I grew up eating simple budget meals that always tasted amazing, and those are still the kinds of dinners I come back to now. A big pot of soup, a cheesy casserole, or a slow cooker meal bubbling away in the kitchen just makes home feel cozy. These kinds of recipes work really well when you’re trying to watch your spending.
There’s no getting away from it, feeding a family costs a lot these days, and I think most of us are looking for ways to stretch the grocery budget without serving boring food night after night. That’s why I put together this collection of cheap family meals. These recipes are filling, easy to make, and made with ingredients that don’t cost a fortune.
If these recipes can take the pressure out of dinnertime even just a little bit then I’ll feel as though I’ve succeeded. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated recipes to put something warm and satisfying on the table. These are dinners that work for busy weeknights, hungry kids, and those weeks when you really need your grocery money to go further.
1. Beef Enchilada Soup
This is such a hearty meal but it really doesn’t cost a lot to make. I love the Tex-Mex flavors of this and you can put out extra toppings such as shredded cheese and sour cream so everyone can help themselves.
GET THE RECIPE2. Cannellini Bean, Sausage & Kale Soup
Sausages are great when you’re looking for low-cost meat and they work well in all kinds of recipes. I love how hearty and nutritious this soup is. It’s really low-cost but it’s packed with goodness and tastes great too.
GET THE RECIPE3. Cast Iron Taco Pie
This is a really fun recipe and the kids always love it. I usually serve this with a little sour cream, salsa, and whatever toppings we already have in the fridge.
GET THE RECIPE4. Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder
This is a really comforting meal that we love to eat in the colder months. It cooks slowly all day in the crockpot and is ready when you are, so it’s perfect for busy family life.
GET THE RECIPE5. Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
I always forget just how good honey garlic chicken is until I make it again. The sauce in this one has that perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, and it works so well served over rice to help stretch the meal further. We also serve this straight up on soft buns too which makes it super easy to dish up as and when people are ready for dinner.
GET THE RECIPE6. Crockpot Tater Tot Casserole
Tater tot casseroles always remind me of the kinds of easy family dinners people have been making forever because they’re filling, simple, and everyone actually eats them without complaining. The crispy tater tots on top just make it even better. And tell me a kid who doesn’t love tater tots!
GET THE RECIPE7. Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken
This is a super simple recipe that tastes great every time I make it. The honey mustard sauce gives this so much flavor without needing lots of expensive ingredients. I usually keep an eye out for reduced offers on chicken breast and keep it in the freezer to use up when we need it.
GET THE RECIPE8. Italian Sausage Soup
The Italian sausage in this recipe adds loads of flavor, so you can make a really tasty family dinner without spending a fortune on ingredients. This works really well with garlic bread or whatever crusty bread we already have in the kitchen.
GET THE RECIPE9. Meatball Ravioli Casserole
Using ravioli here helps keep things simple, while the meatballs and sauce turn it into a really tasty and filling dinner. Recipes like this are perfect for busy nights when everyone’s hungry and you just need something warm and satisfying on the table fast.
GET THE RECIPE10. Potato, Leek & Bacon Soup
Potatoes are such a good choice when you’re watching your budget. They’re low cost but super filling and incredibly versatile too. This soup is super satisfying and the combination of flavors works really well.
GET THE RECIPE11. Sausage Pasta Bake
Pasta bakes are always such a good option when you need to feed a family without spending too much money. The sausage adds loads of flavor to this, so it’s really satisfying without needing lots of extra ingredients.
GET THE RECIPE12. Sheet Pan Pizza
Homemade pizza is a great way to use up leftovers. I love this sheet pan version, it tastes incredible and it’s super easy to make.
GET THE RECIPE13. Crockpot Cherry Cola Pineapple BBQ Meatballs
Meatballs always go a long way when you’re trying to feed a family. This version is a little different to the usual meatball recipes but there’s something a little bit retro about the combination of pineapple and barbecue sauce.
GET THE RECIPE14. Crockpot Dr. Pepper Brats
Brats are always an affordable choice and it’s nice to vamp them up a bit. You might not necessarily think of cooking them with Dr. Pepper, but believe me when I say that this recipe tastes incredible.
GET THE RECIPE15. Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is a classic low-budget meal that I remember from my childhood. It’s super easy to make, tastes great, is low cost and quickly fills hungry bellies.
GET THE RECIPE16. Crockpot Swamp Potatoes
Potato recipes like this have always been a favorite in budget-conscious households because they’re filling, affordable, and so easy to make. The slow cooker turns everything soft, creamy, and packed with flavor while keeping the effort really low.
GET THE RECIPE17. Oven-Baked Tater Tot Casserole
You really can’t go wrong with a good tater tot casserole when you need an easy budget dinner. It’s filling, comforting, and made with simple ingredients that most families already love. The crispy golden tater tots on top just make this feel like proper cozy comfort food without spending loads of money.
GET THE RECIPE18. Tater Tot Chili Casserole
We love chili in this house. It’s super tasty, low-budget and easy to make too. This tater tot casserole version makes it even more satisfying and the leftovers always taste even better the next day.
GET THE RECIPE19. Crockpot Broccoli Chicken
This is a really simple meal that works well served over rice. It’s one that you can just throw into the slow cooker without too much effort and it’s ready when you get home.
20. Crockpot Mexican Chicken
This is one of those really versatile slow cooker meals that can stretch into several different dinners depending on what you serve it with. We’ve used it in tacos, rice bowls, wraps, and even loaded baked potatoes when we’ve needed an easy budget meal.
21. Sausage & Kale Pasta
Sausage pasta dishes are always a great way to make an affordable dinner feel really hearty and satisfying. The sausage brings so much flavor to the sauce, while the kale helps bulk everything out without adding much extra cost.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or orecchiette work well)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chopped kale, tough stems removed
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon butter or a squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions:
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Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Scoop out and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
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While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up as it browns, until fully cooked through.
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Stir in the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
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Add the kale and chicken broth to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale wilts and becomes tender, about 3–5 minutes.
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Add the drained pasta to the skillet, pouring in a little of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen everything up and bring it together.
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Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add the butter or a squeeze of lemon juice, if using.
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Serve warm with extra Parmesan sprinkled on top.
22. Crockpot Apricot Brown Sugar Chicken
This is a little different to our usual recipes but it really does taste great and it actually doesn’t cost a lot to make. Most of the ingredients are things you’ve likely already got. Sometimes we serve this over mashed potatoes, other times I like to shred it and serve it on bread rolls.
23. Crockpot Creamy Ranch Beef & Noodles
There’s something about creamy beef and noodles that just feels like proper comfort food. This slow cooker version is really easy to throw together, and it makes a filling family dinner without needing lots of expensive ingredients.
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions:
- Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the beef broth, then stir in the ranch seasoning mix and Worcestershire sauce. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- About 20–30 minutes before serving, cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until just tender, then drain.
- Add the sour cream, softened cream cheese, and heavy cream to the slow cooker. Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked noodles to the slow cooker and stir until everything is evenly coated with the creamy ranch sauce.
- Let sit for a few minutes to thicken, then serve warm.
I hope these cheap family meals give you a few new ideas for those busy weeks when you need dinner to be simple, filling, and affordable. Feeding a family on a budget definitely isn’t easy these days, but homemade meals like these can really help stretch things a little further. Let me know of any budget tips you have for keeping the grocery bill down.
