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Budget Friendly Dinners

by Lisa Longley

|

posted: 03/13/26

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

by Lisa Longley

|

posted: 03/13/26

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

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These budget friendly dinners are perfect for when you need to stretch your grocery bill as far as you can. But in addition to being budget friendly, they are delicious family dinner ideas that your whole crew will love. There is a little something for everyone in this list. My hope is that you find a few that become regulars in your dinner rotations or even some new family favorites.

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Plate of Pasta Carbonara garnished with parmesan cheese. Forks, glass of red wine, and bread beside.

5 from 6 votes

Pasta Carbonara

Only $1.45 per serving. This is a 20 minute meal that my kids absolutely devour. This is a great one to fall back on when you aren't sure what to make for dinner.

Overhead photo of pot of Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato Soup

Only $1.55 per serving. You will fall in love with this cheesy potato soup. It is the perfect one pot dish that everyone will want second bowls of.

overhead view of a stock pot full of vegan black bean soup, garnished with fresh jalapeno slices and freshly minced cilantro

Black Bean Soup

Only $1.57 per serving. This hearty soup is packed with so much flavor. It is absolutely delicious and perfect on a chilly evening.

Overhead view of a bowl of Sausage Broccoli Pasta garnished with parmesan cheese with a fork. Glass of red wine beside.

5 from 1 vote

Sausage Broccoli Pasta

Only $1.64 per serving. This is a simple 30 minute pasta dish that your kids will love. It is easy to make, and such a staple to keep in your back pocket.

Overhead of platter of Baked Chicken Tenders with small cup of dipping sauce and french fries sitting beside

5 from 2 votes

Baked Chicken Tenders

Only $1.70 per serving. These are a family favorite! They bake up in the oven but are still absolutely crisp and delicious.

overhead of black bean enchiladas in a baking dish

5 from 1 vote

Black Bean Enchiladas

Only $1.77 per serving. This vegetarian dinner will make even meat lovers drool. The homemade enchilada sauce is everything in this great dish.

Overhead view of a skillet of Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with chopped green onions and sesame seeds as garnish.

4.80 from 5 votes

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Only $1.79 per serving. This is such a delicious and simple 30 minute meal. Add it to a little bit of rice and you have a winner that everyone will love.

Wooden spoon of Vegetarian Pasta Bake

5 from 1 vote

Vegetarian Pasta Bake

Only $1.95 per serving. This casserole is a hearty favorite. And it is a great way to sneak in some vegetables too!

Close up of a wooden spoon in a casserole dish of Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe.

5 from 3 votes

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Only $2.10 a serving. This is a delicious and easy comforting casserole. It is also a great recipe to tweak, making it easy to add vegetables or other seasonings.

Skillet of Hamburger Helper with a spoon

5 from 4 votes

Hamburger Helper

Only $2.14 per serving. If you liked boxed Hamburger Helper growing up, you are going to be amazed at how much more you love this. It is a simple recipe but absolutely comforting and delicious.

Piece of Shepard's Pie served on plate

Shepherd’s Pie

Only $2.30 per serving. My Sheperd's pie is the definition of comfort in a casserole dish. It being budget friendly is just the icing on the cake – or the potatoes on the filling.

side view of tuna stuffed tomato recipe on a wood cutting board

4.67 from 3 votes

Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes

Only $2.32 per serving. This is a fantastic low budget lunch option that will keep you full all afternoon!

Plate with Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

5 from 1 vote

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Only $2.45 per serving. This delicious dinner is a classic for a reason. Cabbage leaves are stuffed with meat, rice, and the perfect seasonings and then baked in a tomato sauce. You will love this!

overhead of a skillet of sausage and peppers

5 from 4 votes

Sausage and Peppers

Only $2.47 a serving. This 30 minute meal is made with simple ingredients and can be served is buns or over pasta. Either way, this is a great meal for kids!

Photo of Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork sandwich garnished with slaw.

5 from 2 votes

Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork

Only $2.49 a serving. This delicious recipe comes together really quickly in the crockpot and then cooks all day while you are at work. It is a delicious dinner to come home to.

piece of Tamale Pie on a plate topped with sour cream, shredded lettuce, and chopped tomatoes

5 from 1 vote

Tamale Pie

Only $2.60 per serving. This delicious Tamale Pie is easy to make, but total comfort food. It makes a big casserole dish full, which is perfect for leftovers.

Overhead view of a crockpot of Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe, topped with cilantro and jalapenos

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Only $2.88 per serving. After you chop up an onion, this is a dump and forget dinner in the slow cooker. It is perfect for weeknights full of after school activities. It's the ideal cozy meal to come home to.

close up of baking dish of tater tot casserole

Tater Tot Casserole

Only $2.89 per serving. This delicious dinner recipe comes together with just 15 minutes of hands on time. This Tater Tot Casserole is picky eater approved, and bound to become a go to dinner on busy nights.

Lisa is the founder of Simple Joy. Lisa, is a self taught cook and avid lover of all things food, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For the last 10 years Lisa has been reading cookbooks, experimenting in the kitchen, and learning everything she possibly can about cooking. The result has been the ability to create recipes, both classics and new twists, that readers fall in love with and make with ease. Lisa loves not only providing delicious and easy recipes, but also giving the why behind what we are doing in the kitchen. She gets such great joy in sharing my love for food.

Lisa has been featured in many media outlets. These outlets include Country Living, Real Simple, Today, Parade, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, Delish, Elle, and many others.

Prior to becoming a food creator, Lisa was a social worker. She received her master’s in social work from the University of Milwaukee and worked in child welfare.

Lisa is the mom to four amazing kids: Gavin, Elliot, Quinn, and Piper. Gavin, Quinn, and Piper are happy, amazing kids she loves spending time with.

Her husband, Nathan, is her partner in life and in business. He is her rock in more ways than one and supports all of her crazy dreams.

Lisa and Nathan lost their second child, Elliot, when he was 8 days old. If you want to know more about Elliot, you can read it here. If you want to read more of Lisa’s experience of grief, you can read this post.

LEAVE A COMMENT Cancel reply

sue vormann says

POSTED ON 03/17/26 AT 09:11AM

Hi, Lisa, these sound amazing. I plan to make at least 5 of these. I made your Enchiladas with homemade sauce for a church dinner and people raved about it.
Thanks for all the tips.

Reply
- Lisa Longley says
  
  POSTED ON 03/17/26 AT 01:29PM
  
  I’m so happy to hear that, Sue! I hope you love these too.
  
  Reply

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