Eating well on a budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or variety. In this article, we’ll explore 21 Affordable Meal Ideas that are both tasty and easy on your wallet. These recipes use common, inexpensive ingredients to create satisfying dishes suitable for various dietary needs and preferences. No matter if you’re looking to save money, reduce food waste, or simply expand your meals, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. From hearty soups to creative pasta dishes, these budget friendly recipes prove that delicious eating can be achievable at any price point.
Chilled Veggie Pizza Using Crescent Rolls
This versatile appetizer uses store-bought crescent rolls as the crust and fresh veggies, making it quick and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Chilled Veggie Pizza Using Crescent Rolls
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This chunky chicken Caesar pasta salad has the perfect tangy, creamy, salty balance. It’s so quick to make and the perfect summer salad. Adding pasta to a classic Caesar is a good way to bulk it up, making it a little more satisfying. Try this recipe to use up leftover cooked pasta.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
French Toast Pancakes
French Toast Pancakes are the best of both worlds: pancakes and French toast in every bite. Fluffy and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Once the pancakes are done, just soak them in the French toast mixture and grill for a second time.
Get the Recipe: French Toast Pancakes
Spaghetti with Tuna and Tomatoes
A simple pasta made with pantry staples that packs a flavor punch! This recipe could not be easier to make and the best part, you might already have all of the ingredients in your pantry!
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Tuna and Tomatoes
Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites
These homemade mini pizza bagel bites are just as more-ish as they sound! That’s right – one is never enough. Once you know how to make bagel bites, you’ll want to rustle up this bite size pizza snack all the time. These mini pizzas make an easy lunch, quick snack or appetizer. If you love pizza, give these easy DIY pizza bagels a try!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Mini Pizza Bagel Bites
Loaded Vegetarian Nachos (Sheet Pan)
Cheesy vegetarian nachos loaded with healthy veggies and black beans are a fabulous easy 25-minute weeknight meal! Baking them on a sheet pan is so simple, and it’s the perfect way to make sure every tortilla chip is crispy – not soggy – and loaded with the goods.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Vegetarian Nachos (Sheet Pan)
Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits
If you’re a fan of beef or chicken pot pie, you’re going to love this leftover ham pot pie recipe. Nobody will go hungry when you make this tasty dish with ham leftovers and some simple store cupboard staples. When it comes to leftover ham recipes, this delicious recipe is going to be a surefire hit. The flaky pie crust and creamy ham pot pie filling ensure every mouthful of this golden brown puff pastry dough topped pie is going to make your tastebuds very happy. You might even want to make a couple of these delicious pies and freeze one!
Get the Recipe: Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits
Ground Beef and Broccoli
This is a quick and easy recipe for healthy Beef and Broccoli. 9 ingredients, 20 minutes and one pan. Gluten-Free. Can also be made Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo and Whole 30-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli
Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas
With corn, black beans, chicken and loads of flavor, these EASY Quesadillas in the oven will be your new go-to weeknight meal!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
You can make Baked Potatoes in the slow cooker! It only takes a few minutes to prep, and baked potatoes are ready when you arrive home! Just add toppings such as butter, sour cream, bacon and green onions when you arrive home!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Mini Cornbread Muffins
This mini cornbread muffin recipe is the perfect side dish to serve with chili, soup, and more! With a few simple tweaks, Little Healthy Bites made these sweet cornbread muffins a little healthier so you can feel good about serving them to your little ones!
Get the Recipe: Mini Cornbread Muffins
Cuban Frijoles Negros
“My abuela’s cuban frijoles negros recipe is simple, easy, and delish. It’s full of flavor but only made with a handful of pantry ingredients. Use canned beans and simmer on the stovetop for 20 minutes and serve as a side dish with white rice!”
Get the Recipe: Cuban Frijoles Negros
3 Cheese Sourdough Grilled Cheese
With three flavorful, gooey cheeses and golden toasted bread, our Sourdough Grilled Cheese is the ultimate grown-up sandwich delight!
Get the Recipe: 3 Cheese Sourdough Grilled Cheese
Simple Spinach Salad
Toss together this easy & healthy simple spinach salad in just minutes. With homemade croutons & dijon vinaigrette, it’s a fresh side dish that goes with any meal or enjoy for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Simple Spinach Salad
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Indulge in Spiced Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes! Loaded with plant-based protein and bursting with flavor, these tender, roasted sweet potatoes are generously filled with perfectly spiced chickpeas. The perfect vegan weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
2 Ingredient Oreo Mug Cake
Have you seen the 2 ingredient Oreo mug cake recipe on TikTok? If you’re in the mood for something rich, decadent, chocolaty, and EASY to satisfy your sweet tooth, look no further!
Get the Recipe: 2 Ingredient Oreo Mug Cake
Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Air-Fryer Pasta Chips are the latest TikTok trend that we can’t get enough of! Pasta is first cooked and then air-fried with flavouring to create the most delicious crunchy and flavourful snack – minimal ingredients required.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
These cheeseburger sliders made with Hawaiian rolls are packed with spicy and juicy beef, melted cheese, and are ridiculously good that will leave you craving for more. They make great party food and can be made in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
Peach Baked Oatmeal
This Peach Baked Oatmeal is a delicious breakfast treat with a golden-brown crust, sweet peaches, and chopped pecans for a little crunch.
Get the Recipe: Peach Baked Oatmeal
Easy Healthy Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef
These Healthy Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef make the perfect weeknight dinner! They’re lower in carbs, high in protein and you can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Easy Healthy Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich
This tasty rotisserie chicken salad sandwich is easy to make and it boasts so much incredible flavor! It’s a classic chicken salad recipe with vegetables, a mustard-spiked creamy dressing and even some almonds for crunch, which nobody can resist. Whether you choose to enjoy this creamy homemade chicken salad in a bun, in a baked potato or just by itself, you’re going to love the bold and fresh flavors it offers in every mouthful.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich
