Saving money on food can be an excellent way to stretch the monthly budget, and this collection of recipes for frugal meals features a variety of different flavors and proteins.
I asked some of the best food bloggers if they’d share their favorite money saving meals, and you’re going to love their mouth-watering ideas! You’ll find hearty dinner ideas, easy meals, and inexpensive suppers.
With more than thirty family-friendly recipes, you can make a tasty, thrifty meal every day of the month!
With a little creativity and the right recipes, meal planning doesn’t have to be stressful, boring, or bland.
You can create a nourishing, filling meal while still enjoying comfort food favorites with these frugal dinners and inexpensive suppers. That means there’s no need to sacrifice the flavor when it comes to making money-saving family meals.
(For more cheap easy dinners, you might enjoy my collection of freezer meals, and the 75 best toppings for homemade pizza.)
Burrata with Pasta
Quick, easy, and irresistibly creamy, this burrata pasta recipe features sautéed cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and rich burrata cheese. It's a perfect simple dinner the whole family will love.
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Crock Pot Southwest Chicken Chili
A cozy dinner idea that's made with corn, tomatoes, chipotle chiles. This money saving dinner idea can be made once and enjoyed for days.
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Air Fryer Chicken Legs
A quick dinner idea that features a crispy outside coating with tender juicy chicken on the inside. These are perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Easy Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe
Bacon Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food on a budget. Crispy bacon, tender noodles, and a creamy sauce come together to create a filing family meal or side dish.
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Easy Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli (30 Minute Recipe)
Ready in just 30 minutes and made with simple ingredients, this Korean ground beef and broccoli is a filling dinner idea that's great for weeknights.
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Bacon Broccoli Cheddar Soup
The flavors of creamy cheddar soup mixes in crispy bacon to make a dinner that's delicious, easy to make, and filling.
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Baked Eggplant Parmesan Casserole
Both hearty and affordable, this baked eggplant parmesan casserole is a vegetarian dinner idea that brings the flavor without the pricey cost and hard work.
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Chicken Parmesan Garlic Pasta
With just a few ingredients needed, this chicken parmesan garlic pasta is a hearty and delicious meal that brings together a cozy mix of flavors. It's perfect for nights when you want something comforting but also budget friendly.
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Easy French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus
A family favorite, these sandwiches are made with Tender roast beef, melted cheese, and a savory au jus. It's like enjoying your favorite takeout meal with half the cost.
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Meatballs with Sausage and Ground Beef
Meatballs are a great option for frugal dinner ideas because you can create a variety of different meals with them. Turn them into meatball sandwiches, add them to your pasta dishes, or add them to your dinner as a side.
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Navy Bean Soup with Bacon
With lots of protein thanks to the mix of bacon and navy beans, this soup is a comforting meal idea that you can make and enjoy for dinner one night and lunch throughout the week.
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Easy Gnocchi Soup with Italian Sausage
Enjoy a comforting family meal that's warm and soothing. This easy gnocchi soup is made with tender noodles, sausage, and a mix of spices.
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Crispy Chicken Bacon Pockets
A quick family dinner idea that's simple but packed with flavor. These pockets are made with crescent roll dough, bacon, and a savory filling.
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Easy Slow Cooker Smothered Burritos
Extra cheesy and delicious, this budget friendly dinner idea only needs three ingredients. It's simple, filling, and perfect for feeding the family when you want frugal and tasty.
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Honey Soy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks are marinated and basted in a flavorful honey, soy, and garlic sauce. Easy, no fuss, finger-licking chicken dinner!
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Chili Mac Skillet
A frugal family meal that's made with macaroni, ground beef, pinto beans, chili and cheese. Use leftover chili to save even more money and you have a skillet dish that's simple, easy, and delicious.
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Crispy Baked Chicken Tacos (with Rotisserie chicken)
Stretch rotisserie chicken and turn it into a a few delicious meals. One tasty idea is to make crispy baked chicken tacos with it.
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Mexican Cornbread Casserole
A simple tried and true favorite, this Mexican cornbread is an easy dinner idea that's both frugal and full of flavor.
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Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli with Sausage
Pasta, beans and veggies come together to create a slow cooker meal that's perfect for lazy weekends or busy weekdays. It uses simple ingredients to give you a frugal meal the family will enjoy.
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Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
A Southern classic that’s big on flavor and lower on cost, this red beans and rice meal is made in the instant pot to give you a quick dinner idea.
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Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables
Healthy, quick, and affordable, these air fryer chicken and vegetables is a thrifty meal idea that's loaded with flavor and simple ingredients.
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Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole
This classic recipe will also be a staple for frugal meals. The old fashioned tuna noodle casserole is easy, cheesy, and delicious.
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Ground Turkey Stroganoff
Cozy and comforting, this stroganoff uses turkey instead of ground beef and is ready in under 30 minutes. The classic dish is perfect for dinner and leftovers make a great lunch for the week.
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Easy Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Hearty and flavorful, this rich roasted red pepper and tomato soup is a comforting meal that only requires a few ingredients.
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Easy Drunken Noodles (Spaghetti Pad Kee Mao)
This quick and easy Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) uses readily available ingredients, such as spaghetti and canned tuna.
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Crockpot Swamp Potatoes
Kielbasa, potatoes, green beans, and onion in a buttery Cajun broth turns into a hearty and delicious meal that you can serve for the family.
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Irish Vegetable Soup
Use garden veggies and stock to make this Irish vegetable soup. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for chilly days or when you want something warm and cozy.
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British Toad in the Hole Recipe
A savory Yorkshire pudding batter baked around pork sausages is a comforting and frugal dinner idea that's filling. It's perfect for feeding the family when you want something cheap and hearty.
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Chicken Noodle Casserole
A classic casserole that always hits the spot, this is a delicious dinner idea you can make without spending a lot of money. Chicken noodle bake is frugal, easy, and tastes just like you remember.
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Easy Chili Casserole
If you love chili but want to mix it up a bit, try turning those chili flavors into a casserole by adding in some fresh veggies, black beans and rice. This simple dinner idea is a family meal that's affordable and filling.
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Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
Juicy chicken thighs mixed with a blend of savory veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes make a satisfying family meal that's easy to prepare. With just a few simple ingredients and seasonings, this quick dinner is budget friendly and perfect for weekdays.
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Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.
