We all need cheap and easy meals to feed our families when we have more month than money.
But finding cheap dinner recipes that everyone likes can be difficult at times.
The more mouths you have to feed the more difficult it can become.
Then there are the times when your inspiration is running low.
When you want to come up with cheap easy healthy meals to fill everyone up but your creativity has totally deserted you.
Using my go to list of cheap and easy meals below makes your meal planning so much easier and will really help you to save money on your groceries.
Related post: 40+ Cheap And Easy Savory Snacks To Make At Home
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Be Choosy About Your Meals
As I explain in my post all about meal planning, choosing which foods to buy should be influenced by what is on offer at your local grocery store.
Always factor in meatless meals as these really can be extremely cheap meals.
Additionally don’t plan meals based on beef if chicken is on special offer.
If you can’t steer your family away from meat or you are focused on keto or paleo diets then be flexible with the meats you use.
Meat on special offer is perfect for being frozen for later use.
Focus on the cheaper meats that I detail in my post on the best cheap foods to buy when broke.
If you don’t already have a crockpot/slow cooker then I cannot urge you enough to get one.
Some of the cheapest and easiest meals you can make are crockpot meals.
They are also perfect for when you are busy as you can prepare meals before work and have it ready when you arrive home.
Perfect! For families I always recommend
Below are my recommendations for crockpots for all family sizes. Although we are now a family of two, we still use our large crockpot because of the versatility it gives us. Whole chickens or bulk cooking are easy when you have a large crockpot.
Best Slow Cookers/Crock Pots For One Pot Meals
Slow Cookers (or Crock Pots) are the perfect tool for many of the tastiest one pot meals. Dump your ingredients in, go to work and come back to a tasty dinner.
These are some of the best slow cookers you can get. Choose the one that suits your family best.
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer
A 6 quart cock pot with digital timer and keep warm function. With a locking lid this is perfect for cooking at home and taking someplace else.
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Lid
A smaller 4 quart round slow cooker perfect for one family meal or a two person batch cooking session. No clearing up with dishwasher safe inner pot and lid.
Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Cooker, 6 Quart, 16 One-Touch Programs
This 10 in 1 pot cooks everything you'll every want in just one pot. A pricier option but perfect for smaller kitchens and those who prefer multi use tools.
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker
This lovely red slow cooker has carry handles and a locking lid for easy moving. Plus who wouldn't want this stylish pot on their counter top?
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Cheap and easy healthy meals are the perfect combination. They help you save money and they’re healthy.
Choosing the right tasty recipes can result in extremely cheap meals costing less than $1 a person – perfect for the tight times.
39 Cheap And Easy Meals On A Budget
Cheap and easy dinner recipes is what you need when you are living on a super tight budget. Some of these recipes work out at less than $1 a portion! Keep these for those extra lean times when your money has dried up.
Cheesy Taco Penne Ziti
Ground beef pasta recipes are my go to recipe when I need an easy dinner. Especially after we cook tacos for our family and have extra leftover taco meat. That’s when we like to make this Cheesy Taco Penne Ziti. It’s comfort food that’s perfect for Taco Tuesday!
One Pan Chicken and Veggies Bake for an Easy Meal
For a great weeknight dinner, give this one pan chicken and veggies bake a try. It’s even easier if you use pre-cut vegetables!
Quick and Easy Tuna Pasta
I love this Quick and Easy Tuna Pasta recipe – cheap, easy, tasty and very quick to make. It has lots of return for little input. It is ready in 15 minutes. In fact, this pasta recipe is so good we probably eat it in our house at least once a fortnight.
Slow Cooker Applesauce Chicken - Strength and Sunshine
Two simple ingredients infused together with the help and ease of the slow cooker. Savory and sweet, this applesauce chicken will soon become a family favorite. Paleo and gluten-free with no refined sugars, healthy and simple at it’s best!
Old Fashioned Dairy-free & Gluten-free Meatloaf
I think meatloaf is akin to bran muffins in the sense that good one is hard to find. But when you do find the one, it can be life altering (well, as far as dinner goes, anyway). And trust me, this Old fashioned Dairy AND gluten-free meatloaf is definitely the one!
Asian Pan-fried Salmon Patties
If you need a quick, economical, easy and healthy dinner, this salmon recipe is for you! This is the best canned salmon recipe I know of (even if you’re not a fan of canned salmon) and it’s a great cheap meal option.
Tuna Egg Salad Recipe | Wholesome Yum
An EASY tuna egg salad recipe! See how to make tuna salad with eggs in just 10 minutes. Plus, tuna and egg salad stores is healthy and perfect to make ahead.
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
The most delicious, moist, and easy slow cooker chicken yet! Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken requires just a few ingredients: your favorite salsa, some spices, and the chicken! The perfect healthy, gluten-free, paleo weeknight dinner to please everyone!
Instant Pot Two Bean Soup
The cold air is rushing it’s way over the area. Makes you feel like breaking out the soup pot. I have the best Instant Pot Two Bean Soup to warm up everyone in the house. Pair it with corn bread and butter. Oh you will be the house favorite.
Baked Potatoes
The great thing about proper baked potatoes? You can just throw them in the oven and just take them out when they are ready. Preparation is very quick and easy and they just taste fantastic. Fluffy and soft on the inside and with a hard crispy skin on the outside.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This simple and delicious Chicken Pasta Salad makes a quick and easy meal or side dish using leftover chicken. Also, it’s the perfect pasta salad to serve at picnics and potlucks.
West Virginia Fried Taters & Ramps
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River, West Virginia Coal Mines, and country roads. I’m excited to bring you a classic West Virginia recipe. You’re going to love these Fried Taters & Ramps!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air fryer chicken breast is a healthier version of golden crispy deep fried chicken as it’s air fried with very little oil, which makes it a great guilt-free meal. It’s golden and crispy from the outside, juicy and tender from the inside! It can also be ready in under half an hour in 7 easy steps.
Easy Monday Pie Recipe (Leftover Roast Pie)
I am a huge fan of Monday Pie. A pie reserved for leftovers of Sundays roast dinner or pot roast that are thrown in the oven together for a quick no fuss Monday meal for FREE.
GLUTEN-FREE PIZZA QUESADILLA RECIPE - The Helpful GF
A gluten-free pizza quesadilla, can be thrown together quick and is sure to be a dinner that everyone can enjoy! These crisp up nicely and kind of remind me of those frozen pizza bites I used to eat as a kid. But not only is my version gluten-free, it's all around healthier!
Instant Pot Spaghetti With Meat Sauce
Instant Pot Spaghetti: Spaghetti with hearty meat sauce and classic Italian flavors. Weeknight friendly: cooks in 5 minutes! While you might not think of making spaghetti in the Instant Pot, I love it because it means less dishes! The beef, pasta, and sauce all cook in just one pot!
Everything You Need for a Make Your Own Pizza Bar – Stepmomming Blog
This activity is tons of fun for all ages – from the littlest kitchen helpers to the family patriarch! And honestly, after I went grocery shopping, putting everything together was a breeze!
Avocado Tuna Sandwich
I decided to put a spin on a sandwich I love since I have been craving avocado and just needed an excuse to use it. How about a Avocado Tuna Sandwich that features simple ingredients.
Lord Woolton Pie
The classic World War 2 cheap vegetable pie with a delicious shortcrust pastry crust and loaded with lots of seasonal root vegetables. One of the best rationing meals during World War 2.
Tuna Casserole
I know this seems like just a plain ole tuna casserole but to me it is pure comfort food. This is a classic casserole that is super easy to throw together and can be made in a pinch. The crushed up potato chips on top sounds strange but it is so good. The crunch and salty chips just makes this perfect.
How to Eat HEALTHY on $5 a Day – Food Desert Challenge
And for something just a little bit different - how about a $5 a day challenge? The Food Desert Challenge has been done several ways – one with $5 TOTAL spent on food per day, and one with $5 per person per day. This version is all about eating healthily for $5.
18 Five Minute Meals
And finally, how about 18 cheap and easy dinners you can make with just 5 minutes of prep time (and occasionally some oven time)? These 18 recipes are perfect for busy nights so you don't resort to takeout.
For even more cheap meaty recipes check out my post on cheap chicken dinners.
Pin this to your Pinterest boards for later so you always have these recipes to hand!
Meatless Monday seems to be gathering momentum but don’t limit yourself to Mondays, choose any day that works for you.
Twice a week is great for your purse. Check out the 10 cheap vegetarian recipes below for meatless dinner inspiration.
Want more vegan inspiration? Check out my post on easy cheap vegan recipes.
11 Vegan And Vegetarian Cheap And Easy Meals
Vegan and vegetarian food covers a huge, diverse range of flavors and cuisines. They are often cheap, easy AND healthy meals which are all bonuses when you are trying to find cheap recipes to feed your family. These 10 cheap dinner recipes will have you coming back for more and who can blame you when they are so tasty?
Easy Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe
This easy vegetarian lasagna recipe is cheesy, comfort food goodness. A truly frugal recipe, we use a few smart shortcuts to save time with the end result being an easy dinner that is kid-approved.
Slow Cooker Vegan Barley Stew
The simple recipe calls for basic ingredients that I encourage you to keep on hand. It only takes a couple minutes of prep time and then your crock pot does all the work.
5 Mins Air Fryer Pita Bread Pizza + Tutorial {Vegetarian}
5 Mins Air Fryer Pita Bread Pizza is just the thing to serve up as a quick and easy weeknight supper, kid-approved snack or weekend lunch. All it takes is 3 everyday ingredients and almost no effort to enjoy delicious cheesy pizza goodness. Suitable for vegetarian diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Vegetable Ramen
This Vegetable Ramen is one of the meals I use often for lunches or an easy dinner that the family loves. It’s a great way for me to get all the vegetables into my teens. When I make this dish they don’t seem to care about all the vegetables and all flock to the bowl.
Gluten-Free + Vegan Chickpea Nuggets (Allergy-Free, Grain-Free)
An easy and healthy meatless nugget that the kids will love! Gluten-free & Vegan Chickpea Nuggets that are top 8 allergy-free, grain-free, and have a secret dose of veggies too! A deliciously fun plant-based recipe for little hands at lunchtime or dinner!
Italian Chickpea Casserole
A hearty plant-based meal the whole family will love. This gluten-free, grain-free, and vegan Italian Chickpea Casserole is the perfect weeknight meal to nourish the body with classic and comforting flavors.
Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma)
Creamy, tangy and spicy red kidney bean curry served over steamed white rice. This frugal dinner is packed with plant protein, so easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes! This curry is vegan and gluten-free.
Sweet Potato, Lentil and Chickpea Curry Recipe
Meatless Monday dinner is sorted with this delicious, healthy and hearty Sweet Potato, Lentil and Chickpea Curry. It’s an easy one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes!
Simple Vegan Coconut Korma Recipe
I love a homemade creamy coconut korma, it’s a healthy form of comfort food for me. Whether you follow a vegan diet, or just want to have a meat-free day then you’re going to love this vegan korma recipe.
Creamy Instant Pot Tomato Soup + Stovetop version {Gluten-Free, Vegan, Low Carb, Paleo, Whole 30}
Creamy Instant Pot Tomato Soup is thick, hearty and so comforting. This delicious pressure cooker tomato soup is a healthy dump and start recipe that is made absolutely no oil at all. Suitable for gluten free, low carb, paleo, vegan, and Whole 30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
How To Make Low Carb Egg Salad — Keto, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
This egg salad recipe is true comfort food! So delicious, simple to make, and healthy! With just a few ingredients needed to make this egg salad, this is truly the best egg salad recipe! Read on to find out exactly how to make it.
Delicious One-Pot Red Lentil Bolognese
This lentil spaghetti bolognese is perfect as a wintery, comforting meal and is also perfect for batch-cooking so you’ve got lots of leftovers for lunches and dinners for the next few days.
6 Cheap Keto Dinner Recipes
If you follow a keto diet/eating regime then you will love these 6 cheap dinner recipes which are packed full of yummy'ness. If you are not sure what to make for dinner tonight why not try one of these cheap and easy keto meals to satisfy your hunger? Also great for paleo lovers.
Cowboy Burgers (keto)
No one will be able to resist this burger combination of ground beef, cheddar cheese, bacon, and spicy jalapeno! It’s one tasty (and simple) cowboy burger recipe that everyone will love.
Cucumber Subs Recipe: How To Make Cucumber Sandwiches!
How to make cucumber sandwiches without bread! This cucumber subs recipe is quick, simple, and easy to customize. Like a turkey sandwich without the carbs!
Paleo Coconut Flour Chicken Tenders (Low Carb, Keto)
These low carb paleo coconut flour chicken tenders are gluten free and keto friendly. Enjoy them plain or dipped in your favorite sauce. Unbelievably good!
Chipotle Paleo Whole30 Tuna Stuffed Avocado Recipe
An EASY paleo tuna stuffed avocado recipe in just 5 minutes! It comes with a chipotle-flavored, paleo whole30 tuna salad filling. It's even low carb and keto - one of the best stuffed avocado recipes ever!
Easy Crockpot Salsa Chicken
This super easy Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe will have a delicious dinner on your table in minutes. The recipe makes a great addition to a ketogenic or clean eating menu plan.
Easy Indoor Grill Chicken Kababs
An easy chicken kebabs recipe perfect for keto & Whole30. Uses a cast iron grill pan, an olive oil marinade, and just a few spices for a quick meal. Can be paired with a salad or cauliflower rice for a very filling meal.
For more help on budgeting and living below your means please do check out these posts.
55 Easy Ways To Save Money In The Kitchen
How To Survive, Thrive And Save Money On A Tight Budget
How To Save Money Without A Budget
How To Budget Your Money When You Don’t Know How
Cut Your Budget With Tips From The Experts
Get your free meal planning meal bundle so you can organize your favorite meals and shop for them with ease
Pin this to your Pinterest boards for later so you always have these recipes to hand!
Last Updated on 31st December 2021 by Emma
Thank you for including my Sweet Potato, Lentil and Chickpea Curry – it’s a favourite in our house! Love all these meal ideas – a few going on the meal plan for next week 🙂
Hi Cassie! No problem, It’s a fab recipe, I love all those ingredients on their own so combined makes for a really delicious curry. Thanks for stopping by!