Budget Friendly Dinner Recipes That Actually Taste Good
Cooking a delicious meal doesn’t have to break the bank. There are many budget-friendly options that can satisfy your taste buds and your wallet. Whether you’re a busy professional, a student, or a family on a tight budget, these recipes are perfect for anyone looking for affordable and mouth-watering meals.
One of the keys to budget-friendly cooking is using ingredients you already have on hand, buying groceries in bulk, and choosing recipes that use affordable staples like beans, rice, and pasta. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a wide range of tasty meals that won’t put a dent in your wallet.
Baked Chicken Thighs
Baked Chicken Thighs is a classic comfort food recipe that’s easy to make and delicious to eat. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend meal. The best part is that it’s so versatile – you can serve it with your favorite sides, from mashed potatoes to roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
– 4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instruction
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Rice and Beans Skillet
Rice and Beans Skillet is a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s perfect for a busy evening. This one-pot dish is made with rice, beans, onion, garlic, and your choice of protein – chicken, beef, or tofu. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s customizable to your taste and dietary preferences.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to sauté onion and garlic, then add the protein of your choice and cook until browned. Next, add the rice, beans, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth to the skillet, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the rice and liquid are absorbed.
Ingredients
– 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
– 1 cup uncooked kidney beans or black beans
– 1 cup diced onion
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 cup diced cooked chicken, beef, or tofu
– 1 cup diced tomatoes
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instruction
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the protein of your choice and cook until browned. Next, add the rice, beans, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Creamy Tuna Pasta
Creamy Tuna Pasta is a comforting and creamy recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is made with tuna, pasta, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just cook the pasta, mix with the creamy sauce, and add the tuna.
The key to making this recipe is to use high-quality ingredients like fresh pasta and good-quality tuna. You can also customize this recipe to your taste by adding other ingredients like chopped onion, garlic, or bell peppers.
Ingredients
– 8 oz pasta of your choice
– 1 (12 oz) can of tuna in water
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instruction
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the cooked pasta to the saucepan and toss to coat with the creamy sauce. Finally, add the canned tuna and stir to combine.
Sausage and Rice
Sausage and Rice is a hearty and flavorful recipe that’s perfect for a weekend meal. This one-pot dish is made with sausage, rice, onion, garlic, and bell peppers. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just cook the sausage, add the rice and liquid, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to cook the sausage in a large skillet or Dutch oven until browned, then add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers and cook until softened. Next, add the rice, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Ingredients
– 1 pound of sausage (such as Italian sausage or Chorizo)
– 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
– 1 cup diced onion
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 cup diced bell peppers
– 1 cup diced tomatoes
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instruction
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook until softened. Next, add the diced bell peppers and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the rice, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Chicken Drumstick Tray Bake
Chicken Drumstick Tray Bake is a mouth-watering recipe that’s perfect for a weekend dinner or special occasion. This one-pan dish is made with chicken drumsticks, potatoes, carrots, and green beans. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just season the chicken and vegetables, place in a single layer in a baking sheet, and roast in the oven.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to season the chicken drumsticks and vegetables with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. Then, place the chicken and vegetables in a single layer in a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven until the chicken is golden brown and the vegetables are tender.
Ingredients
– 4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
– 2 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
– 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
– 2 cups green beans
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instruction
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, toss the chicken drumsticks, chopped potatoes, and carrots with olive oil, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread the chicken and vegetables in a single layer in a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and the vegetables are tender.
Lentil Vegetable Stew
Lentil Vegetable Stew is a comforting and nutritious recipe that’s perfect for a chilly evening. This hearty stew is made with lentils, vegetables, and your choice of protein – chicken, beef, or tofu. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just sauté the onion and garlic, add the lentils, vegetables, and protein, and let it simmer until the lentils are tender.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to sauté the onion and garlic, then add the lentils, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth to the pot. Next, add the protein of your choice and cook until browned. Finally, add the chopped vegetables and stir to combine. Let the stew simmer until the lentils are tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
Ingredients
– 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
– 2 cups diced onion
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 cup diced chicken, beef, or tofu
– 2 cups diced tomatoes
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 2 cups chopped mixed vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes, and zucchini)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instruction
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the lentils, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Finally, add the chopped vegetables and protein to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked through.
Cheesy Baked Potatoes
Cheesy Baked Potatoes is a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is made with baked potatoes, cheese, sour cream, and chives. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just bake the potatoes, top with cheese, sour cream, and chives, and serve.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Then, scrub the potatoes clean and poke some holes in them with a fork to allow steam to escape. Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, mix the shredded cheese, sour cream, and chives in a bowl. Remove the potatoes from the oven and top each potato with the cheesy mixture.
Ingredients
– 2-4 large baking potatoes
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 1 tablespoon chopped chives
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instruction
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes clean and poke some holes in them with a fork to allow steam to escape. Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, mix the shredded cheese, sour cream, and chives in a bowl. Remove the potatoes from the oven and top each potato with the cheesy mixture. Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cabbage and Sausage Skillet
Cabbage and Sausage Skillet is a hearty and flavorful recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. This one-pot dish is made with sausage, cabbage, onion, garlic, and bell peppers. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just cook the sausage, add the chopped cabbage and vegetables, and let it simmer until the cabbage is tender.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to cook the sausage in a large skillet or Dutch oven until browned, then add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers and cook until softened. Next, add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and cook until wilted. Finally, season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
Ingredients
– 1 pound of sausage (such as Italian sausage or Chorizo)
– 1 cup chopped cabbage
– 1 cup diced onion
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 cup diced bell peppers
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instruction
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook until softened. Next, add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and cook until wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is a classic and comforting recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is made with spaghetti, ground beef, tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just cook the spaghetti, cook the ground beef in a saucepan, and combine the two.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Then, cook the ground beef in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Next, add the tomato sauce to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Finally, combine the cooked spaghetti and meat sauce in a large serving dish and top with Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
– 8 oz spaghetti
– 1 pound ground beef
– 2 cups tomato sauce
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instruction
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Next, add the tomato sauce to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Combine the cooked spaghetti and meat sauce in a large serving dish and top with Parmesan cheese.
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Fried Rice is a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is made with cooked rice, chicken, vegetables, and soy sauce. The best part is that it’s so easy to make – just cook the rice, mix with the chicken and vegetables, and serve.
To make this recipe, you’ll need to cook the rice according to the package instructions until tender. Then, cook the diced chicken in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Next, add the chopped vegetables and cooked rice to the wok and stir-fry until combined. Finally, add the soy sauce to the wok and stir-fry for an additional minute.
Ingredients
– 2 cups cooked rice
– 1 cup diced chicken
– 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as peas, carrots, and green beans)
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 2 eggs, beaten
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instruction
Cook the rice according to the package instructions until tender. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Next, add the chopped vegetables to the wok and stir-fry until tender. Add the cooked rice to the wok and stir-fry until combined. Finally, push the rice to one side of the wok and add a little more oil to the other side. Pour the beaten eggs into the wok and scramble until set. Mix the eggs with the rice and stir-fry for an additional minute. Finally, add the soy sauce to the wok and stir-fry for an additional minute.
