Looking for cheap and easy dinners that cost $15 or less and are ready in less than 30 minutes? I’ve compiled some of the most amazing dinner recipes that will not only allow you to whip up tasty meals in a flash but will also help you save a lot of time, and money!
You don’t have to break the bank or spend a great deal of time in the kitchen to make a delicious dinner for the whole family. Using cheaper proteins such as beans, chicken, ground turkey, and tilapia is one of the best ways to create a satisfying dinner on a budget.
From Instant Pot and air fryer recipes to pasta salads, soups, and casseroles, this fun roundup of cheap and easy dinners has a variety of recipes you can choose from. It won’t be surprising if you find a new family favorite here!
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Are these cheap recipes for families?
These recipes are not only family friendly and cheap, they’re also incredibly quick to make. All of the recipes listed below are ready in 30 minutes or less and will cost $15 or less.
If you’re looking for a delicious dinner on a budget, you’ll never go wrong with this collection of cheap and easy dinners. These pocket friendly family meals will not break your budget and will leave your tummies full and satisfied.
Some of these recipes will be a regular on your dinner table for sure!
What can I cook on a low budget?
Even if you’re on a budget, you can still whip up a delightful meal that the whole family will love. This recipe collection is here to help you discover some of the easiest and budget friendly recipes that you can try right away!
These cheap and easy dinners mostly require ingredients that are usually kept on hand. You might not even have to head to the grocery to whip up these meals!
Plus, some of these recipes are also Weight Watchers and Keto friendly! Regardless of whether you are on a diet or not, surely there’s a dinner recipe here that will suit not only your budget but your taste buds as well.
Kitchen Tools For Making Cheap And Easy Dinners
Investing in the right set of kitchen tools will not only level up your cooking experience but will help you save a lot of time, effort, and money as well.
Before whipping up these recipes, you might want to consider adding these items to your kitchen arsenal. Plus, these products will make a great present to yourself or the passionate home cook in your life!
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- Cast Iron Skillet with Lid
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp
- Instant Pot Official Tool and Gadget Set
- Ceramic Pasta Bowls Set
- Ceramic Soup Bowls with Double Handles
- Lodge Cast Iron Griddle
- COSORI Smart WiFi Air Fryer
40 Cheap and Easy Dinners To Try!
Preparing dinner for the family will be a breeze with these amazingly quick and easy meals! From proteins to veggies, this section of the list includes recipes that will please even those who have the pickiest palates.
Sliced chicken breast, everything bagel seasoning, eggs, and panko bread crumbs are all you need to whip up this quick and easy family friendly dinner recipe! This Everything Bagel chicken tenders are ready in 25 minutes and will be great for lunch too.
One of the easiest and tastiest ways to use up zucchini and squash! This delicious and healthy casserole recipe is ready in 25 minutes and will be loved by the whole family for sure.
Flavorful, ready in less than half an hour, and has a little kick of spiciness, you will love to make this white chicken chili recipe not just for fall but all year round.
Italian style sausages and veggies in one meal? What could be more amazing than this simple but satisfying and delicious family friendly dinner recipe?
These turkey tacos will surely be one of your favorite go to dinner recipes! Aside from the fresh toppings including avocado and cilantro, this recipe also comes with a delish taco seasoning the whole family will approve of!
A super easy chicken fajitas recipe that does not require marinade and you can whip up in just about 25 minutes. This delicious dinner option is also great for BBQs and parties.
Who says omelets are only for breakfast? This veggie omelet recipe makes a perfect dinner idea. It's loaded with bell pepper, spinach, onion, broccoli, mushroom, and cheese.
Whole grain tortillas stuffed with turkey breast, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce. This healthy and super simple quesadilla recipe will leave you wanting more!
Delicious and flavorful, these chicken lime tacos are fun to share around the dinner table, even the picky eaters in the house will devour them!
This fish taco recipe is not only perfect for Weight Watchers but for Keto and low calorie diets as well. Plus, this recipe makes four servings in just about 30 minutes.
Quick and Easy Meals
Craving noodles and pasta? These cheap and easy meals are not only perfect for dinner but BBQs, parties, and gatherings as well!
A quick lunch and dinner recipe you can also serve for backyard BBQs and summer parties, this BLT pasta salad is not to miss! This recipe is fresh, ready in 25 minutes or less, and makes about six servings.
Perfect for meal prep, family gatherings, parties, afternoon snacks, and of course, quick dinners and lunches, this lemon chicken tortellini salad is a must try!
Meatless but rich in protein, this creamy pasta salad features hard boiled eggs, cheddar and pepper jack cheese, sweet peas, celery, carrots, and other protein filled veggies.
A classic bow tie pasta salad loaded with vegetables and features garlic balsamic dressing. You'd love to have this easy meal prep recipe not only for dinners but lunches as well.
Even picky eaters will love this wholesome mac and cheese recipe! With the use of an Instant Pot, you can serve this indulgent pasta dish at your dinner table in just 25 minutes.
Chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, cucumbers, red onion, and buffalo style hot sauce are all you need to whip up this tasty salad! This recipe is ready in 25 minutes and ideal for busy weeknights.
Creamy, full of colors, and nutritious, everyone in the family will enjoy this great tasting dinner for sure. This one only calls for mixed vegetables, cheese tortellini, dill, light cream cheese, garlic, all purpose flour, and chicken broth.
Creamy and scrumptious, it's a must to give this mouthwatering mac and cheese recipe a try! Plus, using the Instant Pot, you can whip up this recipe in just 10 minutes!
Cheap Easy Healthy Meals
Ready in a flash, healthy, cheap, and even diet friendly, you'll love to add these delicious and rich in protein dinner recipes to your meal plan!
Not only Weight Watchers friendly, this recipe for ground turkey goulash is also gluten free and dairy free. Plus, this recipe is ready in about 30 minutes and great for meal prep as well.
Craving a takeout style meal? You have to try this beef and broccoli recipe right away! You can whip it up in 30 minutes and also includes a delish homemade sauce recipe.
Loaded with amazing textures and flavors, no one can easily say no to this chicken bowls recipe. You can use different types of chicken in this recipe, or even leftovers if you have some.
Flavorful, tender, and slightly crispy, everyone will love this tilapia recipe! Using the air fryer, this healthy dinner is ready in about 28 minutes.
Another super easy air fryer recipe you shouldn't miss! This chicken parmesan is loaded with flavors, healthy, and quick to prepare.
You can whip up this protein and veggie filled takout recipe in just 25 minutes. Plus it uses ingredients you likely already have on hand.
A scrumptious meal perfect for lunch and dinner on the go. This egg roll in a bowl recipe is light, simple, and only needs 20 minutes to prepare.
Craving Chinese takeout? You can whip up this chicken fried rice in 25 minutes using carrots, egg whites, rice, scallions, frozen peas, chicken, garlic, and soy sauce only.
A straightforward recipe that can make four servings in just 20 minutes. This mouthwatering pork chops recipe is hearty, protein packed, and Weight Watchers friendly as well.
A versatile dish you can serve as an appetizer, dinner, or snack. These chicken tenders are done in a flash thanks to the air fryer.
A healthy dinner you can serve at parties too. This recipe is ready in 25 minutes and can make eight patties and serve four people.
Scrumptious and easy to meal prep, this Instant Pot sweet and sour chicken only calls for skinless chicken breasts, pineapple chunks, pineapple salsa, and red and green peppers.
Black beans, corn, chicken breast, salsa, and 28 minutes of your time are all you need to whip up this tasty and versatile fiesta chicken. This recipe is perfect as it is but is also delicious in taco salads, soups, enchiladas, and burritos.
Protein filled, healthy, and super easy to make in the Instant Pot, this vegetarian chili recipe will be a family favorite. This chili could be made with just a few things usually kept on hand.
Delicious for breakfast but will be awesome for dinner and lunch as well. This bacon egg and avocado toast is nutritious and done in a flash.
This Asian inspired dish will please everyone's palate! It comes with a special homemade sticky sauce recipe and makes four servings.
Pork chops simmered and broiled in a delish honey garlic sauce. Don’t be surprised if you will not be able to get enough of this tasty meal.
Soup Dinner Ideas for Tonight
Feeling under the weather? These soup dinner ideas are a must try! They're filling, hearty, warm, and are perfect for busy weeknights.
Thanks to the Instant Pot, this black bean soup only needs about 30 minutes or less to make. It's full of flavors and wonderful to serve with chips, sour cream, lime, and avocado.
Suited for the pickiest of eaters, you'll love the fact that you can make this dinner recipe in just 30 minutes in the Instant Pot. This potato chowder is packed with flavors and loaded with cheese and bacon, who would be able to say no?
Loaded with flavors and super creamy, this delicious potato soup recipe will be a family favorite. This recipe only needs potatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper, cream cheese, garlic, onion, and 30 minutes or less to make.
Loaded with nutrients and low in calories, you'll never go wrong with this healthy dinner recipe. This pumpkin soup is indulgent, hearty, and freezes well too.
Using the Instant Pot, you will only need 15 minutes to whip up this wholesome, hearty, and tasty corn soup. Plus, this recipe is also vegan and loaded with red potatoes, carrots, celery, and of course, corn.
Want to check out more recipes?
Here are some other posts that you’ll want to visit if you are looking for even more recipe collections. If you are stocking your meal plans for the coming weeks you won’t want to miss out on some of these drool inducing roundups!
There’s something for everyone on these lists. Whether you’re looking for new fun appetizers, side dishes, main dishes, desserts, or even beverages, there are lots of recipe ideas for you here!
- 30 Easy No Bake Cookie Recipes
- 40 Cheap and Easy Dinners To Try!
- 25 Easy Meals to Freeze
- 25 Creative Appetizers With Puff Pastry
- 20 Refreshing Flavored Iced Tea Recipes
- 20 Creative Recipes with Eggs for Breakfast
- What to Serve With Meatloaf