14 Cheap Easy Meals On A Budget To Try Tonight

Are you looking for recipes that will help you make cheap, easy meals on a budget? Look no further!  Today, I’m sharing 14 recipes for delicious, home-cooked, and flavor-packed recipes that are cheap and easy to make.  As you may know, I’m a new mom. Finding meals that are easy to make is a must…

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Last Updated: May 24, 2023

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Are you looking for recipes that will help you make cheap, easy meals on a budget? Look no further! 

Today, I’m sharing 14 recipes for delicious, home-cooked, and flavor-packed recipes that are cheap and easy to make. 

cheap easy meals on a budget

As you may know, I’m a new mom. Finding meals that are easy to make is a must these days. I am fortunate to have a flexible work schedule that allows me to work when I want, but I’m usually so tired when it comes to dinner time. I need something easy to cook!

But, easy meals don’t have to be bland or boring, and they definitely don’t need to be expensive. That’s why I was so excited to put together this list of recipes for cheap, easy meals on a budget.

I’ve tried several of these recipes already, and my favorites so far are:

  • Vegan Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole – This is a healthy one-pot meal that’s so easy to prep and cook. If you’re not vegan, this would be great with real cheese.
  • One Dish Chili Noodles – So simple and easy, and beans are always one of the cheapest things. This flavorful meal is filling and delicious.
  • Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken – I love spicy food, and I definitely added more jalapenos to this one, haha! This recipe is also low-carb and keto-friendly.
  • 5 Ingredient Baked Apricot Chicken – I wasn’t sure about apricots and chicken, but this is so good and easy. This would be delicious over rice.

If you’re trying to save money on groceries right now, you can add one or two of these into your rotation each week. 

To save even more money, look through grocery store fliers and coupons before you plan your meals for the week. Because the recipes in this article are already cheap, easy meals on a budget, you can save even more with a sale or coupons.

You’ve already gotten an idea of the kinds of recipes I’m sharing with your today, and they are great for busy parents, new moms, college students, or anyone who is trying to stick to a grocery budget.

Food costs have gone up significantly this year, and these recipes will give you lots of options to save.

And, as I said earlier, easy meals don’t need to be flavorless or boring. I was shocked by how much flavor was packed into these recipes. 

These meals were also easy enough to prep and make while taking care of a new baby – that’s a big deal for me these days. 

If you enjoy the meals in this article and want more, I recommend reading:

Note: If you’re looking for easy weekly meal plans, I recommend trying $5 Meal Plan. $5 Meal Plan is a meal planning service that sends you a delicious meal plan and shopping list every week for just $5 a month.

Here Are 14 Cheap Easy Meals On A Budget

 

1. One Pot Potato Pasta

Get the recipe here.

What is the cheapest meal you can make?

 

2. Slow Cooker Ham And Potato Soup

Get the recipe here.

What can I cook for under $10?

 

3. Vegan Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole

Get the recipe here.

Vegan Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole

 

4. Hearty Italian Baked Ziti

Get the recipe here.

What do you eat on a low budget?

 

5. Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Get the recipe here.

cheap easy meals on a budget for 1

 

6. Pasta With Chickpeas

Get the recipe here.

cheap easy healthy meals

 

7. Low Carb Bacon Egg and Spinach Breakfast Casserole

Get the recipe here.

cheap family meals under $10

 

8. Pasta With Peas

Get the recipe here.

cheap meals for a week for a family

 

9. Artichoke And Cheese Frittata

Get the recipe here.

cheap dinner ideas for 2

 

10. Bacon Jalapeno Cheddar Burger Bowls

Get the recipe here.

Cheap Easy Meals On A Budget

11. Baked Apricot Chicken

Get the recipe here.

Cheap Easy Meals On A Budget

 

12. Healthy Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Get the recipe here.

Cheap Easy Meals On A Budget

 

13. One Dish Chili Noodles

Get the recipe here.

Cheap Easy Meals On A Budget

 

14. Easy Mexican Hamburger And Rice

Get the recipe here.

Easy Mexican Hamburger And Rice

What are your favorite cheap easy meals on a budget?


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Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Author: Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Hey! I’m Michelle Schroeder-Gardner and I am the founder of Making Sense of Cents. I’m passionate about all things personal finance, side hustles, making extra money, and online businesses. I have been featured in major publications such as Forbes, CNBC, Time, and Business Insider. Learn more here.

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    1. Giulia,

      Wich idea did you like most and why?

  1. Healthy meals provide you with energy to carry out the day in your side hustle, so you can create more content for blogging, YouTube videos, and Tik Tok.

  2. John Ravi

    Hi Michelle,

    Loved this article! I am always looking for a budget meal. Since I have to go for take-out every day. I am always looking for easy and budget recipes that I can try at home whenever I have the time. This list contains some great options, and I am really looking forward to trying them out. I loved the pasts with chickpeas, I love them both and I think this will be the first one that I try for myself.

  3. Allana Miles

    I always enjoy making cheap and quick meals. I always used to cook stir fry that lasts 10 meals. It’s my go to for tight weeks especially from when I was still a student.