30 Budget-Friendly Family Dinners the Whole Family Will Love

Looking for ideas for budget friendly family dinners? These affordable options are guaranteed to fill everyone up without emptying your wallet. They’re not only easy on the budget, but also packed with flavor. By adding some of these delicious dishes to your meal lineup, you can save money on groceries each week without sacrificing taste.

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Taco macaroni and cheese in a dutch oven. — One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Try this taco macaroni and cheese, which combines the best of both worlds with Mexican and Italian flavors in every bite. With a cooking time of just 30 minutes in a single Dutch oven, this dish is perfect for those cooler months when you’re in the mood for something hearty and warming.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

One Pot Pasta With Spinach And Tomatoes

A bowl of pasta with spinach, tomatoes and black olives. — One Pot Pasta With Spinach And Tomatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

One pot pasta with spinach and tomatoes makes a wonderful dinner. You will love all the fresh ingredients for this baby spinach and cherry tomatoes dish.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Pasta With Spinach And Tomatoes

Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl – 15 Minute Meal

Two bowls of asian stir fry with meat and vegetables. — Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Pork egg roll in a bowl is a low-carb alternative to traditional egg rolls. This is an easy recipe with ground pork, veggies and other flavours which is sure to satisfy a craving for Asian food. I love this easy one pan meal. If you want something quick and simple for a busy weeknight dinner, consider this 15 minute meal!
Get the Recipe: Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl – 15 Minute Meal

Hearty Beef Chili

This is the best hearty beef chili recipe! This is a traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make, with a delicious homemade taste.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Beef Chili and a Game Day Chili Bar

Italian Meatball Marinara Subs

Two hot dogs with sauce and salad on a baking sheet. — Italian Meatball Marinara Subs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Italian meatball marinara subs are a treat for everyone who loves juicy homemade meatballs, fresh and tangy homemade marinara sauce and fluffy brioche buns. Meatball sandwiches in a toasted bun make a delicious lunch or dinner!
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Marinara Subs

Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Pork chops served with mashed potatoes. — Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These Instant Pot pork chops are going to remind you just why you bought your Instant Pot. These boneless pork chops are perfect!
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Mushroom Ragu

Two amazing bowls of pasta with meat, vegetables, and mushrooms on a wooden table. — Mushroom Ragu. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This mushroom ragu pasta sauce is well worth making. The homemade spaghetti sauce with mushrooms makes it the best ragu recipe for anyone who loves vegetables. You will love this flavourful, meatless ragu.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Ragu

Easy Baked Feta Pasta

A make ahead pasta dish of macaroni and cheese with tomatoes and herbs. — Easy Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This baked feta pasta will impress. This viral Tik Tok recipe is easy to make, and I know you will love this simple, flavorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Feta Pasta

Vegan Kung Pao With Tofu, Vegetables & Cashews

Two bowls with rice and vegetables in them. — Kung Pao with Tofu. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Kung Pao tofu makes a wonderful meatless dinner recipe. A plant-based Chinese-inspired dinner with tofu is just as good! If you are looking for a delicious tofu recipe, this is for you!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Kung Pao With Tofu, Vegetables & Cashews

Swedish Meatballs

Ikeas meatballs being scooped from a casserole dish. — Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Try making these delicious copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs at home and enjoy the same great taste as the ones you find in the store.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs

Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice in a pan on a cooling rack. — Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice for the win. You’ll love this easy, wholesome cauliflower rice and chicken.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice

Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Thai lettuce wraps on a plate with lime wedges, perfect for inexpensive family dinners that everyone will love. — Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

These Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps are loaded with Thai spices and flavors. Top them with all the goodies, and you’ve got yourself a yummy dinner the family will love in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Grilled chicken on a plate with green onions. — Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs have the juiciest and most tender meat under a wonderfully crispy chicken skin. This family favorite comfort food has only 4 basic ingredients, plus the chicken thighs.
Get the Recipe: Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Chicken Sausage Skewers With Vegetables

Kid Friendly grilled vegetables on skewers on a wooden cutting board. — Chicken Sausage Skewers With Vegetables. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Chicken Sausage Skewers with Vegetables are easy to make in less than 30 minutes and are packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage Skewers With Vegetables

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

A plate with chicken wings and celery. — Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings. Photo credit: PinkWhen.

These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are so simple and easy to make. They are the easiest Air Fryer Wings, ever!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Juicy Lemon Herb Chicken Kabobs

Game Day Grilled chicken skewers on a white plate. — Lemon Herb Chicken Kabobs. Photo credit: Healy Eats Real.

These marinated lemon herb chicken kabobs are juicy, fresh, and aromatic, with a slight char on the veggies from the fire caramelizing the marinade.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Lemon Herb Chicken Kabobs

Stewed Butter Beans

Two bowls of white beans with tomatoes and bread. — Stewed Butter Beans. Photo credit: Life As A Strawberry.

These easy weeknight butter beans have a light, lemony broth and are easily customized to use whatever veggies you have on hand!
Get the Recipe: Stewed Butter Beans

Tuna Pasta Bake

Cheesy tuna bake in a skillet with parsley. — Tuna Pasta Bake. Photo credit: KidGredients.

Quick and easy to make, this classic Tuna Pasta Bake is the perfect midweek meal the whole family will love. Budget friendly and filled with veggies!
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta Bake

Easy Pasta In Lemon Sauce

Fettuccine pasta with parmesan cheese and parsley in a white bowl. — Easy Pasta In Lemon Sauce. Photo credit: Food Wine And Love.

This delicious and easy Pasta in Lemon Sauce is a tasty Mediterranean dish. It has a light citrus flavor and is cheap to make!
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta In Lemon Sauce

Mediterranean Diet Sheet Pan Fajitas

A plate of fajitas on a table. — Mediterranean Diet Sheet Pan Fajitas. Photo credit: Food Wine And Love.

These Mediterranean Sheet Pan Fajitas are a simple one-pan recipe for a delicious, wholesome meal with chicken and vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Diet Sheet Pan Fajitas

Air Fryer Hobo Dinner

Two foil packets with meat and potatoes on them. — Air Fryer Hobo Dinner. Photo credit: Two Kids And A Coupon.

This air fryer hobo dinner recipe is an easy meal to make on busy evenings. It’s a savory burger and potatoe recipe you can easily put together in the air fryer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hobo Dinner

Ham Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with ham and vegetables. — Ham Fried Rice. Photo credit: Chef Savvy.

Not sure what to do with leftover ham? Then make this easy Ham Fried Rice Recipe! Loaded with veggies, ham and rice! Easy dinner!
Get the Recipe: Ham Fried Rice

Garlic Soy Tofu Steak

A plate with tofu, peppers and lemons on it. — Garlic Soy Tofu Steak. Photo credit: Plates By Nat.

This tofu steak is perfectly pan-fried with garlic soy seasoned bell peppers on the side. It is a quick and easy, light yet satisfying dish!
Get the Recipe: Garlic Soy Tofu Steak

Sticky Sesame Chickpeas

Two bowls of rice with broccoli and chickpeas. — Sticky Sesame Chickpeas. Photo credit: The Dairy Free Menu.

Sticky Sesame Chickpeas are sweet with a nutty, umami flavor. They’re so easy and quick to make, and a great source of plant protein.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sesame Chickpeas

Grilled Italian Sausage

Grill Italian Sausage — Grilled Italian Sausage. Photo credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

This delicious Grilled Italian Sausage recipe with colorful bell peppers is perfectly seasoned and great on hoagie rolls.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Italian Sausage

Egg Roll In A Bowl {Crack Slaw}

A bowl of meat and cabbage in a bowl with chopsticks. — Egg Roll In A Bowl {Crack Slaw}. Photo credit: Whole New Mom.

This Egg Roll in a Bowl (Crack Slaw) has all of the great flavor of Egg Rolls, but is an Easy One Pan Meal without the grain wrapper!
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll In A Bowl {Crack Slaw}

Sprouted Lentil Burgers

A lentil burger on a white plate with tomatoes and onions. — Sprouted Lentil Burgers. Photo credit: Healy Eats Real.

These sprouted lentil burgers are slightly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside with a slightly smokey and earthy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sprouted Lentil Burgers

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

A cheap Thanksgiving potluck dish - a pie with carrots and sage on a plate. — Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Healy Eats Real.

This sweet potato shepherd’s pie is a delicious twist on the classic dish. It combines savory flavor-packed meat and veggie filling with the slightly sweet and creamy texture of whipped sweet potato.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie