45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (2024)

Table of Contents
Chicken Recipes Super Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice Easy Chicken Curry Soup with Rice Southwest Chicken Skillet One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Chicken Stir Fry One Pot Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps Coconut Chicken Curry 20 Minute Garlic Chicken Chicken Stroganoff Italian-Style Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes and Mushrooms 30 Minute Chicken and Dumplings Healthy Chicken Alfredo Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini 30 Minute Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos One-Pan Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Ground Beef Recipes Super Easy Sloppy Joes from Scratch Super Easy Macaroni and Beef Skillet (American Goulash) One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole Easy Vegetable Beef Soup Taco Skillet Speedy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef The BEST One Pot Lasagna Soup Egg Roll in a Bowl Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet 30 Minute One Pan Beef Penne Frito Chili Pie Easy Beef Burrito Skillet Sausage Recipes Creamy Sausage and Potatoes One Pot Cheesy Sausage Penne Creamy Sausage Pasta Italian Sausage Quesadillas Sausage & Rice Skillet Stuffed Zucchini Boats Kielbasa, Peppers, and Potato Hash Other Recipes Easy Mexican Rice Bowls Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham French Bread Pizza Easy Mexican Bean Soup Best Shakshuka Recipe Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Bake One-Pan Mexican Quinoa Easy Canned Tuna Pasta More Articles You May Enjoy: FAQs References

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Need quick and easy recipes to get dinner on the table fast? These
30-minute meals are the perfect solution! They’re made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients and are ideas that the whole family will love. Includes ground beef, chicken, sausage and meatless options.

This post has affiliate links – please read my fulldisclosure policy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I’m in a stage of life where I simply don’t feel like I have much time to spend making meals for my family.

And yet it’s important to me to feed my family well and also not resort to lots of pre-made store-bought or restaurant meals.

So I end up relying on quick and easy 30-minute dinners a lot!

Not only do they allow me to make delicious, wholesome meals for my family, but they also often use simple ingredients that I always keep on hand too.

Whether you simply don’t enjoy cooking and want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible or are just really busy and looking for ideas to get dinner on the table fast to avoid resorting to takeout, I hope you will find this collection of recipes helpful!

Chicken Recipes

1

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (2)

Super Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.thriftyfrugalmom.com

Hearty, delicious and made with simple pantry staples, this casserole is the perfect quick and easy family dinner!

2

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (3)

One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice

A one pan skillet meal that is full of Mexican inspired flavors and a great switch for traditional taco night.

3

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (4)

Easy Chicken Curry Soup with Rice

This hearty soup is packed full of curry flavor and ready in just 30 minutes with minimal prep work! You can make it as mild or spicy as your family prefers.

4

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (5)

Southwest Chicken Skillet

Photo Credit:www.budgetbytes.com

This Mexican skillet meal is delicious, easy to make, and costs less than $10 to feed 4 to 6 people! The leftovers reheat well, so you may want to make a double batch.

5

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One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Photo Credit:www.thechunkychef.com

Enjoy this classic chicken parm pasta recipe without all of the hassle, using just one pan! The ingredient list is simple and it's ready in just half an hour!

6

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Chicken Stir Fry

Photo Credit:togetherasfamily.com

We love a good stir fry recipe that the whole family can enjoy. Serve this dinner by itself or over your favorite variety of rice for an easy 30 minute meal.

7

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (8)

One Pot Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice

Who's ready for comfort food in 30 minutes? Whip up this creamy chicken and rice recipe that is quick, easy, and budget friendly!

8

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (9)

Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps

These pan-fried chicken wraps are so simple to make, full of flavor, and freeze well for later! All you need is chicken, salsa, cheese, seasoning, and tortillas to make this easy meal.

9

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (10)

Coconut Chicken Curry

Photo Credit:www.jocooks.com

You are going to fall in love with this creamy chicken curry! No need for takeout, because this version is healthier and so simple to make. And I love that it's made in one pan for easy clean-up.

10

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (11)

20 Minute Garlic Chicken

Photo Credit:amandascookin.com

We make this recipe all of the time and my kids love it!! I like to double the gravy because we love lots of sauce, plus it stretches it farther too!

11

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (12)

Chicken Stroganoff

Photo Credit:lilluna.com

If you love beef stroganoff, you have to try the chicken version! It's quick, easy, and only requires pantry staples!

12

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (13)

Italian-Style Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes and Mushrooms

Photo Credit:www.themediterraneandish.com

Tender juicy chicken, mushrooms, and tomatoes made in a skillet and so delicious you would never think it could be ready so quickly! No need for sides, unless you want to serve it with rice or potatoes.

13

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30 Minute Chicken and Dumplings

Photo Credit:www.theslowroasteditalian.com

The perfect mouthwatering comfort food and made totally from scratch. Yet simple and quick to make too!

14

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Healthy Chicken Alfredo

Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com

Rich, creamy, delicious and with just the right amountof cheese, this classic favorite is always a hit! Serve with your favorite pasta and a simple salad for an easy weeknight dinner

15

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Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini

Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com

This one-pan recipe is not only nutritious and filling but it's also budget-friendly too!

16

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (17)

30 Minute Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Photo Credit:midwestfoodieblog.com

Get the taste of Mexico in just minutes with these easy-to-make fajitas. They are hearty, tasty and also very versatile! Add more veggies, swap out the chicken for other meat or add in some hot pepper for a bit of heat.

17

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (18)

One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Photo Credit:www.lecremedelacrumb.com

Budget-friendly and made with simple ingredients, this one-pot chicken and rice recipe is great for an easy simple dinner!

18

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (19)

Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Photo Credit:www.crunchycreamysweet.com

Made with simple ingredients, this rice bowl recipe is full of delicious Asian inspired flavors and it's ready in under 30 minutes!

19

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (20)

Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos

You'll love these chicken tacos! They're crunchy, nutritious and have just the right amount of spice.

20

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (21)

One-Pan Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice

Photo Credit:www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

This one-pan meal is so cheesy and delicious! I love that it's made with simple, frugal ingredientstoo. Always a win!

Ground Beef Recipes

1

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Super Easy Sloppy Joes from Scratch

This vintage recipe has a deliciously flavorful sauce that's made using basic pantry staples. Simple and kid-friendly too!

2

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (23)

Super Easy Macaroni and Beef Skillet (American Goulash)

Made withsimple ingredients, this recipe makesa great weeknight dinner. And we think it's 10 times better than Hamburger Helper!

3

One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:thesaltymarshmallow.com

One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is the perfect meal when you're in a hurry. It's fast, easy and full of tasty taco flavors!

4

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (24)

Easy Vegetable Beef Soup

Packed with veggies, this simple soup makes a comforting, hearty dinner. Even my pickier eaters love it!

5

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (25)

Taco Skillet

Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com

This skillet recipe is a one-pan wonder that allows you to make tacos in less than 25 minutes. It kind of reminds me of a Mexican pizza with the layered corn tortillas!

6

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (26)

Speedy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

Made with just seven simple ingredients, this easy recipe makes for a budget-friendly, quick family meal!

7

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The BEST One Pot Lasagna Soup

Photo Credit:thegirlonbloor.com

You can easily make this soup in the slow cooker or Instant Pot - it's comfort food at its finest, freezer friendly, and tastes like the traditional dish.

8

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (28)

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Photo Credit:kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com

Zesty flavors and tender ground beef make this an easy meal that’s sure to please the whole family!

9

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Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet

Photo Credit:iwashyoudry.com

This simple skillet meal will have your family asking for seconds!It's packed with classic flavors, but so much easier to make than the traditional recipe.

10

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (30)

30 Minute One Pan Beef Penne

Photo Credit:www.girlgonegourmet.com

I love that this recipe cooks the pasta right along with everything else. Super easy! And it's such a great hearty, family-friendly dinner!

11

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (31)

Frito Chili Pie

Photo Credit:www.lovefromtheoven.com

Homemade chili is combinedwith Frito chips and cheese for a super delicious twist!

12

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (32)

Easy Beef Burrito Skillet

Photo Credit:www.recipessimple.com

All the classic flavors of a beef burrito but in an easy-to-make skillet recipe!

Sausage Recipes

1

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Creamy Sausage and Potatoes

A favorite from my childhood, this easy recipe combines tender potatoeswith crumbled sausage and a creamy milk-based sauce.

2

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (34)

One Pot Cheesy Sausage Penne

Photo Credit:www.crunchycreamysweet.com

Craving easy, delicious comfort food? This simple recipe combines Italian sausage and penne pasta with a quick tomato sauce and then tops it all with gooey cheese!

3

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (35)

Creamy Sausage Pasta

Photo Credit:www.shakentogetherlife.com

Made with just a few simple ingredients, packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes! What's not to love?

4

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Italian Sausage Quesadillas

Photo Credit:www.mysequinedlife.com

A simple recipe but so full of flavor! And they reheat well too.

5

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Sausage & Rice Skillet

Photo Credit:dinnersdishesanddesserts.com

A quick, one-pan dinner that you can whip up when you are short on time. Even the leftovers are delicious! If you don't like smoked sausage you can swap it for your favorite variety.

6

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Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Photo Credit:www.lecremedelacrumb.com

Zucchini is stuffed with sausage, peppers and mushrooms, then topped with bread crumbs and cheese. Healthy, easy and delicious!

7

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (39)

Kielbasa, Peppers, and Potato Hash

Photo Credit:www.momontimeout.com

Full of veggies and ready in under 30 minutes, this is the perfect quick and easy meal for busy days!

Other Recipes

1

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Easy Mexican Rice Bowls

Quick to assemble, budget-friendly and made with simple ingredients, these rice bowls are a family favorite and great if you want a meatless but filling meal.

2

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (41)

Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham

Cozy, satisfying and full of flavor (thanks to garlic & dill), this soup is the perfect recipe for any cold day!

3

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French Bread Pizza

Photo Credit:togetherasfamily.com

Kick up pizza night with this thick French bread pizza recipe. It's simple, quick, and a favorite that is covered in melty cheese and pepperoni. Add your favorite toppings to make the options endless!

4

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Easy Mexican Bean Soup

Photo Credit:www.thriftyfrugalmom.com

This hearty bean soup is flavorful, made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes. We love serving it with sour cream and corn chips. So good!

5

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Best Shakshuka Recipe

Photo Credit:downshiftology.com

You can't beat a good Shakshuka for breakfast or dinner. It's simple, healthy and delicious! Made with tomatoes, eggs, onions, and a variety of seasonings that add the best flavors.

6

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Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Bake

Photo Credit:domesticsuperhero.com

This cheesy pasta recipe is great to make when you need a meal that's fast, fresh and full of flavor. It only takes one pot so it makes clean-up easy too!

7

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One-Pan Mexican Quinoa

Photo Credit:gatheringdreams.com

Nutritious, full of flavor and easy to make, this frugal recipeis great for any busy day!

8

45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (47)

Easy Canned Tuna Pasta

Super healthy and made with simple pantry staples! Plus, it's ready in less than 30 minutes too.

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  • 35 Great Leftover Rice Recipes
  • 45 Sheet Pan Desserts That Feed a Crowd

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45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest thing to make for dinner? ›

68 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Black Bean Burgers. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Shells. ...
  • Zucchini Corn Quesadillas. ...
  • Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad. ...
  • Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing. ...
  • Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp. ...
  • Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers.
May 3, 2024

How do you feed a family of 5 for $10? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  1. Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  2. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  3. Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  4. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  5. Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  6. Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  7. White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  8. Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
5 days ago

What can I cook in 30 min? ›

30-minute meal recipes
  • Mustard-stuffed chicken. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Air-fryer fish tacos. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users. ...
  • Coconut fish curry. ...
  • Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) ...
  • Air-fryer sweetcorn fritters. ...
  • 30 minute chicken & tarragon pasta. ...
  • Thai prawn noodles. ...
  • Pork noodle stir-fry.

How to feed 12 people cheaply? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  1. Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  2. Meatballs. ...
  3. Butter Chicken. ...
  4. Lasagna. ...
  5. Chili. ...
  6. Homemade Pizza. ...
  7. Baked Pasta. ...
  8. Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What to make for dinner when you're broke? ›

  • Creamy pasta carbonara. A lovely, creamy version of a well-known favourite.
  • Best Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
  • Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry. ...
  • Devilled sausages. ...
  • Potato and leek soup. ...
  • Lemon chicken. ...
  • Salt and pepper chicken. ...
  • Chicken and bacon carbonara.

How to cook on a tight budget? ›

Budget-friendly tips & tricks
  1. Plan your week.
  2. Batch cook budget-friendly recipes.
  3. Make the most of your freezer.
  4. Love your leftovers.
  5. Look at best-before and use-by dates.
  6. Cook with tinned food.
  7. Big up legumes.
  8. Make easy swaps.
Jun 20, 2022

How much should a family of 4 spend on food each month? ›

The amount a family spends on groceries per month can vary greatly depending on factors such as location , dietary restrictions , and personal preferences . However , a general guideline for a family of 4 would be around $ 600-$800 per month .

How can I feed my family on a very small budget? ›

How to feed your family for less - Experts tips for shopping and cooking on a budget
  1. Don't feel pressured to always buy fresh. ...
  2. Eat seasonally. ...
  3. Substitute pricey lettuce. ...
  4. Meal plan with the catalogue in hand. ...
  5. Top trick to find the lowest priced groceries. ...
  6. Learn how to stretch your food further. ...
  7. Shop the 'dodgy' bin.

What is a reasonable grocery budget for a family of 5? ›

On average, a family of five spends anywhere from $922 to $1,488 a month on groceries, according to USDA monthly food plans. If you're looking to curb your spending, consider meal planning, buying in bulk, and shopping at more affordable grocery stores.

What can I cook with barely any food? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  • 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  • 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  • 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  • 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  • 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  • 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What is the cheapest way to cook? ›

Microwaves: When it comes to cooking quickly and cheaply, microwaves are going to be your best friend. Cooking a potato in a conventional oven will use up to 10x as much energy as a microwave! This is because microwaves use less energy for every hour they're in use (fewer kilowatts per hour).

What's the cheapest food you can live on? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

What is the best cheap food to feed a crowd? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne. ...
  • Slow Cooker Savoury Mince. ...
  • Slow cooker barbecue chicken. ...
  • Slow cooker chicken and olives. ...
  • Slow cooker beef stew. ...
  • Creamy Chicken Pie. ...
  • Chicken, Avocado and Bacon Salad. ...
  • Potato Salad.

How to feed 20 people cheaply? ›

  1. Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. ...
  2. Tasty Taco Bar. Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. ...
  3. Baked Potato Bar. ...
  4. Crockpot Ham. ...
  5. Killer Carnitas. ...
  6. Chicken Spaghetti. ...
  7. Ham and Cheese Sliders. ...
  8. Shredded Beef Tacos.
May 23, 2024

What can I cook with $4? ›

Today we're sharing 10 healthy dinners from That Clean Life that cost no more than $4 per serving.
  • Slow Cooker Black Beans & Rice. ...
  • Spicy Coconut Lentil Soup. ...
  • Rice, Beef & Spinach. ...
  • Caribbean Smoked Herring. ...
  • 10 Minute Cabbage Bowl. ...
  • Lentils, Rapini & Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Scrambled Eggs with Peppers and Kale. ...
  • Chopped Salad Pitas.
Jan 31, 2021

What is the cheapest way to cook a meal? ›

Using slow cookers, microwaves and air fryers when you can, are all great options for low-maintenance, low-cost, low-carbon cooking. Microwaves: When it comes to cooking quickly and cheaply, microwaves are going to be your best friend.

How can I cook more cheaply? ›

Ways to Cook on a Budget
  1. Make meal plans.
  2. Shop for groceries at a discount grocer.
  3. Start with the grocery store flyer.
  4. Pair sale items with low-cost staple foods.
  5. Use a slow cooker.
  6. Make "pantry meals" a habit.
  7. Make extras and freeze them.
  8. Eat your leftovers.
Sep 10, 2019

How to eat cheaply for one? ›

Budget meals for one
  1. Dhal with garam masala carrots. ...
  2. Pea & ham pot pie. ...
  3. Super-quick sesame ramen. ...
  4. Baked ginger & spinach sweet potato. ...
  5. Brown butter linguine. ...
  6. Chorizo hummus bowl. ...
  7. Microwave shakshuka. ...
  8. Sardines & tomatoes on toast.

References

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