Though we're all for pulling out all the stops for a wildly impressive dinner, most weeknights, we're looking for something cheap and easy. These recipes hit both criteria, with ease. You don’t have to drop major dough to make something delicious that can be on your table in an hour or less—save money by choosing cheaper proteins (we’re talking chicken, ground beef or turkey, or vegetarian options) and time by making these dishes all in one pan or via some of our top kitchen shortcuts. Whatever your style, these 83 cheap and easy meals will please your entire family without breaking the bank.
One of the easiest ways to cut down on dinner costs is to go for cheaper cuts of meat, or utilizing more expensive ones in creative ways. Try adding ground beef, turkey, or chicken to help bulk out old standbys. Try roasting a whole chicken (or buying a rotisserie chicken), then utilizing it for everything from pizza to tacos all week long. Try adding more expensive seafood or steak to pasta or rice to help make smaller, more affordable portions go further, like in our or our creamy steak fettuccine. It’s all about the way you use the protein that matters, not avoiding them altogether.
If you’ve been on the fence about certain kitchen appliances, like slow cookers, air fryers, and Instant Pots, consider this your sign to take the plunge and get one. They help dinners come together SO fast. Check out our more in-depth lists for your air fryer (over 100 recipes!), Instant Pot, and Crockpot.
Even if you’re not ready for another appliance, we bet you have some things in your kitchen already that’ll help you get dinner on the table fast, like sheet pans, a Dutch oven, and casserole dishes. We’ve included a number of our favorite recipes here, like our sheet-pan garlicky shrimp & veggies, our hamburger casserole (no more flipping individual burgers!), or our Mexican beef 'n rice skillet, but once you’ve got the basics down, feel free to get creative.
One of the best ways to save some money is to go meatless (and not just on Mondays). And we don’t mean by replacing proteins with all those high-priced meat substitutes (though we’re all about those sometimes)—instead we’re talking about making vegetarian meals out of cheap beans, tofu, and plants. Try our Indian butter chickpeas, our BBQ pulled mushrooms, our , or our vegan crunchwraps to see how versatile and filling these meals can be.
Want more cheap and easy meals? Check out our favorite 5-ingredient meals, our top 30-minute meals, and former food editor June’s entire Budget Eats series. You won’t believe what she came up with for under $25!
1
Chicken Stir-Fry
A stir fry is our go-to weeknight dinner when we just don’t have the energy to spend a long time in the kitchen or hit the grocery store—this recipe is no exception. Make it as is for our best-ever version, then use it as a jumping-off point to create your perfect chicken stir-fry.
Get the Chicken Stir-Fry recipe.
2
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Looking for your new favorite way to dress up canned chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you look at a can of beans.
Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.
3
BBQ Pulled Mushrooms
Chewy, sticky, and satisfyingly meaty without any of the meat, this recipe is so hearty we believe it could convince even the biggest of mushroom haters that these veggie heroes aren't so bad after all. Plus, they're fab for vegan BBQ guests, and they come together in less than an hour!
Get the BBQ Pulled Mushrooms recipe.
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4
Sesame Tofu & Broccoli
In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’ll be on your way to a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Get the .
5
Summer Stuffed Shells
Who said summer dinners can’t be cozy? These stuffed shells are bursting with seasonal flavor from sweet corn, zucchini, and basil, but they also hit the comfort food spot thanks to the cheesy, rich ricotta.
Get the Summer Stuffed Shells recipe.
6
Classic Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers are strong enough to hold their shape in the oven, and the flavor is subtle enough to go well with just about anything. This is our favorite recipe, but the customization options are endless—check out all our stuffed pepper recipes here too.
Get the Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe.
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7
Hamburger Casserole
A cheeseburger is one of the most perfect foods on Earth, but it can be hard to replicate the perfection of a restaurant-quality burger in the comfort of your own home. This hamburger casserole captures the same magic in the form of an easy weeknight meal.
Get the Hamburger Casserole recipe.
8
Black Bean Tostadas
With only 5 ingredients, these black bean tostadas are the easiest and fastest meal to throw together. You can always include additional toppings like corn salsa, avocado ranch, or endless crunchy veggies like radishes or pickled red onions, but these are also delicious if you keep things simple, like we did here.
Get the Black Bean Tostadas recipe.
9
Mexican Chicken Casserole
There’s your average casserole… and then there’s this cheesy, loaded Mexican chicken casserole. While this is certainly not an authentic Mexican dish, it combines lots of flavors and ingredients that will remind you of tacos, enchiladas, and your favorite Mexican/Tex-Mex meals, all in one pan.
Get the Mexican Chicken Casserole recipe.
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10
Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos
Tacos always bring party vibes, but when they’re baked until crisp and rimmed with crunchy cheesy frico, it’s an all-out fiesta. Featuring refried black beans inside a crunchy corn tortilla, this cross between a taco and a sheet-pan quesadilla makes every weeknight feel like a celebration.
Get the Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos recipe.
11
Egg Roll Bowls
If you're a fan of crispy, savory egg rolls, then you might consider this unwrapped version your dream dinner. Without the need to wrap or fry, this veggie-packed meal comes together in well under an hour. Garnish with crispy raw scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and plenty of sriracha or chili oil.
Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.
12
Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala
Our sheet-pan tikka masala is a fun way to enjoy a classic Indian dish, chicken tikka masala, at home in a slightly new (and easier!) way. It’s a foolproof way to get a whole dinner on the table using just a sheet pan.
Get the Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala recipe.
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13
Creamy Corn Pasta
Don’t be fooled by the name—this pasta has no cream. Instead, you’ll puree fresh corn, sautéed garlic, and scallions into a luscious sauce that’s topped with Parmesan, basil, and even more corn. With just these few ingredients, you can have a crowd-pleasing pasta dish on the table in only about 30 minutes.
Get the Creamy Corn Pasta recipe.
14
Mexican Beef 'N Rice Skillet
Is there anything better than a one-skillet meal? We don’t think so, particularly if it’s as family-friendly and quick as this one, featuring spiced ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese. It all comes together in just 40 minutes with minimal prep too!
Get the Mexican Beef 'N Rice Skillet recipe.
15
Skillet Eggplant Parm
This dish has all the eggplant Parm flavors you love—including sliced rounds of tender eggplant, tangy marinara sauce, and plenty of cheese. Instead of breading each slice of eggplant, though, you'll top the entire skillet with panko bread crumbs, making it easy and light enough for a weeknight dinner this summer.
Get the Skillet Eggplant Parm recipe.
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16
Wondering what could possibly make a classic chicken pot pie even more delicious (and EASY)? Enter: tater tots! No fussing with pie crusts here—just a crunchy, seasoned potato in every bite.
Get the Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
17
Chicken Tamale Pie
Our simple, flavor-packed cornbread provides the perfect base for our shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and plenty of melty cheese. If you're looking for the coziest weeknight dinner, this has gotta be next on your list.
Get the Chicken Tamale Pie recipe.
18
Taco Spaghetti
One-pot taco spaghetti is a fast-as-can-be weeknight dinner that pairs all your favorite taco fixin’s with spaghetti rather than taco shells. Everything comes together in one pot—from browning the beef to simmering the sauce, even boiling the spaghetti!
Get the Taco Spaghetti recipe.
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19
Sloppy Joes
If you're craving a reliable, nostalgic, easy (and cheap) weeknight dinner, then there’s no debate: A sloppy Joes’ night is in order. The perfect answer to, “How far can I stretch this package of ground beef?” these only require a handful of simple ingredients (that you might already have!) to create a classic family dinner.
Get the Sloppy Joes recipe.
20
Creamy Tuscan Butter White Bean Skillet
Creamy Tuscan anything is a cult classic here at Delish, but this vegetarian version might be our new favorite. Featuring white beans and spinach swimming in a luxurious tomato cream sauce, this hearty skillet dinner is so comforting and satisfying, you’ll never miss the chicken.
Get the Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet recipe.
Camille Lowder
Digital Food Producer/Editor
Expertise: Vegan cooking and baking, holiday party foods, and grammar.
Education: Boston University College Of Communication / Natural Gourmet Institute
About Me: As the Digital Food Producer/Editor at Delish, Camille provides myriad insights into our new and existing content, juggles our newsletter offerings, and coordinates between teams to guarantee our recipes and recipe round-ups are the best they can be. Camille worked at/managed several New York restaurants and cafes, focusing on fostering good relationships between the front and BOH (IYKYK). She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma. When she's not writing, editing, or debating the appropriate ingredients in everything from beer cheese to Sichuan chicken, she reads any fantasy or sci-fi she can get her hands on, goes thrifting, and spends time with her wife and their dog, Bacon.
