If you’re always on the lookout for cheap and cheerful meal ideas the whole family will actually enjoy, you’re in the right place. Keeping costs down matters, but so does making sure dinner is still something everyone looks forward to.
Here are 10 super cheap dinner recipes perfect for rumbly tummies — and as a bonus, every single one is quick to prepare too, so they’re perfect for busy weeknights.
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Cheap Family Dinner Recipes That Get the Thumbs Up
Do you work to a weekly food budget? Sticking to it isn’t always easy, especially when you’re trying to avoid falling into the same meal-plan rut week after week.
If you’re looking to bring your food bill down a little, building a few of these budget-friendly dinners into your weekly rotation will genuinely help — without anyone at the table noticing you’re saving money.
1. Peanut Butter Chicken
This easy peanut butter chicken recipe uses chicken thighs instead of chicken breast, which keeps the cost down without sacrificing any flavour.
2. Sausage and Potato Casserole
Image credit: TI Media Limited
This sausage and potato casserole takes about 35 minutes from start to finish and uses just six ingredients.
Save even more by making your own tomato sauce — it works out cheaper than jarred sauce and tastes fresher too.
3. Leek, Pea and Ham Pasta
Try this leek, pea and smoked ham pasta for a quick, comforting dinner. Swapping Parmesan for Pecorino or Grana Padano is another easy way to keep the cost down.
4. Simple Sloppy Joes
Image credit: Oxmoor House
These Simple Sloppy Joes use budget-friendly minced beef along with a few store cupboard staples. Serve with sweet potato fries on the side for a slightly healthier twist.
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5. Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice
This cheesy chicken, broccoli and rice dinner from The Girl Who Ate Everything is ideal for a hectic weeknight — and since it’s all cooked in one pot, there’s less washing up too.
6. Crispy Baked Pork Chops
This crispy baked breaded pork chops recipe uses just four ingredients. The chops come out crunchy outside and tender inside, and you can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes.
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7. Chow Mein Noodles with Chicken
This Chow Mein noodles with chicken recipe from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts uses instant noodles to speed things up, plus shredded cabbage — a handy way to sneak extra veg onto the plate.
8. Sausage, Green Beans and Potatoes
This sausage, green beans and potatoes casserole is really simple to put together, whether you make it in a slow cooker or a regular casserole dish in the oven.
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9. Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls
This Teriyaki chicken rice bowls recipe delivers sweet, garlicky chicken with rice and steamed broccoli, all in about 20 minutes.
10. Bacon, Tomato and Basil Pasta
And finally, this is our go-to cheap and super-quick meal. Leave out the bacon if you want to lower the cost further, or fancy a meat-free night.
Simply fry up some bacon bits — offcuts or lardons both work well — then stir them through a simple tomato and basil sauce and simmer while your pasta cooks.
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FAQs
Are these recipes suitable for freezing?
Many of these dinners, including the casseroles and the sloppy joes, freeze well once cooled. Portion them into containers and defrost thoroughly before reheating.
Can I swap ingredients to make these recipes even cheaper?
Yes — most of these recipes are flexible. Swapping chicken thighs for breast, using own-brand pasta and sauces, or leaving out a meat element (like the bacon in the last recipe) are all easy ways to bring the cost down further.
How can I fit more of these into my weekly meal plan?
Try picking two or three of these recipes to build into your rotation each week alongside your usual favourites. Having a small library of go-to budget dinners makes weekly meal planning much less stressful.
Are these recipes kid-friendly?
Yes, all of these were chosen with fussy little eaters in mind — mild flavours, familiar ingredients like pasta, rice and chicken, and simple presentation.
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- 9 Sizzling Sausage Recipes The Whole Family Will Enjoy
- 10 Tempting Vegetarian Pasta Recipes Perfect for Family Dinner
Save These Ideas for Later
Not cooking tonight? Bookmark this page or save it to your recipe folder so you’ve got a ready list of cheap, family-friendly dinners whenever you need inspiration.
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