78 Easy Dinners That Won't Break the Bank

Pinch of Yum

The act of cooking dinner from scratch rather than turning to takeout or microwave meals is a money-saving strategy in itself, so if you're reading this, you're already off to a great start! Beyond that, consider making vegetarian meals out of staples like beans and other legumes, rice, quinoa, pasta, and eggs. (While less meat-centric recipes are typically more affordable, inexpensive cuts like ground beef and turkey, chicken thighs, and bacon have a place in budget-friendly meal planning, especially when they're not the main event.) To make things easier, we curated more than 75 recipes that won't break the bank; keep reading for inspiration.

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Vegan Pumpkin-Chickpea Soup

Ginger Fried Rice With Poached Egg

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Roasted Italian Sausage, Peppers, Potatoes, and Onion

Five-Alarm Chili

Get the recipe: five-alarm chili

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cheddar, Bacon, and Leek Frittata

Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies

Cabbage Roll Soup

Get the recipe: cabbage roll soup

Chicken Fajita Stuffed Peppers

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pasta Carbonara With Leeks and Sundried Tomatoes

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Balsamic Mushrooms, Chickpeas, and Kale With Caramelized Onions

Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese

Black Pepper Stir-Fried Noodles With Spinach and Tofu

Chicken Parmesan and Roasted Zucchini

One-Pot Beans, Chicken, and Rice

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Eggy Pasta With Spinach and Bacon

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Korean Tofu With Spicy Garlic Sauce

Chicken and Rice

Get the recipe: chicken and rice

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Tex-Mex Ground Beef Tacos

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Vegan Chickpea Soup

Very Veggie Fried Rice

Get the recipe: very veggie fried rice

Cheeseburger Casserole

Get the recipe: cheeseburger casserole

Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu

Creamy Cauliflower Fettucine Alfredo With Bacon

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Kale, White Bean, and Meatball Soup

Greek Chicken With Green Beans and Potatoes

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cannellini Beans and Spinach

One-Pot Barbecue Chicken Pasta

Lemony Lentil Soup With Swiss Chard

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pasta With Vegan Pink Sauce

POPSUGAR Photography | Sara Yoo

Kimchi Fried Rice

Get the recipe: kimchi fried rice

Chicken Enchilada Skillet

Vegan Burrito Bowl

Get the recipe: vegan burrito bowl

Loaded French Bread Pizza

Chicken Chow Mein

Get the recipe: chicken chow mein

Lemony Lentil and Chickpea Salad

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs With Spaghetti

Chili Cheese Dogs

Get the recipe: chili cheese dogs

Spicy Asian Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Sautéed Mushrooms With Poached Egg

Peanut Soba Noodles With Broccoli Rabe

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Cream of Tomato Soup With Crunchy Lemon Chickpeas

Black Bean and Butternut Squash Quesadilla

Garlic Ranch Chicken and Veggies

Vegan Korean Nourish Bowl With Barley

Cilantro-Lime Chicken With Rice and Black Beans

POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Vegetable Medley Pasta

Get the recipe: vegetable medley pasta

Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

Cheesy Taco Skillet

Get the recipe: cheesy taco skillet

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Chicken Lo Mein

Get the recipe: chicken lo mein

Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Quinoa Salad With Jalapeño Lime Dressing

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Vegetarian Carbonara

Grain Bowl With Teriyaki Sauce, Greens, and Soft-Boiled Egg

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Get the recipe: lemon chicken orzo soup

Veggie Mexican Casserole

Get the recipe: veggie Mexican casserole

Spicy Tahini Soba Noodle Salad

Rotini With Butternut-Sage Sauce

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Vegan Miso Soup With Soba and Mushrooms

Homemade Hamburger Helper

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Black Bean, Corn, and Radish Salad

Chicken Fried Rice

Get the recipe: chicken fried rice

POPSUGAR Photography | Sara Yoo

Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese

Lemon and Dill Chickpea Salad

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped hot dogs

Shells With Red Pepper Tomato Sauce

Vegetarian Bibimbap

Get the recipe: vegetarian bibimbap

POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino

Chickpea Soup With Kale and Bacon

Spicy Sausage, Kale, and Orecchiette Soup

Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad

Pasta Carbonara

Get the recipe: pasta carbonara

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

Ginger Fried Cauliflower Rice

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Microwave Chicken Noodle Soup

Black Bean Quinoa Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

Turkey Meatball and Spinach Soup

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Linguine With Kale and Chickpeas

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