The act of cooking dinner from scratch rather than turning to takeout or microwave meals is a money-saving strategy in itself [1], 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.
Vegan Pumpkin-Chickpea Soup
Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin-chickpea soup [3]
Ginger Fried Rice With Poached Egg
Get the recipe: ginger fried rice with poached egg [4]
Roasted Italian Sausage, Peppers, Potatoes, and Onion
Get the recipe: roasted Italian sausage, peppers, potatoes, and onion [5]
Five-Alarm Chili
Get the recipe: five-alarm chili [6]
Cheddar, Bacon, and Leek Frittata
Get the recipe: cheddar, bacon, and leek frittata [7]
Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies
Get the recipe: honey garlic chicken and veggies [8]
Cabbage Roll Soup
Get the recipe: cabbage roll soup [9]
Chicken Fajita Stuffed Peppers
Get the recipe: chicken fajita stuffed peppers [10]
Pasta Carbonara With Leeks and Sundried Tomatoes
Get the recipe: pasta carbonara with leeks and sundried tomatoes [11]
Balsamic Mushrooms, Chickpeas, and Kale With Caramelized Onions
Get the recipe: balsamic mushrooms, chickpeas, and kale with caramelized onions [12]
Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese
Get the recipe: creamy skillet mac and cheese [13]
Black Pepper Stir-Fried Noodles With Spinach and Tofu
Get the recipe: black pepper stir-fried noodles with spinach and tofu [14]
Chicken Parmesan and Roasted Zucchini
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan and roasted zucchini [15]
One-Pot Beans, Chicken, and Rice
Get the recipe: one-pot beans, chicken, and rice [16]
Eggy Pasta With Spinach and Bacon
Get the recipe: eggy pasta with spinach and bacon [17]
Korean Tofu With Spicy Garlic Sauce
Get the recipe: Korean tofu with spicy garlic sauce [18]
Chicken and Rice
Get the recipe: chicken and rice [19]
Tex-Mex Ground Beef Tacos
Get the recipe: Tex-Mex ground beef tacos [20]
Vegan Chickpea Soup
Get the recipe: chickpea, garlic, and rosemary soup [21]
Very Veggie Fried Rice
Get the recipe: very veggie fried rice [22]
Cheeseburger Casserole
Get the recipe: cheeseburger casserole [23]
Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu
Get the recipe: Vietnamese lemongrass tofu [24]
Creamy Cauliflower Fettucine Alfredo With Bacon
Get the recipe: creamy cauliflower fettucine alfredo with bacon [25]
Kale, White Bean, and Meatball Soup
Get the recipe: kale, white bean, and meatball soup [26]
Vegetarian Japchae
Get the recipe: vegetarian japchae (Korean stir-fried sweet potato noodles) [27]
Greek Chicken With Green Beans and Potatoes
Get the recipe: Greek chicken with green beans and potatoes [28]
Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cannellini Beans and Spinach
Get the recipe: baked sweet potatoes with cannellini beans and spinach [29]
One-Pot Barbecue Chicken Pasta
Get the recipe: one-pot barbecue chicken pasta [30]
Lemony Lentil Soup With Swiss Chard
Get the recipe: lemony lentil soup with swiss chard [31]
Pasta With Vegan Pink Sauce
Get the recipe: pasta with vegan pink sauce [32]
Kimchi Fried Rice
Get the recipe: kimchi fried rice [33]
Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Get the recipe: chicken enchilada skillet [34]
Vegan Burrito Bowl
Get the recipe: vegan burrito bowl [35]
Loaded French Bread Pizza
Get the recipe: loaded french bread pizza [36]
Chicken Chow Mein
Get the recipe: chicken chow mein [37]
Lemony Lentil and Chickpea Salad
Get the recipe: lemony lentil and chickpea salad [38]
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs With Spaghetti
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan meatballs with spaghetti [39]
Chili Cheese Dogs
Get the recipe: chili cheese dogs [40]
Spicy Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
Get the recipe: spicy Asian chicken noodle soup [41]
Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese
Get the recipe: chicken and broccoli shells and cheese [42]
Sautéed Mushrooms With Poached Egg
Get the recipe: sautéed mushrooms with poached egg [43]
Peanut Soba Noodles With Broccoli Rabe
Get the recipe: peanut soba noodles with broccoli rabe [44]
Cream of Tomato Soup With Crunchy Lemon Chickpeas
Get the recipe: cream of tomato soup with crunchy lemon chickpeas [45]
Black Bean and Butternut Squash Quesadilla
Get the recipe: black bean and butternut squash quesadilla [46]
Garlic Ranch Chicken and Veggies
Get the recipe: garlic ranch chicken and veggies [47]
Vegan Korean Nourish Bowl With Barley
Get the recipe: vegan Korean nourish bowl with barley [48]
Cilantro-Lime Chicken With Rice and Black Beans
Get the recipe: cilantro-lime chicken with rice and black beans [49]
Vegetable Medley Pasta
Get the recipe: vegetable medley pasta [50]
Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
Get the recipe: Greek chicken and lemon rice [51]
Cheesy Taco Skillet
Get the recipe: cheesy taco skillet [52]
Chicken Lo Mein
Get the recipe: chicken lo mein [53]
Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Quinoa Salad With Jalapeño Lime Dressing
Get the recipe: roasted cauliflower, chickpea, and quinoa salad with jalapeño lime dressing [54]
Vegetarian Carbonara
Get the recipe: vegetarian pasta carbonara [55]
Grain Bowl With Teriyaki Sauce, Greens, and Soft-Boiled Egg
Get the recipe: grain bowl with teriyaki sauce, greens, and soft-boiled egg [56]
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Get the recipe: lemon chicken orzo soup [57]
Veggie Mexican Casserole
Get the recipe: veggie Mexican casserole [58]
Spicy Tahini Soba Noodle Salad
Get the recipe: spicy tahini soba noodle salad [59]
Rotini With Butternut-Sage Sauce
Get the recipe: rotini with butternut sage sauce [60]
Vegan Miso Soup With Soba and Mushrooms
Get the recipe: vegan miso soup with soba, mushrooms, and bok choy [61]
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Get the recipe: homemade Hamburger Helper [62]
Black Bean, Corn, and Radish Salad
Get the recipe: black bean, corn, and radish salad [63]
Chicken Fried Rice
Get the recipe: chicken fried rice [64]
Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
Get the recipe: cauliflower macaroni and cheese [65]
Lemon and Dill Chickpea Salad
Get the recipe: lemon and dill chickpea salad [66]
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped hot dogs [67]
Shells With Red Pepper Tomato Sauce
Get the recipe: shells with red pepper tomato sauce [68]
Vegetarian Bibimbap
Get the recipe: vegetarian bibimbap [69]
Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino
Get the recipe: spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, and pepper flakes [70]
Chickpea Soup With Kale and Bacon
Get the recipe: Tuscan chickpea soup with kale and bacon [71]
Spicy Sausage, Kale, and Orecchiette Soup
Get the recipe: spicy sausage, kale, and orecchiette soup [72]
Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad
Get the recipe: Lebanese lemon-parsley bean salad [73]
Pasta Carbonara
Get the recipe: pasta carbonara [74]
Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad
Get the recipe: spicy peanut soba noodle salad [75]
Ginger Fried Cauliflower Rice
Get the recipe: ginger fried cauliflower rice [76]
Microwave Chicken Noodle Soup
Get the recipe: microwave chicken noodle soup [77]
Black Bean Quinoa Salad With Orange Vinaigrette
Get the recipe: spicy, citrus-dressed black bean quinoa salad [78]
Turkey Meatball and Spinach Soup
Get the recipe: turkey meatball and spinach soup [79]
Linguine With Kale and Chickpeas
Get the recipe: linguine with kale and chickpeas [80]
