78 Easy Dinners That Won't Break the Bank
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.
Vegan Pumpkin-Chickpea Soup
Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin-chickpea soup
Ginger Fried Rice With Poached Egg
Get the recipe: ginger fried rice with poached egg
Roasted Italian Sausage, Peppers, Potatoes, and Onion
Get the recipe: roasted Italian sausage, peppers, potatoes, and onion
Five-Alarm Chili
Get the recipe: five-alarm chili
Cheddar, Bacon, and Leek Frittata
Get the recipe: cheddar, bacon, and leek frittata
Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies
Get the recipe: honey garlic chicken and veggies
Cabbage Roll Soup
Get the recipe: cabbage roll soup
Chicken Fajita Stuffed Peppers
Get the recipe: chicken fajita stuffed peppers
Pasta Carbonara With Leeks and Sundried Tomatoes
Get the recipe: pasta carbonara with leeks and sundried tomatoes
Balsamic Mushrooms, Chickpeas, and Kale With Caramelized Onions
Get the recipe: balsamic mushrooms, chickpeas, and kale with caramelized onions
Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese
Get the recipe: creamy skillet mac and cheese
Black Pepper Stir-Fried Noodles With Spinach and Tofu
Get the recipe: black pepper stir-fried noodles with spinach and tofu
Chicken Parmesan and Roasted Zucchini
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan and roasted zucchini
One-Pot Beans, Chicken, and Rice
Get the recipe: one-pot beans, chicken, and rice
Eggy Pasta With Spinach and Bacon
Get the recipe: eggy pasta with spinach and bacon
Korean Tofu With Spicy Garlic Sauce
Get the recipe: Korean tofu with spicy garlic sauce
Chicken and Rice
Get the recipe: chicken and rice
Tex-Mex Ground Beef Tacos
Get the recipe: Tex-Mex ground beef tacos
Vegan Chickpea Soup
Get the recipe: chickpea, garlic, and rosemary soup
Very Veggie Fried Rice
Get the recipe: very veggie fried rice
Cheeseburger Casserole
Get the recipe: cheeseburger casserole
Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu
Get the recipe: Vietnamese lemongrass tofu
Creamy Cauliflower Fettucine Alfredo With Bacon
Get the recipe: creamy cauliflower fettucine alfredo with bacon
Kale, White Bean, and Meatball Soup
Get the recipe: kale, white bean, and meatball soup
Vegetarian Japchae
Get the recipe: vegetarian japchae (Korean stir-fried sweet potato noodles)
Greek Chicken With Green Beans and Potatoes
Get the recipe: Greek chicken with green beans and potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cannellini Beans and Spinach
Get the recipe: baked sweet potatoes with cannellini beans and spinach
One-Pot Barbecue Chicken Pasta
Get the recipe: one-pot barbecue chicken pasta
Lemony Lentil Soup With Swiss Chard
Get the recipe: lemony lentil soup with swiss chard
Pasta With Vegan Pink Sauce
Get the recipe: pasta with vegan pink sauce
Kimchi Fried Rice
Get the recipe: kimchi fried rice
Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Get the recipe: chicken enchilada skillet
Vegan Burrito Bowl
Get the recipe: vegan burrito bowl
Loaded French Bread Pizza
Get the recipe: loaded french bread pizza
Chicken Chow Mein
Get the recipe: chicken chow mein
Lemony Lentil and Chickpea Salad
Get the recipe: lemony lentil and chickpea salad
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs With Spaghetti
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan meatballs with spaghetti
Chili Cheese Dogs
Get the recipe: chili cheese dogs
Spicy Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
Get the recipe: spicy Asian chicken noodle soup
Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese
Get the recipe: chicken and broccoli shells and cheese
Sautéed Mushrooms With Poached Egg
Get the recipe: sautéed mushrooms with poached egg
Peanut Soba Noodles With Broccoli Rabe
Get the recipe: peanut soba noodles with broccoli rabe
Cream of Tomato Soup With Crunchy Lemon Chickpeas
Get the recipe: cream of tomato soup with crunchy lemon chickpeas
Black Bean and Butternut Squash Quesadilla
Get the recipe: black bean and butternut squash quesadilla
Garlic Ranch Chicken and Veggies
Get the recipe: garlic ranch chicken and veggies
Vegan Korean Nourish Bowl With Barley
Get the recipe: vegan Korean nourish bowl with barley
Cilantro-Lime Chicken With Rice and Black Beans
Get the recipe: cilantro-lime chicken with rice and black beans
Vegetable Medley Pasta
Get the recipe: vegetable medley pasta
Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
Get the recipe: Greek chicken and lemon rice
Cheesy Taco Skillet
Get the recipe: cheesy taco skillet
Chicken Lo Mein
Get the recipe: chicken lo mein
Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Quinoa Salad With Jalapeño Lime Dressing
Vegetarian Carbonara
Get the recipe: vegetarian pasta carbonara
Grain Bowl With Teriyaki Sauce, Greens, and Soft-Boiled Egg
Get the recipe: 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
Get the recipe: spicy tahini soba noodle salad
Rotini With Butternut-Sage Sauce
Get the recipe: rotini with butternut sage sauce
Vegan Miso Soup With Soba and Mushrooms
Get the recipe: vegan miso soup with soba, mushrooms, and bok choy
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Get the recipe: homemade Hamburger Helper
Black Bean, Corn, and Radish Salad
Get the recipe: black bean, corn, and radish salad
Chicken Fried Rice
Get the recipe: chicken fried rice
Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
Get the recipe: cauliflower macaroni and cheese
Lemon and Dill Chickpea Salad
Get the recipe: lemon and dill chickpea salad
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped hot dogs
Shells With Red Pepper Tomato Sauce
Get the recipe: shells with red pepper tomato sauce
Vegetarian Bibimbap
Get the recipe: vegetarian bibimbap
Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino
Get the recipe: spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, and pepper flakes
Chickpea Soup With Kale and Bacon
Get the recipe: Tuscan chickpea soup with kale and bacon
Spicy Sausage, Kale, and Orecchiette Soup
Get the recipe: spicy sausage, kale, and orecchiette soup
Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad
Get the recipe: Lebanese lemon-parsley bean salad
Pasta Carbonara
Get the recipe: pasta carbonara
Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad
Get the recipe: spicy peanut soba noodle salad
Ginger Fried Cauliflower Rice
Get the recipe: ginger fried cauliflower rice
Microwave Chicken Noodle Soup
Get the recipe: microwave chicken noodle soup
Black Bean Quinoa Salad With Orange Vinaigrette
Get the recipe: spicy, citrus-dressed black bean quinoa salad
Turkey Meatball and Spinach Soup
Get the recipe: turkey meatball and spinach soup
Linguine With Kale and Chickpeas
Get the recipe: linguine with kale and chickpeas