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16 Best Cheap Easy Meals

These cheap dinner recipes are true family favorites.

By: Rachel Bernstein, Editor, RecipeLion.com

We know that figuring out meals on a budget can be tough. But we also know that just because you're watching your wallet doesn't mean you have to miss out on great food. With our best cheap easy meals, you can eat well and inexpensively at the same time! 

In the list of easy cheap recipes below you'll find affordable main dish recipes that will please everyone. We have classic, stick-to-your-ribs casserole recipes, easy vegetarian meals, and some soup recipes that everyone will love. By incorporating one or all of these budget meal ideas into your weeknight dinner routine, you can save money while still enjoying meals with delicious flavor and incredible taste.

Grandma's Favorite Meatballs

It can be hard to find cheap easy meals that will feed your whole family (and that they will actually like). But Grandma's Favorite Meatballs are a fantastic solution. They are affordable to make, and everyone will be fighting over the last serving.

"Bring Home the Bacon" Budget Bake

This budget-friendly dinner is cheesy, gooey, and just a little bit spicy (thanks to some Italian sausage). It's the kind of dinner that everyone will want a second helping of. But we can also tell you that it makes fantastic leftovers. So you can make it for your whole family, or you can make it as a cheap easy dinner for two, and freeze some for later.

Crazy Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Pork is a great budget-friendly cut of meat, and this is one of our favorite ways to cook it. We love that you can make this cheap dinner in the slow cooker, so you don't have to lift a finger when it's time to eat. Serve up these delicious pork chops with a side of rice or pasta, and you've got a meal that everyone will go crazy for.

Poor Man Husband Casserole

This "poor man" casserole has an eye-catching name, but what we really care about is that it tastes amazing (and it's super easy to cook). This budget-friendly casserole is cheesy, filling, and will be welcome on just about any table. Like some of our other recipes here, it also makes great leftovers.

Baked With Love Zucchini Casserole

Skipping meat can be a great way to save some money at the grocery store. But you don't want to feel like you're missing out on a filling dinner. With these delicious zucchini squares, you and your family are sure to feel full and satisfied. Serve it piping hot out of the oven, and you will fall in love with this fluffy, stick-to-your-ribs vegetable casserole.

Old-Fashioned Potato Leek Soup

Potatoes are one of the ultimate budget-friendly ingredients, which is why this potato soup is a natural addition to this list! This old fashioned recipe is full of rich flavor, and yet it's ready to eat in under an hour. Make this on any busy weeknight for your family, and they will never know that this recipe saved some money on your grocery bill.

Classic Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast

This recipe might make some of you chuckle (if you know what "SOS" means!), but you have to admit that this recipe can be pretty tasty when it's made correctly. And it's certainly affordable. We've used a few new spices to turn this classic frugal recipe into something that the whole family will love.

Cheesy One Pot Hamburger Casserole

This is one of our go-to recipes when we need something that's quick, easy, and won't break the bank. It's also very family-friendly and can be scaled to feed a large group or just a family of two. It's definitely worth bookmarking, as you will make this dish again and again.

Cheesy Breakfast Monkey Bread

We can almost guarantee that you've never heard of this frugal recipe before! This easy breakfast monkey bread swaps the traditional cinnamon and sugar for protein-rich bacon and eggs. This dish is filling, simple to make, and is sure to delight everyone at your table. Plus, all of the ingredients are affordable!

Comforting Retro Tuna Noodle Casserole

We're taking a trip down memory lane with this retro casserole recipe. All of these ingredients are super affordable, making this comforting casserole a no brainer for budget-friendly cooking. They are also easy to store in your pantry or refrigerator, so you can make this easy dinner recipe any time you like.

Easy Dorito Casserole

This crowd-pleasing Dorito casserole is perfect for feeding a large family, especially if that family includes some picky eaters! We don't know anyone who won't want to dig into this easy cheesy casserole recipe.

Hamburger Potato Casserole

When we think of affordable recipes that are satisfying, this hamburger casserole always comes to mind. It is one of our best cheap easy meals. You can also make it ahead as a freezer meal to make your week even easier to manage.

Dude Ranch Beans

Beans are one of the great budget dinner ingredients, and this recipe is one of our favorite ways to dress them up. Everyone will love dipping roasted hot dogs in this rich, spicy bean dish. As a bonus, you won't believe how easy this recipe is to make until you see it. It's truly one of our best ever.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Made with budget-friendly dark meat chicken, this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken belongs in your dinner rotation. It is super easy to make, and it tastes absolutely delicious. Smothered in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with Sriracha and honey, everyone in your family will be asking for a second helping of this cheap easy meal.

Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup

This filling and affordable dish will remind you of your favorite summertime meal: stuffed peppers! This Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup only uses a few ingredients, so the cost for the whole dish is kept low. For an even better deal on this budget-friendly recipe, buy your ground beef on sale and store it in the freezer until you are ready to use it. Then simply defrost, and you have a delicious dinner for only a few dollars!

Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings

This frugal dish reminds us of something grandma would make. Grandmas really know how to take simple flavors and transform them into something amazing! This tasty Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings recipe is sure to satisfy with its savory chicken gravy and fluffy biscuit topping. Plus, you probably have almost everything you need to make it on hand already. It's a weeknight and a budget win!

What are some of your favorite cheap easy meals to make? Let us know in the comments!

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