Easy Cheap Meals to Make at Home

Ian Palmer

Let's face it, no one's paycheck is going as far as it once was. But that doesn't mean you have to eat the same old tasteless meal over and over again. Whether you're feeding a family of four, yourself and a partner, or just you, these easy dinner ideas will help you keep dinner both interesting and on-budget. We've got kid-friendly meals (hello quesadillas), romantic dinners (did someone say alfredo?) and plenty of healthy ideas with chicken, ground beef, fish, and of course plenty of healthy (and cheap!) veggies. There's even a couple smart ways to stretch steak when you want to splurge! What are you waiting for? Dig in!

crispy, delicious chicken parmesan

Ian Palmer

Crispy, Delicious Chicken Parmesan

tuna noodle casserole

Ian Palmer

the best ever bolognese sauce

Ian Palmer

The Best-Ever Bolognese Sauce

When cooked over a low temperature for several hours, something magical happens to tomatoes, red wine, ground beef, and a little milk or heavy cream. Their flavors meld into an irresistible sauce that's more than worth the afternoon spent letting it burble on the stove.

Get the recipe for Bolognese Sauce.

Ren Fuller

Hector M. Sanchez

Broccoli Steaks with Spiced Tomato Jam

An easy way to cut back on expense is to cut out the most expensive ingredient: meat. Sliced thick and seared in a pan, broccoli makes a hearty and toothsome main dish. Make extra of the tomato jam. It's very good.

Get the recipe for Broccoli Steaks.

Ian Palmer

Easy, Peasy Fettuccini Alfredo

Ian Palmer

Chicken Marsala

This comfort-food staple needs just chicken, mushrooms, and a few pantry staples. While we recommend using a more drinkable marsala wine, cooking wine is the much less expensive option.

Get the recipe for Chicken Marsala.

Ian Palmer

Chicken Quesadillas

The secret to these super delicious, easy-as-pie weeknight quesadillas? A quick sauce made from flour and stock, which flavors the cooked veggies and helps them to stick together, so they don't fall out as you're eating.

Get the recipe for Chicken Quesadillas.

Hector M. Sanchez

Pan-Seared Gnocchi with Parmesan-Roasted Summer Squash and Herbs

Here's another dish that skips the meat without leaving diners hungry. Instead of boiling gnocchi like pasta, a quick turn in a hot skillet gives them a slight char and a delightful crunchy-chewy texture.

Get the recipe for Pan-Seared Gnocchi.

Ian Palmer

Weeknight Chicken and Dumplings

Ian Palmer

Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas

Ian Palmer

Easy Chicken-and-Spinach Tortellini Soup

Ian Palmer

Easiest-Ever Chicken Alfredo

This sauce, made from cream and butter, comes together fast and isn't much more expensive than jarred red sauce. The chicken keeps it filling!

Get the recipe for Chicken Alfredo.

Ian Palmer

Best-Ever Easy Sloppy Joes

Forget seasoning packets or cans of meat. Sloppy Joes are easy enough to make with fresh ingredients, and they taste far better that way. Give this recipe a try and you'll see for yourself.

Get the recipe for Sloppy Joes.

Ian Palmer

Beef Taco–Style Stuffed Peppers

Ian Palmer

Easy Weeknight Salisbury Steak

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Asparagus Quiche

This classic pie is one of the smartest ways to turn a half dozen eggs into eight servings of dinner. We love asparagus and gruyere, but you can also use any vegetable and cheese available.

Get the recipe for Asparagus Quiche.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Ian Palmer

Easy Weeknight Meatloaf

This simple recipe skips overcomplicated blends of meat in favor of just a few ingredients: pure ground beef, a moderate amount of breadcrumbs, and a super flavorful bacon-topped glaze that makes it absolutely irresistible. You can skip the bacon, but don't skip the glaze!

Get the recipe for Weeknight Meatloaf.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

White Turkey and Poblano Chili

You can't really go wrong with chili. Turkey is a little less expensive than beef, and most of the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples — but spring for the poblano pepper (which isn't that much). The flavor is worth it.

Get the recipe for White Turkey and Poblano Chili.

Ian Palmer

Sweet-and-Sour Chicken Meatballs

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Braised Turkey Wings

This Lowcountry celebration dish takes a while to cook, but the ingredients couldn't be less expensive — and the flavors couldn't be more comfort-food delicious.

Get the recipe for Braised Turkey Wings.