20 Crazy Cheap Dinners That Taste Like a Million Bucks

These cheap dinners are full of flavor and will make your tastebuds and wallet happy.

Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you have to eat bland food or live off of ramen packs.

These meals are truly budget-friendly, every one of these dinners on this list has one or more of the following:

• Inexpensive ingredients
• Pantry staples you may already have in your kitchen
• Short ingredient list

One bite of these cheap dinners will make you forget you’re even on a budget, they’re that good!

Air Fryer French Bread Pizza

This easy french bread pizza recipe is made with only five ingredients. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to save money and avoid takeout on the weekend.

Both kids and adults will love this meal.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Bread Pizza

Beef and Noodles with Mushrooms

This easy slow cooker recipe is made with cream of mushroom soup, beef, egg noodles, and seasonings.

This dinner is budget-friendly since it’s made with stew beef, which is a cheap cut of meat.

Get the Recipe: Beef and Noodles with Mushrooms

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

This soup has all the lasagna flavor without the prep time involved in making traditional lasagna.

Plus, it uses many pantry staples along with Italian sausage which is one of the cheapest proteins.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Both kid and adult-approved, this cheeseburger tater tot casserole is way cheaper to make than grabbing fast food for the entire family.

It tastes just like a Big Mac but in casserole form. Plus, it uses many condiments and seasonings that you probably already have on hand.

Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

Sweet Potato Curry

Frugal and full of flavor, this sweet potato curry dish is made with wholesome ingredients and couldn’t be easier to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Curry

Spam Fried Rice

Spam first came about during the Great Depression and became popular during World War II and beyond. It’s an economical ingredient that if prepared correctly can taste amazing.

This tasty spam fried rice can be made with leftover rice and will be a hit with your family.

Recipe reviewer Brian said, “Wow!!! This was fantastic!!! Easy, quick, and satisfying. Great for midweek.”

Get the Recipe: Spam Fried Rice

Chili Recipe

Many chili recipes have 10 to 15 ingredients or more, which can get pretty expensive. Luckily, this chili recipe only has five ingredients (not including salt). 

It is the cheapest and quickest chili recipe out there and unlike other recipes, it’s ready in just 15 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Chili Recipe

Chorizo Tacos

Mexican chorizo is one of the cheapest meat choices out there, a pack costs only $3 or less, with the cheapest price I’ve seen being $1.37.

These chorizo and homemade salsa verde tacos are a great way to get your Mexican food fix without eating out.

Get the Recipe: Chorizo Tacos

By the way, one of the cheapest (and most delicious) budget breakfasts is chorizo and eggs, yum.

Bacon and Mushroom Carbonara

Skip the expensive Italian restaurant and make this delicious bacon and mushroom carbonara for way cheaper at home.

Get the Recipe: Bacon and Mushroom Carbonara

Honey Soy Chicken

This honey soy chicken is made with just four simple ingredients (not including salt and pepper).

This recipe uses drumsticks, which are typically a cheaper cut of chicken than boneless skinless thighs or breasts.

Get the Recipe: Honey Soy Chicken

Sausage and Peppers Foil Packs

It doesn’t get much easier than throwing this foil pack of smoked bratwurst and buttery peppers on the grill.

Bratwurst is a cheap protein source and is incredibly yummy with grilled bell peppers.

Get the Recipe: Sausage and Peppers Foil Packs

Lemon Lentil Soup

A bag of lentils costs under $2 at many stores and this cheap ingredient is the star of this lemony soup.

Make a huge batch and freeze the rest so you can get a ton of cheap dinners out of it.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Lentil Soup

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

These yummy and filling sweet potato and black bean tacos are an easy budget meal ready in only 25 minutes.

Meat can get expensive, so opting for a meatless dinner even just one night a week can add up to big savings.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Chinese Pasta

Instead of getting costly Chinese takeout, make this easy ground beef and bell pepper pasta recipe filled with Chinese flavors.

Get the Recipe: Chinese Pasta

Butter Beans

These butter beans are cooked in a flavorful broth filled with fresh herbs and this dish is heavenly served with warm bread.

If you have some veggies that you need to use up to avoid food waste, you can throw them in the soup too.

Get the Recipe: Butter Beans

Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Made with basic ingredients and pantry staples, this easy honey garlic pork chop and roasted vegetable dinner will save you on hectic weeknights.

This recipe uses frozen vegetables, which will save you some prep time.

Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Since this is a list of cheap dinners that taste like a million bucks, I had to include this tasty million dollar spaghetti recipe.

Pasta is always a budget-friendly option but having it too often can get boring fast.

If you want something different, try this creamy spaghetti casserole loaded with cheese and other yummy ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Potato Soup

Made with four inexpensive ingredients, this soup will save you before payday when you need to stretch every penny.

Get the Recipe: Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken

Eating on a budget doesn’t have to be bland, this flavorful jerk chicken is made with pineapple and spices. 

This four-ingredient slow cooker chicken is quite versatile too, you can use it to make tacos or serve it with inexpensive sides like rice and potatoes. 

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken

Pizza Casserole

This pizza casserole is made with premade biscuits and only takes ten minutes to prep.

Your family will love this cheap and easy dinner, plus you can customize the toppings to their tastes.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole