31 Dirt Cheap Family Dinners They’ll Go Crazy For
Keeping everyone well fed doesn’t have to send your grocery bill through the roof. These dirt cheap family dinners include favorites like tater tot casserole and slow cooker salsa chicken.
These budget-friendly dinner ideas are the perfect for families on busy nights. From hearty casseroles to cozy soups and skillet meals, there’s plenty here to help stretch your grocery dollars without making dinner feel like a compromise.
Dirt Cheap Family Dinners They’ll Go Crazy For
1. Bubble Up Pizza Bake
Biscuit dough gives this pizza-inspired casserole a shortcut crust that pairs with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. It’s way cheaper than ordering delivery and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Bubble Up Pizza Bake
2. Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
A few minutes of prep and minimal ingredients are all you need before the slow cooker takes over for this comforting chicken dinner. The chicken cooks until tender while a rich gravy comes together right alongside it.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
3. Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Potatoes
Sausage, peppers, and potatoes roast together in one pan. It’s one of the best cheap dinners for a family because it’s hearty and inexpensive.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Potatoes
4. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Sweet potatoes and black beans make these meatless tacos filling enough to serve for dinner. Having a meatless dinner at least once a week can help lower your grocery bill since meat can be costly.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
5. Italian Sausage Pasta
Italian sausage is one of my go-to cheap protein sources. The entire dish is ready in about 30 minutes, making it practical for weeknights as well as relaxed weekends.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Pasta
6. Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
Ground beef and vegetables form a hearty base beneath layers of cheese and golden tater tots. With creamy, cheesy, and crisp textures in one pan, this casserole has all the makings of a family comfort-food dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
7. Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks are a lot cheaper than other cuts of chicken. Dr. Pepper gives the barbecue sauce on these chicken drumsticks a distinctive twist as they cook low and slow.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Drumsticks
8. Ground Turkey Chili
Ground turkey makes a satisfying base for this chili, which can be prepared ahead when you know dinner time will be hectic. Ground turkey is more affordable than beef, so when possible try to make the swap to save money.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Chili
9. Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Sometimes it’s hard to find casseroles that don’t have a ton of ingredients. That’s why I picked this chicken and rice casserole. It has just five ingredients and rice is inexpensive.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
10. Potato Sausage
Sausage, tender potatoes, caramelized onions, and bell peppers cook together for a filling budget meal. Everything is made in one pot and can be on the table in under an hour.
Get the Recipe: Potato Sausage Recipe
11. Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper
This homemade take on tuna helper delivers the creamy comfort of the familiar boxed favorite using ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. It is made from scratch and ready in about 30 minutes, which keeps dinner uncomplicated.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Homemade Tuna Helper
12. Oven Baked Beef Tacos
Seasoned ground beef fills these baked tacos before you add whichever taco toppings your family likes most. Taking the family out to a restaurant can get expensive, make these delicious tacos instead to save money.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Beef Tacos
13. Pierogi Casserole
Pierogies and kielbasa are layered with Alfredo sauce for a comforting casserole that requires little fuss. A layer of melted cheese on top finishes the dish and makes it especially satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pierogi Casserole
14. Baked Boneless Pork Chops
Boneless pork chops make a budget-conscious dinner that does not require a long cooking time. This oven-baked version is ready in just 30 minutes, making it useful for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Baked Boneless Pork Chops
15. Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
These chicken thighs need only about five minutes of preparation before heading into the oven. They bake up juicy with crisp skin, giving you a budget-friendly dinner with very little hands-on work.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
16. Hawaiian Sliders
Ham, cheese, and pineapple are tucked into sweet Hawaiian rolls for a warm, melty combination. These baked sliders are straightforward to assemble and work well when you need to feed a group.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Sliders
17. One Pan Lazy Lasagna
All you need are five ingredients to make this tasty skillet dinner. Since everything cooks in one pan, you can skip the usual layering and still enjoy a comforting pasta meal.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Lazy Lasagna
18. Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
Canned chili and crescent roll dough turn classic chili cheese dogs into a family dinner that won’t break the bank. The flaky golden rolls pair with hot dogs, chili, and cheese for a fun twist on familiar comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
19. Ramen Noodle Soup
Vegetables and ramen noodles come together in a rich, filling soup that works for lunch or dinner. It takes only about 15 minutes to prepare, making it a practical option for hectic nights.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Noodle Soup
20. Chili Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Whether you use leftover or canned chili, this grilled cheese will be a hit with everyone. It’s inexpensive and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Chili Grilled Cheese Sandwich
21. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Seasoned ground beef, corn, and beans create a substantial filling beneath a fluffy cornbread topping. This all-in-one casserole is a comforting option when you want a hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
22. Baked Chicken Drumsticks
A marinade of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs gives these chicken drumsticks plenty of flavor before they go into the oven.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Drumsticks
23. Potato Enchiladas
Diced potatoes and sharp cheddar are rolled inside soft corn tortillas for a hearty meatless dinner. The whole meal comes together in about 30 minutes and is hassle-free to make.
Get the Recipe: Potato Enchiladas
24. Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and sausage make an inexpensive pairing for a filling meal with plenty of savory flavor. It can be prepared in under 30 minutes, which makes it especially convenient on nights when dinner needs to happen fast.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
25. Crockpot Chili
Ground beef, beans, and seasonings simmer together in the slow cooker for a hearty bowl of chili. Because the crockpot handles the cooking, this recipe is a convenient choice for days when you want dinner waiting for you.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
26. Sausage and Tomato Rice Skillet
Italian sausage and rice cook in a creamy, savory tomato mixture, with bay leaf adding another layer of flavor. Since the entire meal is prepared in one pot, it keeps cleanup to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Tomato Rice Skillet
27. Chicken and Potato Casserole
Chicken and potatoes come together in a creamy one-pan casserole built for feeding a hungry family. Its hearty ingredients make it a practical dinner for busy evenings when you want everything in one dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Potato Casserole
28. Curry Chickpeas
Chickpeas take center stage in this flavorful curry that comes together without a lengthy cooking process. It is a convenient dinner when you want something satisfying made from a budget-friendly staple.
Get the Recipe: Curry Chickpeas
29. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Chicken breasts and a jar of salsa are the only two ingredients needed for this low-effort slow cooker recipe. Once tender, the chicken can be used in tacos, bowls, or wraps, giving you several ways to turn it into dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
30. Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast for dinner is one of my secrets to saving money. Eggs and sausage are inexpensive so you can feed the whole family for cheap. Plus it adds a little variety to your weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Sausage Breakfast Casserole
31. Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Lentils and pantry ingredients make this Instant Pot soup an affordable choice. The pressure cooker takes care of most of the cooking, which keeps hands-on preparation to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Soup
