20 Quick and Easy Budget-Friendly Dinner Recipes

Cooking on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Here are 20 quick and easy dinner recipes that are both budget-friendly and delicious. These meals use affordable ingredients and can be whipped up in no time, making them perfect for busy weeknights.

1. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

This colorful and vibrant dish is packed with fresh vegetables and can be made in just one pot!

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, zucchini)
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine the pasta, mixed vegetables, vegetable broth, and olive oil.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cover.
3. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve with parmesan cheese if desired.

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Quick, easy, and flavorful, these sheet pan chicken fajitas come together with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp fajita seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Tortillas for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a baking sheet, toss the chicken, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, and fajita seasoning.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Serve with warm tortillas.

3. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Rice

This stir-fry is highly customizable and can be made with any vegetables you have on hand.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snap peas)
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced

Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic and ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute.
3. Add the mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
4. Stir in the cooked rice and soy sauce, and heat through before serving.

4. Chickpea Curry

Flavorful and filling, this chickpea curry is packed with protein and spices.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 2 cups spinach
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion until translucent.
2. Add the curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
3. Stir in chickpeas and coconut milk, bringing to a simmer.
4. Add spinach and continue cooking until wilted.
5. Season with salt and serve with rice.

5. Tuna Pasta Salad

This quick pasta salad is perfect for a light dinner and can be made in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (elbow or fusilli)
• 1 can tuna, drained
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions and drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine pasta, tuna, mayonnaise, peas, and lemon juice.
3. Season with salt and pepper, mixing until well combined.
4. Chill before serving, if desired.

6. Quick Veggie Tacos

These quick veggie tacos are versatile and can feature any vegetables you have at home.

Ingredients

• 4 corn tortillas
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup salsa
• Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Warm the corn tortillas in a skillet.
2. In each tortilla, add a spoonful of black beans, corn, and diced avocado.
3. Top with salsa and cilantro before serving.

7. Baked Potato Bar

Set up a baked potato bar to allow everyone to top their potatoes as they like.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 can chili (optional)
• Green onions for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), and bake potatoes for about 45 minutes or until tender.
2. Once baked, cut open the potatoes and fluff the insides with a fork.
3. Set out toppings like cheese, sour cream, chili, and green onions for everyone to customize their potatoes.

8. Sloppy Joes

This classic American dish is perfect for busy weeknights and can be made with minimal ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 hamburger buns

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the onion until soft, then add ground meat and brown.
2. Stir in ketchup and mustard, then simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Spoon the mixture onto hamburger buns and serve warm.

9. Tomato and Basil Risotto

This creamy risotto is simple yet packed with flavor, especially fresh tomatoes and basil.

Ingredients

• 1 cup arborio rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion until translucent.
2. Add arborio rice, stirring for a minute. Gradually add broth, stirring constantly.
3. Once the rice is nearly cooked, stir in diced tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
4. Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil.

10. Quinoa Salad

This quinoa salad is packed with nutrients and flavor, making it a perfect light dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cucumber, bell pepper, and feta cheese.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, mixing well to combine.
3. Chill before serving for the best flavor.

11. Easy Chili

This easy chili recipe is hearty and nourishing, perfect for feeding a crowd!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 packet chili seasoning

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, brown the meat over medium heat and drain excess fat.
2. Add kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chili seasoning.
3. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Serve hot!

12. Fried Rice

Utilize leftover rice in this quick and versatile fried rice recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
2. Add the beaten eggs, scrambles till cooked, then push to the side.
3. Add mixed vegetables and then the rice, mixing everything. Stir in soy sauce and serve hot.

13. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

A creamy, protein-packed salad for a quick dinner option.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup grapes, halved
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
2. Serve on lettuce or in whole-grain wraps.

14. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells

Delicious stuffed pasta shells that are easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 12 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup spinach, cooked
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions.
3. Mix ricotta, spinach, and half of mozzarella in a bowl.
4. Stuff shells with the mixture, place in a baking dish, cover with marinara sauce, and sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top.
5. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly.

15. Pumpkin Soup

This creamy soup is nourishing and perfect for any time of the year.

Ingredients

• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a pot, sauté the onion until translucent.
2. Add pumpkin puree and broth, stirring until well mixed.
3. Simmer for 15 minutes, then stir in cream, and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

16. Lemon Garlic Shrimp

An elegant yet easy dish that cooks quickly!

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, then stir in lemon juice.
4. Garnish with parsley and serve with rice or pasta.

17. Easy Meatballs

These easy meatballs are great served with spaghetti or as subs.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 jar marinara sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, and parmesan until combined.
3. Shape into meatballs and place on a baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes.
4. In a saucepan, heat marinara sauce, and add baked meatballs to finish cooking.

18. Egg Fried Rice

A simple one-dish meal that comes together quickly.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
2. Scramble the eggs until set and then remove from the pan.
3. Add mixed vegetables, then stir in rice and soy sauce, mixing well.
4. Return the eggs to the pan, stir to combine, and serve hot.

19. Corn Chowder

This creamy chowder is warm, comforting, and super easy to make.

Ingredients

• 2 cans corn, drained
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup cream or milk

Instructions

1. In a pot, sauté the onion until translucent.
2. Add potatoes, corn, and vegetable broth, then simmer until potatoes are tender.
3. Stir in cream or milk, season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

20. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast

Delicious, healthy, and full of flavor, this chicken breast is a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup fresh spinach, cooked
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cooked spinach with feta cheese.
3. Slice the chicken breasts to create pockets, then fill with the spinach-feta mixture.
4. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and drizzle olive oil over the top.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes and enjoy!

Conclusion

Cooking on a budget doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive! We hope these 20 quick and easy budget-friendly dinner recipes inspire you to try something new while keeping your meals delicious and affordable. From hearty salads to comforting soups and all-in-one dishes, there’s something here for everyone. Remember to adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences or what you have available in your pantry. Happy cooking!

FAQs

1. How can I make these meals even more budget-friendly?

Look for seasonal produce, store-brand items, and consider meal prepping to reduce costs. Buy in bulk when possible and rely on pantry staples.

2. Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?

Absolutely! Many of these recipes are flexible. Feel free to swap proteins, vegetables, or grains based on what you have on hand or prefer.

3. How can I store leftover meals?

Most of these meals can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To avoid wasting food, consider freezing portions that you won’t consume within a few days.

4. Are all of these recipes suitable for meal prep?

Yes! Most of these recipes can be prepped in advance. Just store the portions separately and combine when you’re ready to eat!

5. Can I make these recipes vegetarian?

Many of these recipes can easily be made vegetarian by opting for plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, or tofu, and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.