Cheap Dinner Ideas
Eating well doesn't have to be expensive. These dinners skip pricier ingredients like steak and seafood and keep the shopping list short, so they're easier on your budget.
141 recipes to choose from
Fettuccine Alfredo
Creamy pasta with butter and Parmesan sauce
Penne Arrabbiata
Spicy tomato pasta with garlic and chili
Lasagna Bolognese
Layered pasta with meat sauce and béchamel
Cacio e Pepe
Simple Roman pasta with cheese and black pepper
Pasta Primavera
Light pasta with fresh spring vegetables
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Simple Italian pasta with garlic and olive oil
Caesar Salad
Fresh romaine lettuce with parmesan and croutons
Greek Salad
Fresh vegetables with feta and olives
Caprese Salad
Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil
Asian Sesame Salad
Crunchy vegetables with sesame ginger dressing
Cobb Salad
Hearty salad with chicken, bacon, and avocado
Quinoa Salad
Nutritious quinoa with vegetables and herbs
Waldorf Salad
Classic salad with apples, celery, and walnuts
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Fresh spinach with strawberries and poppy seed dressing
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Protein-packed salad with chickpeas and vegetables
Taco Salad
Mexican-inspired salad with seasoned beef and tortilla chips
Beef Tacos
Seasoned beef in crispy shells with fresh toppings
Chicken Parmesan
Breaded chicken with marinara and melted cheese
BBQ Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone ribs with smoky BBQ sauce
Meatloaf
Classic comfort food with savory glaze
Pork Chops with Apple
Pan-seared pork chops with caramelized apples
Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef in creamy mushroom sauce
Chicken Fajitas
Sizzling chicken with peppers and onions
Salisbury Steak
Ground beef patties with mushroom gravy
- Tomato Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- French Onion Soup
- Minestrone
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Lentil Soup
- Pho
- Gazpacho
- Split Pea Soup
- Vegetable Stir-Fry
- Caprese Sandwich
- Veggie Burger
- Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Mushroom Risotto
- Falafel Wrap
- Vegetable Curry
- Greek Spanakopita
- Cauliflower Tacos
- Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
- Korean Bibimbap
- Thai Green Curry
- Ramen Bowl
- Dim Sum Dumplings
- Butter Chicken
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Carnitas
- Quesadillas
- Guacamole and Chips
- Pozole
- Chile Rellenos
- Tamales
- Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
- Ceviche
- Margherita Pizza
- Bruschetta
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Arancini
- Pasta e Fagioli
- Baked Ziti
- Pasta Puttanesca
- Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce
- Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
- Bucatini Amatriciana
- Tortellini in Brodo
- Pappardelle Bolognese
- Gnocchi Sorrentina
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Pasta Caprese
- Spaghetti with Meatballs
- Cannelloni
- Niçoise Salad
- Kale Caesar
- Panzanella
- Watermelon Feta Salad
- Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
- Fattoush
- Chicken Caesar Wrap
- Asian Coleslaw
- Southwest Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Antipasto Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Egg Salad
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Roast Chicken
- Chicken Wings
- Brisket
- Chicken Shawarma
- Pot Roast
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Meatballs
- Miso Soup
- Beef Barley Soup
- Corn Chowder
- Wonton Soup
- Tortilla Soup
- Borscht
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Mushroom Soup
- Egg Drop Soup
- Avgolemono
- Posole
- Mulligatawny
- Ratatouille
- Falafel
- Caprese Pizza
- Vegetable Lasagna
- Buddha Bowl
- Vegetable Tempura
- Spanakopita
- Veggie Quesadilla
- General Tso's Chicken
- Tom Kha Gai
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Vietnamese Banh Mi
- Korean BBQ Short Ribs
- Chicken Katsu
- Fried Rice
- Gyoza
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Chiles Rellenos
- Tostadas
- Quesabirria
- Elote
- Chimichangas
- Sopes
- Molletes
- Chilaquiles
- Cochinita Pibil
- Torta
- Chicken Marsala
- Frittata
- Polenta
- Cacciatore
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Focaccia
Questions
How are these recipes chosen?
We include dinners with nine or fewer ingredients and leave out recipes using typically pricier items like steak, lamb or seafood. Actual costs depend on where you shop.