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Main Section » Recipes » Frugal Meals » Budget Friendly Dinner Recipes

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Budget Friendly Dinner Recipes

Jun 9, 2022

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Grocery prices are rising, which means we all need more ideas for budget-friendly dinner recipes.

Budget friendly meals can be easy and delicious to make, even with rising grocery prices.

And let’s be honest. Grocery prices are not the only prices that are rising. We are all seeing price increases in all kinds of areas. Those increases are making us rethink all kinds of purchases and what we can cut to save money.

Tuna Burgers

However, this is a food site, so we are going to stick to food ways that we can help our budget.

I started this site way back in February 2008. The economy was not so great back in 2008 and I started this site by sharing easy inexpensive recipes.

I have continued to share them over the last fourteen years, but it hasn’t always been the focus. Over the next few months, I plan to go back to my roots. Both my roots of starting this site and my roots as a kid.

Mexican Tortilla Casserole

My mom is one of the most frugal cooks that I know. My sisters and I joke that she can stretch a pot roast to serve more meals than anyone else we know.

Growing up we had enough, but at times we didn’t have a lot. However, my mom made it work. She got creative. She stretched meals. She bargain shopped. We had a big garden. Very little went to waste.

Our meals were not usually based on what we wanted, they were based on what we had and what we could afford. They were based on sales and in-season food.

Over the last fourteen years, I have shared all kinds of budget friendly recipes. Both ones that I learned from my mom and ones that I have developed.

Oven Baked Chicken Legs Recipe

My goal in the next few months is to revisit some of those recipes, but update them a little for current times. I also plan to share some new favorites that my family loves.

I will also share budget friendly recipes that are gluten free or that will work gluten free.

When I visit Oregon later this summer I hope to go through my mom’s recipes box and get some ideas and tips from her as well.

Taco Quesadillas

I will share plenty of other stuff too, but the main theme of what I will share this summer and early fall will focus on budget friendly recipes and tips.

I hope that is something you will find useful and timely.

Inexpensive Dinner Ideas

We are starting with dinner because I think that is the meal that takes up the biggest part of our grocery budget.

This list of budget-friendly dinner recipes is tried and true family favorites. They might not be as cheap as they used to be to make, but in comparison to other recipes, they are cheaper than most.

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Gluten Free Dinner Recipes

Since I eat gluten free, and have since 2009, most of the recipes are gluten free, include gluten free instructions, or can be made gluten free with gluten free pasta, etc.

For example the macaroni and cheese pictured above is made with gluten free pasta because I cook with gluten free pasta.

This list of recipes works for regular eaters and those that eat gluten free. They are regular recipes that can be inexpensive and gluten free.

For more gluten free main dish recipes see my list over at GF Kitchen Adventures.

Options for Meat

Most of the recipes that call for ground beef will work with ground turkey, chicken, or venison. The best way to save money in the kitchen is to use what you have and what you can find on sale. If can’t find ground beef on sale substitute it with ground meat that is on sale.

Now for the recipes!

Budget Friendly Dinner Recipes

A huge list of inexpensive budget friendly dinner recipes and ideas.

Homemade Cheesy Tuna Helper

Homemade Cheesy Tuna Helper as good as the real thing.

Simple Homemade Pasta Sauce

Homemade pasta sauce is easy to make and tastes so much better than the jar!

One Pot Spaghetti

One Pot Spaghetti is a quick and easy dinner. It uses basic ingredients and can be made in 30 minutes or less.

Oven Baked Chicken Legs

Baked chicken legs are an easy to make recipe that is perfect for dinner any night of the week.

Taco Pasta Recipe

An easy kid friendly dinner that everyone will love.

One Pot Cabbage Roll Casserole

One pot cabbage roll casserole is an easy one pot dinner.

Instant Pot Cheeseburger Helper

Skip the box and make it homemade.

Martha Stewart's Tuna Melt

Take a tuna sandwich to the next level with these easy to make tuna melt sandwiches.

Easy Slow Cooked Chicken Legs

You only need a few ingredients to make these easy slow cooked chicken legs.

Salmon Burgers

Salmon burgers are a quick, easy, and inexpensive dinner.

Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Photo Credit: www.lynnskitchenadventures.com

Make dinner easy and inexpensive with oven grilled cheese sandwiches.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

All the flavors of pizza in an easy to make grilled cheese sandwich.

Tuna Burgers

Tuna burgers are an easy inexpensive dinner!

Grilled Quesadillas

Change up your basic quesadillas with grilled quesadilla. Grilling the quesadillas gives extra flavor to this meatless meal.

Taco Quesadillas

Change up taco night with taco quesadillas. A great way to use up leftover taco meat.

Eggs and Rice with Soy Sauce

One of my favorite go to easy inexpensive breakfast for dinner ideas. Our family has been making these for close to thirty years.

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice is a great way to use up those leftovers sitting in the fridge. This recipe works with just about any cooked meat.

Ground Beef Fried Rice

Fried rice made a little different with ground beef.

Mexican Tortilla Casserole

Mexican tortilla casserole is a quick and easy dinner that your family is sure to love. This can easily be two meals or two pans for a small family. So make one freeze one.

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese makes homemade mac and cheese easy. A great meat free kid friendly dinner.

One Pot Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese

One pot stove top macaroni and cheese is an easy recipe that uses only five basic ingredients.

Scrambled Eggs with Sausage, Onions, and Peppers

Eggs are not as cheap as they used to be, but they are still inexpensive compared to other proteins.

Tuna Soup

Tuna soup also known as tuna chowder is an easy inexpensive gluten free lunch or dinner.

Crock Pot Beef and Bean Casserole Recipe {Five Ingredients or Less}

Need a simple dinner that is easy to make gluten free? Make Crock Pot Beef and Beans for dinner this week.

Mexican Beef and Beans Casserole

Another version of a classic beef and beans casserole.

Beef and Bean Bake

Beef and bean bake is a quick and easy dinner that kids love. It is also regular food that happens to be gluten free.

Easy Migas

Migas are a quick, easy, and inexpensive breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Crustless Cheese Quiche

Crustless Cheese Quiche is an easy and delicious recipe for breakfast, brunch, or breakfast for dinner. Eggs are not as cheap as they used to be, but since this is a meatless meal it is still a fairly budget friendly meal to make.

« Menu Plan 6.5.22
Gluten Free Menu Plan 6.12.22 »

Filed Under: Frugal Meals, Main Dish, Main Section, Recipes Tagged With: Budget Friendly Recipes, frugal recipes

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About Lynn

Lynn's Kitchen AdventuresI love to cook and bake, and my family loves to eat. Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures is all about sharing my love of cooking, recipes, tips, and ideas of how I combine this cooking passion with a busy life. [Read More]

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