21 Inexpensive Dinner Ideas Your Family Will LOVE!

If, like me, your grocery bills have increased in the past months, and you have a growing family, you might be on the lookout for inexpensive dinner ideas that won’t stretch your wallet.

I don’t even think about eating out anymore when a burger meal costs around $18 in a basic restaurant!! And don’t get me started on salads…

So here I am, looking for tasty and healthy, affordable dinner ideas that I know my family will love and won’t get us starving. This is one step in my journey to saving money.

No gatekeeping here! Enjoy these 21 meal ideas for an inexpensive dinner.

DISCLOSURE

Some of the links on here are affiliate links, and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

Looking for more cooking inspo? Here are my top articles:

21 Best Inexpensive Dinner Ideas

1.Roasted Chicken And Veggies

This meal is the perfect dinner if you’re looking for a minimal effort, budget-friendly, and in-season ingredients recipe! There’s no specific season to enjoy a juicy and well-seasoned roasted chicken!

You just put it all in a baking tray and let the oven do its thing!

Here is my favorite recipe for the perfect roasted chicken and vegetables.

2.Shakshuka

You do not need to eat out to enjoy Shakshuka! It’s actually a super easy and affordable one-pot dinner. So fragrant with vibrant colors! You can even add beans to make it even more filling!

Here is the best recipe to make Shakshuka.

3.Roasted Chicken Legs and Mashed Potatoes

Nothing beats creamy mashed potatoes and crispy roasted chicken on a chilly winter day! Add some gravy and caramelized onions, and I know I’ve got one happy hubby at home!

Here is the perfect recipe for roasted chicken legs and mashed potatoes.

4.Chili Con Carne

Chili is the perfect meal, full of nutrients, healthy, and so tasty! Plus, it’s pretty easy to make it vegetarian and still get a significant amount of protein.

Here is my favorite recipe for a tasty chili con carne.
Here is a vegan version, chili sin carne that tastes just as good!

5.Lentil Soup

The perfect recipe for a hearty, rich, and simple meal. It’s packed with nutrients and protein and costs nothing to make!

Here is the perfect recipe for a lentil soup.

6.Risotto

I love one-pot recipes, quick and easy to make, and even better when they’re budget-friendly, like risotto! So tasty, creamy, and rich!

Here are my favorite risotto recipes:

7.Fried Noodles

Fried noodles are incredibly easy to make, inexpensive, and ready in no time! You can add veggies, meat, peanuts, or keep them super simple with soy sauce.

Here is the easiest recipe to make fried noodles in 15 minutes only.

8.Pasta

It’s so easy to cook pasta in a few minutes, add a few ingredients, and have a tasty and rich meal ready to eat in 20 minutes! There are endless possibilities to season pasta.

Here are my favorite easy-to-make and affordable pasta recipes:

9.Homemade Gnocchi

Gnocchi are so good, even just sauteed in a bit of butter, or with a creamy sauce, even oven-baked!

They’re also perfect for a gluten-free meal because they’re made with potato, and you can easily switch wheat flour for cornstarch or gluten-free flour.

You can even use sweet potatoes!

Here is a no-fail recipe for homemade gnocchi.

10.Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

So easy to make, as the slow cooker does most of the work. You can eat the meat with potatoes or Texas seasoning, in a bun or a wrap, you name it!

Here is my favorite recipe for slow cooker pulled pork that melts in your mouth.

11.Moroccan Style Chickpea Soup

This aromatic soup, packed with veggies, is the perfect meal for vegetarians. It’s full of nutrients and proteins and tastes amazing.

Here is the best recipe for a Moroccan-Style Chickpea Soup.

12.Roasted Cauliflower

If well-seasoned, roasted Cauliflower can taste just like chicken! It’s healthy and tasty!

Here is a quick recipe for a tasty roasted cauliflower.

13.Maklouba

If you’ve ever been a guest for dinner at my mom’s house and had Maklouba, then I’m pretty sure you’re still talking about it. Friends of mine would come and ask for the recipe whenever they had a bite of it!

It’s caramelized potatoes, eggplants, cauliflower, meat, and rice. All in one pot!

Here is the recipe she follows for the perfect Maklouba.

14.Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

This is the perfect hearty meal for cold winter days. It’s creamy, cheesy, rich, and tastes amazing with toasted sourdough! It’s also a good way to get kids to eat greens!

Here is my favorite recipe for a tasty broccoli and cheddar soup.

15.Congee

Congee is Chinese rice porridge, and while most of you might associate it with comfort food during sickness, it can actually be super tasty on top of being affordable.

Here is how you make the basic congee rice porridge.
Then you can add minced chicken, pork floss, hard-boiled eggs, fried shallots, peanuts, you name it!

16.French Cassoulet

This is a one-pot French stew made with Cannellini beans, chicken, sausages, and carrots. It is a very traditional dish, mostly made during winter as it’s rich and hearty.

Here is an easy-to-follow recipe to make French Cassoulet.

17.Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Since lentils cost half as much as beef, if not less, making vegan Shepherd’s Pie is an easy way to make a budget-friendly dinner meal. Trust me, no one will see (or taste) the difference!

Here is my favorite recipe for vegan Shepherd’s Pie.

18.Baked Pasta

Baked pasta is one of the simplest ways to make dinner ready under 40 minutes, and using only a baking pan! There are endless possibilities to make it a delicious meal. Plus, it’s super affordable.

Here are my favorite baked pasta recipes:

19.Casserole

From baked pasta to gratin and wild rice dish, casseroles are a game-changer when you’re just too lazy to cook but still need a healthy meal on the table by dinner.

Here are my favorite casserole recipes to save time and money:

20.Quiche

I love quiche! It’s rich, yummy, and so easy to make it healthy. Too bad my husband can’t have it… More for me!

Here is how to make the base for the quiche. Then you can choose any filling you want: mushrooms, cheese, veggies, you name it! My favorite one is the Quiche Lorraine.

21.Stir-Fry Chicken

This meal is the perfect way to eat healthy on a budget: lean proteins, veggies, serve it with a bit of rice, and you’ve got the ideal balanced dinner.

Here is the perfect 20-minute stir-fry chicken recipe.

More Saving Money Tips

If you’re looking for more ways to save money, here are some free resources you can check right now:

Voila!

Now you have everything you need to whip up tasty and healthy dinners in no time and without breaking the bank. No more overthinking in front of the fridge that leads to expensive eating out!

Share with me your favorite inexpensive dinner ideas.

21 Inexpensive Dinner Ideas Your Family Will LOVE!