Feeding the family on a budget? Look no further! Our collection of 35+ Cheap Family Dinner Ideas has you covered. With wallet-friendly options that are both delicious and easy to prepare, you can enjoy hearty meals without breaking the bank. From comforting classics to creative twists, these cheap dinner ideas prove that you don’t need to sacrifice flavor for affordability.
This Classic Baked Penne Pasta with Ricotta recipe is one that every home cook should have in their recipe repertoire. The easy baked pasta recipe comes together quickly.
This homemade hot dog chili is the perfect topping for hot dogs! Do you love a good chili dog? If so, you have to try this hot dog chili recipe. It is so easy to make and tastes way better than what you buy in a can.
Forget Nachos. Instead try Loaded Tater Tots which are tots cooked crispy then smothered and covered with a cheesy, ranch and bacon topping.
Feeding a large family can be a bit tricky. This classic crockpot cheesy chicken spaghetti made with Velveeta and Rotel tomatoes is budget-friendly, will feed a crowd and is a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy.
A healthy vegetable side dish that combines your favorite flavors for a delicious experience!
This delicious and tender Penne alla Vodka with Grilled Chicken is a wonderful Italian-American pasta dish that can be made as a simple weeknight dinner or served as a special occasion meal. The pink sauce is creamy but bright and loaded with flavor.
A delicious bean recipe made with ground beef, bacon, a sweet tangy sauce, and a surprising smokey flavor. This BBQ Cowboy Beans recipe is the perfect side dish for tailgating and backyard barbecues.
This Creamy Cucumber Salad recipe is incredibly easy and the taste is out of this world. Make this summer side dish for your next cookout, picnic or pot lucks. It doesn’t get much better than this easy BBQ salad!
Ground beef, Jiffy Mix, taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, frozen corn, lots of cheese and more make this easy Mexican Cornbread Casserole recipe a hearty dinner the whole family will love. This is one of my favorite quick casseroles!
This is simply the best smoky baked beans recipe! This side dish comes together easily with canned beans, peppers, onions, molasses, brown sugar, a few dashes of liquid smoke, and some pantry staples.
This is the best easy cheesy Mexican rice recipe. It is a restaurant-style Spanish rice recipe that comes together in no time. Serve this flavorful Mexican side dish with your favorite enchiladas or chimichangas. It is the perfect side for Taco Tuesday!
This made-from-scratch beef noodle casserole recipe is the best you’ll ever taste! Tender beef and noodles in a creamy sauce and baked to perfection.
This freezer-friendly Shepherd's Pie recipe is affordable and easy to prepare. It's a great make-ahead freezer meal that the whole family will enjoy.
This Traditional German Potato Salad recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
Cowboys love their chili, but you don’t have to be a cowboy to appreciate this hearty slow cooker cowboy chili recipe. Made using Hurst BBQ Style Cowboy Beans with seasoning packet, ground bee, diced green chiles and a few other ingredients, this slow cooker chili recipe couldn’t be any simpler.
This classic southern-style potato salad with dill relish is the perfect blend of two classic flavors. The dill relish gives it a fresh, zesty flavor, while the potatoes provide a creamy and satisfying texture. The combination of potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and dill relish, this easy potato salad is great for a side dish for dinner or the perfect potluck recipe.
Don’t have hot dog buns? No worries! Make hot dogs in a loaf pan using Bisquick baking mix.
Don't have hamburger buns or bread in the house? No worries! With a box of spaghetti, you can still enjoy all the great flavor of sloppy joes. This recipe is perfect for using up sloppy joe leftovers too
Baked Spaghetti is a great freezer meal. A veritable Italian casserole of coziness that you can enjoy now, then save the rest for later or share the goodness with friends and family.
Pasta is one of the most incredible creations on the planet. You can use pasta for many things such as pasta salads, spaghetti, lasagna, and more. And, If your one to enjoy all things pasta, then this recipe is for you. This Rigatoni Pasta Bake is great for a family dinner or to enjoy with friends on any occasion.
Southern-style Deviled Egg Potato Salad combines two classic favorites. This potato salad with eggs is perfect for any potluck, barbecue, or picnic, or anytime side dish. This is a terrific side dish for ham too!
Craving a delicious and speedy dinner option? Try our Quick Fix Tacos! These flavor-packed delights are ready in a flash, perfect for satisfying your taco cravings on the go.
This slow cooker ham bone soup recipe is a great way to use up any leftover ham from Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime! The meat and veggie combo offers a healthy main course loaded with nutrition too!
Slow Cooker Cajun 15 Bean Soup with Sausage, Chicken and Bacon – A flavorful and hearty Cajun 15 bean soup that will everyone will love, made easy in the slow cooker! This slow cooker 15 bean soup is perfect for game day, winter nights or anytime you crave comfort food.
Perfect as a side dish or standalone vegetarian meal, this zucchini rice casserole recipe is cheesy, comforting and filling. It’s a late summer casserole that pairs well with both poultry and beef.
Nothing says summertime like grilling out and this lemon macaroni salad. This macaroni salad recipe is extra-special thanks to a lemony sauce for a fresh summer taste. You should definitely give this lemon macaroni salad a recipe a try this summer!
Ricotta cheese makes everything better, and burgers are no exception. I love adding cheese to grilled burgers, especially cheese that’s been mixed in with the beef.
One Pot Loaded Veggie Pasta is simple to prepare and loaded with summer’s bounty.
One bite of this Creamy Baked Chicken Fajitas Casserole and you will have your new favorite dinner recipe. This easy to make recipe has all of the great flavors of chicken fajitas in a simple casserole recipe. Enjoy this comfort meal anytime you want a filling and cheap dinner idea.
Once you’ve made stroganoff in the slow cooker, you won’t want to do it any other way. I have been making beef stroganoff for years. This slow cooker pork stroganoff recipe is a great way to mix things up a bit.
These stuffed shells filled with spinach and ricotta cheese, smothered in red sauce and topped with plenty of cheese is truly to die for.
Looking for an easy keto chicken recipe? This delicious Keto Instant Pot Queso Chicken is fast to make and has amazing flavors. Dinner is ready “start to finish” in 40 minutes.
This Ground Turkey Noodle Bake is a satisfying casserole using lean ground turkey, noodles, and cheese. It’s a delicious and budget-friendly meal that will feed a large family. This casserole is also great to eat for lunch the next day, if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers.
In desperate need of skinnier versions of your favorite foods? This Oven-Fried Chicken recipe transforms a staple here in the South into buttermilk-bathed, cornflake-coated classic that won’t ruin your diet.
How to make tacos in the oven. Step by step directions to make out-of-this world oven baked chicken tacos. You'll love this 30-minute recipe.